Alinco DR-235T detailed review

Today on hamradiocomms I do an in-depth review of the Alinco DR-235T 220 mhz band FM transceiver. The DR-235T MKIII has almost identical features and functions, so this review would pertain to that radio too.

[@buzzsah]

Alinco has always been a great radio but some look at it as an underdog. I've owned 2 years ago. I am looking at their HF sr9 for a backup.

[@MacsForever1]

Very nice review of the radio. One more thing to mention about any flavor of these radios x35 is that the connector in the back supports a PCBA in the attached link that will very easily let you get on Allstar. www.repeater-builder.com/products/usb-rim-lite.html 73 K9AT

[@hamradiocomms]

Thank you! That's great info on the Allstar setup, that's nice that this radio can have that capability.

[@ashemoski]

I recently bought a DR-235T and your review helped with my decision, so thank you. I trimmed down a home-made 2M 1/4-wave GP antenna I made when I first got my ticket, and mounted it atop a spare 10' section of PVC (13' total to the base) and installed it against a wooden fence post. I already had coax and connectors, too, so for minimal cost I'm on 1.25M with a radio that sounds every bit as good as my HF and dual-band Kenwood bases and performs well, too. 👍

[@MONNIEHOLT]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this product, definitely on my to get list thanks to your editorial, I’ve already checked the prices on local ham shops and on the web seem to be a fair price, I like the fact that it’s 100% built in Japan where they truly take quality to the next extreme looks like a rugged radio and should last a long time, there is several repeaters in my area also thanks again keep up the great work enjoy the hobby 73‘s N3MJR

[@hamradiocomms]

Thank you for your comments ! China is making many 220 radios both mobile and handheld.. good for the price, but very difficult to program, and some don't hold up, like the Jetstream seems to have problems holding up and doesn't put out clean 50W from what I've read. .. Alinco is the only game in town for 220 from Japan.... , ICOM, Yaesu, and Kenwood don't make any 220 radios, I'm glad Alinco is making these... 73, N1UHF

[@MONNIEHOLT]

Just letting you know, I did purchased the new Alinco to 235T, I have 100 channels programed, up to 120 miles of my home location, probably would not of bought the radio if it wasn’t for your demonstration on how good it is, and all the features of has to offer, I have not got the digital card yet but it’s on my to get list, very rugged radio, I am very happy with it, thank you again, 73s N1UHF- N3MJR

[@joaquintall5180]

Edgar, I've been a 220 fan for many years now. Here in SoCal, my wife and I are CERT instructors and we have been pounding the table for hams to get involved in 220 MHz. Why? Well, one day, we are going to experience a major earthquake or wildfire. The 144 and 440 MHz bands will be swamped with so much traffic. Having the knowledge that there are not a lot of hams with 220 will keep the air much cleaner to facilitate a much easier time for all of the net control men/women. My 235 is a senior citizen in my shack. Bought it used over 10 years ago; the rig's housing is a gun-metal grey and quite attractive. We have, at last count, over 220 [odd number, no?!] 220 repeaters in the greater Southern California area. It is regrettable that each time I turn the radio on, there is no one there, so 220 MHz is not yet understood for its inherent value. Will be one day. I have a home-brew 7 element Yagi up about 15 feet on a mast on my patio, fed with 9913 Belden coax. When I scan the memory channels, I have to depress BOTH the up/down buttons on the mic's top, one button press [either button] does nothing!! My "con" for the radio is that it has so few memories! Now a days, there are 1,000 in a simple Yaesu FT-60! I do have a few spots left in memory for new 220 repeaters, but 250 memories would have been nice. Yes, I am grateful for the 99 that we do have, and I appreciate the fact that the rig was built long ago, that there wasn't a need for more than 99. I agree wholeheartedly. It is a great rig and I hope that other hams get on board with 220...sooner than later. That's it from San Diego. Thank you for a great video Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day everyone! Vry 73 de Alain

[@leskeegan9033]

Our club uses a couple of these as link radios for linking repeaters together. They just work great. hard to find used ones thought Everybody is holding on to them.

[@hamradiocomms]

That’s great to know …. I guess these radios hold up really well in service from what I’ve been hearing.

