CB DAZE: QUICK REVIEW: RADIODDITY QT-60 AND FIRST LOOK

QT60 & QT60PRO

[ALONG WITH PRESIDENT RADIOS]

2024 has been a big year, with several releases of new CB and 10 meter radios, like the President George FCC, President George II (EU), President Washington, President Ted FCC, President Walker III FCC, the President Jerry FCC walkie-talkie, Anytone AT6666 Pro, the very affordable Radioddity CB-900 PRO, Radioddity QT60 Pro, and their QT80 (re-branded AT666 Pro). Excuse me if I've missed one, but it has been a banner year for newly released radios (mfg. website links further down the page).

The Radioddity QT60 Pro's front panel looks exactly like its predecessor, the QT60, with a few differences:

physical size, the Pro's body is about 2 inches shorter (depth) than the non-PRO (2nd image)
a noise reduction circuit (much like the President models)
136-174Mhz FM receive
SSB TX audio bandwidth control
CW functionality

HOCUS POCUS, THEY LOOK THE SAME

LOOKING AT THEM STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER YOU CAN SEE THE SHORTER LENGTH

I like both models, but the PRO version has several features (listed above) that makes it special.

New Features from QT60 Pro

1. Add 136-174Mhz FM receiver
2. Add display dimmer control (5 levels).
3. Add SSB TX audio bandwidth control
4. Add CTCSSS/DCS scan
5. Add CW function (needs DIY)

6. Customizable TX & RX Noise Reduction (DSP)

Others

1: CTCSS/DCS frequency display, instead of a tone code.
2: RX AGC time fast/slow
3: No RX mute when tuning in VFO mode.
4: FM deviation select 2.5 KHz and 4 KHz
5: Audio path selection (used when interfacing with a computer for digital modes or with 3rd party microphones)
6: VHF RX VFO capable of tuning the entire VHF band, rather than just WX channels.

　 Functions & Features Listed on Website:

- Big LCD display frequency and all kinds of information
- FM, AM, USB, LSB, CW, PA mode
- Frequency tuning step: 100Hz, 1KHz, 5KHz, 10KHz, 100KHz, 1MHz
- +500Hz/5KHz CLARIFlER Adjustment (R/T/R+T selectable)
- Dimmer control
- SSB TX audio bandwidth control
- CTCSSS/DCS scan
- Flexible menu function and PC program software
- ECHO function
- SQ, ASQ function (FM and AM mode only)
- RF gain adjustment
- RF PWR adjustment
- Scan function
- Programmable RB function
- NB/ANL function
- Dual-watch function
- Offset frequency function
- BEEP voice prompt
- +10KHZ function
- SIG, PWR, SWR function
- TOT function
- HI-CUT function
- EMG channel function
- SWR protection
- Power supply voltage protection
- Key-Lock function
- Six groups memory channel
- Model name customized function
- CTCSS/DCS code
- Enhanced VOX Functions (can support digital mode operation)
- TX and RX noise reduction
- Compatible with electronic and dynamic MIC-type
- WX weather channel with RX VFO mode (136-174MHz FM)
- Weather Alert

SPECIFICATIONS OF QT60**

**Note. The QT60 has been discontinued

GENERAL

- Frequency Range: 28.000-29.700MHz(Programmable)
- Frequency Band: A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I
- WX channels: 162.400MHz, 162.475MHz, 162.425MHz, 162.450MHz, 162.500MHz, 162.525MHz, 162.550MHz
- Channel: 40 channels(programmable)in each band
- Frequency Control: Phase-Locked-Loop Synthesizer
- Frequency Step: 100Hz, 1KHz, 5KHz, 10KHz, 100KHz, 1MHz
- Frequency Tolerance: ±5.00ppm
- Temperature Range: -20℃ to +50℃
- Microphone: with push-to-talk/UP/DN and coiled cord
- Input Voltage: 13.8V
- Dimensions(in inches): 12(L)x7.9(W)x2.36(H)
- Weight: 1.73kg (3.81lbs.)
- Antenna Connector: UHF, SO239

TRANSMITTER

- Power Output AM PEP: 60W / FM: 50W / SSB: 60W(PEP)
- Drain: 10A(with modulation)
- Modulation: AM/FM/USB/LSB
- Intermodulation Distortion: SSB: 3rd order, more than -25dB | 5th order, more than -35dB
- SSB Carrier Suppression: 55dB
- Unwanted Sideband: 50dB
- Frequency Response: AM/FM: 300 to 3000 Hz | SSB: 450 to 2500Hz
- Output Impedance: 50ohms, unbalanced

RECEIVER

Sensitivity:

- SSB: 0.25μV for 10dB(S+N)/N at greater than 1/2 watt of audio output
- AM: 1.0μV for 10dB(S+N)/N at greater than 1/2 watt of audio output
- FM: 1.0μV for 20 dB (S+N)/N at greater than 1/2 watt of audio output
- Adjacent-Channel Selectivity: AM/FM: 60dB; SSB: 70dB
- Image Rejection: More than 65dB
- IF Frequency: AM/FM: 10.695MHz 1st IF, 455KHz 2nd IF | SSB: 10.695MHz
- RF Gain Control: 45dB adjustable for optimum signal reception
- Automatic Gain Control(AGC): Less than 10dB change in audio output for inputs from 10 to 100,000 microvolt
- Squelch: Adjustable; threshold less than 1.0μV. | Automatic Squelch Control(only AM/FM)1.0μV
- Audio Output Power: 3 watts into 8 ohms
- Frequency Response: AM/FM: 300 to 3000Hz; SSB: 450 to 2500Hz
- Built-in Speaker: 8 ohms, round.
- External Speaker(Not Supplied): 8 ohms; disables internal speaker when connected

All in all I like the QT60, and the QT60-PRO. These radios feel solid, and thought was given to what the buttons or knobs would allow you to do without going into a menu. Unlike other radios I've reviewed, the stupid channel display (my words) isn't there - just the frequency. It's my opinion that if someone needs a channel number to figure out where they are, then they should buy another radio. The Midland 79-290 the I reviewed almost 30 years ago allowed you to only display either the channel number or the frequency. At least they gave us a choice back then, and for what it's worth, you can toggle between the frequency display or channel number if you want to with these radios.

The receiver on both models is very sensitive, with the Pro version having a slight edge due to the customizable noise reduction. This can be programmed for RX, TX, or both. I prefer using it on receive only, and have it set to "2" (any higher and stations start having a watery sound to them). President radios have had this available for a longer time, but it's nice to see it in radios like the QT60 Pro.

Another great feature on the Pro is being able to adjust the width of your transmitted audio (within reason). You can choose between 3KHz (low) or 4KHz (high), but as most sidebanders using ham radios know, 2.7 is about as wide as you'd want to go on SSB, so 3khz it is.

With the Pro, you can choose how far the clarifier slides: 500hz or 5KHz (500hz is default). Always be on the lookout for a good sale price on Radioddity's website, either in a bundle or just the radio by itself. I got a QT-60 with a programming cable and mag mount for about $200, and just recently purchased the QT-60 Pro for $207.50 on Amazon, which after applying some Amazon bonus pts. ended up below $200.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

The screen isn't light amber (tan), as pictured in advertising photos
The volume control, while variable, isn't quite linear

I EXPECTED THE SCREEN TO LOOK LIKE THIS, BUT IT DOESN'T

THE SCREEN

In all advertising material this screen looks great - a light tan background with information in black (mode, frequency, meters, etc.). The QT-60 which I purchased earlier in the year also met all functional expectations except the screen, like the "Pro", was more of a deep orange. At the time I purchased the QT-60 I went to Google and read a Reddit thread about some folks sending radios back due to an off batch of screens. It could have been smoke and mirrors though because the QT60-Pro is exactly the same dark orange color. Another thing I noticed was the angle of view. Viewing: If you have the screen right in front of you, it's very easy to view the display, but as the viewing angle increases, it becomes harder to see - which could be a problem when mounted in a car or truck (as a base radio, it wouldn't matter).

THE VOLUME CONTROL

The way the volume control works really ticks me off, and it's just not this model either (I had the same experience with multiple President Lincoln II Plus's). I expect a volume control to start at zero (0) with a silent speaker, and then gradually go up as the volume control is increased. The QT60 volume control, when fully counter-clockwise has a silent speaker, but there is no gradual increase of volume when slowly turned clockwise - it jumps to one (1) which is loud enough to be heard in another room, making it an unlikely candidate for late-night QSOs while the rest of the family is asleep. I sold the two Lincoln II+ radios because of this. At the time (Pre-2020) I only associated it with the President Lincoln II+, so I was surprised to see it happen on a completely different radio that was purchased 4 years later. As I noted in the II+ first look review, this is not a problem in a mobile environment, because it's already noisy while driving. So this is more-or-less a personal "DING" on how I perceive it, and if I want a lower volume, I'll just pick another radio whose volume control gradually goes from silent to whatever level you want it to be (as a comparison, President's George, George II, and Washington's volume controls work as you would expect (a gradual increase in volume), and make great radios for late night listening in the shack while everyone in the house is asleep).

