Anytone at-5555n II (version 2)

[TimmyTheTorch]

When using an Astatic D104-M6B on this radio, is there a recommended mic gain on both the radio and the microphone to use as a good starting point for strong but clear modulation? I have seen talk in other threads for other radios where a common sentiment is to leave the radio's mic gain turned all the way up (which would be 36 for this radio) and leave the D104 at about 50 percent. That seems strange to me but I tried it this morning on a contact with the Netherlands and he said I sounded fuzzy and choppy but was crystal clear when I reverted to the stock Anytone mic. I'm just looking for a level where I don't need to speak quite so forcefully into a mic, hence trying a power mic again.

 

[Pez]

So I received my package yesterday. A new 5555N2. Been familiarizing myself with it, somewhat. I've found a lot of things I really like, and a few things that I don't like, but it could be a matter of me just not understanding something correctly.

Instead of trying to address everything at once, I'll just go over these few annoyances one at a time. None of them are major, but still significant.

Can someone tell me if there is a "built-in" preamp that is on all the time? The noise floor at my station, at least when I was testing last night, is non-existent. My Icom 7610 was seeing zero S-units of noise floor on 10 meters at the time of testing.

It was right at the bottom of the 7610 (excellent) meter, with an occasional little "tickling" of the first tiny dot on the meter, which is about a quarter S-unit. This is how it is when there is no atmospheric noise being registered on my 7610. Late at night, it's usually the norm.

Enter the 5555. That thing is seeing a 3 & 1/2 S-unit noise floor continuously, bumping up to 4 frequently. If I flip on my 1st preamp on my 7610, it was giving me right at 3 S-units, so with the 5555N II, it was just like having a preamp turned on.

I don't like having an almost 4 S-unit signal when there is absolutely nothing (including atmospheric noise) on the band. I noticed when I was watching the guy who runs "Scott's Radios" (on YouTube) during a QSO he recorded, he's got the same level of noise floor, when there is none. That's why he uses the DNR on 5 ALL the time.

This gets rid of he noise, but degrades the audio quality a bit. And if you look at the meter, it's still there. The DNR quiets it, so that it seems to be gone. But in reality, weak signals are not able to be heard, when on my 7610, they are plain as day, because there is no 3 or 4 pounds of hash covering it up.

Yes, I realize that the 7610 is leaps and bounds better than this veritable "toy" (by comparison), but why then do other 10 meter radios show nothing but quiet on this antenna, unless there really IS a legitimate atmospheric noise floor? One that shows up on ALL my radios, including the 7610?

I have put Rangers and HR2510's and Cobra 148's (etc...) on this antenna and they don't show anything on the meter when it's quiet, just like it is right now. While this thing has what seems to be a permanent baseline of 3-4 S-units of hash. This is why Scott keeps his DNR maxed out all the time, because he has that pervasive noise floor that shouldn't be, too. Unless he just has locally generated noise where he's at.

This radio is supposed to have a good receiver. Yes? That's one of the very main reasons I bought it.

So back to my question... Does anyone know if this radio is preamped full time, and is there any way to shut that off? The RF Gain needs to be scaled back a lot to get rid of that signal on the meter, and doing so also makes the radio deaf to signals that would otherwise be easily copyable.

I'm by no means a "perfectionist" I don't expect an "always noise-free" band, but after 50 years of radio experience in CB, Amateur, and commercial radio, I know when something is not right. I know when the band is totally quiet, and when there is an ACTUAL noise floor. And not one that ONLY one radio "sees".

So my question boils down to this...

Is there a way (other than reducing the RF gain), to switch off any built-in preamp that seems to be on? Or will I always be looking at a minimum of a 3-4 S-unit noise floor, when there should be none?

I have a very quiet location, so it makes me wonder what it will be like during the day, when there's often more atmospheric hash under the skip. Am I going to see a 6 or 7 noise floor? More? lol... On 10 meters?

If this radio has a preamp, that would explain everything, since it matches the signal my 7610 sees, with it's preamp on.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I don't really look forward to a permanent (always present) noise floor that isn't even really there.

D

My 5555Nii does NOT do this. I have it sitting next to a FTDX10 and the RX performance, and reported noise floor (of almost zero at my QTH) is basically the same between the two radios. My 5555Nii is that good! It is amazing, actually.

