Yaesu FTX-1F, a new QRP rig!

Simon,

If you don’t buy the add on fan, yes it will boil water for a cuppa. Elecraft and some other brands have been able to do that for a while. :grinning:

73
Ron
VK3AFW.

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When I first heard of this yesterday, I was sceptical and wondered whether the reports on social media had indeed come from Yaesu or someone distributing fake news. Of course with Tokyo Hamfair this weekend it makes perfect sense that this “leak” happens now as it may take some limelight away from ICOM’s X60 project (even though that is expected to be at totally the other end of the scale of radio complexity).

The appearance seems to be drawing on the case design from Yaesu’s recent mobile radio releases, my guess for a price for the initial release would be US$1599. The release is planned for 2025 and whether even a prototype is on view in Tokyo will be interesting. More likely a mock-up under a plastic case. We’ll have to wait for YouTube reports over the next couple of days.

Given that most are saying this is the long-awaited replacement for the FT817 (/818), I’m surprised at the choice of the name given. With the FT991 (A) and FT891 series of names, I would have expected FT-791. Whatever we call it, it will be interesting what this low-power version of the FT-991A can do.

Here’s what DX Engineering have in their flyer:
YAESU is excited to introduce our new HF/50/144/430MHz All Mode Field Transceiver at HAM FAIR 2024, August 24th and 25th in Tokyo Japan. This information and the sample shown at HAM FAIR 2024 are only the preliminary introduction. Detailed information will be announced at a later date.
The new FTX-1F is a portable transceiver utilizing SDR technology and provides 6W of power output with the 5670mAh Lithium-ion battery pack (Which enables 9-hours stand-alone operating time on the HF bands, SSB mode, and 8-hours operating time on the V/UHF bands, FM mode based on a 6-6-48 duty cycle). Up to 10W of power output is available when using an external DC power supply.
A number of the fundamental and remarkable features of the new FTX-1F are:

  • Operation in SSB, CW, AM, FM and C4FM digital modes
  • SDR Technology and 3DSS (3-Dimensional Spectrum Stream) on a 4.3-inch high-resolution full-color touch display panel
  • Two independent receiver circuits provide true simultaneous dual-band operation, whether in the same band or in different bands.
    For example: SSB communication on HF bands simultaneously with C4FM digital communication on V/UHF bands (*HF+V, HF+U, V+V, U+U, V+U, U+V)
  • Two Loud speakers ensure clear and powerful audio output
  • An optional Automatic Antenna Tuner can be attached to the rear of the transceiver with the 5670mAh high-capacity Li-ion battery pack. The optional Cooling-fan, which is necessary for comfortable FT8 operation, can also be combined with the antenna tuner. (All-in-one rear panel design)
  • RF front-end and Low Noise Reference Oscillator, enable Phenomenal Multi-signal Receiving characteristics
  • Effective QRM rejection afforded via High-speed 32-bit IF DSP (YAESU’s renowned interference reduction systems: SHIFT / WIDTH / NOTCH / CONTROUR / APF / DNR / NB)
  • Compatible with WiRES-X operation
  • PMG (Primary Memory Group) function can register and monitor up to 5 frequently used frequencies
  • MAG (Memory Auto Grouping) function enables Memory Channels to be categorized in each band that can be quickly recalled by band groups (HF/VHF/UHF/AIR/OTHERS)
  • USB ports support CAT operation, audio input/output and TX control

Unfortunately like the FT991A no 70MHz (4m) coverage.

It’s good to see that ICOM and Yaesu have released several new amateur radio models over the last few years, however, I don’t think I will ever see a TS-2000 replacement from JVC-Kenwood.

73 Ed.

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…purely visually… I like the IC-705 better :innocent:

73 Armin

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In Friedrichshafen I asked the representative at the Kennwood stand whether Kenwood would soon be withdrawing completely from amateur radio… the range of models suggests this!

…he firmly denied it… but it sounded a bit like: Nobody has any intention of building a wall!

73 Armin

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Now the IC7760?

