AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus with $97 Training Course FREE!

I picked up the 878 after only using baofengs for about 4-5 years. The learning curve is much steeper than baofengs but not impossible if you’ve already used programing software like chirp. My recommendation is download CPS (Anytones code plug software) and play around with it while you wait on your order. The class can be helpful if you’d rather just take the slow and easy option but be proficient by the end. It’s included regardless so it’s a good add-on. My main complaint is the analog reception, squelch is only able to be changed with a range of 0-9 zero being a full open and 1 being well, a bit more than you want. The issue I run into is the squelch will turn on and off somewhat randomly, not bad enough where you don’t hear anything but you will have to fill in some blanks if you’re not using a good repeater and antenna.You can and will pick up analog clearly but antenna choice is very important. A stock Baofeng UV5R will pick up whole transmissions at its stock 9/9 squelch will pickup more of an analog signal than the 878, but with that being said it is not the focus of the HT. Where it excels is battery life, audio clarity (receive and transmit) and customizability. A baofeng will allow you to put some text, the 878 does text or full color images. The 878 has 15 base button binds that can be changed in software or on the HT. APRS receive works but is significantly easier to setup on a pc. Reception for analog APRS seems to be more consistent than voice but transmission and a bit odd since it waits for dead air and if there’s someone talking when it would send it seems like it just waits again. So if you’re on a busy channel APRS may not transmit on the separate frequency, I do not have a second radio capable of verifying that it is the same for APRS on simplex voice frequencies but it seems to be better when APRS and voice are being used on the same frequency. The digital functions work as expected, I’ve made 100 mile line of sight contacts with my local repeater on trips on analog, so unless you are looking to spend about twice as much on a HT this is about as good as it gets. Any cheaper (besides the $250 blue button version) radio will feel a bit limited. Having the extra capacity to fit the whole DMR contact list is definitely worth the headache of making your own. The video attached is recorded 7 miles from a repeater in a parking garage with no direct line of sight and large concrete buildings between as well. Does not show the cutting in and out analog can do but that should show how picky I am about it. Build quality 9/10 analog reception 7/10 Audio quality/max volume 10/10 start up wait time for a DMR HT 9.5/10 Learning curve for new HAMs 6/10 (without using the included course) over all 8/10 for analog use 9/10 for DMR

This is a replacement radio, I put the other one through hell for 6-7 years and it remained reliable and working... I expect the same out of this one..

After a lot research, this radio had all the features I was looking for in a DMR radio but didn't think I would find (dual (can be tri)-band, APRS tx/rx, sat tracking, and more). All the functions of the this radio and easy to access and use via the large (for an ht) full-color screen. The instruction manual is useful, and there are myriad tutorial videos if you learn better that way. As for performance, I have been impressed with the range and reception across the spectrum with several antennas (typically a signal stick BNC). The sound quality on rx and the mic quality tx are also notable. After using this radio for some time, I ultimately decided to add the mobile version (AT-D578...) to my lineup.

The radio works very well both on analog and DMR. I was able to connect my openrun by Shokz headset and the Bluetooth PTT button and it works like a champ. Works great through the stereo on my pickup too. For those just getting in to amateur radio, DMR can be daunting, but with a little fiddling around you can get it running. This radio is by far the best DMR radio I have used and by comparison with other brands the programming is easier than the others by far.

