Review on Ailunce Waterproof Channels Broadcast Display（1 by John Jones

Update: August 25, 2018: Ailunce makes new firmware and fixes many of the issues described in my review; So I've raised my rating from 4 to 4.5 stars. I bought HD1 and HD1GPS; and my experience with both transceivers has been positive. The reason I bought this transceiver was because I needed a backup for my Motorola XPR 7550e (UHF), XPR 7550 (VHF) and XPR 7580 (UHF); and I was hoping that the Ailunce HD1GPS would be my Motorola backup for ICS based emergency communications operations. Unfortunately, since Ailunce HD1GPS is a direct conversion with no effective input filter (I don't know if it has an external filter), I cannot use it for ICS-based emergency communications operations. Since Ailunce markets the HD1GPS as a HAM transceiver and not a mission-critical emergency transceiver, I won't call it a desensitizing communications tool. My Motorola Super Heterodyne and now I have FPP; Therefore, these are my only means of communication for ICS-based emergency communications. While HD1GPS isn't Motorola, it's a step in the right direction; and he does a good job at what he needs to do for HAM social operations and face-to-face communications in emergencies when isolated from other operators: RX and TX. - Sound quality: 5 stars: The speaker delivers a clear and high-quality RX. It's loud and can overcome any competing background noise in the field. The RX sound is unbalanced in the sense that it favors high notes. My Motorolas have more balanced highs and lows in the RX. The TX is also of high quality - every operator I spoke to about DMR and analog mentioned my sound quality. was crystal clear - FPP 5 stars: I had to use it once in the field on a trip to Los Angeles and it was really nice to be able to program a new frequency without plugging it into a laptop - Reliability: 1 star: It did it to me once blocked, and that should never have happened - no way! It shouldn't block at all. I had to remove and reinsert the battery; and this process fixed the problem; BUT this is another reason why this transceiver does not meet the ICS Emergency Comm criteria. Ailunce send me new transceiver August 25, 2018 - Ailunce mentioned that they fixed the blocking and freezing issue. - GPS: 5 - Stars: It fixes as fast as my Motorola XPR 7550e's GPS - within four minutes in the toughest areas of San Francisco. - Build quality: 5 stars: The case is robust and strong. It feels the same as my Motorola XPR 7500e and 7580.- DTMF: No: Why not? External filter not working: This is a serious problem with this product. In my ICS-based emergency communications, my RX was blocked because other ICS-based emergency carriers were transmitting within 15 feet of me; So I can't use this for ICS based emergency call drills. If you are close to another transceiver and you are in RX mode with your HD1GPS (HD1) while another operator is in TX mode with their transceiver, their TX mode will block your RX mode - you will hear no interference or even his transmission when you and he are on different frequencies. -Final filter (e.g. Motorola). Unfortunately, I can only use this transceiver for social engagements or as a personal emergency device when I'm not within 15 feet of other operators. BUT, as I mentioned earlier, Ailunce sold the HD1GPS as a HAM transceiver - not as a mission-critical emergency transceiver; Therefore, I will not downgrade HD1GPS for this feature. Screen Readability: 2 Stars: Fonts are ugly; Zones cannot be named after zones; Icons such as but not limited to the GPS icon are too small and difficult to see in direct sunlight. It has no option to dim the screen for night vision - RX Sensitivity: 3 Stars: My Motorolas have the best RX sensitivity when receiving weak signals; but the HD1GPS does a very good job - it just doesn't pick up as much or as clearly as my Motorola - Microphone gain: 5 stars: As of 08/25/2018 the microphone is back in the new firmware - Battery life: 5 stars: Excellent. **Update July 30, 2018**: The battery indicator has been updated in the new firmware; so much better and more accurate. 5 stars - APRS via Brandmeister: HD1GPS has a feature but is not included. I need APRS Ailunce didn't sell an APRS so I won't discount him for that - Support: 5 stars: I had an issue with B-Band and the Ailunce team updated my firmware within 24 hours. Customer support is great which was one of the reasons I bought this transceiver. CPS: 4 Stars: Needs some adjustments. There are a few bugs in this transceiver, but Ailunce is working to incorporate these fixes in a future firmware. customer support agreements with HAM operators; in fact, Ailunce brings me the latest firmware update. Despite some bugs that Ailunce fixes, overall I'm very happy with the HD1GPS for social operations. and I recommend "buying" this product only for social media or your own individual emergency messaging in your error protection or EDC pack unless you are within 15 feet of other carriers. I rate this product 4.5 stars. ; because it was made for radio amateurs; and its marketing data makes no mention of use in critical emergency communications operations. Ailunce sends me a new HD1GPS that doesn't block or freeze: August 25, 2018 I will update this review to 5 stars. unless the new transceiver blocks or freezes on me. This transceiver is for individual amateur radio, non-group, and personal emergency communications only. Mark 6!/s/ Alfonso Faustino (K6ASF)