Replacement time for Anytone Q5N2

[TimmyTheTorch]

It looks like it is replacement radio time for my Q5N2. It has served me well, but is now ill and I don't have the medical skills to revive it. It only lasted 16 months, which is less than impressive.

In a replacement radio to use as a base station: I want one with great receive, great noise canceling, a clean signal, clean modulation, an easy to read display and the ability to turn it down to safely drive a Carl Build 200HD at times. I do have a good PEP meter (I didn't before and paid the price for that).

The candidates right now are:

1. President Washington (to go along with the Lincoln II+ V4 I have), a bit pricey if you ask me.
2. Radiodditty QT60 Pro / AT-5555NII "Short Chassis" model - seems like returning to an old friend. The Anytone version is not readily available yet.
3. Radiodditty QT80 Pro I see listed on their website as coming soon, but if the only difference between it and the QT60 Pro is 20 watts with the rest of the radio remaining the same, probably not interested.
4. Anytone AT 6666 Pro - smaller display and buttons make me wonder but I am sure I would adjust, seems like a great radio.
5. A used Icom or Yaesu.

These are all new to the market and may still have some teething pains but I'm not too concerned about it. However, I do one to be able to buy one from a trusted source than can give the radio a good going over before sending it to me. Availability of radios is a challenge but I'm fine with waiting for a while to get the one I want. If the receive on my Lincoln II+ was better, I would just stick with it. But after using the Q5N2 for the past little while, it really shows how far behind the Lincoln is in receive sensitivity and noise canceling.

Thoughts anyone? I know there are individual threads on each of these radios but I didn't want to add a lot of noise to them.

 

[SuperLid]

It looks like it is replacement radio time for my Q5N2. It has served me well, but is now ill and I don't have the medical skills to revive it. It only lasted 16 months, which is less than impressive.

In a replacement radio to use as a base station: I want one with great receive, great noise canceling, a clean signal, clean modulation, an easy to read display and the ability to turn it down to safely drive a Carl Build 200HD at times. I do have a good PEP meter (I didn't before and paid the price for that).

The candidates right now are:

1. President Washington (to go along with the Lincoln II+ V4 I have), a bit pricey if you ask me.
2. Radiodditty QT60 Pro / AT-5555NII "Short Chassis" model - seems like returning to an old friend. The Anytone version is not readily available yet.
3. Radiodditty QT80 Pro I see listed on their website as coming soon, but if the only difference between it and the QT60 Pro is 20 watts with the rest of the radio remaining the same, probably not interested.
4. Anytone AT 6666 Pro - smaller display and buttons make me wonder but I am sure I would adjust, seems like a great radio.
5. A used Icom or Yaesu.

These are all new to the market and may still have some teething pains but I'm not too concerned about it. However, I do one to be able to buy one from a trusted source than can give the radio a good going over before sending it to me. Availability of radios is a challenge but I'm fine with waiting for a while to get the one I want. If the receive on my Lincoln II+ was better, I would just stick with it. But after using the Q5N2 for the past little while, it really shows how far behind the Lincoln is in receive sensitivity and noise canceling.

Thoughts anyone? I know there are individual threads on each of these radios but I didn't want to add a lot of noise to them.

It was me, today, I would choose between QT-60 Pro, AT-6666 Pro or Icom IC-7300. The Icom is not a toy and in another class.

 

[Eldorado828]

What's the qt80? Is it their version of the q6 pro?

 

[SuperLid]

What's the qt80? Is it their version of the q6 pro?

I believe so.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

I asked Radioddity about the QT80 listed on their site as Out of Stock. These are good times to be in this hobby.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

It was me, today, I would choose between QT-60 Pro, AT-6666 Pro or Icom IC-7300. The Icom is not a toy and in another class.

I think the QT-60 Pro is the one for me. I just wish I could get it through Scott's so he could give it a good going-over before I use it. But no sign on his site that he'll be selling it. I think I've been spoiled by the three other radios I've bought from him in the past. Not a "truckerized" one in the lot. Actually a bit less power than the specs say but a much better signal overall.

 

[SuperLid]

I think the QT-60 Pro is the one for me. I just wish I could get it through Scott's so he could give it a good going-over before I use it. But no sign on his site that he'll be selling it. I think I've been spoiled by the three other radios I've bought from him in the past. Not a "truckerized" one in the lot. Actually a bit less power than the specs say but a much better signal overall.

It does not *need* anything done. Anyone that disagrees, is peddling snake oil.

 

[Eldorado828]

It does not *need* anything done. Anyone that disagrees, is peddling snake oil.

I agree that it doesn't need it but it is nice to have the service done with the anytone version for peace of mind without a warranty. Great product from qixiang, but it sure beats getting a doa without a warranty of any kind.
I'm pretty sure that if I was buying from radioddity, I'd run it right out of the box no questions asked.

 

[SuperLid]

I agree that it doesn't need it but it is nice to have the service done with the anytone version for peace of mind without a warranty. Great product from qixiang, but it sure beats getting a doa without a warranty of any kind.
I'm pretty sure that if I was buying from radioddity, I'd run it right out of the box no questions asked.

I have not touched the QT-60 Pro and I have a fully complemented service bench with real test equipment. It *IS* good straight out of the box.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

I agree that it doesn't need it but it is nice to have the service done with the anytone version for peace of mind without a warranty. Great product from qixiang, but it sure beats getting a doa without a warranty of any kind.
I'm pretty sure that if I was buying from radioddity, I'd run it right out of the box no questions asked.

I've never bought anything directly from Radioddity but if the consensus on here is that it's pretty safe to do so and I won't be SOL if I happen to receive a dud, I'm good with buying from them.

 

[SuperLid]

I've never bought anything directly from Radioddity but if the consensus on here is that it's pretty safe to do so and I won't be SOL if I happen to receive a dud, I'm good with buying from them.

That's the major difference. You buy from Radioddity, you get support and warranty. You buy elsewhere, you buy and then you are dead to them.

To get the short version,you have to order it directly from the Radioddity website. I also want to note, the radio did not come with a programming cable.

 

[Eldorado828]

I've never bought anything directly from Radioddity but if the consensus on here is that it's pretty safe to do so and I won't be SOL if I happen to receive a dud, I'm good with buying from them.

I want a second q6 pro for the mobile but I'll wait for the radioddity version to be released. I'll have full confidence buying from them and with a warranty, it's a no brainer.

 

[BayouRadioAmplifier]

.

hey, TimmyTheTorch. I was trying to message you.
I am trying to get my hands on more or these
MOSFET RF output radios that people have
thrashed on, and given up on repairing,
so I can do some more tests n changes.
Maybe get me a good repair customer base.
I will send it back repaired.
These radios are real current hogs!
A bad design.

amp.tech@yahoo.com

.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

.

hey, TimmyTheTorch. I was trying to message you.
I am trying to get my hands on more or these
MOSFET RF output radios that people have
thrashed on, and given up on repairing,
so I can do some more tests n changes.
Maybe get me a good repair customer base.
I will send it back repaired.
These radios are real current hogs!
A bad design.

amp.tech@yahoo.com

.

Please check your PM. Thanks.

 

[TimmyTheTorch]

The Radioddity QT60 Pro has now been ordered. Time to button up the Q5N2 and sell it on to someone with the skills to fix it. I had some good AM DX contacts with it today so at least that part is still pumping. Too bad the SSB modulation is not keeping up with the party.