16 Jan 2014

X1M 5 band QRP rig for £250?

See http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/x1m_5-band_qrp_transceiver_kit_platinum_edition-p-11014.html?gclid=CMW2oamQg7wCFWcUwwodgyAAjQ  at £329.

This small Chinese transceiver is available for £329 from Radio World (and probably others).

To me, it still looks cheap and nasty, basically an immature product. The time will come (and quite soon) when Chinese QRP rigs will mature and steal the business from the "big boys" from Japan. The Yaesu FT817ND and the Elecraft KX3 will soon be under BIG price pressure.

The best price is reported to be £250 - a LOT less than its competitors.
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6 comments:

  1. G1KQHThu Jan 16, 05:40:00 pm GMT

    I can gocheaper than that try £249.99 plus carriage:

    http://www.sinotel.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=154

    Anyone feel an X1M price war coming on?

    73 G1KQH

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  2. G1KQHThu Jan 16, 05:52:00 pm GMT

    This little fellow now has a good following. There is plenty of support, mods, and now judging by the price this radio is going to have a very BIG following.

    Just enter into Youtube X1M, or for more info step down to Yahoo Groups:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/X1M_QRP-Transceiver/info

    73 G1KQH

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  3. John AE5XThu Jan 16, 06:35:00 pm GMT

    I've considered ordering one myself and have worked two of them (that I know of). But a read through the manual made me aware of the fact that this radio will not operate split on CW - but will on phone only.

    That was a show-stopper for me and may be for others as well.

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  4. Roger G3XBMThu Jan 16, 06:39:00 pm GMT

    Thanks Steve. To me it still feels an early stage design with lots of issues still. Give the Chinese 2 years?

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  5. G1KQHThu Jan 16, 07:08:00 pm GMT

    The X1M PLATINUM is a no frills QRP multiband rig, it is in its 2nd known version since it came to production. However I agree we are in the birth of Chinese HF radio, but if no one buys what they produce today they can't move on tommorrow.

    73 G1KQH

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  6. AnonymousThu Jan 16, 07:47:00 pm GMT

    Seems tempting. Im after an ft-817nd but will maybe wait to see if the price drops. As for the chinese rigs ive got two Baofeng handies with plans for a third soon and the build quality has improved no end with the UVB5, so give it time on the hf rigs and im sure they will improve too.

    M3HXE

    ReplyDelete