AnyTone 578: What’s the REAL POWER OUTPUT!?

[@dougpreston8179]

what is the power on 222 MHz

[@galax574]

I have an AnyTone AT-D578UVII and today I do a SWR & power measurement for it. The nominal power output as seen from the user manual is 55W (VHF) and 40W (UHF). These two values seem to be different as what you said in this video. For TURBO power, I've got 50W for VHF (while nominal power is 55W) and 34W for UHF (while nominal power is 40W). So what causes the ambiguity of the nominal power?

[@stevedimartino683]

You absolutely right it’s a fabulous radio. I have one.

[@ShortWaves]

Isn't the calibration just for SWR measurement ? Does it have any effect on power measurement at all ?

[@MrBrandonh98]

Any chance you could do this again and monitor the current from your power source? The manual says 15A, but I'm curious if it's really 15A or is it really like 10-12A? Wondering if I need to run new wires in the car or not.

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

Wanting to get one but worried the vhf won't be enough

[@SKYGUY1]

Anything within 5% of the spec, up or down, is acceptable. That won't make any difference to the listener at the other end. It seems more radios are a little high, rather than a little low, but that is decent. Curious how the 220 stacked up. Thanks for the tests. K4KID

[@JamesCutlervk2tim]

The lower power readings on UHF probably relate to coax loss (Any length of coax is lossier at UHF than VHF)

[@K0LWC]

The loss seems a bit much given it’s only a 2 ft jumper.

[@JamesCutlervk2tim]

@@K0LWC what coax is it?

[@K0LWC]

RG8X

[@JamesCutlervk2tim]

@@K0LWC ok, you can calculate the attenuation of 2 ft of rg8x to get your answer, but in any case, the output levels of that radio seems fine. Spectral purity, not so sure, but maybe ok.

[@fredflintstone1984]

How did you set the P3 to change power levels?

[@fredflintstone1984]

ok i figured it out. Had to program button P3 to Tx using the keys on radio since i didnt program keys in my codeplug.

[@K0LWC]

Yep, you can configure short and long press of all the keys you wish in the CPS or via the menu.

[@ShutterMafiaStudios1]

nice matt. sweet meter.

[@jimpiper5297]

The relative importance of radios meeting spec for power out I think is of far lesser importance than spectral purity. In this area I have little trust in Chinese radios. In all the tests of Chinese rigs I’ve seen on KZbin, only one KZbin video is spectral purity and that on a couple of the Baofeng family of HTs. They had crappy control over this parameter, with numerous high-level spurs not only to adjacent frequencies but out of band. A side note re power out of FM rigs: I’d venture that most new hams (and perhaps many older hams) who operate FM don’t realize that it takes a >> 6dB

[@joelbahl6830]

Try running 1 watt versus 4 watts and you will see how important that power is when you have a bad antenna like a rubber duck. The much quoted "S-units" statements and the reality of communications don't mix.

[@K0LWC]

While Baofengs’ have been known to be shoddy, I haven’t seen the same with AnyTone. It’s like anything. You get what you pay for - and this isn’t a $50 radio.

[@jimpiper5297]

@@joelbahl6830 if you're on the edge at 1W, of course 6dB will make a diff. All depends on the angle of the dangle.

[@SKYGUY1]

@@jimpiper5297 For 44 years I have understood 3db to be the level of gain that will demonstrate a noticeable difference in a weak signal from low to higher power. A difference of "doubling" the power... or doubling the gain via improved antennas or increased height. Have I been fooled all of these decades? I have a couple of Baofengs for use around the house... and you are right... not pure and not selective. They'll pick up the spark from a Bic lighter wheel at hundred yards.

[@galax574]

How to fix it?

[@rafaelrosado5454]

I have a couple 578's, all of them are triband. what about 220?

[@K0LWC]

I didn’t test it because I just don’t use it. 220mhz is some rarely spectrum - but some areas still have activity.

[@mdt3796]

@@K0LWC you do a power test on a tri-band radio and don’t check the output of 220 because you don’t use it? Horrible! The one reason I watched this is to find out what your output findings were on 1.25. Click bait garbage.

