The Yaesu FTX-1F Portable HF Transceiver: Yaesu’s replacement for the venerable FT-818 and FT-817

Many thanks to Gavin (GM0WDD) who notes that ML&S have posted a product page for the new Yaesu FTX-1F. 

I was curious what new product announcements might come out of the Tokyo Ham Fair 2024–this is exciting news, indeed. 

The following specs and details all come from Martin Lynch and Sons:

The new FTX-1F will be available early 2025.

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.

    • FTX-1F – True All-Rounder
    • HF/50/144/430MHz All Mode Field Transceiver
    • Providing stand-alone 9-hours of operation

This information and the sample shown at HAM FAIR 2024 are only the preliminary introduction.

Detailed information will be announced at a later date.

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

The new FTX-1F will be available early 2025. Please be ready for this forthcoming exciting new radio!

When I asked, in the past, what readers would like to see in an FT-818 replacement, many wanted a spectrum display and SDR technology–it seems like Yaesu was listening.

There’s no built-in ATU, but it appears they will have an “[a]n optional Automatic Antenna Tuner can be attached to the rear of the transceiver with the 5670mAh high-capacity
Li-ion battery pack.”

What’s most surprising is that the FTX-1F has two independent receiver circuits. This is quite an innovation in the world of field-portable HF radios.

I will post more details when they become available. Very curious about the output power, size/weight, and and receiver specs. It would be brilliant if they managed to  get FTDX10 receiver performance in this portable form-factor.

Stay tuned!

92 thoughts on “The Yaesu FTX-1F Portable HF Transceiver: Yaesu’s replacement for the venerable FT-818 and FT-817”

  1. Looks like an IC-705 killer to me. I’m going to guess the fully optioned out MSRP is going to $2K or better. Only time will tell.

    1. It won’t kill the 705, particular is their price point is higher. The only thing it’s got over it is the dual rx. If it could do like 20 watts on external power so people didn’t need an amp, that would be a game changer.

      1. It already surpasses the 705, just by having the option of 2 receivers… one dedicated to HF and the other to VHF/UHF, something that the 705 does not have, and with that it gives it 30 turns of superiority.

        1. And you cannot work Sat VHF to UHF, it has 2 receivers, not separate transmitters, with no separate antenna sockets on VHF or UHF, HF to VHF or HF to UHF for Sat working is possible, but not VHF to UHF, it seems non full Duplex, only RX VHF/VHF or UHF/UHF, or HF to VHF and HF to UHF, lets see what transpires, and no Wi-Fi? and no great antenna analyser like Icom? and $2000 usd plus 20% UK tax?

      2. Good points but my 705 has GPS and WiFi but with full duplex it can do satellite operations so I may need both radios!! 😇😇. Plus C4FM over satellite 🛰️ is a big plus for me!!!
        Robert
        WA6PHN

      3. Hello KT9Q, yes I completely agree with you 20 watts allows you to get out of the difficulties with the propagation, and of course the prices I hope it will be around 1200€ see 1350€ max, that’s it in the meantime, I’m keeping my ft897 thank you best 73 of on3sta

  2. I’m very excited for this. I would guess price above IC705 but if it were somehow lower it would be a killer for sure. I still expect it to be a strong alternative to the IC705. Can’t wait!

  3. I didn’t see this coming! There is no much information, I would like to see about size and weight. Having the ATU as external option but integrated-ish is nice, although the AH-705, being remote, can be put next to the antenna.

    Having two receivers is great, even if it seems it cannot do HF-HF. Will it have 2 antenna connectors like the FT-817/8? I can’t see that on the screen.

    The DSP seems to be in par with the FT-DX10 or FT-710, with Contour and APF, something missing in the IC-705.

    I hope the memory management is better than in the FTM-500, with memory banks.

    I’m looking forward for your review!

    1. The memory system Yaesu has gone to has caused me to sell my ftm-300 and not buy anymore Yaesu radios. It’s just terrible.