I have had 3 of these radios in my shack now, they have all been the same - no issues at all.

You probably have done this already, but check that the PSU driving the 5555Nii isn't noisy, antenna patch leads are good, position of the radio in relation to other items (PC. monitors, etc), earthing system, is checked. etc.

There is no preamp adjustment on the 5555Nii at all. There is no additional "built in preamp" either.

- Another thing to consider - is the RX actually working perfectly, BUT only the S meter is out of alignment?????
If you are not "hearing" (only "seeing") this extra noise that the S meter is showing, and it's just the visual representation of the S meter that is not correct, then the S Meter IS able to be calibrated in the service menu.

Compare the 7610 and the 5555Nii on a weak signal - see how they compare to your ear (sensitivity, recovered audio, etc)- if they are very similar (which they should be if everything is working correctly - (set the 5555Nii RX NR to "2")) then we can look at correcting the S meter calibration settings (maybe they were missed in the factory on your radio somehow?)


73

 

[Pez]

This is quick, non-scientific RX test between an Anytone AT-555Nii, Yaesu FTDX10, and a Yaesu FT-450D.

The antenna is a 1/2 wave vertical.

(Sorry about the content and poor video - it was the only signal anywhere on the bands that I could find at the time). But I think you will agree, the RX performance of the AT-555Nii is excellent.

 

[Pez]

And here is another quick non-scientific test comparing the Anytone AT-5555Nii, Galaxy DX-86V and Yaesu FT-450D.

73

 

[Eldorado828]

@Pez Post# 404 said it all better than I could.

@ Eldorado & Timmy

@ Eldorado

Thanks for the RJ45 wiring info. You confirmed my suspicion about the channels being on TX. Which means there is voltage on TX as well - partial grounding of that voltage is how the channels work.

No offence meant, but I disagree with your last comment.

Why does a Power mic make any difference? The E/R switch has nothing to do with the audio line. It switches between PTT Electronic and Relay switching for the D-104. You said there is no RX, so Relay switching is impossible (RX & TX are connected together). In the Relay position, the radio won't key, it will just change the channel - Which is exactly the problem Timmy is having.

A Cobra 4 pin mic uses Electronic switching. TX and RX are connected to shield/ground, not each other.

View attachment 62065

The D-104 has the ability to use Electronic or Relay switching. For models that have a E/R switch, the Blue wire is the "common" on the PTT switch. This is so it can be used with a 5 pin Cobra, etc. which doesn't use shield to switch PTT (it uses a separate ground) or an older radio that uses Relay switching.


For the D-104 to be properly wired for a Cobra 4 pin, the switch must be in the "E" position and the mic plug should be wired (assuming stock colors):

Pin 1 - Bare copper shield and Blue wire (Ground & PTT common)
Pin 2 - White wire (audio)
Pin 3 - Red wire (PTT TX)
Pin 4 - Black wire (PTT RX)
N/C - Yellow wire

The Female 4 pin mic plug on the RJ45 adapter should be wired:

Pin 1 - Black (shield)
Pin 2 - White (audio)
Pin 3 - Red (TX/UP/DW)
Pin 4 - N/C

@TimmyTheTorch - Would you mind popping the base plate off your D-104 and take a picture so we can see what the "New Internals" are. I don't want to lead you down the wrong path if something is not stock. And I don't think it is because your picture of the mic plug shows a Blue wire and shield together. The TUG8 stand with the e/r switch only had 3 wires and a shield (no Blue wire). So something isn't "stock" with your D-104.

Thanks,
Dr_DX

No offense taken Doc, I'm only stating what I've found in using these radios. The q5n2 while in electret mode will not play well with power mics and I'm guessing it's because in electret mode there is voltage at the audio pin. When the radio is put into dynamic the voltage goes away and my 104m6 plays with the radio really well. Now as to the rx wire, again am only stating what I've learned in owning anytone radios. Rx is not used and it's advised by the sellers of these radios not to connect the rx. The top gun quad 5 site says the same as their radios are also based off of the qixiang rigs.
I'm not a tech, just an end user that owns several anytone radios of different flavors. I've researched so not to end up with magic smoke so the reason I try to advise new users. Take it or leave it.

