Hot off the Press! Yaesu Announces the Versatile New FTX-1 Series Transceivers!

Other companys, other structure of technologies, each got other ideas for the "perfect" piece of radio. It should always satisfy the own needs. And when there is an unpopular, dont mind. There are more countries than Japan and China who are manufacturing ham radio devices or various extensions. To this its often important that own projects fit to those devices.

 

QRP with new tech..ok.. shucks.. My FT-857 is 21.5 years old now. I've been hoping for a small form-factor Yaesu replacement for over 10 years, and joking publicly about an "FT-867". All mode, HF/6/144/432 with 100w on HF, 50w on 6 etc.. The pa section can't be that heavy, and QRP ops can always reduce the output down to 5 watts.hi.. Yaesu got close with the 991A. 73,Eric

 

Indeed, people hope for various things. They cannot please all. Just two notes... Sure that a QRP OP can reduce power on a big station, however QRP is often a case when the RIG and accessories need to be small and lightweight, which OPs who walk or ride a bike usually care of. On the other hand, a PA cannot be too small and light, because of overheating. Sometimes I feel like people would want as many watts in as small device as possible, sometimes stating that Xiegu also can do 20W and is tiny... Yes, but it overheats. My IC-705 might seem bulky, but it can do the 10W quite well without getting too hot.

 

Operators often think about QRP badly. When using the Greyline in the morning and using small antennas, many surprises are waiting. And use the energy like to flush the toilet, in many situations its useless.

As an example, an operator in my region and about 20 km away, gave everything to bring 1 Kw EiRP into the air. It was on the 2m band and he awaited happily a S9+ on my side. The only thing what happend was a standard S7 which reached me. And after lowering the energy consumption, the signal stood the same. It depends always on the situation.

 

It seems that people confuse small size with low power. But for example the difference in size between 817 and 857 does not correspond to the difference in their power.

 

The device is new. And its got DSP in at the start. Before, it was just an option for some devices. In the video they talk about the audio at minute 5:55 and the video in complete shows for what it was really designed for.

 

$1500 and it has the same problem as the IC-705...no internal ATU! That's a must-have for field work. Elecraft KX2 with internal ATU option: $1470.

 

The 705 is cheaper here. I bought mine a couple of weeks ago plus the AH-705 ATU and the combined price was a hundred pounds less than the FTX-1F head unit alone.

Martin G8FXC

 

Well, i don't know for what customer this radio should be for. Not for me, thats sure. I would decide me for an ICOM, if i would like to buy me such rig. That concept looks more complete as YAESU.
Cheaper? No, ICOM is one of the top expensive brand on the market. So, that RIG from YAESU is more for the FAN-Boys of Yaesu.
Elecraft KX2 has a different customers as Yaeso or Icom 705. I would not pay for that hackbox. But Elecraft has some better options available and they are also follow a modularized concept. Well, modul based rigs are expensive, if u complete them. This remembers me on extra payed optional xtal filters for CW, SSB or roofing filter of the last generations.
An expensive rig and we will see how the prices develops related to the "special" tarifs.

 

But u should keep in mind, that the third-parties are not cheaper and they often not support this range if capabilities where as example the ICOM705 offers. Most of the smaller company selled rigs are often more like an experimental concept, buid in a radio. I know some of this vendors here in germany too. But i don't want to own a radio, that needs to have a computer to be complete. If i am retired, this maybe other, but know, i wanna switch my radio on, and do cw or ssb. I am sure, i am special in my requirements, but all the expensive higher values of the modern rig concept are not a benefit in reception quality, if u don't live on a far island with none industrial noise. So, where is the advantage of such special rig from the small special vendors? To report that u have such one?

 

To find those devices, there is always an open mind needed. Often retailers have some of those specials for sale. Transceivers from Spain or France, as an example. Or specials like accessories for devices from the bigger brands. Just look here and there in Germany at the pages of the different retailers. Sometimes things are in offer just for a short time. The MMDVM manufactured in Germany was just available at a small range which is now away again. To this the Bluetooth Dongle by DXEngineering from Canada is reordered, but when its back I dont know? Just stay intrested in the actual market and you will find something.

 

I was looking forward to buying one when they came out, but the price is unrealistic (not by a bit but by a longshot) considering the alternatives.

 

Pretty darn reasonable price for what we're getting. I love my Optima!

 

Noooooooo. A resonant antenna is a must-have for field work!

 

I love used radios...