From: mwgordon@nyx.cs.du.edu (Mike Gordon)
Subject: Re: Seeking comments on Alinco DJ-F1T
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Date: Tue, 13 Oct 92 05:18:00 GMT

In article <ldc7ecINN1e7@appserv.Eng.Sun.COM> dlp@zule.Eng.Sun.COM (Dan Pritchett - SunSoft Engineer) writes:
>In article <9210081706.AA28589@nms1.abb.com>, jennings@abb.COM (UPAC01::JENNINGS) writes:
 
>My comments are based on the 2 radios in our family, and a friend's radio.
>I wrote a response to QST about the comment on the weak battery connection
>and I believe we agreed to disagree, 
 
I've had my F1T for 8 months of rough and tumble usage, and have never had a
problem with the battery connections (physical or electrical).
NOTE:  If you open the radio up, make sure you slide the battery hooks over
(like you were taking the battery off) to avoid bending the hooks.

>My radio has been dropped about a dozen times. It also fell out of my
>bike bag once and was drug by the coax attached to the antenna connector
>for about 50 yards starting at about 15 mph. 
>My wife drops her radio so much I put a soft case on the unit
>to protect if from scratches. Of the 3 radios I am familiar with, none
>of them have experienced a failure. I consider the radio as tough
>as any on the market 

It's tougher.  That, and its size, is why many of the Alinco owners around 
here call it "the hand-granade".

>you need a belt clip for every battery and they don't come with the 
>spare batteries, 

I found that a CB-style mic hanger (a better quality, screw mount one) 
works great.  The screw holes line up perfectly, and I just sqeezed it 
slightly in a vise to make it a little more flat.  Then I bent the middle 
"finger" inward a little at the center so it would hold my belt (or jean 
pocket) a little tighter.
 
Don't pay Alinco's $3 or $4 for a fifty cent piece of metal.

>* The "MONI" function is brain dead. It is supposed to apply a repeater
>offset and open squelch so you can "Monitor Input" to a repeater and
>see if simplex is possible. None of Alinco's HTs do this. I guess they
>don't spend enough time playing with ICOM, Kenwood, and Yaesu before they
>build the clone.:-)

No no no!  Hitting reverse (keypad 3) is for monitoring the input of 
the repeaters.  Unfortunately, you would then be transmiting on the
output of the repeater.  Quite confusing to others listening to the 
repeater. 

The MONI function is to open squelch regardless of the knob setting
or the (seldom-used) digital tone squelch.

>* The DTMF pad gets disabled if you use the handy remote mike that lets
>you change frequencies. The remote mic and DTMF are mutually exclusive
>which is kind of a pain. I would not recommend buying the remote mic, but
>get the regular mic.

Huh?  Are you using the EMS-8 control speaker-mic?  My F1T (serial #
2911) doesn't cut out the keypad when you connect the mic.   Are your
serial numbers before or after mine?  Does this cut out just the numeric 
keypad, or upper buttons (call, v/m, scan, etc.)?  What about the channel
knob on top?  

Actually, I wish I could lock out just the numeric keypad at times.   
I tend to hit the priority (keypad A) or thee DSQ (keypad D) on accident.
I'd use Freq Lock, but then I can't scan (unless I have the speaker mic on,
and hold down the up or down button). 
 
>Given these few problems and all of the features you get for your money
>I highly recommend this radio to anyone wanting a small HT.

I couldn't agree with you more.  In fact, I'll probably be picking up 
another one for either my YL or my sister, whichever gets licensed first.
Nothing like a little friendly competition :)

Mike Gordon  N9LOI  99681084@uwwvax.uww.edu