QT40 vs. QT60

[KQ4PWI]

I have done a fair amount of research on these two radios and looking to make a final decision. It appears that the mod for CB is rather straight forward for both and the cost differential isn't really a factor either. I would be using whichever I choose as both a mobile and base, at least initially. I plan to pair the radio with the SR-A10 mag mount. It seems that the 40 might be more using friendly, while the 60 has better power output. Being completely new to CB and skip, I am not sure what additional features to consider.

Input to assist with the decision will be appreciated. Also is it best to purchase directly from Radioddity or another vender. Thank you.

Rex

 

[EAFrizzle]

Welcome to the forums!

Both radios perform well for 11 meter work, so the biggest question is which style do you like the most?

I like the QT-60Pro, and use mine daily. Since you're an amateur operator, you'd probably get more usability out of the 60 than the 40; it gives you easier access to the functions that a ham needs. If you just need a CB, the 40 will do great.

Power-wise, the only notable difference between them is what an amplifier would see as the input. No one on the listening end will be able to tell the power difference in the radios alone.

Both have WX channels, and you can add in other VHF frequencies for local monitoring on the QT-60Pro. I'm not sure if you can do that in the QT-40 CPS.

You've picked a good antenna to work with. Just put it in the center of the roof, and it shouldn't have any problems. Either radio will work well with it, and you should be making contacts in short order.

Enjoy your new radio! Lots of good DX still out there on 11 meters.

 

[makerdino059]

I was picking up skip from England this morning on my mobile rig QT 60. My transmit isn't so good because of my location in the mountains. I like my QT 60 so far. Quite a bit. Lots of features and learn where to access them in short order.

 

[WSAC829]

Having owned both that’s a tough one. For mobile use the QT40 is WAY easier to navigate with its old style buttons and switches rather than the partially menu driven QT60 (like no external mic gain, have to use the menu on the QT60). For a base station i prefer the QT60 just for the fact it has a big screen and VFO mode. For included features and bells and whistles they are almost identical in what they can and can’t do. There is only a 20 watt difference between them and wouldn’t be very noticeable. They both also have a programmable VHF receiver in them so you can monitor local ham, fire, ems, murs, etc if you want it to act like a poor mans scanner in a pinch. You really can’t go wrong with either for the money.

Edit: Most people don’t know this that buy one, but the QT40 also has a frequency counter. Just hold the up/down channel buttons on the mic at the same time and the frequency will scroll in the channel display. I see reviews / comments on forums etc that say they wish it had one. It does.

 

[slowmover]

AM/FM/SSB w/NRC Export is the mark to meet for mobile. 50-100W integrated. Large S-Meter

I have the QT60 in my big truck mobile rig. 11,000/miles-month. Stock mic is fine; I use BC-45 (don’t want channel change).

— It’s preferred over any NRC radio lacking a large meter as that is a great aid in distinguishing between Skip and Local when needing to make decisions at high speed (temporary RX which I can ignore).

There’s never enough time & distance for any given conversation when opposing lane vehicles are departing one another at 125-140/MPH. Seconds count. The meter is valuable.

IOW, I’m set for worst-case scenario. Tool, not Toy. A constant. Big truck is way too much work when things get hinky. And day-after-day is tiring. In an automobile one has a bit more freedom and hopefully is never as tired. Scan, play QSO, etc. This rarely figures for me (except when I’m trying to find locals avoiding the asswipes crowding AM-19 via Skip).

PRESIDENT George and Washington also feature large meters.

QT60 controls are easy enough. Most everything is set & forget for AM-19 use. Vol, SQ & RFG are the only changes thru the day (0400-1600) when the goal is maximum distance signal capture.

Far Rural is somewhat different settings than within Major Metro. Variation in-between. The wild card is Skip (daily adjustment) as we are still near the peak of the Solar Cycle. Morning versus mid-afternoon is another.

Over familiar ground (metro regional bubble) given a commuters schedule plus off-hours errands-running, radio adjustments are limited. In effect, may not be any. When it will matter more is when on vacation travel as terrain & traffic change.

IMO, the requirement besides meter is to add the DRX-901 speaker to get the full benefit of better signal capture (clarity). Vocal details add intuitive understanding. “Noise” isn’t as irritating.

