28 Jan 2021

Lower cost HF rigs

Steve G1KQH and I have been discussing lower cost HF rigs. At the moment it would seem this market is being left to the Chinese and kits like the Indian uBITX. 

Most modern rigs from the Japanese people like ICOM, Yaesu and Kenwood are expensive and there is a dearth of lower cost "entry level" products lacking many of the fancy features. Whilst some can afford expensive toys, many cannot. 

In a way I am surprised that the uBITX design has not been bought by one of the big 3, improved, made in China and sold at an entry level price. It seems this is a market ready to be exploited. If the Japanese don't grab it, the Chinese surely will.

4 comments:

  1. Have you looked at the Hermes-Lite https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/wiki
    5 watts SDR but requires a computer. On receive as good most high end transceivers and Pure signal on transmit. Can use latest Anan software.

    Mike

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  2. Come to think about it the uBITX is Open Source, so anyone is allowed to copy it and even improve it. :-)


    73's Steve

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  3. I agree. Have neither the cash or remaining years on the planet to invest in a 1500+ Euro/Dollar transceiver.

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