AR5700D First impressions

[SigIntel8600]

Well not heard anything from the importer yet waiting to hear if he is arranging the courier or shall I ? I think I may not hear any thing from them until next week . But it will be interesting to see what they do because this cant go on like this . If they just repair I bet you it will be back in the post in a few months time with yet more problems . I dont think I am being unreasonable after spending £4500 on a radio and it only seems to work for a few months then requires to be fixed again .Plus I hate to think of the time and money its going to cost if this radio has to be returned to Japan . So replacement or refund is the only way forward .

But wait and see . If this does go to the UK small claims court it will take time due the the back log of cases caused by coronavirus but in the UK there are people you can ask as this is not the first time I have taken someone to a small claims court but I hope they just change over the radio or give me a refund .

What a shame, you were one of the initial purchasers of the 5700D. AOR used you as an unpaid beta tester, no doubt they released improved firmware updates after they evaluated your radio during multiple trans-continental trips back and forth between Japan and the UK. Those trips are probably the cause of your problem. Heat or cold, package drops, humidity during transit to name a few are likely suspects. I have an IC-8600 and a DV-1 and may have be interested in a 5700D as an upgrade from the DV-1. I must admit your tale of woe is making me rethink my decision.

 

[palmerjrusa]

What a shame, you were one of the initial purchasers of the 5700D. AOR used you as an unpaid beta tester, no doubt they released improved firmware updates after they evaluated your radio during multiple trans-continental trips back and forth between Japan and the UK. Those trips are probably the cause of your problem. Heat or cold, package drops, humidity during transit to name a few are likely suspects. I have an IC-8600 and a DV-1 and may have be interested in a 5700D as an upgrade from the DV-1. I must admit your tale of woe is making me rethink my decision.

I'm likely about to pull the lever and buy an AR-DV1, how does it rate with you re performance?

 

[SigIntel8600]

I'm likely about to pull the lever and buy an AR-DV1, how does it rate with you re performance?

Tetra, DMR, P25 Phase 1, Fusion decoding are all good. VHF, UHF analog excellent. Thumbs down on the display. No Dstar or Alinco here for me to decode. Encrypted digital signals are not muted or bypassed, that REALLY sucks. I have not tried HF, I have the IC-R8600 for that. Most important, LEAVE THE SD CARD OUT of the radio unless you are actively using backup, restore, firmware update or recording features. IMHO, stay away from the latest firmware 2101C and use 1907B. Finally, get the espyonard as well as the Butel software. I am hoping to upgrade to the 5700D soon.

 

[MStep]

I'm likely about to pull the lever and buy an AR-DV1, how does it rate with you re performance?

Agree with SigIntel8600's comments above. HF on the DV1 is "ok", but certainly not up to what the Icom 8600 can do. It's better having it than not, and I guess when you get bored with all the VHF/UHF stuff, the HF is good enough for some international aviation, shortwave broadcast, AM/FM broadcast, amateur radio--- more or less the stronger HF stuff. If you want a radio that "digs" signals out of HF, nothing better than the 8600.

I'm just a little curious as to why SigIntel mentioned leaving the SD car out of the radio. Mine is always in the radio in the event I need to do some on-the-fly recording.

I know the developer of espyonard, but I would recommend using the radio for a few weeks to learn and understand it's functions, and then get involved with espy. It does a lot of basic and also some fancy stuff with the DV1 which you will appreciate even more once you understand the radio's functions and menu systems. It was developed especially for the DV1, and marlbrook, the author, is always here on the AOR forum to answer any questions.

 

[sub101uk]

Well once I hear back from the importer to find out what the plans are I will know what my next step will be but I might hear back today or next week even any communication is very slow as I dont know if there going to pick the radio up by there courier as they have done in the past or if I need to send the radio in myself , Not that it matters because I still pay for shipping since its out of warranty .

Once they have received the radio I will know more , As for file its all on my email account so no need to make up a file regarding the problems with DALL and then DMR not decoding .Plus I even took photos + videos its all here but AOR would still not accept this in the end they stopped replying to my emails but its all here .

I try not to do any thing over the phone as its better getting every thing on mail should there be any problems in the future . All I want is a working radio that keeps working its very clear that this radio has more than one problem and what makes it worse is its intermittent so its best just change over the radio or give me a refund .

I have no wish to take any one to small claims court but if I have to I will as I wont have any choice if they wont change the radio or give me a refund as the radio in its current state is not fit for purpose .