  4. The picture looks similar to the control head of the FTM-500, so I suspect the FTX-1F will be similar in size and form to the FTM-500 with a control head and body that can be attached or separated.
    Like Mark, I think it is going to be expensive.
    Anyway, good time to be a QRP POTA/SOTA operator with lots of high-quality gear coming out!

    1. Saw a picture of the back and it is like the IC-705 with only a deep control head and not like the FTM-500 with a control head and radio body, like I thought.

    1. No, the 891 still has a great place as it’s 100w capable. I plan on keeping mine. I think this has its own place on the shelf. It’ll probably replace my 891 as the primary POTA in some settings.

  5. This looks a great innovation. My initial thought is WiFi/Lan connectivity included (as per IC705)
    Yes, I know its a portable rig but I use the SCU-LAN 10 for remote access.
    Let’s see what the Icom X10 reveals tomorrow
    In the meantime, I will delay my purchase of the FT991a I was about to make as there is a cashback deal at present.
    Don’t mind spending the extra ££ for an up to date rig

  6. Does it do 1D display as well as the 3D display ( I personally HATE the 3D display ) I asked extensively at Hamvention if Yaesu was going to produce a rig compariable to the 705…Mum was the word !!
    73′
    Steve W8CRH
    SEMPER FI

    1. If you mean the classical waterfall like the IC-705, I would say yes, it can, pressing the 3DSSS button below in the screen, like in the FT-DX10 and FT-710. Personally I too dislike the 3D waterfall.

      1. I didn’t like it in the FT-DX10 I had either. I loved the DX-10 but it’s a power hog on RX and didn’t make a good POTA radio. Otherwise I would’ve kept it.

    2. That’s because they wanted to wait for this hamvention it introduce it. I wonder if Kenwood has anything up their sleeve? They hinted at Xenia that something was in the works.

    3. I see the 3DSS button on the screen like the FTdx10 has. Hopefully that changes it to 2d. I think the 3d is horrible to try and comprehend.

  7. My immediate response (as a Briton) is “Wot, no 4 metres?”
    Icom dropped 4m from its IC-705 as well, a great pity as it’s becoming increasingly popular in countries where there’s an allocation, especially for portable use.
    The battery pack looks a useful size, though I wonder how bulky and heavy the thing will be, especially when fitted with the optional bits.
    Think I’ll stick with my 817nd, to be honest; I would really struggle to justify something like this, given the limited time I have to take part in the hobby…
    73/72, G0CIQ.

    1. Thank you for that sober assessment Simon. I look forward to getting a lot more use out of my FT-817ND. Although I was too young to join the hype when the 817ND was launched, I will probably pass on this upcoming opportunity as it seems like it might be frightfully expensive in South Africa.

    2. NEWS FLASH

      To G0CIQ Simon,

      Good afternoon,

      Mike VE2TH here,

      About 4 meters in your continent, yes 4 meters coverage confirmed at 8:45 min, from the beginning… of the you tube video .

      Check the video (YOU TUBE) of “WATER & STANTON” by Peter Stanton G3OJV dated august 27, 2024.

      For others who asked if there are 2 antennas jack,. ? it is YES
      and you can see it into the video at: 3.54 min from the beginning .

      Good reading,

      72/73, Mike VE2TH
      The QRP’er for 60 years, 1964/2024

    1. This radio is 6+ months out (“early 2025”), I don’t think this will have a big impact on IC-705 sales thru the end of the year…

      I do predict it will retail north of $1,500 US, making it 2x as expensive as the FT-818 it is supposedly replacing.

      This is, in my mind, more like a QRP FT-991a with a second receiver and battery pack than it is an FT-817/818 replacement. For example, I bet power consumption is very high (big display, 2x receivers, etc) compared to the FT-818. The quote a 9 hour battery life with 6:6:48 usage (6 min transmit, 6 min receive audio, 48 min squelched/standby), that’s very low usage.

      And, I’m very suspicious about the “optional” active cooler for high duty-cycle digital modes…

      Optional snap-on ATU sounds nice, but could be pricey…

      1. C’est bon d’avoir une poste radio plus récent avec différents modes/ondes , mais un Icom ic-78 sera toujours un roi pour radioamateurs robuste et efficace.
        73 QRO à vous tous.