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With any luck, this new rig will replace the fully optioned 817/818s stored in cupboards all over the world waiting for the opportunity “to go portable” so the 817/818s will be disposed of over the next few years. If you are waiting for a bargain 817/818 this could be the chance. I still have one but could decide to get a second one at the right price!

The new rig will go into the cupboard to replace the old one, because you know, we have to get the rest of the kit before we could go portable!

Andrew VK1DA/VK2DA

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IC-7760 | Products | Icom Inc. (icomjapan.com)

Looks very likely - an interesting idea to split the RF deck for the HF radio, similar to what they did with the IC-905.

A 7610 on steroids - unfortunately, like the 7610 no 4m coverage.

73 Ed.

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Andrew,
Wow.
You are the leader in this month’s Most Cynical Posting Award.
Keep up the good work.

I see an opening for makers of cupboards with TARDIS qualities. Small enough to fit in the corner of the shack but big enough to house all those collected rigs.

73
Ron
VK3AFW.

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Thanks for that, it’s hard with so much competition. Andy sets a high standard. :smile:

Actually, I’m only half joking.

At one point I am sure there was a belief that you could only use CW if you had a narrow filter. Of course this is after never using cw… because of the lack of a cw filter. My old Galaxy III and the FT200 didn’t have CW filters but I still worked contests and dx. Think the frdx400 lacked one, too.

But with the release of the 817s from the cupboards, there will be lots of filters available.

73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2DA

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There are people who want a modern SDR radio with all the deep joy that brings. But they want a radio that looks like and feels like a radio that they know and grew up with. They don’t want a black box that does RF magic and a PC display and keyboard and mouse. So I understand where Icom are coming from. Why 200W though? It’s naff all more over a 100W output and not a kW. If I had the antennas to justify such a shack radio I’d want a damn big burner on the back of it. 200W just means more ALC overshoot to cope with by the PA input. :wink:

My namesake is not wrong about rigs in cupboards. I know quite a few such people. At least my 817s got well exposed to the best of Scottish (and European) weather. All my portable radios have been out on expeditions and used on hills.

FTX-1F… it’s tempting to start allocating money to the I-want-another-shiny-thing fund. Because I’m worth it :slight_smile: And… I don’t believe Yaesu would even consider spending the R&D money they will have done on this without ensuring it has RF performance at least as good as a KX2/705.

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That’s me. Well I found it far too hard without one and gave up.

But long may that view persist as I managed to sell my 817 300Hz and 500Hz CW filters for over £300 (605$AUD). I’ll probably only need another £1600 for my FTX-1F and ATU.

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Tardis kitchen cupboards Ron in G4OBK shack (Some equipment in use, some not!). (No FT-817s present, I owned two and sold two)


(Its surprising what you can fit in the standard kitchen cupboard with the doors removed)

73 Phil G4OBK

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I could do with some tardis cupboards, my 6ft square shack is starting to feel small!

I seriously considered investigating renting a table at one of the hamfests to get rid of some stuff.

Will be interested to see the Yaesu offering, I wasn’t impressed by the Icom rig.

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It looks like Aladdins cave!

I’m minimalist, just three rigs counting the FT817ND, but I have to accommodate music and astronomy gear as well as the radio gear, though I did once have fun loading up the sax on 20m! :grinning:

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The more I look at this radio the more I think they designed it for mobile use, not portable. Antenna port on the back and SO-239 for the ATU?
More pictures are trickling in.

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I wonder about size and weight. It would take a lot to unseat my KX2. Elecraft just seems to understand SOTA better than Yaesu.

Another country heard from.
73 Eric KG6MZS

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Andy,

As urban noise levels rise, 200 W helps being heard. Also you can run 120 W on CW and Digi, which is the legal limit in VK, and not cook anything.

Comparing the size of a 200 W rig to a transceiver plus PA shows an advantage in footprint and weight.

In VK 400 W is our limit so having a 200 W rig is a reasonable compromise. Having a big amp generates a temptation to boot it along a bit which may not be wise in suburbia.

73
Ron
VK3AFW

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Looking at those photos it looks as if the ATU goes in the same place as the battery pack. You what??? Choice of battery or ATU? Somethings wrong there!

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Close but no cigar. The ATU can be attached with the 5.7AHr battery.

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