ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Tech

#ARRL #HamRadio ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees - ARRL has asked the FCC to expand HF privileges for Technician licensees to include limited phone privileges on 75, 40, and 15 meters, plus RTTY and digital mode privileges... https://t.co/u3DWyAYxN8

— ARRL (@arrl) February 28, 2018

BaoFeng Buys Tokyo High Power Labs

On the Onion of Ham Radio:

"BaoFeng (the marketing name for PoFung Technologies) has purchased the remaining assets from the holding administrator representing Tokyo High Power Labs." 

"Details are still a little sketchy, but the rumored HF Transceivers are reportedly being labeled:

• BaoFeng Hurricane (SDR with knobs, 250 watt all band transceiver)

• BaoFeng Tornado (SDR with knobs, 400 watt all band transceiver)

• BaoFeng Tsunami (SDR no front panel, 100 watt all band transceiver)"

"We could not verify at this moment, but the suggested retail price for the Tsunami is $180.00 US."

Via the Chinese Ham Radio Equipment Google+ group

HF-One: HF-One MKII QRP HF Mobile

Thanks to Riku for sending me the link to the HF-One MKII 10 W HF radio. Details are limited, but here is what the listing says you get for your $300 (plus shipping):

- 100K--30MHz rx and tx in all band amateur radio band under 30MHz.
- output max:10W
- mode:ssb /CW
- with SDR
- AUTOKEY build in.
- audio REC build in.

Here is where it gets interesting for me. These images looks like the SDR could be controlled by your iPhone or iPad.

The radio looks very familiar to me. And I'm going to be surprised if there is an app for that - controlling the radio. I've e-mailed the seller to see what else I can find out.

Xiegu X1M: Pictures

Some pictures from Ed at Import Communications.

Xiegu X1M: A Few Shipping Now

Ed has the complete listing up and says the first few will ship next week. The rest will be available in May.

X1M QRP Transceiver

 Xiegu Technology

Distributed in North America exclusively by Import Communications

 

 

Compatable via RS232 connector with Ham Radio Deluxe (Choose Icom IC-718)

Frequency range RX & TX:  0.1 ~ 30 MHz*
Modes: SSB & CW
Power output: 5 Watts
Operating voltage: 9.6 ~ 14.5 vdc
Operating current: 0.35 ~ 1.2 amp
Receiver Preamplifier:  Yes
Memory Channels:  100
RIT Function:  Yes
Automatic Internal CW Keyer:  Yes
Backlight On/Off:  Yes
Keyboard  lock:  Yes
Dimensions:   3-13/16 x 1-9/16 x 6-1/8 inches
Weight:   0.65 kg  ~  1.43 lbs
PTT Microphone:  Included

* 5 Ham Bands configured separately

Band 1:   3.5 ~ 3.9 MHz

Band 2:    7.0 ~ 7.15 MHz

Band 3: 14.0 ~ 14.5 MHz

Band 4:   21.0 ~ 21.45 MHz

Band 5:   28.0 ~ 29.7  MHz

Receiving sensitivity: better than 0.45uV,

RF output power: ≥ 4.5W

Frequency stability: better than 0.5ppm

Frequency accuracy: better than 0.5ppm

Operating voltage: 12.0 ~ 14.0V DC

Receiver Standby Current: 0.5A

Emission current: 1.5A Max

Xiegu X1MKII: Availibility

Ed (Import Communications) continues with the updates by saying that the X1MKII should be available in July. No pricing yet.

Xiegu X1M: Availability and Pricing

Ed of Import Communications passed along this update on the X1M.

"Import Communications has sealed the deal to be the only distributor for this company for North America. Twelve radios are on the way and 100 have been ordered for May 1 delivery. Orders for these will be accepted on my web site this weekend, as I find time to get the information posted. The factory suggest a retail price of $329. The introductory price for the first 100 will be $299 with free shipping."

Also, Ed is investigating an option for a tuner/battery pack unit for use with the X1M - much like the old Index Labs QRP Companion.

Ed also clarified that BG8HT (that I discussed here) is one of the designers of the Xiegu radios.

And before I could finish the post I see that Ed has started updating his site for the Xiegu radios.

Xiegu X1M: Videos

Operating the X1M...

Operating the X1M v2.01...

X1MKII (X1N) Receiving Test Video

A video the X1MKII (aka the X1N)...

Xiegu X1M: Ed Update

Interesting news about the kit vs. built options:

"Twelve radios, 2 kits and 10 wired, have been shipped from the factory to my office in China. They have been forwarded to the US and hopefully they will arrive next week. The kits are not kits as we usually think of them. There is very little difference in the kit and wired costs, leading me to believe a kit only requires installing the boards, screws, knobs and etc. No actual wiring.

I had not planned for the existence of this radio to be made public until I had a chance to test it myself but the cat was let out of the bag by a friend of mine. I have been working for over a month with the factory for an exclusive US distributorship for their products. This has been somewhat of a chore because no one at the factory speaks English and their production output appears to be very slow right now. Hopefully this will all work out soon.

I have already ordered an additional 50 radios but I don't know how soon they can be produced. It took two weeks to get the first dozen made. 

If I have time this weekend I will put a notification list on my web site so that anyone interested will be notified when stock is available. If at all possible, I will try to have some of these for sale at Dayton. I will at leasthave one displayed there.

Regards, 

Ed Griffin
Import Communications

www.importcommunications.com"

Import Communications: 20W HF Transciever

Ed of Import Communications sent the spec sheet for the Xiegu 20W HF Transceiver. (Again, like the X1M, I'm calling it the Xiegu for the moment.) He says that the specs could change before final production. Until he gets the samples to test, he can't say what suggestions for changes he might make.

Xiegu X1M: Import Communications Update and More

Some more details about the 5W QRP HF radio that Ed at Import Communications will be selling...

The 5W HF radio is the X1M from The Valley Association Chongqing Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Thanks to Neil for pointing me in this direct.) The company URL as well as an image on their web page incorporates the word "Xiegu." YO9IRF calls the radio the Xiegu X1M, so I may go with that until someone corrects me. That's a lot better than The Valley Association Chongqing Science and Technology X1M or TVACST X1M for short.

Ed adds:

I have ordered 10 fully assembled and 2 in kit form. These have been shipped and should arrive soon. I have not seen the kits but believe them to only be a "hardware type" assembly. I won't suggest any modifications until after my units arrive and are tested.

A round-up of links about the radio - plenty of pics and videos:

X1M_QRP-Transceiver Yahoo Group
YO9IRF Blog
Sparky's Blog

Import Communications: QRP HF Radios

Ed of Import Communications is branching out and will be offering some low power/QRP HF radios:

"I will soon be the US distributor for a small Chinese company that will produce two models of HF QRP radios. One model is ready now, with samples on the way. It is 5 watts, 0.1-30 MHz, SSB/CW with built-in keyer and is compatible with Ham Radio Deluxe. The other model will be available in May and is 0-20 watts with built in antenna tuner."

He sent a subsequent update and said the 20 watt radio will begin sales in June.

It is shaping up to be an interesting summer with some new offerings from the Chinese manufacturers.

The Best Used HF Rig?

A good discussion if you want to save a few pennies and go the used HF transceiver route.

N7TFP HF Vocabulary

Another video on the basics...



A summary based on my interpretation:

cq (dx, 20) - calling any station
qsy - change frequency
qth - location
qrz - who
qsl - confirmation/acknowledgement
qso - a conversation
qrp - low power
qrm - interference (~man)
qrn - interference (~nature)

A longer list here.