To each his own in the end I guess, feed the electret mode some power mic and connect that rx wire and see what happens after a while. Maybe the warnings I've caught are all false, in the meantime I'll keep it safe with what I know has worked well and keep making them contacts! CQ-DX 828 in Lone Star State standings by.

 

[Dr_DX]

@Pez Post# 404 said it all better than I could.

No offense taken Doc, I'm only stating what I've found in using these radios. The q5n2 while in electret mode will not play well with power mics and I'm guessing it's because in electret mode there is voltage at the audio pin. When the radio is put into dynamic the voltage goes away and my 104m6 plays with the radio really well. Now as to the rx wire, again am only stating what I've learned in owning anytone radios. Rx is not used and it's advised by the sellers of these radios not to connect the rx. The top gun quad 5 site says the same as their radios are also based off of the qixiang rigs.
I'm not a tech, just an end user that owns several anytone radios of different flavors. I've researched so not to end up with magic smoke so the reason I try to advise new users. Take it or leave it.

To each his own in the end I guess, feed the electret mode some power mic and connect that rx wire and see what happens after a while. Maybe the warnings I've caught are all false, in the meantime I'll keep it safe with what I know has worked well and keep making them contacts! CQ-DX 828 in Lone Star State standings by.

@Eldorado828

My bad. My fault. I misunderstood what you were talking about.

"The rj45 only uses 3 pins, rx is not used. Voltage for the stock electret is provided through the audio pin so you SHOULD NOT use any power mic with the radio in el mode."

You were talking about setting the mic "type" setting to Dynamic (not Electret) in the Radio, which is 100% correct for a Dynamic or power mic.

Since we had been talking about the EL/RY switch in the D-104, I thought that was what you meant by "el mode".

Apologies!

 

[Eldorado828]

@Eldorado828

My bad. My fault. I misunderstood what you were talking about.

"The rj45 only uses 3 pins, rx is not used. Voltage for the stock electret is provided through the audio pin so you SHOULD NOT use any power mic with the radio in el mode."

You were talking about setting the mic "type" setting to Dynamic (not Electret) in the Radio, which is 100% correct for a Dynamic or power mic.

Since we had been talking about the EL/RY switch in the D-104, I thought that was what you meant by "el mode".

Apologies!

@Dr_DX No apologies needed my friend, just a simple misunderstanding maybe even from both sides.
It's really common for me to come across incorrectly and either not understand or be misunderstood, ASK MY WIFE

 

[Dr_DX]

When using an Astatic D104-M6B on this radio, is there a recommended mic gain on both the radio and the microphone to use as a good starting point for strong but clear modulation? I have seen talk in other threads for other radios where a common sentiment is to leave the radio's mic gain turned all the way up (which would be 36 for this radio) and leave the D104 at about 50 percent. That seems strange to me but I tried it this morning on a contact with the Netherlands and he said I sounded fuzzy and choppy but was crystal clear when I reverted to the stock Anytone mic. I'm just looking for a level where I don't need to speak quite so forcefully into a mic, hence trying a power mic again.

TTT - did you do what Eldorado828 suggested in post #389?

 

[undertaker]

I don’t understand all the fuss the stock mic works great!! On mine that is….

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

TTT - did you do what Eldorado828 suggested in post #389?

I scrolled back to #389. I had the Q5N2 mic type set to DY when I was using the D104-M6B. This is a brand new mic. And to be clear, I am now speaking about the D104-M6B hand mic, not the Silver Eagle. I am leaving that one alone until the new mic plug arrives on Sunday and I will be starting a new thread for that if/when that mic-specific adventure continues. This current thread has such good info on the Q5N2 that I don't want to pollute it too much with this other stuff only tangentially related to it.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

I don’t understand all the fuss the stock mic works great!! On mine that is….

To be honest, my stock mic works great too but sometimes I just can't leave well-enough alone. Tinkering and puttering about are two lifelong afflictions.

 

[AxlMyk]

I ordered one of the last Q5n2s on Amazon today. There were 5 left, last glance said 3 left. With the cable it came to just under $300. Should be here Sun or Mon.
I have the Q5n model already and really like it.

 

[Eldorado828]

I don’t understand all the fuss the stock mic works great!! On mine that is….

