I purchased one of these radios on Friday after I watched this video. Not because of the radio itself but the Bridgecom Systems is based in the heart of this country that will support it. Last Thursday after three months use my Ailunce HD1 screen scrambled and after dealing with a person in China that said "we will try our best to give you a satisfied solution" and again in the letter "we will try our best to help you" did not give me very much confidence that their solution was not in my best interest. I need a company that is based in the US that will give me that confidence. It is showing up here on Monday. As always thanks for doing these videos. I will keep you posted on how Retevis deals with my issue. I want to be fair but after only using it for less than three months I think I want a refund if that is a possibility.
Oh - for your issue with not using MS Word - LibreOffice can read Microsoft format documents. It generally does a really good job of it. Back in the day, I was using Sun StarOffice (which is where LibreOffice comes from) - and it did ... well, not so great ... but these days, it's a WHOLE different world! And now I'm going to Brigeport ... I mean Bridgestone ... I mean BRIDGECOM SYTEMS! to get me one of these HT's! I was backordered on a Yaesu FT-60R and the wait was too long, so I started looking at other radios. I was kind of heck bent on not getting another CCR, but the Anytones seem to be the Cadillac of the CCR world so I'm going to give it a whirl, and as a side effect I get to try out DMR! Thanks Dave!
Thanks for the unboxing. I found these warnings online. Not sure how, or if, they apply to that particular model ... General warnings to all users: * Be very careful not to accidentally hit the PTT (Push to Talk) button while you have the USB cable plugged in to the radio, or while it is sitting in the charger. Doing so can cause RF to be picked up by the USB cable or charger, and cause damage to the hardware - both radio and charger. This has happened to some unfortunate 868 owners previously. * Also don't insert the USB cable when you have an APRS channel selected or some other channel that may autonomously transmit (credit to Jerry Kuhn) * Similarly, keep the radio away from your cellular / mobile phone, cordless phone and wifi devices when the USB cable is plugged in to it. * Use caution if writing non standard data to the radio in some of the advanced modifications listed below. It is possible to cause the radio to cease functioning correctly if instructions are not carried out with care.
I believe the button at the bottom of the mic is actually a dust plug over a earphone jack. Please excuse if this was already mentioned by someone, I didn't search through all the comments.
Dave, LibreOffice claims it will read and write .docx files as well as .doc files, the new and old MSOffice standard document formats. I've used the older versions and done that without much problem, it just isn't native. IIRC Microsoft does also make a free VIEWER for these files.
Yes, and I've done it, but I've run into some compatibility issues. MS Word has features that LibreOffice doesn't have, so sometimes the results are a bit weird.
As a new ham, I trying to understand how this HT is worth the extra cost over my $50 BTech BF-F8HP. OK, I've been reading/learning about DMR, and now I see the difference. But a quick search of AT-D878UV led me to the BTECH DMR-6X2 ($162), which apparently is the same as the AT-D868UV($179), and can be firmware updated to the equivalent of the AT-D878UV($219). Now compared to AT-D878UV+($239), the BTECH seems like a great value. Does bluetooth add much? Do I really need DMR?(especially since I did not know about it before this video) So many questions... As of now, I honestly don't see why I need to go beyond the BF-F8HP. Please convince me otherwise.
The question with any Chinese radio, is whether it will still be in technical conformation to Part97 rules after it is three years old. The Japanese h/t's usually are, but when the ARRL tested passers-by at Dayton two years ago? All the Chinese radios failed. That will be an issue, until some US distributor proves they've got something better.
You can edit many parameters on the radio itself. It is usable without the software, albeit limited. Effectively you need Windows. At least in a virtual machine. The Windows software runs fine with Wine on MacOS. But it can't access the serial port due to a non standard baud rate. I managed to patch and recompile Wine to circumvent this problem. But since Apple dropped support for compiling 32 bit in recent MacOS I didn't manage to play that trick again. You can install Wine, run the Windows software with it, edit your code plug, safe it to a file, transport the file to a (virtual) Windows machine and upload it from there. You may be able to play that trick with patching and recompiling Wine on a real, non virtual 32 bit Linux machine. (The Windows software is 32 bit...) I found a Linux and MacOS software. But it seems to be quite rudimentary. I have not tried it yet. github.com/sergev/dmrconfig
Update: I briefly tested the "dmrconfig" software from KK6ABQ. I had to tweak the Makefile a bit to get it compiled on MacOS. It just works. It should work on Linux as well. Perfect. Now I can work on my code plug again without the windows software. Link to the software: github.com/sergev/dmrconfig
If you DO NOT buy your radio from BridgeCom, they will not even talk to you or help. I got my Zumspot hotspot and Anytone D 878uv radio from HRO and they said I had to asked them for help. I am total new to DMR and was total lost what to do. Dave you was right, BridgeCom was BridgeStone to me.