 

[marlbrook]

I'm just a little curious as to why SigIntel mentioned leaving the SD car out of the radio. Mine is always in the radio in the event I need to do some on-the-fly recording.

Normally leaving the SD Card in the DV1 is fine, however the Radio is very unforgiving if just a small error is discovered. The sort of errors that always happen eventually with any recording device, but Computers usually ignore.

The DV1 checks the SD Card randomly, not only when a read / write operation is required.

If an error is discovered the Radio sometimes has a minor nervous breakdown. It can refuse to load, or refuse to shut down, and many other diverse 'strange' things can happen.

SigIntel may well have read my other posts about this, in which I always recommend removing the Card if the DV! is misbehaving, to see if the problems are cured. Unless the Card is actually failing, a quick re-format in a P,C, invariably does the trick. Best to save the contents in the Computer first, then transfer them back after the format of course.

 

[palmerjrusa]

Tetra, DMR, P25 Phase 1, Fusion decoding are all good. VHF, UHF analog excellent. Thumbs down on the display. No Dstar or Alinco here for me to decode. Encrypted digital signals are not muted or bypassed, that REALLY sucks. I have not tried HF, I have the IC-R8600 for that. Most important, LEAVE THE SD CARD OUT of the radio unless you are actively using backup, restore, firmware update or recording features. IMHO, stay away from the latest firmware 2101C and use 1907B. Finally, get the espyonard as well as the Butel software. I am hoping to upgrade to the 5700D soon.

Thanks for your input!

I have an IC-R8600 for the HF stuff too.

 

[marlbrook]

Thanks for your input!

I have an IC-R8600 for the HF stuff too.

You are aware by now I have the IC-R8600 and AR-DV1. Just regarding HF there is nothing the R8600 hears that the DV1 does not pull in too. I do not mean marginally either. The two Radios have in my opinion very much the same HF receive capabilities with regard to detecting signals.

Where the R8600 'scores' re. HF is its excellent 'Noise Reduction' function. However I have long had my DV1 connected to a BHI noise reducing speaker, so that adds the same ability to that Radio, perhaps a little more. The R8600 also lets you tailor its Filters but how often that is significant seems slight in my experience.

Both excellent Receivers. As to the AR-DV1's display, it is consistent with the Radio's tiny footprint (which also means it is feasible for in car / mobile / portable use), and definitely 'does its job'. The R8600's display is impressive, but the Radio is much larger of course.

 

[sub101uk]

Please stay well away from the AOR 5700D as its full of problems ! If you go back to the start of this topic your see why . Currents problems are that the radio has gone deaf .

Speaking with the UK main importer this afternoon about the radio going deaf its very clear that they can do nothing only forward the radio to AOR Japan ,The radio has already been to japan twice since I bought the radio last year .I bought the radio in January 2020 within a few weeks it was very clear there was a problem with DALL plus not decoding DMR the made 2 trips to japan before the problem was sorted with 05 firmware installed please note I got the radio back in July 2020 . It would seem that all AOR radio are returned to Japan and are no longer serviced local .
The radio was sent back to my uk importer in February 2021 since it had gone deaf while it was there they updated the firmware to 07 .When the radio returned it was excellent on sensitivity however it went deaf last week . I contacted the importer who contact AOR about my problem and was told the radio was fine and the reason it was deaf was due to radio propagation we are talking here about my local commercial radio station plus DMR signals from my local hospital this so so close to me I can see it across the street , Signal has dropped from 5/9 + 20 to 5/3 but AOR wont accept there radio is at fault .

The radio was sent to my local independent communications shop he also has confirmed that the radio was deaf . When this report was submitted to the importer I was told " I cannot comment on the local independent communications shop findings and have no idea how they performed the testing, and they do not appear on the AOR approved test/service centres list. ?

So there you have it I have been instructed to send the radio back to the dealer I bought the radio from who will will then send to the importer who will send it back to Japan AGAIN !!! The only problem with all this is its out of warranty so I hate to think of the cost and the time its going to take .

From speaking to the guys in the states all AOR radios are sent back to Japan and are no longer repair local which is the same as the UK . So my advice to any one thinking of buying a 5700D is please wait untill they get this radio sorted out other wise your be joining the rest of us . As I am sure you are aware of you cannot update the firmware your self the radio must be returned to the importer if under warranty its free but out of warranty its £145 . At the moment I feel like a cow being milked for every cent they can get out of you !

 

[palmerjrusa]

Please stay well away from the AOR 5700D as its full of problems ! If you go back to the start of this topic your see why . Currents problems are that the radio has gone deaf .

