In the Japanese home market, several of the transceivers available in the USA and Europe are available in lower power versions too. For example, the IC7000 is available as a 50W version and a 20W version. Prices aren't always lower though. For example on the www.icom.jp site, the IC7000S (20W) is available at 168000 yen, the same price as the 100W radio.
The reason these lower power radios are not available outside of Japan is clear: lack of sales volumes and lack of the necessary approvals. It is a pity that the major dealers like W&S and Martin Lynch don't offer to import these on request though if they met EMC specs as I can imagine a reasonable market with QRPers with a bit of advertising: they have enough space in RadCom and PW after all!
25 Nov 2012
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5 comments:
I had a TS-130V when they were first imported in the USA. Wonderful 10-watt transceiver created for the Japanese Novice of the day. I would like to see something like that non-menu rig again. With full QSK, and IF DSP.
Way more than enough!
With their solicit help, RadCom turns gradually into QST/MFJ. (god forbid!)
Why would you pay the same for a 200W radio that's hardware crippled down to 20W when you can adjust the power to any level you like with the higher power radio? In-fact, I'll bet the 20W and 10W versions of the 200W radio are exactly the same but with a limiter on the level control. Roger you need to ask yourself if this desire to use low power is becoming an obsession.
Is my desire to use low power an obsession you ask? Absolutely YES and I am very happy to be so obsessed,HI. For me, and thankfully we are all different and can enjoy the hobby in different ways, nothing beats the thrill of working DX with flea power my friend.
Regarding the price of lower power HF radios, you would expect them to be lower as no expensive PAs are needed and your point about being able to set QRO radios to QRP is a valid one.
I would gladly pay full price for a QRP radio if:
- it is a full size desktop radio with the same capabilities as a 100/200W flavour.
- power can be easily controlled down to 10mW (or even lower).
Thinking about it, I would probably get the 100/200W version sooner if the above mentioned power control would be met. This is THE option that I mostly miss when a new radio is introduced.
If the Yaesu FTdx 5000 would have controllable mW capability on HF, I'd seriously consider getting one.
Elecraft and Ten Tec have met this criteria to some extent with the K2/K3, (well, Ten Tec mostly in the past) but I like larger size radios. Yes some can be modded, very true. But why do manufacturers in general have miniature equipment in mind when engineering a QRP radio? Not everybody is into tiny rigs plus there is already plenty of choice for trail friendly rigs anyway.
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