Anytone AT-779UV Long-Term Review - The Best Value VHF/UHF Mobile Radio?

[@davedarby6230]

Interesting review also have owned this rig for 2 years and very happy with it😀

[@IrishHamRadio]

Hi Dave, Yep they are a great little radio.

[@timg5tm941]

Great value radio. The only issue I’ve had is that the front end is wide open causing break through from nearby phone masts on hilltops so de-sense a fair bit. Otherwise, great value.

[@IrishHamRadio]

Yes I agree Tim… I didn’t get into that in the video, but passing some petrol stations or certain sites it takes the RFI in loud enough to break the squelch on mine.. And yes desensing alone is another issue… in fact I think that’s a good video idea where I could take it and a Motorola or tait to our Hillsite where I know the Anytone gets desensed and see if the more expensive brand radio works better. 👌🏻

[@timg5tm941]

@@IrishHamRadio good plan! I know my yaesu 3100 rejects the break through no problem at the same location

[@garyh8315]

Good morning, thanks for posting a good vid. I have had one of these for a few years too, being able to use the 10w power output. I feel as though it can be a little weak at picking up some stations, thus requiring that MONI button. However, this is small as it is output that is a bit more important. Reports have been eye opening, the quality of the audio being reported as very good. I also have this plugged through the car radio system, so the audio is also very good. Programming is also very simple, just needs altering for your own needs. I would like to be able to use for airband tho. Or open up a few more frequencies for monitoring purposes. A cracking little radio that can be hidden away out of sight, yet packs a good punch. All for less that £100.

[@IrishHamRadio]

Hi Gary, Yep exactly.. it may not be the “best” mobile radio, but I believe it’s definitely the “best value” 👍🏻.

[@fearghal]

Nice review. I just picked up an AT-778uv here in the US which has as similar spec... such great rig for ~$120.

[@IrishHamRadio]

Cheers! Yep I have the 778 in my Campervan 👌🏻.

[@catdrnan]

You are RIGHT! I have two

[@gillesg7560]

thank you for the video, good infomation, your english is easy to understand, as I speak mainly french, 73 from Canada

[@IrishHamRadio]

Thank you 😊🙏

[@C_Owl]

You sold me, after messing with a Baofeng for a year I'm going to upgrade to one of these

[@IrishHamRadio]

Good stuff 😊… They are great value for money… A little open to interference on the receive but unreal for the money.

[@ugsisr]

Great Review... I am interested in this radio in a US Model... Thank You I Subscribed...

[@IrishHamRadio]

Thank you 🙏

[@Roddy1965]

Thanks for the long term review, pretty balanced and fair I'd say. I wonder how the Anytone stacks up on really long term robustness, and how serviceable/supportable is it compared to Icom/Yaesu etc. by local technicians. I *used to* do a lot of VHF radio for car rallying, and my old FT-2600 really took a beating on the cottage and logging roads for many years.

[@IrishHamRadio]

Thanks Roddy… Yep I have to say for around €100, it’s hard to beat… I have had Taits, Motorolas and Hyteras… They are indeed really robust, but considerably more expensive and usually larger too… And I’m not sure if they are as wide banded as the Anytone either.. in fact they above are usually mono band… I haven’t had a VHF/UHF Yaesu unfortunately.

[@Roddy1965]

@@IrishHamRadio Only comparable one I see available from a normal dealer in Canada is the TYT TH-8600, $220 Cdn.

[@sweeneyTodd-de4by]

Great channel, is this radio any good for a total beginner?

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@sweeneyTodd-de4by Hi There, Yep I believe it is… you can listen to a lot of frequencies on it even before being licenced.

[@aMaff]

I picked up a clone last week (Radioddity DB20). So far I really like it. Pretty easy to use but feature rich. My only complaint is how...thin... the manual is. Down to actually missing details on a couple of the options. Which brings me to my question: Which menu option enables the 1 touch Moni? Thanks for the great video!

[@IrishHamRadio]

Hi Maff, Thanks for the comment! To enable toggle on moni, (assuming it is the same as with the 779), in the programming software double click on "Function SetUp" in the left pane. On the top right of the window that pops up there is an option called "MONI Key Function". Set this to "Squelch Off" rather than "Squelch off Momentarily". Hope that helps?

