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| Front DJ-500T |
The Alinco DJ-500T is a dual band 2M/70cm 5W analog-only handheld transceiver that is compact, lightweight and simple to program/operate. This radio ships with one 1500mAh LI-ion rechargeable battery, an OEM "high gain antenna", a charging cradle and adapter, belt clip and wrist lanyard. It is FCC Part 90 approved. Transmit (TX) ranges are listed as 144.000 thru 148.000 MHz, and 420.000 thru 450.000 MHz. Receive (RX) 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. A complete features listing may be found at Alinco.com, DJ-500T/E , as well as a listing of available accessories.
OVERVIEW: This transceiver has been my daily carry radio for about one year. I routinely wear this on my belt at work and when traveling abroad. Often attached is a low-profile Comet SMA209J flexi-stubby antenna, which works well. I listen to FM broadcast music quietly from the DJ-500T in the workplace while on dual-watch scan of local repeaters. I can get through a ten hour work-shift listening to music (occasionally TXing) with around 25% battery power to spare. I average about four to five hours of battery power under heavy TX and long QSOs. My workplace is a labor-intensive environment and subject to unexpected bumps and collisions. The DJ-500T has proven to be quite durable. After one year of continued carry, mine has only two minor scratches on the speaker grill from hard scrapes against metal loading ramps. Both are barely noticeable. The painted-on "Alinco" brand stamp (top of front face) shows a little wear, but not much. Attached photos were taken right off my hip (no cleaning) to show accurate, present-day radio conditions. This transceiver has not yet failed in it's TX/RX functions, nor it's operating software or firmware. It's shown itself to be reliable in my life's routine activities.
All scores are rated 1 through 5.
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| Back DJ-500T |
BUILD QUALITY (score 5): The Alinco DJ-500T body is comprised of a durable black plastic outer case. Seam lines are fitted together snugly and uniformly. The unit is not rated as waterproof, but is rated IP54 dust/splash proof. It has been tolerant to light rain when clip-attached to my belt, though I'm cautious of excess water entering through the speaker grill. Only a black cloth (or membrane) protects the speaker within from openings on the external grill. Front panel buttons are semi-soft translucent material with alpha-numerics printed onto them, and menu options painted above them. After about one year's frequent use, none of these have rubbed or scrapped off. The display screen is a clear scratch-resistant plastic. My DJ-500T display screen has had no noticeable scratches whatsoever after continued carry/use. Top dials (channel/volume) turn and rest well and are firmly seated. The antenna sits securely onto the radio, no gap or looseness to speak of. The PTT button works smoothly under ordinary pressure, as do the programmable P1 and P2 keys beneath it, without any wear. The mic/programming port cover also secures snugly to the body with almost no dust entry. The battery pack is equally durable, made of the same case material and clicks neatly into place. The battery has never come detached without my pressing the battery release. The included belt clip is an optional attachment, screwed onto the battery itself. It clips firmly onto even my heaviest leather belt and it's retention spring remained firm. I find the overall build-quality excellent for this affordable radio.
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| Right DJ-500T |
PROGRAMMING (score 4): This transceiver may be programmed by software and FPP (front panel programming). Alinco offers a free cloning utility on their MD-500T product page near the bottom of the page, DJ-500T Clone Utility. Software installation details are listed just below the link for this clone utility and requires Windows OS. For those using Linux CHIRP software, this model is not yet supported. Additionally, you will need to purchase a programming cable to connect the radio to a PC. Alinco's cloning utility software is basic but functional, allowing for common radio program settings. My single grievance is that I'm not able to move up/down or reorganize memorized channels that I've created within the software (or by FPP). It's seemingly minor, but frustrating. I prefer my assigned channels to flow in frequency sequence. Regardless, free cloning software is still nice to have. I would strongly recommend buying your programming cable through a respected radio dealer like Ham Radio Outlet or DX Engineering, as there are flawed counterfeit cables being sold on the market elsewhere. RT Systems also sells reliable programming kits for the Alinco DJ-500. FPP program this radio is simple and no more time consuming, in my opinion. You can program frequencies in VFO mode; adjust frequency offets, PL tones, CTCSS/DCS, DTMF, 5Tone and more, or program simplex frequencies. You can then store those frequencies and their individual settings to memory as assigned channels, right from the front panel. A short Youtube video for FPP programming may be found here with step-by-step written instructions found in the video's notes below. Thanks, Paul K6PDF! Lastly, for those who wish to access IRLP nodes via repeater, the Alinco DJ-500 possesses built-in DTMF key-dialing. Simply hold PTT, enter command numbers, release PTT, repeat as necessary.
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| Left DJ-500T |
FUNCTIONALITY (score 4): While the DJ-500T may seem simplistic in features and usage compared to more expensive radios, it makes for an excellent everyday HT transceiver for those both new and experienced to HAM radio. TX audio quality has been reported as good to excellent. TX power can be adjusted to three levels; 1W, 2.5W and 5W. On 5W setting, I can generally hit repeaters in my area up to about 25 miles away. I have yet to test radio-to-radio simplex ranges. RX audio quality is also good. RX sensitivity parameters meet listed and personal expectations. The 1W built-in speaker sound is clear and well-rounded. It's actually quite loud at maximum volume with only about ~10% or less distortion, and comfortable to listen to quietly at around 10% volume. The display is a legible dot-matrix with three color backlight choices that illuminate display and front buttons. I prefer the brighter "white" backlighting. You can adjust the duration that the lighting remains on to conserve power. Programming can be easily done though FPP and thirty-one menu options that include all functions needed for analog simplex and repeater operations. The radio stores up to two-hundred channels, in any combination of VHF/UHF. Channel information can be displayed as either frequency or name (i.e. W1ABC) but not both. The DJ-500T can operate in dual-watch mode in combinations of Memory/VFO/FM Music. Internal VOX works well, should you care for that option, and has no notable depreciation of audio quality in my experience. Scan mode runs through stored channels at about 5 per second, and has adjustable scan-pause-time options. VFO scan mode can be adjusted by setting the steps increments from 2.5k up to 50k. Power is provide by the OEM LI-ion 1500mAh rechargeable battery, good for 300+ recharge cycles (and more with partial discharge uses only). Mine has stayed strong longer, considering that I've used it nearly every day for the last year. It is not necessary to completely deplete (condition) the LI-ion battery during it's initial uses. I understand that the DJ-500T is MARS modifiable though I remind operators that permits are likely required for that mod and may void manufacturer warranties.
VALUE (score 5): As of the posting date of this review, the Japanese-built Alinco DJ-500T was listed at about $100.00 USD. While this is more expensive than other dual-band HTs available (i.e. Chinese-built Baofeng, Pofung, Quansheng), it easily outshines them all in build-quality and functionality in my opinion. Conversely, the DJ-500T is less expensive than other notable manufacture HT radios (i.e. Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu) while still offering a great deal in cost-to-features value overall. I feel that this radio is a solid return on investment, great for new and experienced HAMs alike and continues to serve me reliably as my go-to analog radio.
CONCLUSION: I do recommend Alico DJ-500T. It's exceeded my expectations for the price-point I invested. Straightforward, dependable, compact and easy to use. It's made me a fan of Alinco product line in general. I regard the DJ-500T as my little radio that can. A complete listing of the Alinco DJ-500's feature may be found here. I'd encourage you to consider this transceiver should you be looking for an affordable dual-band analog HT.
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.