Speaking with the UK main importer this afternoon about the radio going deaf its very clear that they can do nothing only forward the radio to AOR Japan ,The radio has already been to japan twice since I bought the radio last year .I bought the radio in January 2020 within a few weeks it was very clear there was a problem with DALL plus not decoding DMR the made 2 trips to japan before the problem was sorted with 05 firmware installed please note I got the radio back in July 2020 . It would seem that all AOR radio are returned to Japan and are no longer serviced local .
The radio was sent back to my uk importer in February 2021 since it had gone deaf while it was there they updated the firmware to 07 .When the radio returned it was excellent on sensitivity however it went deaf last week . I contacted the importer who contact AOR about my problem and was told the radio was fine and the reason it was deaf was due to radio propagation we are talking here about my local commercial radio station plus DMR signals from my local hospital this so so close to me I can see it across the street , Signal has dropped from 5/9 + 20 to 5/3 but AOR wont accept there radio is at fault .

The radio was sent to my local independent communications shop he also has confirmed that the radio was deaf . When this report was submitted to the importer I was told " I cannot comment on the local independent communications shop findings and have no idea how they performed the testing, and they do not appear on the AOR approved test/service centres list. ?

So there you have it I have been instructed to send the radio back to the dealer I bought the radio from who will will then send to the importer who will send it back to Japan AGAIN !!! The only problem with all this is its out of warranty so I hate to think of the cost and the time its going to take .

From speaking to the guys in the states all AOR radios are sent back to Japan and are no longer repair local which is the same as the UK . So my advice to any one thinking of buying a 5700D is please wait untill they get this radio sorted out other wise your be joining the rest of us . As I am sure you are aware of you cannot update the firmware your self the radio must be returned to the importer if under warranty its free but out of warranty its £145 . At the moment I feel like a cow being milked for every cent they can get out of you !

I feel your pain, you've every right to feel seriously ticked off and angry at AOR for the treatment you've received from them, if they had any competition in this niche market they'd be history by now.

 

[sub101uk]

I can see this going to the courts but so be it ! How many times does this radio need to be returned to the workshops before they change it or refund the money .

 

[palmerjrusa]

I feel your pain, you've every right to feel seriously ticked off and angry at AOR for the treatment you've received from them, if they had any competition in this niche market they'd be history by now.

...and likely soon will be.

 

[sub101uk]

Well its due to be collect on Tuesday so by the end of the week it should be at the importer so maybe in 2 weeks it will be in Japan ( again ) so might get it back in late July if I am lucky unless they just change out the radio .

 

[palmerjrusa]

I noticed Butel has a special deal running, 20% off their software.

 

[sub101uk]

The company I would love to get my hands on there software is
www.comintconsulting.com

They do Krypto500 and Krypto1000 but its ITAR-controlled products made for the professional COMINT / SIGINT market but I have seen it working .

Anyway I need a working radio before I look for suitable software .

 

[palmerjrusa]

The company I would love to get my hands on there software is
www.comintconsulting.com

They do Krypto500 and Krypto1000 but its ITAR-controlled products made for the professional COMINT / SIGINT market but I have seen it working .

Anyway I need a working radio before I look for suitable software .

Looks like an interesting company and interesting products😁

I like Butel products, bought their software for my AR5000+3 a while back.

Problem is, it only runs on XP and my XP laptop died ages ago.

 

[sub101uk]

Yes its a interesting company but they wont sell to the general public only security services .Still got Windows 98 + XP here but not much use for it these days .

 

[SigIntel8600]

Looks like an interesting company and interesting products😁

I like Butel products, bought their software for my AR5000+3 a while back.

Problem is, it only runs on XP and my XP laptop died ages ago.

I use a program called Virtual Box to run XP from Windows 10. If you have a old XP disk laying around, virtual box will emulate an x86 system and let you install XP on Windows 10. I use it to run old 16 bit software like Scancat Gold and Butel's original AR8600 software.

 

[SigIntel8600]

Please stay well away from the AOR 5700D as its full of problems ! If you go back to the start of this topic your see why . Currents problems are that the radio has gone deaf .

I just ordered a 5700D. Let the fun begin . It will be interesting to compare it with the DV-1 and the IC-8600.

 

[MStep]

I just ordered a 5700D. Let the fun begin . It will be interesting to compare it with the DV-1 and the IC-8600.

You are indeed an adventurer! Looking forward to your feedback.