[@aMaff]

@@IrishHamRadio yup, sure enough it's there. Thanks!

[@aMaff]

@@IrishHamRadio and I can confirm that it works as expected on my Radioddity clone. Cheers!

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@aMaff brilliant!

[@M0RSF]

Comprehensive review there Dave. Certainly seems like good value for money. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@IrishHamRadio]

Yep I think so… I mean there are better rigs but all things considered including price, for working mobile proper… this is hard to beat!

[@robertchambers4360]

Thanks for a great review. Can this radio be programmed manually? Sadly the programming software isn't compatible with Windows 11 I have found. Thanks

[@IrishHamRadio]

Hi Robert, I'm fairly sure I have programmed mine with windows 11.... Let me double check and come back to you....

[@robertchambers4360]

@@IrishHamRadio Thank you. The error report on device manager says "PL230JTA do not support Windows11 or later. Please contact your supplier" I have tried programming manually but there is only so much you can do. The instruction leaflet is really wholly inadequate, it doesn't say how to input the extra data needed for repeater use. I wish I hadn't upgraded to windows 11, windows 10 worked well. Cheers

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@robertchambers4360 Hi Robert, Ok, so i looked back and I had to install a fix for the usb prolific driver to get this to work and it did... See link below... embetronicx.com/uncategorized/fixed-prolific-pl2303ta-usb-to-serial-and-windows-11/ Let me know if that works..😊

[@bradbeard4575]

Had to install the fix as well. Just programmed mine today with windows 11. But only after changing the frequencies on the radio to open it up, then change the language to English from Chinese. After that I was hitting a repeater 50 miles away with reports of 5/6.

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@bradbeard4575 nice!! It’s a great value little rig… mine ins fill going strong and used every day in my vehicle.

[@TonyM7CVK]

Morning Dave I have a clone of this the CRT Electro, been using mobile and in the shack for the past 18 months it’s been faultless using a clone programming lead and the Anytone software it’s always got very good audio reports for sub £85 I am very happy, M7CVK Tony

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@TonyM7CVK Hi Tony, Yep exactly “bang for buck” wise it can’t be beaten in my opinion… Mine is still going strong in my vehicle and used every day on full power.

[@TonyM7CVK]

@@IrishHamRadio I can’t fault it Dave in fact it’s on in the shack more than my more expensive Yaesu FTM 400 very easy to use and as I said it works very well I have seen some information regarding it getting overloaded but I can’t comment as I am out in the sticks, get into most repeaters around 30 miles radius using a cheap X30 white stick @ 8m I did manage a contact to Bodmin moors during one of the 145 alive events last year on the said radio so they do work.

[@theradiorover]

Anytones's are like Pokemon for you Dave. Gotta have 'em all!

[@IrishHamRadio]

Hehe.. yep I think so in my case anyway! 🤪

[@liamdan1620]

i can't get mine to scan...can you confirm how to do it? incase i am doing something wrong

[@IrishHamRadio]

Hi Liam, I’d say you have to set up Scan lists first, then use the scan function… But I’ll have to check and get back to you.

[@michaeldavidsohn2805]

Great Rig, great value. BUT using mobile with hand mic is not easy when driving a manual car. I have been unable to source a hands free kit for it. Any ideas, anyone? Thanks Mike G3ZCC

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@michaeldavidsohn2805 Hi Michael, I’m actually making one at the minute! Video to come very soon!

[@Ei2iP]

Well done David, sure where would you be going blowing silly money on yaesu 500 for a cost of €600, most of these are all over rated.. there's nothing wrong with the cheaper options... no different from the Quansheng handhelds..

[@IrishHamRadio]

Thanks Robbie... Yes although of course these more expensive brands are better quality in other ways... I just particularly like the Anytone stuff as they are around a long time and in fairness have good support and software configurability. I see them in the same place in life that Hytera were years ago when their quality was doubted just because where they were being made... Now Hytera is massive and priced alongside the major brands.