[@PacTel54321]

Awesome to hear you ID after transmitting. Its a classy thing to do.

[@africantwin173]

Can you adjust the TX output power to 1 Watt. I belive there was a hidden menu to do that. Im thinking on getting a 70 cm Alinco and use it for Allstar.

[@modellerdesign]

It should have like dr 135 a pot inside to tune the amount of RF power for each lo mid hi power modes.

[@CT1JRZ]

I´m not a big fan of Alinco, but that one seems to be a nice radio...

[@hamradiocomms]

Some of their HT's are difficult to program, their mobile rigs though are very easy to program, and this series never seems to have any problems.. thanks for watching!

[@ryantoomey611]

How does it compare to Jetstream JT220M?

[@hamradiocomms]

Hi.. I've never owned the JT220M, but from reviews and user experiences I've read, the Alinco has better receive, better components and reliability. The Alinco has 25W compared to 50W on the Jetstream, but one place I read said that it's not a clean 50W being overmodulated, but I don't know that for sure.

[@slshock]

I have the DR-435 mkIII on order. Good job on this video.

[@hamradiocomms]

Thank you! And congrats on getting a 435, nice radio, I’d like to have one someday to go with my 235.

[@MrBloosBoy]

What antenna are you using with this? Thanks!

[@hamradiocomms]

Hi.. I was using a 220 magmount mobile antenna on a large pizza tin in the attic at my house when the video was made about 30 ft above ground and would reach repeaters 30 plus miles away. I live in a range now and using same setup but at lower elevation.

[@bobdillashaw4360]

How much activity is on the 1.25 bands, been thinking of getting one but wasn’t sure if it would be worth it?

[@hamradiocomms]

Bobby Dillashaw Hi Bobby, depends on where you live, if u have repeaters in your area. I have 5 repeaters I can reach from here and 2 are fairly active and 2 are connected to a network of 440 and 144 repeaters. Find a directory to find out whats in your area. Also a scanner or wideband receiver HT you may already have may be able to listen to the 220 band just put in the repeater frequencies near you and you can monitor to see if there is activity before you buy a 220 radio. Good question and thanks for watching!

[@bobdillashaw4360]

hamradiocomms thank you sir for your fast reply, I do have two here in my area, but will be moving in a month an hour away, so I’ll look in that area. Again, thank you very much and 73..KG7VDN

[@ryantoomey611]

Depends on the area. It is more of a "niche" band with minimal activity. I live in Northern California and there is a fair amount of activity on the 220 band because there is a military radar called PAVE PAWS which makes the 70cm band unusable in a large area (amateurs are secondary on that band and we are not supposed to interfere). So instead of using 2-meters and 70-cm bands everyone uses 2-meter and 220-bands. I believe the case is similar in Massachusetts where they have the same type of military radar also.

[@mikecooper5451]

Should the TX lite be on when the unit is powered off?

[@hamradiocomms]

No it shouldn’t be… what time in the video are you seeing that?

[@mikecooper5451]

@@hamradiocomms not in the video. It is my radio doing that.

[@mikecooper5451]

@@hamradiocomms It doesn’t seem to be drawing any power

[@hamradiocomms]

Oh … it shouldn’t be on, being electronics no way of knowing without putting it on a repair bench. However I would disconnect the mic temporarily to see if the light goes off, and or make sure the connector for mic is on good. If it goes off with mic disconnected perhaps it is the mic and you can try another compatible me mic see it the light stays off then it’s probably the mic. Otherwise the problem is in radio. So if the power is off AND disconnected from radio the light should be off…. So I’m not sure how the TX is on when no power is going to the radio? I’m guessing power supply is on and radio off and you’re seeing the light?

[@mikecooper5451]

@@hamradiocomms The power supply is on. But, when the radio turned off the tx lite goes on. When the radio is powered on the tx lite goes of except it does go on when transmitting. When the radio is powered off and the tx lite goes on, it does not draw any additional power from the power supply, like it would when tx for real.

[@thedayofevil]

They just discontinued this radio! Bummer! The best out there!

