Yaesu FTX-1F all mode, all band QRP transceiver

When this was announced at the Tokyo Ham Fair some months ago, there was a lot of hype, but little news. 

It was expected "early 2025", but since then I have heard nothing further. Several dealers are accepting deposits, but I have heard no news about price or specs..

Does anyone know anything? 

It looks like Yaesu's answer to the FT817/818 series and the ICOM IC-705. Without the detailed specs and prices, it is hard to know how this will do. 

I imagine much of the software and hardware is based heavily on other Yaesu SDR transceivers to reduce development costs.

I hope the price is well below £1000 so it is competitive against many other products now around, especially as the Japanese Yen is far weaker than it was against the US dollar and UK pound.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 30th

 Solar flux is 266 and the SSN 220. A=12 and K=3.

Why? - NOT amateur radio

Apparently Israel has passed a law preventing UNRWA operating in Israel. Why?

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cpqd9lr80p8t .

Our bungalow - NOT amateur radio

 Our local museum and windmill are just across the way from us. We have just been to an end of season "mini party" for all volunteers. One photo shows our bungalow (and a bit of the windmill!). It was taken on our way home. The other shows the party.

Last ones? - NOT amateur radio

We like to eat fruit with our breakfasts . This includes blackberries if they are in season. We have a bush very close to us and I thought I had picked my last of this year a few weeks ago. 

To my surprise I collected some today which will do for breakfast today and tomorrow. It has been very mild of late. 

If you do not believe we are living in a warming world, open your eyes. We have lived in this part of the UK for over 50 years and it is definitely milder. Some may argue about causes, but it is definitely warmer.

AM station

When I started in amateur radio most people were on AM (amplitude modulation) even on HF.  

In recent years there has been a bit of an AM revival especially on the lower HF bands. At one time AM was very popular as the gear can be simple and it is an effective mode. 

Its main drawback on HF is it is wider than SSB and power is wasted in the carrier. On the plus side RX gear can be extremely simple yet effective. See my Fredbox and Sixbox transceivers.

I saw this AM station on the internet. It made me feel quite nostalgic. 

Sadly, many have never used AM or experienced it.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 6m QRP FT8 with the QMX+ has been on since just before breakfast. 29 stations have spotted me, mostly in the UK. 

UPDATE 1036z: 33 stations have spotted my QRP. No signs of F2 here.

UPDATE 1200z: My QRP 6m FT8 has been spotted by 38 stations and 49 have been spotted here. All were European.

UPDATE  1810z:  QRT shortly. Spotted by 49 stations all in Europe. No F2 evident here on 6m.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since just before breakfast. So far, at 1042z, 19 stations have spotted me. Most look like F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1810z:  105 stations have spotted my 10m WSPR QRP today including many from the USA and Canada. Today has been exceptional on 10m WSPR. Furthermost is F61695 (9729km) in the Indian Ocean.

WSPRrocks by VK7JJ

Where I have been received today.

Queen’s College Cambridge -NOT amateur radio

 This is a 600 year college is in Cambridge.

6m - could we get F2 openings?

With the currently high sunspot numbers there is a chance of F2 openings on 6m. I  shall try again for the USA after lunch. Apparently it was open to Australia but I spotted nothing on my omni vertical yesterday!

UPDATE 1610z: No sign here today of F2 activity on 6m. I shall stick with it as today has been exceptional on 10m WSPR. I have spotted one station on 6m FT8 in the USA this autumn. I suspect now is too late.