This radio type — with strict installation quality plus best antenna design/location & installation — is all in service of the same ends:

Arrive in the same condition as when departed.

Antenna Design (5’ Minimum Length) + Location (Roof Center Ideal) is the important decision set. Clean power is a given. That info in other threads.

Radios can be changed at will.

.

 

[slowmover]

“ . . with the STRYKER SR-A10 mag mount”

(WILSON 5000 clone)

Order-of-Importance is Antenna System first.

A magnetic mount antenna is a half-measure to avoid.

The coax is always in the way. It’s an only a matter of when, not if it becomes damaged and this exists from the moment of first use.

While it meets the 5’ minimum, it still gives up performance to a 7’ (what you didn’t know you were missing despite the rest of the radio rig being “ideal”). Shorter than this gives up too much.

At roof center:

Low key & long-lasting would be (my preference) the 5’ LARSEN NMO-30 + W640 whip. (Remove & cover with rain cap as desired).



Least compromised performance would be almost any 7’ antenna on a sufficiently strong BREEDLOVE MOUNT



Trade-off is reduced stationary clearance plus more TLC maintenance (not much in total).

Ideal nationwide clearance height is at 14’ (municipalities require 15’ clearance for emergency vehicles and moving vans). New England an exception (lower). My “city antenna is a baseload with an ultra-flex whip reaching to 13’. It imparts no penalty in my use.

If I switch to a 5’ it drops my RX range considerably.

Convenience doesn’t trump Receive


Antenna System isn’t an afterthought. It’s the difference between men and boys.


— The radio is just another component. Sure, there are radio performance minimums, but the antenna system is what is make-or-break.

The permanent antenna is the baseline to “Best Mobile System”.

No, these don’t leak and as an upgrade they add value to an automobile.

Discussions are elsewhere.

.

 

[slowmover]

“ . . purchase directly from Radioddity” (?)

Has “Bundle Sales” every so often. QT60 with extras at $209 last time I looked at one.

These are re-branded ANYTONE radios.

RADIODDITY and POWERWERX are both good retailers to have links saved. DX ENGINEERING almost as much so. I’ve used PALOMAR ENGINEERS for a host of things, too. HRO, yet another. (More, besides).

I prefer to avoid AMAZON and eBay as money isn’t performance. Value is the mark (products and services). The greater becomes your knowledge the easier it becomes to be able to distinguish price vs value.

The incidentals can add up. Considerably. But cheap choices nearly always backfire. (Non-AMPHENOL connectors in my experience: a $1,200 radio system not working because I tried to save a few bucks on UHF pieces).

While there are those with offerings that may be lower on price . . . better look for a consensus, first.

Edit: Welcome to RR!

.

 

[KQ4PWI]

Thank you all for the experiences and suggestions. Maybe I need to consider the QT40 for mobile and the QT60 for base. Or maybe something altogether different for base. I guess the possibilities are somewhat endless.

 

[slowmover]

Antennas are decisive.

That’s where to put the research time & effort.

.

 

[niceguy71]

as everyone has already said either will be a fantastic radio

QT-40 = 10 watts dead key
QT-60 = 15 watts dead key you will never know the difference.

getting the radio at Radioddity.com gets you an 18 month warranty VS 1 year at Amazon... but both are void as soon as you do the mod... so buy it wherever it's easier and cheaper.

I like the simple return at Amazon if something went wrong.... so plug it in before you do the mod so you know it works.

when I got on this forum the Anytone 5555 N II ( also known as the Radioddity QT-60 ) was all the talk, about it being the top radio
then others found the QT-40 and found it a little more user friendly

I got used to the QT-60... the display is fantastic as a base station... nothing like that huge display to see the signal strength meter

I bought another one for my mobile and found the sun hits the display and it was a little harder to see.... and I also found myself looking at it while driving to switch from AM to SSB .... took a long time to get used to it...

I bought the QT-40 and put it in my mobile... the display with sun shining on it was easier to see... but I had gotten used to the QT-60 so I put the QT-60 back in the mobile and the QT-40 is sitting on the shelf.

if you're not in a hurry... wait for the big deals... Black Friday and Memorial day..... last Black Friday, amazon had the QT-40 for $149.99 ... they had a used one ( meaning a return ) for $107 ...so I bought the $107 dollar QT-40....

again both are great radios.