[@hamradiocomms]

I couldn't find any info that the radio is discontinued. I looked at the Alinco site and elsewhere and it seems to be in production. I do know that there has been a disruption in production or distribution on this and many other radios right now especially with Alinco and Yaesu. Most of the websites are saying this radio will be delayed and are giving Feb 2021 dates for receiving them. I bought one of the last DR-235T MKIII radios in inventory anywhere a few weeks ago! I sold my DR-235T in this video to upgrade to the newest one. I now have the TCXO, AM reception for Military Aircraft band, and newer production unit. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@kd7dgkontheair]

@@hamradiocomms not able to find the DR235TMKIII I contacted REMTronix Inc, the US Distributor for Alinco, by email and they told me that the DR235TMKIII was discontinued in late 2020. They also told me that they are working on a replacement radio which will delete the DB9 data connector but will have increased TX power.

[@hamradiocomms]

@@kd7dgkontheair Hi.. thanks for the update and great information on the Alinco. I guess the other poster was correct that it was discontinued, I wasn't sure because the retailers had messages that they were delayed. Remtronics has excellent customer service, when I called them I had no wait times and they spent a lot of time answering my questions. That's good to hear that they are making another model for 220, there aren't too many choices for quality transceiver for the band. I don't think people are using the RS232 port for packet & APRS on 220 much at all so having more people sounds great. I'm happy with the 25W I have, but 50W would be nice. In the mean time, if you haven't already, put a search in ebay for the Alinco it will email you when one shows up for sale.

[@kd7dgkontheair]

@@hamradiocomms I agree, not many people are using the RS232 port for packet or APRS, but it is used for the hardware necessary to put that radio on the air as an IRLP or Allstar Link node. Here's a link to the Repeater Builders RIM Lite or the Alinco radio. www.repeater-builder.com/products/usb-rim-lite.html

[@jonatassilva383]

Where can I get my ham radio license here? Thanks

[@hamradiocomms]

Hello.... this link below will tell you everything you need to get started on getting a license. www.arrl.org/getting-licensed

[@jonatassilva383]

hamradiocomms ok ok my friend thanks for the information, but I looked there I could not understand very well because I understand very little of English sorry, but would have a right place to go to do this test got this lincense? I am in love with Amateur Radio I am from Brazil I am living here uses us I would love to use the equipment here here is a lot of good equipment lol sorry for the order 👍

[@hamradiocomms]

@@jonatassilva383 Hello mi amigo, so the website i gave you is for USA citizens only.. every country has it's own license for ham radio... Here is the link for LABRE - bLiga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rádio Emissão labre.org.br/ Good luck and have fun, Edgar

[@jimmarcum7362]

Great review! Back years ago, if you had the Novice license, the 220 band was the only band you had voice privileges on. Also you were restricted to 25 watts TX. I have the same radio, it only puts out 18 watts to a dummy load. The US region is the only region that has the 220 band for Amatuer use. I think the MkIII may put out closer to 25 watts, maybe that is why it draws 10 amps on TX? There are several Chinese 220 mobiles which have the alarm feature just like the 235 . The body of these radios are a copy of the Alinco, but the display is different. I own a TYT9000, and a Anytone AT588, they seemed to be modified Taxi radios that have been marketed as being Ham radios. Both of these Chinese copies claim to have 60 watts out, but on the ham band my older TYT has 30 watts and the Anytone is 42 watts. The TYT will put out a full 60 watts at 260 mHz on a dummy load. I use the Alinco on as a base station the RX seems better than the Chinese copies. My Alinco refused to turn on about a year ago, the microphone cable had shorted out and prevented the radio from turning on. The Mic cords will deteriorate over several years of use when subjected to sunlight. Other than that the radio does a great job. Too bad Alinco has stop making them. The Chinese radios have 200 memory channels and use a modular mic jack. I like the display window on the Alinco, and 100 memory channels are just fine for the 220 band. I think I have had the TYT for over 11 years using it as a mobile in my Jeep, It still works after years of abuse, it is throw away radio if it stops working. I saw a ham radio store in New York selling the last 9 NOS 235 MkIII for $299 each, they went fast.