[@darylnd]

New Technician here, studying for General and Extra. My shack currently consists of one Yaesu FT3D and the RTL-SDR USB radio. I was evaluating offerings from the Big Three for my truck when I came across the 578. 220 appealed to me, even if only at HT power (stated) because there are a fair number of 220 repeaters here in the SF Bay Area, and I’ve picked up traffic from them on my FT3D. DMR would be nice to have, as there are more DMR repeaters in the area than Fusion. The 578 arrived yesterday. The lack of a remote head is a bit bigger issue than I thought. There are a number of places I can mount the radio if I don’t mind not seeing the display, otherwise atop the dash, in full sunlight and burglar view (24/7 activity in my HOA’s gated, basement parking garage) is the only way to go. I’m on the fence now: don’t want to lose the 220 and DMR, but may return the 578. 73, KN6NPZ

[@michaelzehrfeld7766]

Did the measurement take place in DMR mode? Then the entire measurement is not correct because the conventional measuring instruments are not able to display the actual values. I tested it with a Daiwa CN 801 V-Type when the meter is in PEP mode. Only then can one speak of real readings....

[@kerrcomm]

Just tested my 578 in DMR mode with bird APM-16(digital SWR meter) and i get only 20 watts to a flat SWR antenna with LMR400 and 25 Watts on FM ...not even close to what they say????

[@michaelzehrfeld7766]

@@kerrcomm .... if the device might have an error? I bought the device, did not modify or change anything.... codeplug installed and taken in operation... my measurements were taken. On the dummy load, measured with a Daiwa CN 801, my device brings the appropriate output power.

[@KQ4RIV]

How are we feeling about this radio in 2024?

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice.... ......

[@BadHorsie2]

This radio is on my purchase short list.

[@K0LWC]

I wouldn’t hesitate! It’s a good radio for the price.

[@Rusted_Link]

This has no real bearing on most aspects of anything but my AT-878 is also higher than rated, over 10 watts in fact. Get a good antenna, park on a high hill and take over the World. LOL

[@K0LWC]

Radios are not always dead on. They can +/- a few watts in either direction. Chinese radios are especially prone to +\- 5-10 watts.

[@Rusted_Link]

@@K0LWC no shit

[@williamlowry9585]

You need to adjust the meter for each power level to be accurate.

[@K0LWC]

You don’t, it makes no difference.

[@la5984]

Way to hard to program i give up

[@K0LWC]

Don’t give up. Once you learn the codeplug you’re Golden.

[@la5984]

@@K0LWC I will try i have 878 from LA

[@Antennenfachmann]

Anytone AT-D578 mega shit. NO PTT! You dont can use any other Microphone and no support from Anytone! You can only use the OriginalMic. Bluetooth will disconnected at any time. Works not stable! The feeling of pots are bad.I have still 7x MD-9600, RT90 Version 3. The units works much better. No VFO, no Bluetooth, but the units work fine! And with somer other microphones. The customer need to know, that he can only User the original Microphone. Pull the Mic down and broken, you cannot use the Anytone anymore. Anytone has thousend nice functions, but nothing works good. My choice is the TYT. Cheeper and works.

[@K0LWC]

Will be deleting as it’s completely false.

[@Antennenfachmann]

@@K0LWC I have contact anytone, and IT is no way to use other mic than original mic. Customers get no help.

[@darylnd]

I just received one yesterday. The pots on my sample feel fine: they're firm but smooth. Switches feel solid. I haven't yet installed the radio--I bought it for my truck--so I can't speak to other issues. I bought mine from Bridgecom, here in the US, who get good marks for customer support. I'm a bit on the fence about installing it, because the lack of a remote head is a bit bigger issue than I thought when I placed my order.

[@Antennenfachmann]

At now it is possible with new Firmware to use another external microphone with PTT.

[@Antennenfachmann]

@@K0LWC it is possible with new Firmware, but than you can't use the original microphone.