Discover Anytone AT-D868UV, what is it really worth? <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f4f6.png" alt="📶" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />
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Intro
You used to find on my blog articles about MMDVM. I’m back from HamRadio show in Friedrichshafen with this new DMR and analog dual band UHF and VHF in my luggage: the famous Anytone AT-D868-UVE. This new item is sell about 150 € in Europe.
I take advantage of the few weeks of tests to present you an report of the use of this recent DMR Tier 2 talky-walky, and see with you if “famous” rhymes with “fabulous”. Let’s first look at the features on the paper.
The box contains :
Complete 37-page manual booklet in English (on paper!)
Anytone AT-D868UVE
Battery 3100 mAh
Portable dual band V/U antenna (157mm)
Programming cable
Charging base
Charging Power Transformer
Belt clip
Lanyard
The box does not contain any software. You will need to download the programming software with its USB driver to install first (and firmware 2.30): 868UV_V2.30 official released
This article is “multipage”, to browse from one page to another or directly from the summary to the desired page
Technical data of AnyTone manufacturer
Memory Channels
4,000 channels
DMR Talk Groups
10,000
Digital Contacts
150,000 (complete worldwide database from DMR-MARC)
Power Levels
4 programmable power levels: 6/4/2.5/1 Watt Transmit Power Levels.
Zones
250 zones, up to 250 channels per zone.
Display
1.77 inch color TFT Screen with selectable dual channel or single channel display.
Battery
Operate 35+ hours between charges with the supplied 3100 mAh lithium ion battery in the power saver mode.
Bandwidth
12.5 / 25.0 kHz Analog, and 12.5 kHz DMR
Import/Export
Enhanced CPS allows direct input and export of channels, digital IDs and talkgroups.
Industries
Ideal for fire, search & rescue, EMS, police, sheriff, forestry, security patrols, business communications, schools, universities, and other organizations that have FCC licensed frequencies.
DMR Compatibility
Supports both Tier I and Tier II operation, making it compatible with DMR repeaters that utilize two-slot TDMA technology.
Amateur Radio
Also operational on amateur radio DMR networks and analog frequencies. Software importable worldwide amateur contact database.
Programmable
FCC 47CFR90.203 requires the keypad locked in the shipping configuration. Software keypad unlocking and re-programming are available with the included USB Programming Cable.
Speaker Connection
2-pin style Kenwood/Wouxun type earphone and speaker mic connection for a variety of accessories.
Quiet Tones
CTCSS/DCS tone squelch with split tone and custom tone capability.
Frequency Range
136-174 / 400-480 MHz RX/TX
Package Includes
Dual-band VHF/UHF Radio, 3100 mAh extended life lithium ion battery, desk charger w/ AC adapter, Dual-band antenna, belt clip, free USB Programming cable and downloadable software, user manual.
Certifications
FCC Part 90 Certified, FCC ID: T4KD868UV
Dimensions
129 x 61 x 39 mm (with battery)
Weigth
282 g (with battery and antenna)
Sensibility
<=0.25µV (large band), <=0.335µV (narrow band)
Digital Sensibility
0.3µV/-117.4dBm (BER 5%) 0.7µV/-110dBm (BER 1%)
AT-D868UV Characteristics Complement
Some of the features are not highlighted by the manufacturer, certainly some of them are rather accessory than others but this shows the richness of the AnyTone.
Two VFO A and B, either analogue / DMR / UHF / VHF.
Several configurable IDs (When you lend your device to an friend OM, it will transmit with its own ID). Select the ID to use on your 868UV from Menu / Settings / Chan set / 12.Radio ID. / Select / Option / Select Radio Id
88-108 MHz FM broadcast radio reception, with programmed frequencies. To switch to FM, remember to assign a programmable key
FM Broadband Receiver Channels
Possibility to add private and public Talkgroups and be ready to broadcast without opening the PC to program the station (see below)
Possibility to add Channels without PC
Customization of the ignition screen, with a text or an image (dimensions 160 x 130 pixels, jpg or bmp formats) Example image. Password start protection possible.
Battery voltage display (by programmable key)
GPS integrated into the transceiver, with a rather fast synchronization and “fix” of the satellites. Information on longitude, latitude, speed (m/s) and altitude (m). When the position is correct, the GPS icon on the top band appears in red. Information about the AT-D868UV is accessed via the Menu / GPS / GPS Infor key. You can easily send your position to a contact by SMS, validating with the Edit button. The introduction text (by default “My current GPS position is” can be changed from CPS / Optional Setting / GPS-Ranging). GPS allows you to set the AT-D868UV time precisely (Menu / Settings / Radio Set / 44 Date Time / GPS Check)
“Hold time” – After your call partner has finished transmitting, a beep and/or a message will make you wait a few seconds (programmable duration). This allows you not to pick up too quickly and to ensure a blank before picking up the microphone again.