  8. The real question is if they are using USB C single cable for digital operation.
    This looks exactly like what I was expecting their successor to the 817. (I envisioned it like if the 817 and ftdx10 had a baby)
    Regardless, I’ll be purchasing one when it comes out!

  9. With the duplex ability it’s going to be a great rig for satellite rovers, coupled with the all mode HF it’ll be a great rig for all things portable, SOTA/POTA. I feel a purchase in my future. Best start a savings jar….

    1. It doesn’t say duplex. It has 2 receivers, but that doesn’t imply it can rx while transmitting. Unfortunately.

    2. I was thinking the same thing – an “FT-1614/1616” (dual 817 or 818) in one chassis. Ergonomics for tuning either band will be important, however.

      1. You probably mean 1634 or 1636, don’t you.

        Yes, dual receive is a great feature, I’d never expect from such a radio (well, I’d wish but not expect that wish come true). But, there is still no clue if both will do SSB for SAT work and also, if the two ant connectors could be configured as VHF/UHF for that purpose, or whether the second RX will be just for FM/C4FM repeater work while you are on HF.

        However, since IC-705 has been introduced, I was saying Yaesu should make something too. I am glad that they did! Although it will be expensive (but please take the FT-817 original price and add inflation and you might reconsider what is expensive and what is not). And although as an IC-705 owner, I won’t be able to justify buying this… Great radio however and I like it! I wonder if the RX capability will be at the FTDX10 level.

        Also, what Yaesu needs to do, is to make a competitor to IC-9700. Or a FT-991A successor. It would be nice to see Yaesu’s receiver performance on VHF (in EU, we have quite big contests, where one would appreciate a good receiver to catch a weak signal near to a 2kW station). FT-991A is slightly worse than IC-9700 according to my comparisons, but when I imagine a FTDX10 on VHF, that might be great! Maybe they tried some concepts out here and will come with something like that in future!

  10. It looks like a mini FT-710. I think one of the KEY features of the FT817/818 is the DUAL antenna sockets (Front and read).
    No other HF QRP portable radio does this.

    The new FTX-1F reminds me of the FT-897D and not the FT818.
    Also, the waterfall display really needs a BIG screen, which is where the IC-705 and Xiegu 6200 excel.
    I suspect and hope that Yaesu do a SMALLER radio, like the FT818 with dual antenna sockets, and smaller, maybe monochrome waterfall display, perhaps a Xiegu x-5105 which was, and still is an excellent radio.

    I definitely agree with removable, upgradable batteries, which is a big failing with the x5105, x6100 and similar.

    I think its time that new radios had a matching phone/tablet apps.

  11. 5 years for Yaesu to match Icom and only one serious improvement (dual receivers)? OK.

    Can’t tell – same form factor as the 817/818? That form factor (which is not like the IC-705) made it popular with satellite ops. They’d often strap two of them together (a “1634”) for full-duplex work on sats.

  12. Seems perfect for satellite usage with allmode and full duplex with 2 receivers. No need for more than 10 watts for the birds anyways..

  13. The duplex ability is what will make it a great rig for space communications. No longer will you need 2 rigs, or an IC-9700 or TS-2000 type of radio (very heavy) to do man portable linear satellite communications. If its able to do it with a few of the bells/whistles of the larger rigs (moving one of the VFO’s while RX or TX on the other or VFO tracking) it will allow me to let my dual FT-817 portable pack stay on the shelf and take a step up. The band scope for sats would just be added gravy!

    1. Agree, hope they include vfo tracking (key feature of Sat radios) AND ability to 1-button disable to adjust for the different Doppler shifts between bands. If they don’t, a small app on an arduino or pi zero connect to the CAT port could probably handle it. All assuming, of course, real full duplex capability and not dual RX until PTT is pressed. Whenever I look at the 705, I think about needing a 2nd radio for portable satellite work and say, nah, I will keep lugging my 9700 and not straying far from the car.

