I have been a HAM radio operator for many years and i just love playing with all of the new radio’s that come out. I have used everything from Keywood, to Yeasu and have one of each, and multiple of others. Then i ran into a situation that I needed to get a DMR radio for a project. That is when I cam on the Ailunce HD1. I was skeptical thinking i was going to end up with another cheap radio that I would use for a day or two, for the project then it would go on the shelf forever. Well was I ever wrong about that. So Let’s get into the review
1. Quality of the radio itself - this Radio is Rock solid. It is built very rugged. I dont feel like i could break it even if i tired. It is waterproof (Yes this got put to the test in a rain storm) and kept on ticking. Although it is a little heavier that is because it is built to withstand the beating that we sometimes give our equipment. I feel I could drop this thing, and it would not notice. When you are holding this radio in your hand, you feel like you have something that is going to last.
2. Sound Quality - the sound is crystal clear. On FM its the best radio i own. On DMR, you can tell but hey its DMR… it is the best you can get.
3. Versatility - OK this radio will talk on my EOC, Police, EMS emergency channels, the Business Channels i need, GMRS, and HAM repeaters all over. It hits all of the 70cm and 2m repeaters in the area. I have had NO problems communicating with anyone I need to communicate with.
4. EASE OF USE - People sometimes are afraid of Code Plugs and configuring DMR radio’s. I downloaded the software from the Ailunce.com website, watched a few YouTube videos and had this radio up and running in no time. DMR was a new challenge, but that was me learning the technology. Once i had this down it was easy to configure.
5. Encrypted communication. - this was a challenge as it is proprietary. Tried to use this with other DMR radio’s with NO Succcess.
6. Display - you can customize the display on this radio to be personalized by just creating a new graphic. How cool is that. One of the coolest tings i have ever done. But once you get by the GEEK factor, the display is very easy to read and provides all of the information you need to tell you what your radio is doing and how to make it work. The DMR information works great once you download the contacts or put in your own contact list.
Negatives - Accessories. This radio is not a widely popular as some of the other radios. So Accessories are not available. But a good speaker mike is all you really need. So order the Ailunce one. It is the best.
Conclusion - So i started out thinking i was going to get a cheap radio… in stead I got my NEW Main radio. The rest of my radio’s are now in the box and this one is my go to unit…. I ordered 6 more. It is waterproof, sturdy, lasts for days on a single charge. Transmits at 10w and can really kick it out of a dead zone. I love this radio… I recommend it to any and everyone that needs a strong, reliable unit for events, emergency responses, and the tough spots. This thing will really work for you. I love this Radio… if you buy one, you will not be disappointed.
What I would like to see - a vehicle unit that will work with it.
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Good Amateur Tansceiver!
Update: 25-August-2018: Ailunce created a new firmware and addressed many issues reported in my review; BUT, it still locks up; hence, I updated my review from 4-stars to 3-stars. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason a transceiver should lock up requiring the operator to take out the battery to reset the transceiver in order for it to operate.I purchased the HD1 and the HD1GPS; and, my experiences with both transceivers have been positive.The reason I purchased this transceiver is I needed a back-up to my Motorola XPR 7550e (UHF), XPR 7550 (VHF), and XPR 7580 (UHF); and, I was hoping the Ailunce HD1GPS would be the back-up to my Motorolas for my ICS-based Emergency Comms Operations.Unfortunately, because the Ailunce HD1GPS is Direct Conversion without an effective front-end filter (I don’t know if it has a front-end filter), I cannot use it for my ICS-based Emergency Comms Operations. Since, Ailunce marketed the HD1GPS as a HAM transceiver and not as an emergency mission-critical transceiver, I will not ding it for desensitize communications.My Motorolas are Super Heterodyne, and I, now, have FPP; hence, they are my only comm tools for my ICS-based emergency comms.While the HD1GPS is not a Motorola, it is a step in the right direction; and, it does a good job in the stuff it’s suppose to do for social HAM operations and personal emergency comms when isolated from other operators: RX and TX.