Alinco DR-620T for APRS???

[N3TTN]

Anybody have one of these rigs with the optional EJ-50U TNC for APRS??? I'm thinking about getting in to APRS, and this combo seems like a good deal. I would appreciate any feedback.

[kj3n]

You're going to spend $440 on the Alinco & TNC module, versus $465 on a TM-D700A.

Spend the extra $25 and get the TM-D700A. It's all in there and it was built for APRS. It also has a proven track record and is the favorite of the APRS community, in general.

I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel for Alinco right now. Their service is awful.

I know of one ham in the area that's been waiting over 3 months to have the encoder replaced on a DX-70. I've also heard more than a fair share of similar stories about repair times.

There was a time when Alinco was the brand to turn to for lower cost ham gear. That's no longer the case. You get better quality in general out of the Big 3 and it doesn't cost that much more than similar Alinco gear.

That's my opinion. YMMV.

[N3TTN]

Thanks James, yeah you are probably right, and an older ham friend of mine said pretty much the same thing as you did about the Kenwood. I know this sounds crazy but I just don't like the way the Kenwood looks, I know....the way it PERFORMS is what counts, and you guys are right about the cost difference, it's hardly worth worrying about. Thanks again for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it. 73, N3TTN,

Scott

[VE7TKO]

Quote[/b] (N3TTN @ Nov. 09 2005,18:03)]Anybody have one of these rigs with the optional EJ-50U TNC for APRS??? I'm thinking about getting in to APRS, and this combo seems like a good deal. I would appreciate any feedback.
If you are just getting into <span style='color:red'>APRS</span>, look into the possibilities of <span style='color:red'>D-PRS</span>. This is a new standard for the D-STAR <span style='color:blue'>(Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio)</span> repeater network. D-STAR Digital will allow simultaneous use of voice, data and D-PRS at the same time, on the same frequency. That is something that regular packet was never able to do.

I have an ID-800H and a GPS unit can plug directly into the radio. No TNC required. The only problem at this time is there are not many D-STAR Repeaters in North America. This is going to change greatly over the next 12 months, since both Icom and Kenwood are now supporting this new Amateur Radio Technology.

On the weekend of October 15 and 16, 2005, field tests of the 2-meter and 70 cm D-STAR repeaters were conducted. The results may be viewed on the ICOM Forums at: http://www.icomamerica.com/support/forums/. The results were very encouraging.

I live in Abbotsford, B.C. There are only 4 D-STAR radios in my area. Three of them are mine. For me, it is an investment in the future of ham radio. Go to http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/dstar/ and read D-STAR For the Second Century of Ham Radio. Still better, drop ICOM America a line, and ask them to send you enough hard copies so that every member of your club can read up on it. The D-STAR protocol is really worthy of your time and effort.

[N3TTN]

Hi Jan, thanks for the comments. An older ham friend of mine is sold on the D-STAR concept, he's convinced that digital is the wave of the future , no pun intended, and he may well be right. Digital seems like a great idea, but I don't think analogue FM is going to disappear anytime soon, besides, the D-STAR radios are quite pricey right now, but that may change as time goes by. 73, N3TTN

Scott