Alinco DJ-G29T Being Discontinued

[Jeff Lehmann N1ZZN]

Looks like the very low price of the Alinco DJ-G29T was an indication of the radio being discontinued. HRO's website now says:

"This is your Last Chance. Once these are gone, ALINCO will make no more. Get your unit while supplies last. Act Now while we have a few left!"

73
Jeff N1ZZN

[Dave Newman]

Jeff - are they worth buying? How is the 900 MHz performance compared to EFJ or Motorola gear?

Dave
WB1EVP

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[Jeff Lehmann N1ZZN]

I don't have one myself, but helped KA1BBU with programming his. It has some quirks with the display/operation that wouldn't have me running out to buy one myself. As for the actual RF performance, I'm not sure. Maybe WA1NVC or someone else who has one can comment on that.

73
Jeff N1ZZN

[David Cantrell]

I bought one when they came out and bought a second a few months ago.  I like the fact that there is a vendor making 220mhz and 900mhz gear specifically aimed at the amateur radio market.  As with other followups, I have some issues with the radio:

1) The menu controls are odd.  Specifically with regard to the 900 mhz settings for things like automatic repeater shift and step.  Alinco set some defaults that don't always make sense, but overriding them can be tedious.  They fixed some of these problems with a firmware update.

2) The 220 portion of the radio works just fine, no problems at all.  At least for me.

3) Power output is lower on battery than on AC.  High power for 220 is 5W and the radio claims 2.5W for 900 at max power, but I don't think that's right.  Motorola commercial handhelds are better in this area.

4) The antenna that comes with the radio is terrible for 900.  Comet makes a dual band 220/900 antenna that performs better.  HRO carries it.

5) As with other Alinco radios, very poorly written programming software is available from their web site, however it requires nearly $100 in adapters and cables to program the radio.  After having these radios since they came out, I have to say the programming cable is entirely worth it.  I also have an Alinco DJ-G7T and I can use the cable for that too.

6) The speaker is way way underpowered.  If you are using it at an event, you'll want a speaker mic unless you wear it around your neck.

Despite all that, I do like these radios.  My wife and I use them around Boston since 220 and 900 are less busy than 2m (she doesn't always want the chatter of 2m if we are just keeping in touch).  There are also some seldom used features of the DJ-G29T that make it a rare find and sort of fun in certain instances:

1) It can cross band repeat.  Now, it's 220 and 900, so it might not be that useful to you, but there is a fair amount of existing 220 gear out there.  I have used the cross band repeat capability and it works as described.

2) The radio is constructed well.  Alinco's recent HTs have a build quality I like and the DJ-G29T is durable.

3) Alinco radios can share accessories.  I have two DJ-G29T radios and one DJ-G7T.  I can use the same batteries across all of them, and speaker mic, and chargers, and so on.  I love this because it minimizes gear I carry when I go on trips.   Since I have three chargers, I can keep one at work and charge whichever radio I take in with me.

4) It's front panel programmable.  Commercial radios are fantastic and I love mine, but the lack of front panel programmability makes them a pain in the ass to use for amateur radio events or just with some friends.  "Hold on guys, have to bust out my old laptop so I can change frequencies."

The most recent firmware update from Alinco fixed some of the tone functions for 900MHz repeater use on the DJ-G29T.  Given the range of setups out there, Alinco expanded the menu options to cover the options.  However, before that firmware update, I had no problem using the radio on Boston area repeaters.

I applaud Alinco for wanting to offer an entry-level 900 Mhz radio for those wanting to explore the band.  Combining it with 220 at least gave customers comfort knowing it wasn't restricted to 900, plus it also exposed a less used band in VHF too.

I may buy more since Alinco is discontinuing them.  I was really hoping they would make a dual band mobile for 220/900.  Maybe someone will.

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David Cantrell <david.l....@gmail.com>
WH6DSN | http://blog.burdell.org/

[Lee M. Lemoine]

I can make a Tait TM8260 900/220 mobile...   Or a TM9260 900/220 P25 mobile, if you really want to get fancy...

1500 channels each!

Sincerely,
Lee M. Lemoine
N3LEE - Amateur Radio / WQGP447 - GMRS
"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

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