I’ve been watching this one for a while and it looks interesting. I haven’t got the $200 to spare right now but maybe some of you guys do. Would be interesting to see how this rig performs in a SOTA setting.
https://www.hfsignals.com/index.php/zbitx/
73, Colin
Hi Colin,
If the radio weren’t coming from Farhan & HF Signals, I would have said, at that price, it’s a scam, for all the features and modes that it has but it isn’t.
There’s a typo in the advert that says "it is capable of 10 watts of power from two standard 18650 batteries. " This is a 5w radio, not a 10w one.
Very tempting if I didn’t already have too many QRP radios.
I can see that lead time going up quickly from 4 weeks as the orders flood in!
73 Ed DD5LP.
The first batch has just arrived into people’s hands. Probably worth waiting (although perhaps enforced anyway!) for the first users to help get the bugs ironed out and their reports.
It’s not a scam but it’s not a finished project either, it’s meant as a platform for experimentation and modification like the rest of the offerings from Farhan. I would really like to have a go with one of the modern bidirectional designs, the concept has matured quite a bit since I home brewed a BITX 20.
I don’t really need it but it’s very tempting. Curious to see how it compares to qmx and trusdx.
They’re available to order again:
https://www.hfsignals.com/index.php/zbitx/
Not that I’m trying to get you to spend money on more radios 
Hi,
I bought one and have used it on three SOTA peaks with a EFHW for 40 m and 20 m and on a whip in the backyard.
My impressions follow.
It’s a good 5 W class rig.
Can be used on SSB, FT8 and CW out of the box with only setting your call and grid, without external mic or key.
I like it on CW but use an external paddle and didn’t rely on the inbuilt decoder or log keeper.
I don’t like using the inbuilt mic but it does work well.
It does a good job of decoding FT8 but I haven’t tried to work anyone.
The two tone generation mode is great for checking the swr and for manual atu’s. It also helps when setting the drive level.
Transitioning from rigs with switches and buttons to a single rotary knob and touchscreen was easier than I expected.
Cost is around $300 AU in my letterbox, plus some Li cells. Compare that to a MCHF clone at $100 + more, if you trust AliExpress.
The Ah consumption is higher than expected due to the Raspberry Pie inside. Still a pair of 2.7 Ah cells will last a couple of activations.
The screen was quite readable on sunny winter days in VK if shaded. Similar to my phone.
There are a few birdies audible but none caused a problem.
It’s a bit heavier than I expected, about 1 lb with batteries, but seems robust. Its certainly coat pocket size.
I used earbuds mostly but the speaker is adequate if the wind isn’t up.
It’s a viable SOTA rig but not the cheapest possible hf set. See ebay. However it is user modifiable and comes from a good stable.
I’m happy with my purchase. Read the brochure and the manual if interested. Both are on line. The brochure says 10 W out in one place. It’s a typo. I get 6 W on 80, 40 m, 5 on 20 m and about 3.5 W on 10 m.
I’ll probably do a more detailed report later.
73
Ron
VK3AFW
…a good write up Ron, thanks.
Geoff vk3sq