I bought this radio as a new technician class operator. It was my first HT. I thought, "Why buy a starter radio. Just get one to grow into." Looking back, I'm not sure I would have chosen that course. But I wanted APRS in my HT because I work Search and Rescue (SAR). At the time, I didn't see a cheaper radio with APRS. Should have looked longer. What I like: Durable, rugged and fairly waterproof. Sound quality out of the HT is great. Very clear. (Handset speaker/mic is another matter. I reviewed that elsewhere.) No complaints from people that I've talked to about sound quality. Great size and light weight. Battery appears strong. I had it sitting on a shelf pining APRS and listening to traffic for over 2 days and still had 50% battery. Also, the radio can be opened up to non-amatuer frequencies. I merely had to provide BridgeComm proof of my authorization to transmit on those frequencies and they walked me through it. So, I can used this in the field on SAR tactical frequencies, while also pinging my location to the Caltopo software. That's what I wanted out of the HT. So-so: The CPS is not the most user friendly bit of code out their. But from what I hear, very few are. Lot's of menus. No help tutorial. Pretty much you are relying on the BridgeComm University videos. Get it wrong and you'll be calling tech support. Speaking of the courses. Very good at walking you through all of the menus and options, if you desire to set things up just the way they recommend. They are very poor at saying why this or that is done. Especially true of the APRS section. No talk about digital APRS menus. Flat out told, "just follow this set-up and it will work." But absolutely not told why it is being done and how APRS works. Same for DMR. They spend a lot of time walking you through all of the DMR set-up. It's almost as if they only want you to use DMR. But, very little basic level information given. They assume that you already understand how DMR works and what each selection is doing in the RF sphere. Cons: The radio's antenna connection is SMA. The radio is SMA-F and the Antenna is SMA-M. Problem is that most magnetic mount antennas are BNC-F. Female to Female requires connectors that are Male to Male. Ok, found an SMA-M to BNC-M. It at least got me connected. However, no matter how you work it, you're still having to screw the radio on and off the antennas. Not easy to slip on and off without fumbling the radio. (No, fortunately I haven't yet reviewed impact resistance.) The only way to make going from one antenna to another easy is to buy another SMA-F to BNC-F adapter for the radio antenna. Only then can one slip the radio antenna off and the external antenna on without screwing the radio 4-5 turns. But it also extends the height of the antenna 1 1/2" making the antenna jab me in the arm when where on my belt. Other HT's have BNC connections to the radio. Why Anytone chose SMA is not thinking through things from the customer perspective. All-in-all. There is more to like than dislike. If Anytone would use professional course-ware developers for BridgeComm University, I'd give it 5 stars. But the learning curve is steep. Not for the "easy road" crowd.

This radio is a beast, very easy to program via computer, a bit trickier using the radio itself but still very doable. This thing has a great transmission range, power, and quality, and has worked for everything I’ve needed. Radio seems very well designed, however do check out the baofeng/btech rebrand of the exact same radio. Functions the same (or more sometimes) and is much cheaper. Overall, fantastic radio with great customer service that just about makes it worth the price. (It’s also fully unlockable with almost no knowledge, iykyk, YouTube/Reddit is your friend)

I'm an IT guy of over 35 years, and I learned things quickly. This is the craziest radio to try to learn to program it set up, and I haven't even gotten to the DMR yet. I'm just trying to set it up for analog, GMRS, repeaters, etc.. however I worked with a friend of mine and once we figured this baby out it was nice. It has awesome features and options - APRS, GPS, configurable roger beep sounds, and options out the wazoo. The digital is superb! I am loving it ... that is until today! I woke up this morning and pulled it out of the desktop charger and turned it on ... my daily routine. Only this time I get a message "Book Empty!" Nothing worked right when I tried to select Zones or change channels ... it came back up with this error. I tried resetting to factory and dumping the codeplug to it again. Same thing. It's basically useless now, and I've only had it running for maybe 3 months!!! SUPPORT: non-existent I tried contacting AnyTone ... they will allow you to eMail, but no phone support or assistance, and if you did call them it's in CHINA!!! Would I get it again? Probably not ... I have a very small tolerance for things that fail easily. When this was working, it was awesome, great sound, works superb with the bluetooth features, and APRS was spectacular. The configuration choices are phenominal. BUT ... if it doesn't work, all of these are placebo ... empty, useless. DO NOT BUY ONE.

Review of AnyTone D878UVII+. This is mu 1st DMR radio. I was surprised at the good quality and performance. It is easy to program for both DMR and analog FM using the APRS programing software available on the Bridgecom Systems website. It works with the programming cable that comes with the radio. One word of caution! Don't stretch the data cable. MAKE SURE you lay the radio on a solid support surface during programming-had to purchase a new cable. Display screen is bright! The computer software is a must. I would not suggest programming without it-not that it can't be done... but the software makes a challenging task, "duck soup." Works great on 2 meters and 440 bands. I did not try APRS. The DMR side of things works as you would expect. FM is also great. Good audio and haven't heard a complaint on my transmitted audio. The battery life is outstanding. I would definitely recommend this radio, great choice.

Excelente Radio, cable de programación, soporte, y capacitación, fácil de programar por teclado, muy buena capacidad de rx y tx.