You're correct sir, it does work really well. But it also does well with others that are a better feeling in the hand. It really isn't a complicated matter at all and not a reason for a fuss.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

To be honest, my stock mic works great too but sometimes I just can't leave well-enough alone. Tinkering and puttering about are two lifelong afflictions.

Trying different things and changing things up to see what works is one of the best parts of this hobby. I will probably get myself one of these radios for my birthday next month. Then I will proceed to run it through my microphone collection to see what works best.

The best way to hear your transmit audio is with a second radio with headphones and no antenna. I always double check my audio when I power up, just to make sure nothing has changed or got bumped. I run a Cobra 148 as a permanent station monitor.

Chris

 

[Dallas Starr]

OK, so I attempted to post a video demonstrating the problem I am having with this new 5555N2 I just bought, but it appears that I can not. The video showed both the noise and the signal indication on the new 5555N2 at the same frequencies, and in the same mode as 4 other radios that I compared it to.

And here's the issue:

The new radio (5555N2) displays a 4-5 S-unit noise floor at ALL times, on ALL frequencies, and in ALL modes. It is also very noisy, so it appears that it's not merely an out of alignment S-meter, because it has the loud hash noise floor to match.

The problem is, the 7610, the HR2510, the Emperor, and the 2950 all show NOTHING. No noise floor on 10 meters at night, and on the very same antenna. As well as the same Astron 70 amp power supply, and placed in the same physical location as the 5555, while testing.

All are quiet on the receive, with NO indication on the S-meter, except a one dot flicker (about a quarter S-unit) on the 7610 meter from time to time, since it is a sensitive receiver with a much better S-meter. All radios set the same. No NB, no pre-amp, no attenuation, etc...

But the new 5555N2? Loud hash and 4-5 on the meter, with same antenna, on same frequency. It was suggested that maybe the S-meter is not aligned properly from the factory, which is actually the first thing I thought of too, when I first discovered this. But this is an actual (noisy) noise floor, to accompany the reading on the meter. It's unusable, except for strong signals.

I did an experiment with a friend who lives a few miles away. He adjusted the power on his radio to hit my IC-7610 at 9 S-units. Once I switched to any of the other radios (HR2510, Emperor, Ranger, etc...) I got the same signal from him, at 9 S-units, so they all agreed with each other.

Once I switched in the new 5555N2, He keyed up for me and the meter said 7 flashing 8. Now if the S-meter was simply out of alignment, and STARTING OUT aligned way too high (with 4-5 S-units out of the gate) you would think that the received reading from my friend's station would be HIGHER than it was on all the other radios, but instead, it was about 1.5 S-units LOWER, so the receive is not only showing a noise floor that shouldn't exist, it's also receiving normal signals weaker than they should be.

So if I got in the Service Menu and turned DOWN the S-meter, not only would it not get rid of the NOISE, but also anyone who should be hitting me with 9, will now be hitting me with nothing. So the S-meter is not the problem. The problem is that the radio is picking up a noise floor that shouldn't be. I guess something is internally generating that signal, because nothing external is doing it, as proved by all my other receivers.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the "Scott's Radio" guy (in one of his videos) was having the exact same issue during a live QSO that he recorded, albeit a little less (more like 3-4 S-unit) than my radio is displaying. During the day today, when all my other radios were showing a 1-S-unit noise floor on 10 meters, the new 5555N2 was showing 7!

Scott's way of dealing with it, was to use the NR turned up to 5. Which got rid of the sound from that artificial noise floor, but not the indication on the meter. Doing this is obviously not the solution to the problem, because that noise is covering weak signals, and in my case, even moderate signals during the day.

Does anyone know what could possibly account for this? This is absolutely NOT normal. In 50 years of radio, I've never had a radio behave this way. I wish I could have posted videos, but I couldn't get it to work on this site, as others have.

I really despise the idea of having to (sigh) send the radio back, because the seller states that buyer pays all return shipping, and I used up a $25 bonus on my Capital One card to buy this radio, which is forfeited if this guy doesn't exchange for another radio, and simply refunds my money. His Ebay page doesn't mention exchanges, only refunds.

So I would end up paying $30 shipping, and also forfeiting my $25 bonus that I used up buying this radio. And THEN end up buying another radio for more money, and wondering the whole time, is THIS one going to do the same thing?