What is the latest AT-779UV firmware version? (split CTCSS tone not working)

[Dave805]

I just picked up an Anytone AT-779UV and found it doesn't correctly handle a split CTCSS tone, even though the programming software will let you program one, and the radio itself will display the different CTCSS tone value for TX and RX. My FW version display is 2.30.

I don't see any FW updates on the Anytone website.  Anyone know what the latest FW version is for this radio and if it solves the split PL tone issue? 

Thanks

Edit: I see this radio is sold by Retevis and Radioddity also.  Would be interested in hearing from others if those radios have the same bug.  The TX CTCSS setting works okay,  but if the RX value is different, the squelch won't open.  If I hit the MON button, I can hear the repeater so I know I'm getting in.

 

Edited October 16, 2021 by Dave805
more detail

[MichaelLAX]

Where did you purchase your Anytone and when?

UPDATE: Now I have installed Anytone CPS software version 2.01 as well! AND the ability to update firmware to version 2.30, but I am holding off on a firmware update until I have a reason to do it.

[Dave805]

34 minutes ago, MichaelLAX said:

Where did you purchase your Anytone and when?

UPDATE: Now I have installed Anytone CPS software version 2.01 as well! AND the ability to update firmware to version 2.30, but I am holding off on a firmware update until I have a reason to do it.

Amazon, from the seller ‘lucky product’, ironically.  If yours is working fine, I would not update it. 

[Dave805]

I have an update - actually just more info.

•  Got home and programmed one of my Baofeng HT's to pretend it's the repeater I'm having trouble with.  TX was 145.180 with a PL tone of 146.2.
• My AT-779UV is on the same table here at home, with a dummy load attached in case I accidentally key it up.
• When I keyed up the HT, the 779UV broke squelch just fine.

So the receive PL tone is working fine with the HT set up like the repeater.

Fast forward an hour and while I'm participating in the net, I brought up that I was having this problem and stated "I wonder what is weird with the 145.180 repeater?"  A moment later, another ham got on and stated he measured the transmission from that repeater, that the PL tone was exactly 146.2 Hz, and the PL tone had an FM modulation of 700Hz, which he said is standard for repeater.  To him, there repeater didn't look odd at all PL tone wise on the TX.  He did say that the 700 Hz modulation for the PL tone was for when they used to be decoded mechanically - it took that much modulation to get the reed to vibrate.  "with modern electronics, it can be much lower".  That said, it seems CTCSS tone amplitude shouldn't be a problem.

So I'll  forward all this info to Anytone to see what they say.  I'm thinking of getting a second radio to replace the single bander in my truck.  It'll be interesting if a second radio has the same problem with the same repeater.

 

 

[wayoverthere]

7 hours ago, Dave805 said:

Amazon, from the seller ‘lucky product’, ironically.  If yours is working fine, I would not update it. 

Keeping an eye on the outcome of this. I was actually eyeing that one in particular for an inexpensive dual bander to use in the beater car and to throw in rentals on road trips.

[MichaelLAX]

I spoke last night simplex to a Ham based in the Hills above Malibu and he told me their Emergency group has a grant to make Go-Boxes with the Anytone AT-779UV and a rechargeable Bienno 12v battery with a solar controller in it for distribution to homes in his area.

Of course he does not have access to the Santa Ynez repeater from there, but he has not encountered any Tone problems on their Ham and GMRS repeaters.

[Dave805]

I just ordered another unit, the Radioddity branded one this time only because the pricing was a little better.  Once I get it, I can compare the two units with that particular repeater.

Anytone wrote back and said they tested the 779UV using a Hytera UHF repeater with the same PL settings and didn't have a problem.  They said unfortunately they don't have access to a VHF repeater, but asked me to repeat my test of mimicking the problematic repeater using my 778uv radio.  I'm guessing the 778 and 779 use the same chip for PL tone generation/decoding.  So tonight I'll do that, but also bring my 778UV to work tomorrow and see how it works on this problematic repeater.

[MichaelLAX]

2 hours ago, Dave805 said:

I just ordered another unit, the Radioddity branded one this time only because the pricing was a little better. 

Just curious: The Raddioddity DB20G is usually a few dollars more than the $99 retail price for the Anytone; where, may I ask, did you find it cheaper?

[wayoverthere]

29 minutes ago, MichaelLAX said:

Just curious: The Raddioddity DB20G is usually a few dollars more than the $99 retail price for the Anytone; where, may I ask, did you find it cheaper?