Automatic PTT triggering by adjustable Vox
Adjustable microphone gain (via CPS software and also directly on the Menu / Settings / Radio Set / 25 Mic Level = 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5)
Ranging (telemetry)
Assign to soft key the Ranging function (CPS>Optional Setting>Key function): First the other radio will have to make a call to you, then the radio will know who is calling, in this situation, press the assigned distance key, it will then display the distance information of both radios, distance and direction at regular intervals. The telemetry function is only valid when the GPS positioning is valid for both reception and transmission (both radios).Set the interval in CPS>Optional Setting>Digital Fun>Ranging Intervals, then activate the Ranging function, the radio then displays the location and distance of your call partner at regular interval.
Friends list
You define a list of friends (Left List / Digital / Friends List). As soon as one of your friends transmits on a TG, your AT-D868UV emits an alert tone.This function only works from the moment you have defined or imported a list of Contacts. Enter your friend’s ID in the’DMR ID’ field, then click Search, then Add.
Add a talkgroup on the AT-D868UV without PC
A very interesting function is to be able to add a discussion group, whether it is a public identifier (TG) or an OM identifier (private ID). The trick is to switch from private to public with the hash key #. Here is a little animation that shows you the addition of a TG and its broadcast on ATD868UV
VIDEO : Add a TG without CPS
Add a channel on the AT-D868UV without a PC
It is quite easy to add a channel using the default setting. This video shows you step by step the operation. Of course, by entering the Settings/ Chan Set menu, you can change the RX and TX frequencies, the colorcode if needed.
VIDEO: Add a channel without the help of a PC
The monitoring function, timeslots listening
The Digi Moni menu allows you to listen to everything on the current channel’s reception frequency, while choosing :
Listen to the timeslot of the channel, or the 2 timeslots of the reception frequency
Listen to the same colorcode as the channel, or all colorcodes that can be heard
Play only the same ID (TG) only, or any ID
I recommend programming a shortcut key to switch the Digi Mon. This allows you to easily release the listening of a channel to access the Menu. Indeed, as on the MD380, the Promiscous reception prohibits any possibility to interact with the menu while a reception is in progress.
In addition, as from firmware version 2.30, a programmable key can be configured to switch the timeslot channel : TS1 / TS2. Very practical to transmit easily when the timeslot of the channel on which you wish to transmit is already occupied by another transmission.
Audio quality
The Speaker
The Anytone AT-D868UV is equipped with a good quality loudspeaker, its high power of 1 Watt allows it to be heard even in a noisy environment. Of course, when you push the level, the sound saturations are present. Using the programming software, you can independently set the maximum speaker and headphone output levels. So you can make sure you avoid saturations, and make yourself deaf under your helmet.
The microphone
I made 3 audio recordings of the restitution of the talky walky, taken directly from the headphone sockets of each of the transceiver:
The AnyTone recordings let you hear a whistle of at least 7000 Hz that is absolutely not heard with the loudspeaker. So don’t consider this whistle, maybe my capture setup is not suitable.
On the spectrum, the 3 curves represent the record responses. It can be seen that the low and mid frequencies are more present for the Anytone transceiver when the Enhanced Audio parameter is Off (Blue curve).
About the firmware
My AT-D868UV is delivered with its 2.27 firmware. The original firmware (Device Info) displayed in the Menu / Settings / Device Info displays these items
Model Name : D868UV
Freq Range : 400-480 136-174
Firmware version 2.27
Hardware Ver : 1.10
Radio Data Ver : 1.00
Last Pro Date : 2018-03-05
Worm Peak: 1.10
Lange Ver ; 1.00
Sct SW Ver : V2.01.05NJ
By using this version, I notice on some occasions rather annoying operating bugs: Complete freezes requiring the removal of the battery for restarting, but also station receivers displayed on the screen but without BF audio signal. I decide to upgrade the firmware to 2.29 dated 26/05/2018 and then to 2.30 dated 23/06/2018. Thankfully, since that version, I really haven’t seen any more problems. This version also adds some interesting features, developed below:
Firmware 2.29
Display the last station heard during transmission (CPS->Optional Setting->Other->Show Last Call On Launch = On)
Keyboard beep with variable level according to volume level (CPS->Optional Setting->Alert Tone ->Key Tone levels = On)
Enable the Ranging function for private call channels.
Specify the unit of measure for Ranging (CPS->Optional Setting->GPS/Ranging->Ranging) either “meter” or “feet”
Multiple keyboard locking options
Change from 5 to 7 digits 5Tone selector function
Ranging Direction Correction
Fixed malfunction when downloading contact CSV files to import directly.
In Friends list, add search by repeater number
Improved PTT response speed when connecting to a radio relay.
Added the possibility to program function key to toggle maximum volume level (Indoor /1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8)
Select SMS format CPS->Optional Setting->Digital Fun->SMS format = M-SMS / H-SMS)
Firmware 2.30
Added the ability to assign timeslot switching (Slot Swith) to a function key.
Take into consideration the band limits of the auto repeater offset function. No automatic out-of-band offset if out of user configured band limits.
Added ability to configure 2 band limits for auto repeat offset function.
In Menu / Call Log / Last Call, add a list of last 30 calls.