Hi Larry! We are simply a dealer of the AnyTone just like HRO and we do not have a support agreement with HRO. Therefore, you were incorrectly informed by the HRO person who told you to contact us for help. HRO earned your business and they're obligated to help you. We are absolutely covered up helping our paying customers and my staff are being paid to help them. I'm sorry we couldn't help you and I feel bad for your situation, but your frustration should be directed at HRO for not standing behind their sale and supporting you.
@@BridgeComSystemsInc Just my point, you was not willing to help me because I did not buy from you, but got help from Powerwerx where I did not buy from them either. It is okay, I will be buying from folks that are willing to help.
I've never called a GM dealer with questions about my Ford. Why would you expect them to do HROs tech support for free. Sorry if that seems harsh but most companies I know of are in business to make money, not offer free support for products sold by someone else.
Great radio, Horrible Company, the customer service is none. You sent emails which they never respond and left a voicemail in their "always an answering machine" line and they never respond back. So dad that a great radio with a horrible company behind it.
I purchased one of these radios on Friday after I watched this video. Not because of the radio itself but the Bridgecom Systems is based in the heart of this country that will support it. Last Thursday after three months use my Ailunce HD1 screen scrambled and after dealing with a person in China that said "we will try our best to give you a satisfied solution" and again in the letter "we will try our best to help you" did not give me very much confidence that their solution was not in my best interest.
I need a company that is based in the US that will give me that confidence. It is showing up here on Monday. As always thanks for doing these videos. I will keep you posted on how Retevis deals with my issue. I want to be fair but after only using it for less than three months I think I want a refund if that is a possibility.
Thanks for the update.
Oh - for your issue with not using MS Word - LibreOffice can read Microsoft format documents. It generally does a really good job of it. Back in the day, I was using Sun StarOffice (which is where LibreOffice comes from) - and it did ... well, not so great ... but these days, it's a WHOLE different world!
And now I'm going to Brigeport ... I mean Bridgestone ... I mean BRIDGECOM SYTEMS! to get me one of these HT's! I was backordered on a Yaesu FT-60R and the wait was too long, so I started looking at other radios. I was kind of heck bent on not getting another CCR, but the Anytones seem to be the Cadillac of the CCR world so I'm going to give it a whirl, and as a side effect I get to try out DMR!
Thanks Dave!
Thanks for the unboxing.
I found these warnings online. Not sure how, or if, they apply to that particular model ...
General warnings to all users:
* Be very careful not to accidentally hit the PTT (Push to Talk) button while you have the USB cable plugged in to the radio, or while it is sitting in the charger. Doing so can cause RF to be picked up by the USB cable or charger, and cause damage to the hardware - both radio and charger. This has happened to some unfortunate 868 owners previously.
* Also don't insert the USB cable when you have an APRS channel selected or some other channel that may autonomously transmit (credit to Jerry Kuhn)
* Similarly, keep the radio away from your cellular / mobile phone, cordless phone and wifi devices when the USB cable is plugged in to it.
* Use caution if writing non standard data to the radio in some of the advanced modifications listed below. It is possible to cause the radio to cease functioning correctly if instructions are not carried out with care.
Great video and review. Thank you for facilitating my entry into the DMR world.
Mine arrived with a fully flat battery. Took about 4 hours to fully charge. The PTT battery was flat as well.
I believe the button at the bottom of the mic is actually a dust plug over a earphone jack. Please excuse if this was already mentioned by someone, I didn't search through all the comments.
You're right.
Dave, you have probably a typo in the title of the video: it is AT D 878 not 868 ... cheers and kind regards from Zurich
Thanks, fixed. Good catch!
Dave, LibreOffice claims it will read and write .docx files as well as .doc files, the new and old MSOffice standard document formats. I've used the older versions and done that without much problem, it just isn't native. IIRC Microsoft does also make a free VIEWER for these files.
