Radioddity QT-60 *Pro*

[TimmyTheTorch]

I've been using my QT60 Pro with great success ever since I got it at the end of July, 2024 directly from Radioddity. Unfortunately, the first little problem has popped up. At least it's not impacting the ability of the radio to transmit or receive. That still works great!

When I am changing the channel by turning the channel knob clockwise to go up a channel, it works as expected i.e. up one channel at a time.

However, if instead I rotate it counterclockwise to move down a channel, it's turning into a bit of a guessing game what will happen. It may stay on the same channel, or it may go down 1 or more channels, or it may go up 1 or more channels.

This has only started happening in the past month and it's definitely getting worse. Other than me snipping the one wire to enable the extra frequencies the day I received the radio directly from Radioddity, the radio is totally unmolested.

Looks like it's time to see how the Radioddity warranty service is.

*Edit: I just submitted the above question to the Radioddity support email address.*

 

[BC Coyote]

However, if instead I rotate it counterclockwise to move down a channel, it's turning into a bit of a guessing game what will happen. It may stay one the same channel, or it may go down 1 or more channels, or it may go up 1 or more channels.

This happens with ALL Anytone (and their Radioddity and CRT clones) products.

Both my 6666 and 5555N2 had their encoders go wonky within a few weeks of use. Mine glitch whichever direction you turn them. On my 5555N2 it is so bad that I have to use the mic buttons to change channels, which means I am stuck using the stock mic!
Also, on my 5555N2 the print on the little plastic buttons that I use most often is becoming invisible after less than a year of use, just from my fingertips pressing them........

It's too bad because they are amazing radios as far as features and performance go. it's a shame the physical build quality is so lacking.
The switches and encoder on my Cobra 148GTL are as good as they day it was made in 1994. Wish modern radios had that kind of construction quality as well........

 

[AudioShockwav]

This happens with ALL Anytone (and their Radioddity and CRT clones) products.

Both my 6666 and 5555N2 had their encoders go wonky within a few weeks of use. Mine glitch whichever direction you turn them. On my 5555N2 it is so bad that I have to use the mic buttons to change channels, which means I am stuck using the stock mic!
Also, on my 5555N2 the print on the little plastic buttons that I use most often is becoming invisible after less than a year of use, just from my fingertips pressing them........

It's too bad because they are amazing radios as far as features and performance go. it's a shame the physical build quality is so lacking.
The switches and encoder on my Cobra 148GTL are as good as they day it was made in 1994. Wish modern radios had that kind of construction quality as well........

I have been lucky, the encoder in my 9900 is so far, knock on wood, good after 3 years.
I do use it because I am running a power Mic on it with no up-and-down buttons.
I don't know if the version 4 had a different encoder or CRT had something else used but so far it's good.

73
Jeff

 

[BC Coyote]

I don't know if the version 4 had a different encoder or CRT had something else used but so far it's good.

I've wondered about that too. Hopefully they have improved them....

The one on my 5555N2 went out much sooner than on the 6666, so there do seem to be differences from one to another; but I bought the 6666 first!

 

[SuperLid]

I've been using my QT60 Pro with great success ever since I got it at the end of July, 2024 directly from Radioddity. Unfortunately, the first little problem has popped up. At least it's not impacting the ability of the radio to transmit or receive. That still works great!

When I am changing the channel by turning the channel knob clockwise to go up a channel, it works as expected i.e. up one channel at a time.

However, if instead I rotate it counterclockwise to move down a channel, it's turning into a bit of a guessing game what will happen. It may stay on the same channel, or it may go down 1 or more channels, or it may go up 1 or more channels.

This has only started happening in the past month and it's definitely getting worse. Other than me snipping the one wire to enable the extra frequencies the day I received the radio directly from Radioddity, the radio is totally unmolested.

Looks like it's time to see how the Radioddity warranty service is.

*Edit: I just submitted the above question to the Radioddity support email address.*

You may have to wait a bit for a response. It is Chinese new year and they are on holiday.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

You may have to wait a bit for a response. It is Chinese new year and they are on holiday.

I just hope I don't have to foot the bill for shipping the darn thing back to China for repairs. Surely they have authorized dealers in the USA that can fix the encoder issue.

I do use a desktop power mic with this radio so having to revert to the handheld mic with channel change buttons that came with the radio will not make me a happy customer for sure. No warranty was a big knock against Anytone.

But, I will just wait to see what they have to say when their business is open again.