Enhanced Friends list search: The Repeater number now becomes Callsign. Search is case insensitive (lower/upper case accepted)
Problems with switching on the auto repeater function after switching off the station has been solved
Problem of PF2 key Long press to scanner solved
Solved the problem of absence of RSSI and green light at PTT release
New option in Optional Setting / Other /Adress Book Sent with its own code = On or Off
The different hardware versions
For hardware version V1.0, use firmware file version V1.xx
For hardware version V1.1, use firmware file version V2.xx
Here is the method to update your AT-D868UV firmware
Install the CPS (corresponding to your firmware version)
Download the zip containing the firmware. Unzip. There you will find 2 files
Connect your USB cable to your PC and the cable to the AT-D868UVE micro/HP jack.
From the CPS, validate the communication port
Save your current AT-D868UV programming by reading its Menu Program/Read From Radio configuration.
Turn off your AR-D868UV. Turn the unit back on with the volume control (rotary knob 3 below) by holding the PTT key and the upper orange key (10 below). The display remains off and the LED flashes red. The firmware is ready to load into your AT-D868UV.
Launch the update tool via the menu Tool / Firmware/Icon Upgrade
Search for the file with SPI extension after clicking the Open Update File button
Click on Write
If the message “Check Link. Check wether the current serial port settings are correct, Retry or Cancel” (displayed in a popup “QXCode_Update_dpinst”), this indicates that you have probably forgotten to set the workstation to firmware programming mode (Step 5 above)
Now, we update the specific firmawre dedicated to the graphical icons of the handy. Power off the transceiver and turn it on again while hold pressing the PTT and PF2 button (the lower side key). The display shows “UPDATE MODE”. In the Tools menu, choose Firmware/Icon Upgrade, and then, in the directory 868UV_icon update_V1.xx, select file D868_1G_ICON_V1.xx.spi. Click on the’Write’ button to start the update. Restart the radio.
The manufacturer’s manual recommends to reset the workstation after updating its firmware. I don’t think that’s useful, unless you find that your AT-D868UV doesn’t work. Be careful to save your codeplug before performing the complete reset of your station: Turn off your Anytone then turn it on while keeping the PTT and PF1 keys pressed (under the PTT button). When asked “Are you sure you want to Initialize radio?”, confirm the reset with the green Confirm key. Reload your codeplug previously saved by Menu/Program/Write to radio.
Battery
The Li-ion battery is not charged at the factory, it must be recharged before using the unit.
Charging the battery for the first time after purchase or after prolonged storage will not bring the battery to its maximum operating capacity.
To achieve the best battery performance, the battery must be fully charged and discharged two to three times.
Accessories
The side microphone jack is standard, with a 2.5 jack for the external speaker and a 3.5mm jack for the microphone. By programming the station, an adjustment of the maximum volume level of the external loudspeaker can be made, avoiding saturation or deafness if you use a headset.
A weak point is the plastic protective cover of the microphone jack. If you open and close it repeatedly, there is a risk of the plastic hinge breaking.
Download AT-D868UV documentation
The manual and a specific guide on programming in English are available for download.
Digital monitoring (Digi Mon Menu) single slot, and double slot (called “Promiscious” mode on other stations, allowing to receive one or two timeslots, regardless of the talkgroup) – Timeslot switchable on a programmable key (firmware 2.30)
Good audio modulation quality selectable
Among other data, Import of code bases by the CPS software
Import mask (Menu Tools / Import)
Audio recordings (still erratic on my tests)
Channel capacity per zone (up to 250 per zone)
Simplified zone change, without going through a menu (up/down arrow directly on the keyboard)
5 programmable function keys (i.e. 10 direct commands thanks to short press and long press)
1 Watt speaker, allowing listening in a noisy environment – Excellent audio quality.
Automatic switch-off of the talky-walky without activity after a programmable delay.
Things to improve
These points to be improved (or tested again) concern:
GPS position transmission in APRS beacon (Brandmeister announces for the moment that the format is not supported – will it be developed?)
The transmission of SMS via network, remains to test (and discover the two types of SMS).
Analog reception noise with the original antenna. A first impression is that reception is less sensitive than it could be. I didn’t make any measurements about it to be more formal.
Conclusion
Without any alternative firmware to be installed, this A,ytone AT-D868UV is rich in features, very complete. It allows to store all analog FM repeaters and also DMR on both VHF and UHF bands. The ergonomics of the software is well done, copy/paste of channels facilitate their definitions, the import of the worldwide station identifiers is simplistic (A compatible database is available on this site to integrate by the Menu Tools / import).
To conclude, the Anytone AT-868-UV is very well-made, and seems robust. This VHF and UHF Anytone AT-D868UVE handy is very complete, and intrasequentially good quality. Its autonomy is adequate and further improved with the 3100mAh Li-ion battery. Some bugs are still potentially present in the firmware, but the updates are very followed by the manufacturer (currently monthly rhythm). The programming software is also very complete.
In conclusion of its use, I think I can announce that the ATD868UV is fabulous for its quality / price ratio.
You wish to ask me questions about one or the other feature, or to share with the readers of the blog your experiences that you would have realized yourself with the AT-D868UV, the comments of this article are at your disposal.
