Anytone AT-588UV: Yahoo Group

And of course there is a Yahoo Group for the AT-588UV.

Anytone AT-588UV: VA3ISP First Look

Looks like Moleculo is still waiting on his unit to review, but VA3ISP has cracked the box on his and gives us his initial impressions starting with literally the box.

"Box is just plain white."

I've noticed the boxes tend to evolve overtime. Given their origins in Asia, I think the flashier boxes should be called Gangnam Style.

"The power leads are tinned at the end, makes for a nice connection."

That's a nice touch. He continues to say that display seems okay and the dials worked well. There were a couple of concerns on the audio side: receiving audio is noisy even when full quieting and transmitted audio is lower after a pause in speaking (problem with automatic gain control?).

I look forward to his future posts about the AT-588UV.

If you missed some of the previous information about the radio:

• In July, Ed suggests the Anytone may be a much better option than the Wouxun UV-920R.
• He gives an update in September with expected pricing and features.
• And soon follows up with more details.

AnyTone AT-588UV: Import Communications Flyer and Survey

Ed sends out the following regarding the AnyTone AT-588UV. Sounds like it is the Chinese mobile we have all been waiting for. Please note his request for feedback via a survey at the bottom of his message.

Wouxun.US Import Communications September 11, 2012 AnyTone AT-588UV Dual Band Mobile Detachable Head Cross-band Repeat 50/40 Watts Output 758 Memories AM Aircraft Receive Wide-band FM Receive 2013 FCC Compliant After the dismal performance and high price of Wouxun's dual band mobile radio, I'm excited to share information about the AnyTone AT-588UV. I have been testing this radio for a couple of weeks and I'm impressed. I think this will be the Chinese dual bander that takes the market. It's computer programmable and the control head separates from the radio via a CAT5 cable. This radio is easy to manually operate because there are no sub-menus and there are matching controls for the left and right sides. Either side can be set for VHF or UHF or both the same. It has dual receive (two signals at once) and when transmitting, you can set the off side to be muted if desired. Unlike the Wouxun, with the AnyTone, you can scan one side while monitoring the other side. It only takes a couple button pushes to set up cross band repeat. And unlike the other brand, this cross band repeat actually works! It has AM Aircraft receive plus 220-260 MHz receive (sorry NO 220 transmit). The company has given me this timeline for availability. They plan to produce a small run at the end of September and hopefully full production by the end of October. I suggested they make a larger test run because I've found nothing major that needs improving. I've made a few suggestions for firmware changes which they quickly approved. This company is interested in producing a good product. When the AT-588UV is available to purchase, I will send an announcement to this mailing list. The owners manual is not yet available but I have a list of the various functions. I will post this information and the programming software on my web site as soon as I can. This will take you to that location. Question Poll To get a better understand on how the AT-588UV will be used and some options that may be needed, I have written a pool of questions. The results of this survey will help convience the manufacturer of any changes that need to be made or options added. Your participation will be appreciated. Here is a link to the poll: http://6FJ.r.mailjet.com/0em7GMJs/1mZIWU/aiQ8tN/docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform Best Regards, Ed Griffin Wouxun.US / Import Communications PO Box 451 - New London - NC - 28127 info@importcommunications www.importcommunications.com

Anytone AT-588UV: Moleculo Review Coming

Good news as I like his reviews.

moleculo I have a new Anytone-588UV chinese mobile vhf/uhf #hamradio on order and will write a full review: bit.ly/P27j4sFri, Sep 07 14:23:34 from TweetDeck

AnyTone AT-588UV: Import Communications

As part of his one, two punch, Ed may soon be selling the AnyTone AT-588UV mobile. He expressed his interest in the AT-588UV when the KG-UV920R came out with a whimper:

"Anytone Dual Band Mobile  -  AT-588UV

For the past two years, I have consulted with Anytone as they developed their dual band mobile radio.  Anytone send a non-working model of the radio for me to show at the Dayton Hamvention (Wouxun would not send anything).  Anytone is now sending a working model (for free!) and says full production will begin in early August.  Anytone has quoted a price that lets me know this radio will retail in the $250-$275 range.  It will be Part 90 Certified and will have some wide-band receive ranges, including AM aircraft.  I look forward to working with this company and expect their mobile to be a big seller."

So they missed the demo date by a smidget and they are at the top of the price range ($275), but he seems very high on it. Ed's listing is here.

September 1, 2012
We are testing our sample model now.  Results are GREAT so far.This could be the Chinese dual band mobile that takes the prize!

