Anyone using these for SOTA? Any comments?
73 Richard G3CWI
In reply to G3CWI:
I plan to start testing the X1M this weekend. There is a Youtube video of S57PZ using the X1M and a Z11 tuner during a SOTA activation on youtube. Here is the link. Hopefully that is ok here.
Mike
In reply to KJ4IXZ:
Hello Mike, yes the link works fine. X1M Pro seems to be working pretty well. Will you be testing from home?
Best wishes
Mike G6TUH
In reply to G6TUH:
I may do some basic tests from home. But if the weather holds I plan to test from the field as well. It may or may not be a summit, though.
In reply to G3CWI:
My brother an i vk2afa and vk2jos have used an x1m to activate 2 summits in vk2/hu area seemed to work well…
We used a full length inverted v cut for 40m …
Great little fun
Sam vk2afa
In reply to G3CWI:
Yes. Last year Heath VK6TWO and I each used X1M’s on a dual activation. I managed as many contacts as I would have expected with the FT817 and my reports were as good. The only caveat is that as it has no agc you need to be careful that the occasional local high power chaser doesn’t give you ringing in the ears!
Also it would be hard to press some of the buttons with gloves on.
It was Heath’s first activation so he had no yardstick.
The X1M is now the basis of a lunch box SOTA HF station I have put together.
73
Ron
In reply to AX3AFW:
Ron,
Do you have any photos of the lunchbox station? That would be interesting to see.
Mike
KJ4IXZ
In reply to KJ4IXZ:
Ditto: Is it based on one of those aluminium Sigg lunch boxes?
Cheers
Keith GW4OKT
Hi
Several new X1M Platinums available now on
eBay UK
Kind regards
Dave
In reply to G0ELJ:
Mine just arrived this morning. Due to a snowstorm, I have not fabricated a power cable. Depending on the weather I will be testing this weekend.
Mike
KJ4IXZ
In reply to GW4OKT:
Hi keith,
It is actually a small plastic fishing tackle box that looks like a workman’s lunch box - same size. Will get the camera out this weekend.
73
Ron VK3AFW
In reply to AX3AFW:
Here are pics and story.
73 Ron VK3AFW
In reply to G6TUH:
I did some outdoor tests yesterday. Below 0C and five inches of snow on the ground but the testing went fairly well. I was pressed for time and propagation on 40M wasn’t tat great. But I learned that my equipment and setuo ideas work.
End Fed Antenna (31’ with un-un box)
LDG 100 Plus antenna tuner
X1M radio
7 AH SLAB from the local hobby store
Alligator clips to connect power to tuner and radio
In reply to KJ4IXZ:
Alligator clips to connect power
That’s asking for trouble. When it’s cold and you’re cold or tired or in a panic then you will connect the alligator clips the wrong way round.
Great for short term tests… I’d look for a non-reversible connector as soon as you can.
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to MM0FMF:
Andy, I run with scissors too. 
In reply to KJ4IXZ:
Hi,
Use those scissors to cut the positive lead and insert a 6 A diode. Cover with heat shrink tube or self amalgamating tape. Volt drop will be tolerable and you can transpose those clips with impunity or with anyone else.
73
Ron
VK3AFW
In reply to AX3AFW:
Actually I have some Anderson Powerpoles on the way now. 7 amp fused leads to a 3 way distributor and then lines for the tuner and transceiver.
In reply to G3CWI:
Richard,
I’ve just come from a SOTA activation about an hour ago. We had two X1M transceivers on this summit and had a very good time. The radios work perfectly, although the buttons are a bit small for gloves. We had 8 inches of snow on the ground with fairly high winds. It was a 10 point mountain (W4V/WV-019), Walker Mountain in Virginia. I used a 40’ EF-10/20/40 as a sloper antenna which I had tuned beforehand, so did not have to use an antenna tuner. All I had to carry was the radio, battery, and antenna, so my weight reduction was about half of what I used for QRP operations last year. Had no problem working six QSOs and stopped because of the cold. PA, NH, TN, NC from Southwestern VA mountaintop. Not too bad for 4.5 watts! Get the X1M radio – you will be pleased!
–John KJ4ZFK
In reply to KJ4ZFK:
Hi John. Thanks for the insight. I was mostly curious to see if these radios were actualy being used. 73 Richard.