Bike Generator

My wife made me get a bike generator to power my rig. I showed her... I only run QRP now!

@HamHijinks this type of irresponsible "reporting" only serves to give disgruntled spouses new ideas https://t.co/EKx7ohj6bA …

— BobW (@K0NR) November 6, 2015

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.

Ten-Tec 506 Rebel

A sneak peak of the new Ten-Tec Model 506 Rebel - an open-source CW QRP transceiver for 20 or 40 meters at the qrper.com:

"The TEN-TEC Model 506 Rebel is an open-source (meaning, anybody can program it), factory-built QRP transceiver based on a Chip Kit Uno 32 Arduino-compatible prototyping platform, which serves as the main processing unit that holds the Rebel’s program. (For those of you not familiar with the Arduino series, check out this article.) 

And I have to admit, I love the concept: TEN-TEC delivers a factory-built, uber-simple transceiver, with just enough programming to reliably get you on the air with a basic radio (see details below). Users then have full access to develop and program the Rebel via an open-source platform, themselves. No need to wait on firmware revisions; firmware, in a sense, will be crowd-sourced! That’s to say, it uses online collaboration–a great idea."

No surprise - it has a Yahoo Group.

Xiegu X1M: Hands On

Neil (W2NDG) has a review of the X1M. Head over to check out the details as I won't steal his thunder other than to quote:

"I think the little X1M has a nice future in my collection. It’s no KX3, but for about $300, it’s a nice little radio."

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 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...

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"

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.

Not a Dual Band Chinese Mobile Part 2

The Ten-Tec 539 QRP Transceiver gets a little closer to shipping. An update from Ten-Tec via the QRPer:

"We will have a fully functional 539 on display at Dayton. Pre-orders at Dayton? I don’t think I will be confident enough on a real ship date yet to be able to take orders at Dayton. I don’t want to take orders at Dayton, promise a ship date, and then have it delayed for parts reasons."

Ten-Tec 539 QRP Transceiver: Release Date

According to this poster, the Ten-Tec 539 is scheduled to be released at the Dayton Hamfest (May 18, 2012).

Ten-Tec Go-Bag

Ten-Tec is jumping on the Go-Bag bandwagon with a 40/30 Meter QRP Go Pack. It includes:

"R2327 Custom built, high performance portable multiband wire antenna which includes light weight coax,BNC connector, center balun, tie downs, plus Dacron rope.

R4030 two band QRP CW Transceiver. Light weight, trail friendly dual band transceiver built by YouKits and sold exclusively in the US by TEN-TEC. Covers 40 and 20 meter bands. Receives SSB and CW. Transmits CW only. No filters to buy. Fully assembled transceiver (not a kit).

R9920 Rugged Shoulder Bag with adjustable shoulder sling strap that contains a tactical non-slip shoulder pad. Includes a mesh compartment for your water bottle. Rapid accessibility for all of your QRP equipment. Loads of room for your antenna, rig, battery, key paddle, and much more. Water resistant storm collar can be deployed by pulling a cordlock draw string."

The web page says just add your favorite key and you are ready go. That and a brain transplant with a donor that knows CW and I would be all set!

Ten-Tec 539 QRP Transceiver

I missed the Ten-Tec hamfest this year, so I also missed the preview of the 539 QRP Transceiver. Speculation is that the 10W unit will also have an optional amplifier to take it to 100W. Check the links at the bottom of this post for more info. I'd like to own a piece of Ten-Tec equipment, just because they are local. This might be it.

Ten-Tec Model 539 10W QRP Transceiver

• Bands: 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15 10 meters
• AM, USB, LSB, CW Modes built-in
• Tricolor backlight internally adjustable
• Several features and hardware in common with Eagle Model 599
• 3 Crystal filter slots
• Same DSP as used in the 599
• Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, Selectable Fast/Med/Slow AGC, RIT, PreAmp, 100 Memories, etc.
• Legendary TenTec CW Performance
• Two VFO Displays (single receiver)
• Estimated product availability Mid-2012

(Picture from QRPer.)

As with all things ham, there is a Yahoo Group: Ten-Tec 539 Yahoo Group

Looks like this won't be ready for Christmas.

Via QRPer via VA3STL

OLPC - QRP PC Style

I love projects like the OLPC. I believe that the Internet is the great equalizer and the more people we can get on-line, the better the world will be. Battery evolution seems slow, so it is fantastic that they can make the laptop faster while reducing the power requirements. The QRP hams have to think this is cool, too.