The rig doesn't look very pretty, in my view, and I/ve no idea about its availability in Europe including the UK.
The spec is:
- RX frequency range: 0.1 ~ 30MHz
- TX frequency range: 0.1 ~ 30MHz
- Operating Mode: SSB / CW
- Receiving sensitivity: better than 0.45uV,
- RF output power: ≥ 4.5W
- Frequency stability: better than 0.5ppm
- Operating voltage: 12.0 ~ 14.0V DC
- RX Standby Current: 0.5A
- TX current: 1.5A Max
- Dimensions: 97 x 40 x 155 (mm)
Now, there are clearly signs that the Chinese are coming up fast on the HF QRP transceiver front. It surely cannot be long before a Chinese company launches an FT817 competitor. They have a tall order to exceed its spec but they've had 13 years to dissect and analyse the Yaesu radio.
If the model has a larger display than the 817nd and the same specs, I would be interested. Better be soon, though. I ain't getting any younger.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is ugly as hell, and probably anything but clean (full coverage for TX would suggest very wide filters). Get a KX3 if you're serious about performance in a small package and with ergonomics that suit anyone except a midget (FT818).
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous: I think they were going for the "lightweight, rugged and affordable" look instead of the "pretty, fancy and delicate"; Low-pass filters can't be "very wide" and your supposition about how clean it is is purely subjective.
ReplyDelete@ Roger: I found some more info about it's internals and another video: http://yo9irf.blogspot.com/2013/03/x1m-portable-chinese-hf-transceiver.html
There's also the MkII version!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cqdx.ru/ham/qro-qrp/chinese-diy-qrp-hf-transceiver-x1mkii/
I've updated my post with a link to the manufacturer's website (right at the beginning], the don't say anything about the MK II but they have a newer model called just "20W HF/SSB radio" wich looks nothing like the MK II. Maybe it's too new to be listed on their website.
ReplyDeleteHi Roger!
ReplyDeleteAs you and all of us can see on the Russian video of the new X1M, the guy at 0:10 press the TS button for a couple of seconds to enable PRE and then he press the MD button for 12 frustrated times, whereas he is not sure if he is going to slap the radio!
Then he press again for another two times to disable at last the PRE.
Until any further improvement, this is not a radio for me!
An anvil maybe but not a radio!!!!
They're asking stupid money nowadays for the ft817 and its not such a good radio.
ReplyDeleteSo if this new radio is under £300 in UK i'd consider it.
g4dal
"They" are all asking for a hell of a lot of money for ALL amateur radio rigs these days. If I had the good eyes and steady hands of the days of my youth, I would be home-brewing or kit-building. I still think the FT-817/ND is a good,reliable rig. OMs with dozen year-old 817s are still QRV with the little guys and making contacts.
ReplyDeleteI love how the site selling this (now sold out) radio has a link to a video where the transceiver is malfunctioning.
ReplyDeleteAnyone for a Icom rip off
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cqdx.ru/ham/qro-qrp/chinese-diy-qrp-hf-transceiver-x1mkii/
Regards
Damian
M0SFX