Features:

• Receive Range     (FM)  134-174, 200-260, 350-400, 400-520 MHz  &  FM Broadcast
                              (AM)  118-134 MHz (Air Band)
• Transmit Range   (FM)  134-174, 400-490 MHz
• Output Power       50, 35, 10 & 5 Watts
• Bandwidth            Wide (25 kHz)  &  Narrow (12.5 kHz)
• Tuning Step          2.5, 5, 6.25, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25 & 50 kHz
• True Dual Receive - receive two signals at the same time or second side can be muted while transmitting
• Separate Tuning Knob and Volume Control, each side
• Separate Function Buttons, each side
• Either side can be VHF or UHF at any time  -  VU, UV, UU, VV
• Cross-Band Repeat (that works!)
• Alphanumeric Display
• 4 x 256 Memory Channels
• CTCSS, DCS, DTMF, ANI, PTT ID, 2Tone/5Tone Encode & Decode
• Scrambler Option
• DTMF Microphone
• Detachable Control Head (CAT5 separation cable)
• Computer Programmable
• FCC Part 90 Certified

Thanks to Nate for pointing out the updates on Ed's site.

Wouxun KG-UV920R: Ed Drops A Bomb!

Wow! Wow. Just wow. I got the following e-mail from Ed:

Dear Customer,

Here is the latest news on Chinese dual-band mobile radios.

Wouxun Dual Band Mobile  -  KG-UV920R

On June 21 I was informed that Wouxun would supply a small number of these radios to selected dealers (max of 10).  At that time they also quoted a dealer costs that I thought was outrageous.  The dealer costs was almost what I have always considered the retail price would be.  In an email I told them sternly that with any dealer markup at all, the radio would not sell in the US and I would decline to purchase samples.

Wouxun response was that when full production began, the dealer costs would be lower.  Since I've invested hundreds of thousands of dollars building a market for this company over the past few years, I decided I would not let others bring this radio to market before I did.  I reluctantly placed an order for 10 radios, figuring I would sell them at costs, to get them to market.

After my order was shipped, Wouxun informed me that these sample radios must NOT be sold for less than $320-$330.  They went on to say "If we found you or your dealer's end price was lower this range without our permission in advance, then we will stop supplying this model to you."

For the past two years, I've repeatedly told Wouxun that this radio must sell for no more than $250-$275 for it to be competitive with the big three Japanese companies.  It appears this advice has fallen on deaf ears.

These pre-production radios lack some of the features the full-production radios will have.  These will not be FCC Certified for Part 90 use.  They will have narrow band capability but will not have the 2.5 kHz tuning step required for Part 90 radios beginning in 2013.  The frequency range will be RX:136-174 & 350-480 and TX: 136-174 & 400-480.  They did not indicate if any wide-band receive, such as 118 MHz AM, would be available on these pre-production models.

Although these radios may lack some of the bells and whistles we've expected, I imagine they will still be good dual band radios for the ham market.  BUT, I still don't feel they are worth $325.

Wouxun says I can't sell these for less than $325.  They did not say that I can not include a FREE HT with the purchase.  (Rest assured, they will raise holy crap about it, but I'm used to that)  So here's my plan.  I will place the limited number I have on sale for $350 and include a free KG-UV2D HT in the deal.  I'll profit nothing at this but we'll see what happens.

Anytone Dual Band Mobile  -  AT-588UV

For the past two years, I have consulted with Anytone as they developed their dual band mobile radio.  Anytone send a non-working model of the radio for me to show at the Dayton Hamvention (Wouxun would not send anything).  Anytone is now sending a working model (for free!) and says full production will begin in early August.  Anytone has quoted a price that lets me know this radio will retail in the $250-$275 range.  It will be Part 90 Certified and will have some wide-band receive ranges, including AM aircraft.  I look forward to working with this company and expect their mobile to be a big seller.

TYT Quad Band Mobile  -  TH-9800

This radio covers 10 meters, 6 meters, 2 meters and 440 (only FM mode).  TYT sent a semi-working model for me to show at Dayton.  It would light up with menus working and etc.  Those who played with the display said it is a clone of the Yaesu FT-8900.  I have a close contact at TYT and am told they are working hard to get this radio into production in October.

Conclusion

I will continue to do my best to bring quality made Chinese radios to the US market and will only send these emails when necessary.
This particular email is going to about 5,000 people so please don't expect a quick response if you send me a question.

Regards,
Ed Griffin
Wouxun.US  &  Import Communications
www.wouxun.us
www.importcommunications.com

My shooting from the hip response... Ed is fed up enough with Wouxun that he is will to stress the relationship, but he's not done that without a Plan B (name change to Import Communications, Baofeng, Anytone, TYT). It also makes me think that Wouxun may have done us a great service by leading the way, but they may price themselves out of the low cost market - then they will be competing with the big boys on performance and quality. I'm sure the message board will be hopping tonight. I'm going to bed, but there will be interesting reading in the morning I am sure! I'm gonna have to read up on the AT-588UV, too.