Radioddity had a sale going on through the 18th.

[MichaelLAX]

While still cheaper for the Anytone AT-779UV at Amazon and Let's Get Ready* for $99.99; purchasing the Radioddity DB-20G is a good reference point to see if the problem is duplicated or only on the Anytone version.

*The Anytone AT-779UV is not listed on the Let's Get Ready website, but they do continue to sell it, and I purchased mine from them: ordered on a Sunday, delivered on that Tuesday and free shipping.

FYI: I am not affilated with LGR or receive any compensation for this post.

NO affiliate link below! 

[Dave805]

Michael,

the Radioddity website isn't charging sales tax, and as WayoverThere wrote, they're including an external speaker for $104.99.  So  little bit cheaper overall, with the added bonus of an external speaker. 

 

[Dave805]

While I'm testing my AT-779UV, I'm also dragging in my other radios for similar testing.  One of the things I'm checking is RF output.  So far the AT-779UV is doing quite well.  VHF is ~18 watts output, UHF is 15 watts, both on high of course.

My TYT-8600 measures the same.

Edit: I didn't have my connections correct when I was measuring my 778UV.  Didn't have the dummy load connected. . . .

Anytone AT-778UV,  VHF band power is 18W.  UHF power is 20W 

 

 779UV benefits over the 778UV 

• 500 memory channels vs 200
• faster scanning
• 8 alphanumeric character naming vs 5
• dedicated volume control
• much faster downloading/uploading between the PC and the radio

Edited October 21, 2021 by Dave805
corrected error measuring 778UV power

[MichaelLAX]

Other than your Santa Ynez split tone repeater glitch, I have found no fault in my two 779’s

they even match up well against my Yaesu ft-857d for 2 meters and 70 cms

[Dave805]

Update: Brought my AT-778uv to work with me this morning.  It has no problem with that repeater.

The only thing left to do is wait for my second 779 to arrive and see how it performs.

 

 

[MichaelLAX]

1 hour ago, Dave805 said:

The only thing left to do is wait for my second 779 to arrive and see how it performs.

 

 

Which will probably have the 2.33 Firmware, so if it works, it is probably a glitch in the 2.30 firmware.

[Dave805]

Received my Radioddity DB20-G yesterday and the external speaker today.  They must maintain their stock with Amazon as that is who did the delivery.  The outer box is different, and the mic and radio are badged with Radioddity, and at powerup, the LCD displays DB20-G.  Otherwise it's the same as my AT-779uv.  I even just programmed the same file into it as what I created for my 779uv.

I won't know until Monday if this one has a problem with that repeater, but I do know myRadioddity I just got has a little more RF output power vs my 779uv.  VHF is right at 20W, and UHF at 17W vs both those #'s being 2W lower for my AT779uv.  I'll chalk it up to production variability, and 2W is not going to make a difference.  It was just interesting to see.  

Also, fwiw, I realized today that I do in fact own a very accurate signal generator that goes down to sub hertz (HP 3336C).  Using it to create PL tones, and then feeding it into my HP 8657B, I should be able to measure at what PL level both of my 779uvs  need to decode it, and then compare that to other radios I own.  Might try that tomorrow.

 

[MichaelLAX]

What firmware version?

[Dave805]

14 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

What firmware version?

2.33

i dragged out my test equipment. Both at779UVs (one being the Radioditty) measure the same - full quieting is at -90 dBm and the pl tone modulation breaks squelch down to 100 Hz modulation - very sensitive. My tyt 8600 needs more modulation (300 Hz), as does my Anytone 778uv (200 Hz), and my Yaesu 7250D (300 Hz). 
The problematic repeater has 700 Hz of modulation, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Monday when I’m back at work I’ll see if the Radioddity unit too has an issue with that one repeater. 

[Dave805]

I drove to work today with my Radioddity DB-20G in my car and it did exactly the same thing as the Anytone 779UV.  So I'll just turn off PL tone decode / CTCSS squelch for this one channel.

Meanwhile I'll keep working at figuring out what exactly is different about this one repeater. 

[MichaelLAX]

I'm sorry to hear that Dave.

Maybe when the rain settles down, I'll make a drive out there and see if my older version of firmware causes any change.

[MichaelLAX]

OK: So I drove out to the Camarillo Grade again and was able to make contact on the correct Santa Ynez repeater this time (145.18) and indeed, when split tones are turned on my Anytone AT-779UV, I cannot hear the audio of this repeater (while being able to see the indicator of the S meter in white, showing that it is receiving a signal).

