Simple QRP projects, 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m, FT8, 160m, WSPR, LF/MF, sub-9kHz, nanowaves and other random stuff, some not related to amateur radio.
21 Jan 2013
Is this Chinese HF radio a wind up one?
As the person who started the FT818 hare running a year or so back (my thoughts and ideas for an FT817 replacement - thanks to a little Photoshop editing!) , I'm wondering if the attached is real or also a spoof?
It purports to be a new Chinese HF radio retailing for £299. It looks very much like an IC718 with some stickers on. It was brought to my attention by Steve G1KQH who found it at http://s3.zetaboards.com/copythat/topic/7467118/1/ but the date on this is 2011. Surely if true the radio would be on sale now? Somehow I am of the opinion this is (also) a bit of wishful thinking, but I would be delighted to be proved wrong.
A real Chinese HF radio at this sort of price is not totally out of the question: labour costs are low and there are already some very nice Chinese VHF/UHF handhelds on the market that under-cut Yaesu and Icom by around 100%. It is surely just a matter of time before an FT817 or an IC718 look-alike radio is available from one of the Chinese makers.
A quick search using Google finds that Fei Tong is a Chinese company which sells a variety of radios (i.e. FT-802 FT-808) that appear primarily aimed for the marine HF market.
A search for Fei Tong FT-808 returns a number of chinese web sites selling these radio's and lots of pictures.
Nothing on eBay however, perhaps they have just not looked into that market yet. Some of the Yaesu radios similar to the FT-450 can be found on eBay which are marketed for that same market.
About $400 US seems to be the noted selling price.
It would be interesting if these things suddenly started to be sold eBay for $200 or so USD. I image it would have the same effect as the many different inexpensive VHF/UHF handhelds that can be found there from the same sources.
I have had a look at the manufacturers web site and the company only makes maritime radios and indeed the equipment named has all the normal features you might expect for this type of transceiver.
So as much as it might be nice to be able to try it out I think that the chances of it being manufactured, approved and sold as an amateur bands radio are more than a little slim.
Its probably only a matter of time though before the usual Chinese suspects develop and start challenging the likes of Icom, Yaesu and Trio over the more specialist parts of their ranges
The Feitong FT-808 definitely exists as I have seen it several times at the Hong Kong electronics fairs many years ago. However, I haven't seen it there during the past 4 years and the manufacturer has never wanted to sell a sample transceiver to anyone at the HK fairs. However, there are at least two Chinese amateur radio manufacturers who have just started designing an HF all-mode transceiver. I know this because I started the Chinese commercial radio manufacturers making amateur radio versions of their commercial radios and they told me, hi! I believe the two best Chinese "amateur radio" manufacturers are TYT and Wouxun - and I have sold and tested virtually all of the amateur radio type transceivers made in China.
A quick search using Google finds that Fei Tong is a Chinese company which sells a variety of radios (i.e. FT-802 FT-808) that appear primarily aimed for the marine HF market.
ReplyDeleteA search for Fei Tong FT-808 returns a number of chinese web sites selling these radio's and lots of pictures.
Nothing on eBay however, perhaps they have just not looked into that market yet. Some of the Yaesu radios similar to the FT-450 can be found on eBay which are marketed for that same market.
About $400 US seems to be the noted selling price.
It would be interesting if these things suddenly started to be sold eBay for $200 or so USD. I image it would have the same effect as the many different inexpensive VHF/UHF handhelds that can be found there from the same sources.
cheers, Graham ve3gtc
Looking at the "spec" on the last link it mentions distress channel and alarms - I wonder if this is for the marine market.
ReplyDeleteHere's a video of a QSO with the radio:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9bHQe-Isc
I have had a look at the manufacturers web site and the company only makes maritime radios and indeed the equipment named has all the normal features you might expect for this type of transceiver.
ReplyDeleteSo as much as it might be nice to be able to try it out I think that the chances of it being manufactured, approved and sold as an amateur bands radio are more than a little slim.
Its probably only a matter of time though before the usual Chinese suspects develop and start challenging the likes of Icom, Yaesu and Trio over the more specialist parts of their ranges
Regards
Kevin G6UCY
But the guy using it is in his 'ham shack - strange!!
ReplyDeleteTony
we need these ham radios from china - we have been getting ripped off here by these control freaks that think the equipment is made out of gold
ReplyDeleteThe Feitong FT-808 definitely exists as I have seen it several times at the Hong Kong electronics fairs many years ago. However, I haven't seen it there during the past 4 years and the manufacturer has never wanted to sell a sample transceiver to anyone at the HK fairs. However, there are at least two Chinese amateur radio manufacturers who have just started designing an HF all-mode transceiver. I know this because I started the Chinese commercial radio manufacturers making amateur radio versions of their commercial radios and they told me, hi! I believe the two best Chinese "amateur radio" manufacturers are TYT and Wouxun - and I have sold and tested virtually all of the amateur radio type transceivers made in China.
ReplyDelete