I use and love my little Icom IC-R15 scanner. It’s pretty much on all the time. Only problem is it’s only an analogue receiver and I need to open up the world of digital radio scanning.
So I treated myself to a 2024 model AOR DV-10 digital scanner to use alongside my IC-R15.
I’ve only had it for a few days now and it’s rather different to the Icom. Don’t get me wrong, it’s brilliant and as receivers go, it’s more sensitive than the Icom. But there is no escaping the fact that it is built on slightly older technology and design (released October 2018) and this has “implications”.
I need to use it for a few more weeks yet to get a really good feel and insight on the radio but here is a short list of Pros and Cons I have found up to now.
Pro: Sound is very good with a nice clear and rounded audio
Pro: 2000 memory channels
Pro: 40 Memory Banks so organising memory channels is easy
Pro: Plenty of information on the display
Pro: Covers almost all of the digital modes including Tetra
Pro: Covers HF through to UHF AM, FM SSB
Pro: Not overloaded with buttons so day to day operation is easy
Pro: Plenty of user definable “Scan Groups”
Pro: Reasonably quick to charge
Pro: Good solid build quality as expected from a AOR/Yaesu bit of kit
Pro: A good solid BNC and not a flimsy SMA antenna jack
Pro: Easy to use and access volume know!
Con: Very expensive at between £750 and £800 + £100 Tetra licence
Con: Old fashioned menu system that is not quick or easy to navigate
Con: Programming memories via the AOR web site in dreadfully slow
Con: Battery life is not so good lasting only about 7 hours flat out
Con: Keeps making a loud “chirping” sound even when no signal
Con: Display is a low res dot-matrix LCD rather than a modern TFT
Con: users either love them or hate them!
So, first impression say the radio is not without it’s faults but none of the “cons” I have come across up to now are anything like show stoppers, and yes the memory programming is an absolute “BALL ACHE” and the battery life means I have felt the need to have a second battery on charge while I’m using the radio. But the “pros” do make it a very desirable radio and I’m looking forward to getting as many digital frequencies/memories in as possible.