"Remember: It takes a 4x increase in your output power to get a 1 S-Unit increase"

So is this a radio you should buy? I think if you aren't picky about the actual display color not matching the photo in all the advertising literature, and how the volume control operation works (as explained above), YES!!. The QT60 PRO offers features you can't find on just about any other 10 meter radio on the market in the same price range (they go on sale frequently as well). It's a 60w radio, and even though there are other radios that puts out 80 watts, a 20w difference wouldn't be noticed by the station at the other end. Remember: It takes a 4x increase in your output power to get a 1 S-Unit increase, so a 20 watt difference wouldn't even slightly nudge the other guys S-Meter any higher.

One curious feature of the PRO is the ability to receive FM frequencies between 136-174MHz, where the U.S. NOAA weather broadcasts are found. But if you think about it, the U.S. 2m ham band falls within this range as well, so it could conceivably allow you to listen to your favorite local 2m repeater! I'm taking it slow, as I explore the PRO's features, but I do plan on trying just that (picking up 146.94), and I will add updates on this, the programming software, and anything else I find interesting under an UPDATE section towards the bottom of this first look.

Occasionally come back to this page for updated information, as well as any links I add involving other reviews.

Last night I didn't exactly check my settings and thought SSB wasn't working, when if I had looked at the knob before jumping to the wrong conclusion, somehow the PWR output knob was fully counter-clockwise (duh!!). Once I moved the knob back to its fully clockwise position, I quickly made contact with a station in North Dakota on 28.390. I was coming in off the side of his beam, and he said I was a solid 5 on his meter, whereas I gave him a reading that varied between 5 and 6 1/2.

When asked what antenna I was using, I told him (truthfully) that I had run 50' of RG8 coax out to the driveway and to my SUV, where it connected to a Sirio Performer 2000, on a mag mount centered on the roof. Living in an HOA hostaged community, I'd just started using this as my temporary solution, until it gets a lot cooler and I have time to run coax in the attic and come up with something that would be stealthy. Previous to that, I'd been using my Chameleon CHA F-Loop magnetic loop antenna, which was setup in the spare bedroom by a window. I had been successful with the loop, but the Performer 2000 on the roof of my vehicle gave me quite a bit more contacts, and QSOs to listen to while I was "reading the mail".

Given the features you may not find on another radio, the stable receiver and transmitter that doesn't drift, and sale pricing that will surely happen next month on Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, in it's price range, this is one of those radios to beat. Both the QT60 and 60Pro are programmable via a port next to the external speaker jack on the back of the radio. I've downloaded the software, I have the cable, I just haven't had time to play around with the software. When I do, I'll write a separate post, or add it at the bottom of this one.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

When you purchase this radio it arrives as a 10 meter-only radio, but it can be expanded to give you 10, 11 and 12 meters. As a ham operator, and if you have the appropriate license, there is no problem in using the 10 or 12 meter band. It's illegal to use this on 11 meters (unless you just came out of a 40 year coma, I'm pretty sure you're already aware of this 😉). There is only one other radio I would choose over this one, and that is the President Washington, which has one of the best displays I've seen in years (but then you're talking about spending almost $200 more to get one if you add in the optional fans). Only you can decide if it's worth the extra $$$ for you.

President has AM-SSB, and AM-FM-SSB radios in the marketplace now, from FCC approved models, to Export or 10m ham mobiles. They are:

The McKinley FCC AM-SSB
The George FCC
The Lincoln II+ 10m ham mobile
The George II (EU Export)
The Washington (10m)

Another model to consider (If you can find one) is the Alinco DX-10, just another one of the radios that I've purchased from BELLS CB RADIO SHOP (a GREAT place to park your dollars). It was the last radio I reviewed in 2023. Another bout with COVID has hampered my review of the Washington, so I went ahead and finished this one, which was already 80% complete.

DISCLOSURE: I am not paid by Bells, or given product(s) to review. Everything was purchased via CC card by myself. IMO, possibly one of the best things about them is their customer service. They reply to your inquires in a reasonable time-frame (sometimes after hours). Email? sure, but for faster results - Text them! I just happen to like dealing with them vs. most other retailers (they maintain a brick-and-mortar presence as well as their website).

I've tried almost all of the radios in this class, except the QT-80/AT-6666 Pro, which I just don't care for the ergonomics the radio, and will leave others on YouTube to review. Neither the QT60 series or President Washington are small radios, so if you're in the market for a nice, legal AM-SSB radio with a small footprint, the McKinley with its front firing speaker, and front mounted microphone jack might be a better fit.

So before I go further down the rabbit hole and away from the QT-60 / QT-60 Pro, I'll stop here. As always, I hope this helps you in some small way.

I am curious: What microphone do you use on this radio, or similar model? Stock mic? DigiMike? Turner Plus 2? Also, what did your display look like when your turned the radio on? Did it match what is seen in the advertising material, or was it orange, like mine? Let me know @ Thestonerguy@gmail.com

UPDATE SECTION

Nothing at the time of this review, but check back...

HUMOR