Alinco DJ-500T and DJ-MD5TGP comparison

A side-by-side general comparison of two Alinco HT transceiver models:

Alinco DJ-500T 5W Dual Band transceiver, 2M/70cm analog
Alico DJ-MD5TGP 5W Dual Band transceiver, 2M/70cm analog/digital DMR

Alinco DJ-500T, Alinco DJ-MD5TGP

Left to right: Alinco DJ-500T, Alinco DJ-MD5TGP (click pictures to zoom).

Please note that the DJ-MD5TGP radio (pictured on right) has an aftermarket antenna attached: the Comet SMA209J three inch 2M/70cm flexible rubber duck antenna... it's 1/4 wave on 2 meters and a 5/8 wave on 440 MHz. Gain is 2.15/3.5 dBi and it can handle up to 5 watts. Both models ship with the same longer OEM antenna shown on the Alinco DJ-500T (pictured on left).

The compact dimensions of both radios are roughly the same. Weight and size are comparable, as are TX/RX audio volumes and twin top dials (channels/volume). Cases and screens are both made of the same resilient plastics. Front panel buttons and top dials operate nicely, and the PTT operates well under ordinary pressure, along with their assignable PF1 and PF2 buttons.  The most obvious differences are in their functionality, display screens, front panels and menu systems.

The DJ-500T has been my daily carry for about one year. It's been both durable and reliable. I'm very fond of the DJ-500T. This unit is an analog-only transceiver. It's easy to program, either FPP (front panel programming) or by downloading the free DJ-500 Clone Utility (at bottom of the linked Alinco page). Programming cables are sold separately for this model. It ships with one 1500mAh rechargeable battery, the OEM antenna shown in picture, a charging cradle and adapter, belt clip and wrist lanyard. It's FCC Part 90 approved. Transmit ranges are listed as 144.000 thru 148.000 MHz, and 420.000 thru 450.000 MHz. Receive ranges are listed as 136.000 MHz thru 174.000 MHz, and 400.000 MHz thru 480.000 MHz. It also receives FM radio broadcasts ranging from 76.00 MHz to 108.00 MHz (See more details in my upcoming review of the Alinco DJ-500T radio). 

Alinco DJ-MD5TGP

The DJ-MD5TGP is my first entry into DMR radio. It's both an analog and digital transceiver (DMR) with built-in GPS option. Programming this radio (and DMR in general) is more challenging than programming an analog radio. However, this can be achieved by FPP or by installing the free DJ-MD5T CPS V 1.01 Utility found at dxengineering.com (the download link found within the Documentation > DMR Software Link Information .pdf file). This DX Engineering page also provides a downloadable User's Manual, Operation's Manual and Software Guidance Manual. This radio ships with an OEM programming cable, one 1700mAh rechargeable battery. an OEM antenna (shown further below), charging cradle and adapter, belt clip and wrist lanyard. It is also FCC Part 90 approved. TX ranges are also listed as 144.000 thru 148.000 MHz, and 420.000 thru 450.000 MHz. RX ranges are listed as 136.000 MHz thru 174.000 MHz, and 400.000 MHz thru 480.000 MHz. It too receives FM radio broadcasts ranging from 76.00 MHz to 108.00 MHz (See more detail in my upcoming review of the Alinco DJ-MD5TGP radio).

With OEM antenna

It's worth mentioning that both radios share several compatible parts, should you own each, as I do. Both units currently ship with the same OEM "High Gain Antenna" that are interchangeable between these units, SMA Female connector type. The belt clips and wrist lanyards are also interchangeable, though the lanyard that shipped with my DJ-MD5TGP is slightly smaller, making it a tighter fit upon my wrist. The battery packs for both units are completely compatible. The DJ-500T ships with the EBP-87 1500mAh and the DJ-MD5TGP ships with the EBP-88 1700mAh. You can easily swap these batteries between both HTs. This also means that charging stands and adapters are compatible as well. Should you own both models and choose to operate one while charging the other, they can utilize the same charging cradle.

However, the DJ-500T and DJ-MD5T do NOT share the same programming cables, interface or software. They are completely independent of one another and are not program-compatible. This is obviously due to the nature of their TX/RX formats and imbedded systems, analog-only versus analog/digital DMR. As such, they also cannot be cloned directly from one to the other. Nor can their programming files or codeplugs be shared or opened in one another's software utilities. And, for any Linux OS operators, there is (to date) no support for either unit using CHIRP software to clone or program. I'm count myself among those Linux operators.

Custom start screen

I do hope this article proves useful to other HAM radio operators. At the time of this posting, the DJ-MD5T(GP) had only just been released perhaps three weeks earlier and there was/is very little to no information or support available online, aside from vendor's sales listings alone. I'm sure more will come from the HAM community as this transceiver is further purchased and explored. I will post additional, more detailed information about this and both transceivers soon.

In the meantime, thank you for visiting my website. I hope you'll check back again.

73,
Patrick, K3NYJ

Disclaimer: All content presented on this site are subjective and solely representative of personal ownership experience and individual understanding of said products and related subject matter described herein. Any and all representations, descriptions and commentaries posted herein are offered from opinion and should not be regarded as expert affidavit or testimony, or as a manufacturer's statement in any way. Please consult with product manufacturers and their approved sources for complete details, specifications and applicable warranties of all products described herein. All photos presented herein are property of this site's moderator and are not public domain.