I also use LibreOffice to read and write Microsoft Word files. de W3DJS
Yes, and I've done it, but I've run into some compatibility issues. MS Word has features that LibreOffice doesn't have, so sometimes the results are a bit weird.
As long as your Word doc lacks any fancy formatting, it works.
I was calling Bridgecom Systems "Bridgeport" one day. Somebody asked me if I was talking about machine tools ... "You're getting a lathe???"
As a new ham, I trying to understand how this HT is worth the extra cost over my $50 BTech BF-F8HP. OK, I've been reading/learning about DMR, and now I see the difference. But a quick search of AT-D878UV led me to the BTECH DMR-6X2 ($162), which apparently is the same as the AT-D868UV($179), and can be firmware updated to the equivalent of the AT-D878UV($219). Now compared to AT-D878UV+($239), the BTECH seems like a great value. Does bluetooth add much? Do I really need DMR?(especially since I did not know about it before this video) So many questions... As of now, I honestly don't see why I need to go beyond the BF-F8HP. Please convince me otherwise.
DMR is a popular digital technique, as is DSTAR and System Fusion. Check out Bridgecom Systems' website for videos about DMR.
dreupen not to mention Bluetooth, gps and aprs
Thank you Dave for the Anytone HT review. Mike N6IMY
I can not get this radio to work , not even on analog. Need help
The question with any Chinese radio, is whether it will still be in technical conformation to Part97 rules after it is three years old. The Japanese h/t's usually are, but when the ARRL tested passers-by at Dayton two years ago? All the Chinese radios failed. That will be an issue, until some US distributor proves they've got something better.
The Chinese radios have improved rapidly, but I don't have any data to show how much.
Am I required to have a computer with Windows OS to program this HT or are other computer operating systems compatible to program the HT?
You can edit many parameters on the radio itself. It is usable without the software, albeit limited.
Effectively you need Windows. At least in a virtual machine. The Windows software runs fine with Wine on MacOS. But it can't access the serial port due to a non standard baud rate. I managed to patch and recompile Wine to circumvent this problem. But since Apple dropped support for compiling 32 bit in recent MacOS I didn't manage to play that trick again. You can install Wine, run the Windows software with it, edit your code plug, safe it to a file, transport the file to a (virtual) Windows machine and upload it from there.
You may be able to play that trick with patching and recompiling Wine on a real, non virtual 32 bit Linux machine. (The Windows software is 32 bit...)
I found a Linux and MacOS software. But it seems to be quite rudimentary. I have not tried it yet.
github.com/sergev/dmrconfig
Update: I briefly tested the "dmrconfig" software from KK6ABQ. I had to tweak the Makefile a bit to get it compiled on MacOS. It just works. It should work on Linux as well. Perfect. Now I can work on my code plug again without the windows software. Link to the software:
github.com/sergev/dmrconfig
If you DO NOT buy your radio from BridgeCom, they will not even talk to you or help.
I got my Zumspot hotspot and Anytone D 878uv radio from HRO and they said I had to asked them for help.
I am total new to DMR and was total lost what to do.
Dave you was right, BridgeCom was BridgeStone to me.
Sorry you had a bad experience with them. I hope their marketing folks will address this.
@@davecasler Thank Dave, I would hope so, because I was thinking getting my wife a radio too.
Hi Larry! We are simply a dealer of the AnyTone just like HRO and we do not have a support agreement with HRO. Therefore, you were incorrectly informed by the HRO person who told you to contact us for help. HRO earned your business and they're obligated to help you. We are absolutely covered up helping our paying customers and my staff are being paid to help them. I'm sorry we couldn't help you and I feel bad for your situation, but your frustration should be directed at HRO for not standing behind their sale and supporting you.
@@BridgeComSystemsInc Just my point, you was not willing to help me because I did not buy from you, but got help from Powerwerx where I did not buy from them either.
It is okay, I will be buying from folks that are willing to help.
I've never called a GM dealer with questions about my Ford. Why would you expect them to do HROs tech support for free. Sorry if that seems harsh but most companies I know of are in business to make money, not offer free support for products sold by someone else.
Great radio, Horrible Company, the customer service is none. You sent emails which they never respond and left a voicemail in their "always an answering machine" line and they never respond back. So dad that a great radio with a horrible company behind it.