 

[SuperLid]

I just hope I don't have to foot the bill for shipping the darn thing back to China for repairs. Surely they have authorized dealers in the USA that can fix the encoder issue.

I do use a desktop power mic with this radio so having to revert to the handheld mic with channel change buttons that came with the radio will not make me a happy customer for sure. No warranty was a big knock against Anytone.

But, I will just wait to see what they have to say when their business is open again.

I was told they don't do repairs here. They *said* when I inquired, they replace the defects and ship them back to QX.

 

[BC Coyote]

they replace the defects and ship them back to QX.

With a new encoder exactly like the old encoder, that will itself get wonky two months later.. Rinse and repeat.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

With a new encoder exactly like the old encoder, that will itself get wonky two months later.. Rinse and repeat.

Is there a better encoder that can be installed in place of the lousy OE version? I have enough other headaches in life and don't want a recurring battle with something as basic as a tuning knob on a radio. Or maybe just save up for a bit and invest in a used Yaesu FT-710 or an Icom IC-7300, if one can be found for the right price.

This sounds like the ice-maker on our previous Whirlpool fridge. In the 14 years we had that fridge, we went through 6 replacement ice makers after the original one croaked. It didn't matter if I replaced it with a pricey OEM part, or a cheap off-brand knockoff, they all lasted about the same lifetime. Just a lot of stuff made nowadays is junk.

 

[BC Coyote]

Or maybe just save up for a bit and invest in a used Yaesu FT-710 or an Icom IC-7300, if one can be found for the right price.

That is a very good plan. Even an older rig can be a good investment. I have a Kenwood TS-140S and an Icom IC-735 that are both from the early 1990's but still work just fine.

It didn't matter if I replaced it with a pricey OEM part, or a cheap off-brand knockoff, they all lasted about the same lifetime. Just a lot of stuff made nowadays is junk.

Ain't that the truth. I do a lot of appliance repair stuff in addition to my regular job and EVERYTHING these days is complete and total crap. Doesn't matter if it's from China, The U.S. or somewhere else it's all garbage. Parts that should be metal are plastic, and the plastic is the cheapest shit they can get. I've been called out to fix two month old GE washers where the screws are already falling out of the plastic bits on the underside and jamming up the mostly plastic motor. Nobody making or selling stuff gives a crap about quality anymore.

 

[Pez]

There is no doubt that the rotary encoders are a common failure part. Personally I would not mix the issues of build quality, and a bad part/component. The overall build quality is high but the low quality encoder part has obviously let people down.
I have dozens of QX radio here, and I have had just one with the encoder issue - that is an original 6666. And it is an occasional jump, not every time. So far, all of my later radios encoders are still working fine. Touch wood!
FYI, The factory is aware of the encoder issues and future radios will most like use a different part.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

I heard back from Radioddity support and have arranged to send my misbehaving radio to Las Vegas and they will send me a replacement. Stuff happens, and I am hoping for the best on the replacement. Other than this glitch, it's been a great radio.

The service folks were very responsive and helpful, can't ask for any more than that.

 

[Woody-202]

I heard back from Radioddity support and have arranged to send my misbehaving radio to Las Vegas and they will send me a replacement. Stuff happens, and I am hoping for the best on the replacement. Other than this glitch, it's been a great radio.

The service folks were very responsive and helpful, can't ask for any more than that.

View attachment 71785

Warranty support was one of bullet points that swayed me to buy the Radioddity radio vs. Anytone. I would like to find a better encoder though.

 

[GlocknSpiel]

So far, so good with mine. But I really haven't used it much. It might have something to do with the fact that it serves 'double-duty' with the momentary-on push-button feature and the way it's mounted. Also, those ribbon cables are touchy at their sockets. I noticed that when I thought I broke one looking at the build quality inside.

While I was in there, I manipulated those quite a bit. I think I counted 28 total interconnections to the MB, but i forget for sure. I was trying to figure-out if building a cable to make the front of the rig a "control head" was feasible. Yeah ---- Too many anyway.

 

[fourstringburn]

As for the rotary encoder, I wonder if the defect was caused by the operator spinning it too aggressively or too fast espcially if you are making big jumps in frequency. That can play a factor in it wearing out prematurely.

I learned my lesson doing that doing it on one of my Kenwoods and had to replace it.

I would suggest going easy on it and use the mic buttons often. I wired up a desk mic with the same 3 hand mic buttons on it and use the programmable button as the cursur change in the frequency display. This way I hardly ever touch the encoder to change bands or frequencies.