When I changed Menu 05: from CT/DCS to SQ, I can now hear the audio on this repeater.

So the "bug" exists on my Anytone as well.

I futher confirmed this with my TYT-UV88 HT set for the split tones, which was able to hear the audio from the repeater.

And, using the TYT on 145.18 with the tone of 146.2, I was able to hear my audio on the 779 with Menu 05: set to CT/DCS on my channel for the Santa Ynez repeater.

I did have a long chat with Wayne the sys op for this repeater and explained the problem.

He later confirmed to me by email that he cannot duplicate the problem with his Anytone T5888UV3 as well as his Kenwood THD-74A, both of which worked fine; which I expected.

I did explain that this problem seems particular to the 779 as well its clone the Radioddity DB20-G.

He indicated that he is due to go to the repeater site in a couple of weeks and will check it out from there are well.

They indicated that you are probably hearing the output of the San Diego repeater that is on the same frequency, while in Santa Barbara.

[Dave805]

2 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

OK: So I drove out to the Camarillo Grade again and was able to make contact on the correct Santa Ynez repeater this time (145.18) and indeed, when split tones are turned on my Anytone AT-779UV, I cannot hear the audio of this repeater (while being able to see the indicator of the S meter in white, showing that it is receiving a signal).

When I changed Menu 05: from CT/DCS to SQ, I can now hear the audio on this repeater.

So the "bug" exists on my Anytone as well.

I futher confirmed this with my TYT-UV88 HT set for the split tones, which was able to hear the audio from the repeater.

And, using the TYT on 145.18 with the tone of 146.2, I was able to hear my audio on the 779 with Menu 05: set to CT/DCS on my channel for the Santa Ynez repeater.

I did have a long chat with Wayne the sys op for this repeater and explained the problem.

He later confirmed to me by email that he cannot duplicate the problem with his Anytone T5888UV3 as well as his Kenwood THD-74A, both of which worked fine; which I expected.

I did explain that this problem seems particular to the 779 as well its clone the Radioddity DB20-G.

He indicated that he is due to go to the repeater site in a couple of weeks and will check it out from there are well.

They indicated that you are probably hearing the output of the San Diego repeater that is on the same frequency, while in Santa Barbara.

Thanks for confirming the problem on a third 779uv.  I know Wayne and I'll reach out to him (we're both members of SBARC).

Dave

 

[MichaelLAX]

On 10/26/2021 at 8:22 PM, Dave805 said:

Thanks for confirming the problem on a third 779uv.  I know Wayne and I'll reach out to him (we're both members of SBARC).

Dave

 

Dave:  I was just reading the text notes that accompanies the firmware update for version 20210403 and it mentions that it: "Fix bug of 141.3/146.2/250.3 tones."

Perhaps that was the problem and you need a firmware update.

I might try it myself and take a ride back out to Camarillo Grade and see if I can hear the output of Santa Ynez.

The Zip file attached below contains both 20210403 and 20210615 firmware upgrades.

Radioddity_GM-30_Firmware 20210615 & Software_V2.06_20210615.zip

[Dave805]

8 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Dave:  I was just reading the text notes that accompanies the firmware update for version 20210403 and it mentions that it: "Fix bug of 141.3/146.2/250.3 tones."

Perhaps that was the problem and you need a firmware update.

I might try it myself and take a ride back out to Camarillo Grade and see if I can hear the output of Santa Ynez.

The Zip file attached below contains both 20210403 and 20210615 firmware upgrades.

Radioddity_GM-30_Firmware 20210615 & Software_V2.06_20210615.zip 1.85 MB · 0 downloads

Thank you!  I'll give it a try!

 

Dave

 

[Dave805]

8 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Dave:  I was just reading the text notes that accompanies the firmware update for version 20210403 and it mentions that it: "Fix bug of 141.3/146.2/250.3 tones."

Perhaps that was the problem and you need a firmware update.

I might try it myself and take a ride back out to Camarillo Grade and see if I can hear the output of Santa Ynez.

The Zip file attached below contains both 20210403 and 20210615 firmware upgrades.

Radioddity_GM-30_Firmware 20210615 & Software_V2.06_20210615.zip 1.85 MB · 1 download

Michael, the file you included was for the GM-30 HT, not the mobile DB-20UV.  There's no firmware update for it or the TYT 779UV version.

 

[MichaelLAX]

Damn: Sorry about that!  I was recently downloading the GM-30 software to answer another question and I must have gotten them mixed up!