AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus w/Free Codeplug & Training Course by BridgeCom Systems!

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 radio is awesome. Very easy to program and use. Chinese made, so probably not the same quality as the Japanese made radios, but it works well for me and I think it’s a good value for the money.

WoW this rig is chock full of capability. More than I'll ever master. Having fun learning it. Quality is apparent.

This Anytone DMR radio is a wonderful handheld unit that works well, with excellent audio. The training info that came with it was not very helpful, but as a longtime ham it was not really needed.

I'm only a few days into my technician license but I am enjoying this radio so far. There is a learning curve as others mentioned but once you get a feel for how the software is configured it gets pretty easy to operate. Most of what I'm doing right now is on analog which is significantly easier to get up and running vs. the DMR modes. So far I've been able to communicate through a repeater located about 15+ miles away and made my first contacts and have transmitted a few APRS packets. I've also picked up strong signals from the ISS FM repeater as it orbits overhead. I have yet to make a successful contact but I'm confident it has enough power to reach it with the right antenna. The radio claims to do APRS reception but it's been very hit or miss for me so far (mostly miss). I've heard far more APRS transmissions than the unit has decoded so hopefully future updates will improve the decoding capabilities. The "free $97 training course" isn't all that valuable - it's a mishmash of videos that are already on YouTube and it's not very well structured. The initial set up video was helpful in understanding the software but to say that you're getting something for free here is misleading. For a first radio I'm very happy with this. It's a great platform to learn DMR and reach out to local HAMs through your digital and analog repeaters.

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 Radios seem great, but I have a HUGE Stumbling Block and that is the Code Plugs. I have 3 radios - 2 AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Plus Tri-Band DMR Mobile Radio (1 for base, 1 for Mobile) and 1 AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus (handheld)... My problem here is that I cannot get any help in getting these program and I am don't want to RISK destroying these radios. I have purchased the Code Plugs, but even with that, adding them to the radio is risky... At this point, I cannot recommend these radios, however, if I get these issues worked out, I will adjust by reviews accordingly! There is no good reason that I see for the Complexity of getting these radio's uploaded and programmed... I am sure that they are good radios, but they are useless if you cannot get them programmed, and the warranty clearly states if you goof up the programming and it damages the radio, it is NOT covered under Warranty! If and when I get these radios working, I will update my review accordingly.. However, as it stands right now it is a Solid 1 rating only because there is nothing lower! Almost a year later... Stay away... I have not changed my Opinion!

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.

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