I have the older MTR3B without the LCD display. Love it - it’s a great little rig. The lack of volume control hasn’t been an issue for me, but it can get rather loud when a really strong station is on freq.
I considered the SW-3B to replace my old MTR but there were a few deal-breakers for me: the 8 second delay after changing the keying speed, and lack of a keyer memory (other than a standard CQ message that you can’t change). If the 8 second delay were fixed, I’d probably get one (keyer memory not that important to me).
I really like the wider range of voltage the SW-3B can take!
Let us know what you end up with! Now I have to watch Richard’s review video =)
I have 2 MTR-2Bs, an LNR MTR-3B (non LCD) and an MTR-5B.
Some have said that the sidetone is too loud, I’ve never had an issue with the side tone on any of my MTRs. The newer LNR MTRs have a little PCB mounted pot to adjust the side tone, so I guess that little issue is solved.
Regarding audio levels, it’s extremely rarely that I find a signal too loud, I’m usually scratching around in the dirt! I did find that my LNR MTR had not been aligned properly so wasn’t as sensitive as it could be, it was also slightly off frequency. I couldn’t live with the issues do I stripped the rig and gave it a full re-alignment and calibration - wow- what a big difference!
I do find audio is rather low, if it’s windy, sometimes I have trouble hearing the RX. Koss ‘The Plug’ ear buds were suggested on a forum and I ordered some in. The Koss ear buds live with my MTRs, they improved matters no end for me. Not only are the ear buds very sensitive but they also have expanding foam which seals out external (wind) noise.
An inline volume control won’t hurt at all, but sure, from my experience, lack of volume control is no detriment whatsoever. The audio level is limited in the MTR, so in theory all stations from a certain strength upwards should sound the same.
Excellent video Richard! Thanks for addressing the keyer speed change delay. That was based on AE5X’s review of the rig as I’ve never laid hands on one of these.
The wide input voltage range is great, as is the price!
Interesting to see the power falling off steadily with supply voltage, I suppose the usual reason for a cliff-edge sensitivity to voltage is an internal regulator requiring some minimum input voltage. The freq synth would normally require stable dc supply? Either there is no such requirement or the output of the regulator is below 6v. Good design for battery operated gear. Field experience or a local monitor would indicate whether there is any fall in quality of signal, chirp etc as the voltage falls.
73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2UH
MTR-3B vs. SW-3B seems to be a popular topic. I’ve summarized in the table below the main differences between the two. Each radio has unique features, so the bottom line is that there is no clear winner.
Useful comparison. As you correctly say, it depends upon what you want. Both are likely to be very similar in terms of RF performance. Does the MTR has proper AGC?
Hi Richard,
I mean, what are the experiences when using the SW-3B portable, preferable for SOTA. Especially, is the RX sufficient?
You wrote “It works fine. All these simple radios are pretty similar”. Could you add some details? Maybe something about the receiver, and if you compared it with a certain other rig?
Hi Axel, all these simple radios are very similar in design so the RX is the pretty much the same as an HB-1B, the MTR radios, the Elecraft KX1 etc. Perfectly adequate for SOTA.
I’ve had my SW-3B on a number of activations and find the receiver more than adequate. At home, side by side with my Elecraft K-3 the sensitivities are indistinguishable, by ear at least. I don’t think the receiver has sufficient filtering for a crowded contest band, but otherwise nice sounding and the separate RF and AF gain controls are nice.
I received my new SW-3B a few weeks ago. I haven’t had a chance to test it at a summit. Maybe this weekend…
I was able to make a few test QSOs from my house. Seems like a good fit. Its CW filter seems narrow enough. Maybe better than my FT817 with a 500 Hz filter.
It needs to be tested in the field. But first impressions are very positive.
I take the liberty to request the happy owners of SW-3b’s - Richard mentioned in his video on YT that the power plug is untypical. What is meant by this? Do you know the size and if this is available in Europe at all?