- Audio Quality: 5-Stars: The speaker provides clear and hi-quality RX. It is loud and can overcome any competing background noise out in the field. Audio RX is inbalance in that it favors high-pitch sounds.My Motorolas have more of a balanced treble and bass when in RX.The TX is also high quality — each operator, with whom I spoke on DMR and Analog, mentioned my audio quality was crystal clear.- FPP 5-Stars: I’ve had to use it once out in the field while traveling to LA, and it was really nice to program a new frequency without having to hook it up to a laptop.- Reliability: 1-Star: It locked up on me one time, and this should never happen — at all! It should not lock up at all.I had to remove the battery and put it back; and, that process cured problem; BUT, this is another reason this transceiver is does not meet ICS-Emergency-Comm criteria.Ailunce is sending me a new transceiver as of 25-August-2018 — Ailunce mentioned they resolved the locking up and freezing up issue.- GPS: 5-Stars: It locks on as quick as my Motorola XPR 7550e’s GPS — within four minutes in the toughest areas in San Francisco.- Build-quality: 5-Stars: the body is strong and hefty. It has the same type of feel as my Motorola XPR 7500e and 7580.- DTMF: None: Why not?- Talk Permit Tones: 3-stars: New firmware has TPT, but it is still being adjusted.- Desensitize: Direct Conversion and Non Functioning Front-end Filter: This is a major failure with this product. In my ICS-based Emergency Comms, my RX got blocked out because of other ICS-based emergency comms operators that were transmitting within 15 feet of me; hence, I cannot use this for any ICS-based emergency comms drill.If you’re near another transceiver, and you are in RX mode with your HD1GPS (HD1) while the other operator is with his transceiver in TX mode, his TX mode will block out your RX mode — you will hear static, nothing, or hear his transmission even if you and he are on different frequencies.The HD1GPS and HD1 use direct conversion without a functioning front-end filter oppose to super heterdyne and a functional front-end filter (e.g., Motorola).Unfortunately, I can only use this transceiver for social operations or as a personal emergency comm device when I’m not within 15 feet of other operators.BUT, as I mentioned earlier, Ailunce marketed the HD1GPS as a HAM transceiver — not an emergency mission-critical transceiver; hence, I will not down-grade the HD1GPS on this characteristic.- Screen Readability: 2-Stars: the fonts are ugly; the zones can’t be named to the zone names; the icons, such as, but not limited to, the GPS icon is too small and difficult to see in the direct sunlight. It has no ability to dim the screen for night viewing.- RX Sensitivity: 3-Stars: my Motorolas have better RX sensitivities in picking up weak signals; but, the HD1GPS does a very good job — it just doesn’t pick up as much or as clearly as my Motorola.- Mic Gain: 5-Star: As of 25-August-2018, the new firmware has Mic again.- Battery Life: 5-Stars: excellent.**Update 30-July-2018**: Battery Meter was updated in the new firmware; so, it is better and more accurate. 5-Stars.- APRS via Brandmeister: HD1GPS has the capability, but it isn’t provisioned. I need APRS. Ailunce didn’t market APRS, so I won’t downgrade it for that.- Customer Support: 5-Stars: I had a problem with B-band, and the Ailunce team updated my firmware within 24 hours. The customer support is stellar, which is one of the reasons I purchased this transceiver.- CPS: 4-Stars: Needs some minor tweaks.This transceiver has several bugs, but Ailunce is working on making these corrections in the future firmware.The customer support engages HAM Operators; in fact, Ailunce engages me in the last firmware upgrade.Notwithstanding some of the bugs, which Ailunce is correcting, overall, I am very happy with the HD1GPS for social ops; and, I recommend a “buy” on this product for only social comms or your own individual emergency comms in your bug-out pack or EDC, as long as you are not within 15 feet of other operators.I did not ding this transceiver not being able to be operational during emergency comm mission-critical ops.; because, Ailunce did not market this transceiver to operate in mission-critical comms ops.The main set-back of this transceiver, which I dinged it, is the locking up (freeze-up) while in operational mode — this is absolutely unacceptable for any transceiver to do this.Ailunce is sending me a new HD1GPS that doesn’t lock up or freeze up: 25-August-2018.I will update this review to 5-Stars if the new transceiver doesn’t lock up or freeze up on me.For use for only individual social amateur HAM coms, non group comms, and personal emergency comms, you will be pleased with this transceiver.Check 6!/s/ Alfonso Faustino (K6ASF)