    1. “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)”

      6-6-48 means 6 minutes of transmit, 6 minute of receive audio, and 48 minutes squelched/standby (no audio)

      When I want to calculate battery life for a radio, I do worst case FT8 operation: 50% transmit, 50% receive, I add the power consumption for TX full-power, the the power consumption for RX with audio, add them then divide by 2, that is per hour power consumption, the I divide battery capacity by this worst case number, and get operating life for the radio & battery.

      It’s easy to calculate and works out well in most cases.

  14. I always learn about new QRP products from you Thomas. Thanks for the head ups; this will be a nice addition.

  15. I’ll wait for the initial reviews and for the 1.1 revision, but I’m pretty much in already. My FT-817nd won’t last forever. Looks very FT-710-ish, which is a pretty decent interface on a very good radio.

    I wonder if they’ll make a QRO version next? With an identical UI? Please? Similarly, my FT-857d won’t last forever either.

  16. Realmente una noticia de impacto para nosotros los amantes a las comunicaciones y DX. Bueno chicos de esperar de tener un qso grato por medio de esta nueva máquina. Saludos a todos desde chile. CE6GPH GUIDO.
    Muchas gracias por la información 73’S

  17. Interesting radio. It looks very like a slimmed-down version of the FT-991A, with a bit of rewickering. It looks a lot more like that than an ‘817/’818 replacement.

    As someone already said, 6 watts doesn’t really cut it. 20W would be a lot better, especially if paired with a low power (5w?) setting to preserve battery life.

  18. Hahaha, this is NOT going to be a 705-killer! As usual, Yaesu are about 3yrs behind Icom and despite having all that time to see what they have to beat, they fall short on really useful features that have been taken for granted for so long now.

    Does it have a built-in Server? WiFi? QSO Recorder? GPS? Bluetooth?

    3yrs after the 7610 was launched, Yaesu brought out the 101D which had no server and didn’t even have a Real Time Clock!!

    I’m not an Icom fanboy – I’ve had far more Yaesu’s than anything else. I’m just staggered by the way Yaesu follow instead of leading. They’re incredibly slow to market and then fail to include features that people consider to be basic and fundamental.

    Having said all that. The twin receivers is a big plus. I just hope the final spec is a lot better than the current listing.

    And let’s hope it’s not stupid money.

    73 all, Tom, M7MCQ.
    http://www.m7mcq.com

    1. I completely agree. A lack of WiFi or Ethernet is a big mistake. I control my IC-705 remotely nearly 100% of the time, and if I’m portable, I can use my iPhone with the 705 to run FT8 without lugging a computer. I can’t wait to see the IC-705 v2 if it ever comes. The competition is good, and hopefully, this rig will encourage Icom to up its game and release a new version with dual VFO and other enhancements.

      1. You can remotely control devices without the need for Wi-Fi or Ethernet with the USB cable and the remoteham application. If this equipment has compatibility with Yaesu’s SCU-LAN… it will be an added attraction

    2. Yes, I agree with that Icom is rather the one who brings the concepts… However, apart from following, Yaesu have made it to produce great receivers, I must really appreciate the FTDX-10 one. It is a great leap since FT-991A etc. They traditionally aren’t able to make a good UI, but it’s better han it was (at least considering the amaller, menu-driven RIGs).

  19. Looks interesting. Will have to wait and see how it prices out. If the price is similar or above that of the IC-705, I’ll probably stick with the Icom. But, I look forward to a side by side comparison before I make that decision.

  20. is it for full duplex operations ? This is not clear too. I’m interested to rhis feature, in this way I’m not obliged to use 2 Ft817 for sat operations….

    73

  21. HRO and Gigaparts are both showing it on their websites with a $35 reservation fee to get in line for purchase early next year. No new specs on those sites other than what is given in this article.

    David W7CDT

  22. If the FTX-1X is truly the replacement of the 817/818, then the price-point should be equal or just a little higher.

    As already mentioned, why not have a 20 or 25 watt output even if the price point would be higher than $800?

    I have the FT-DX10 and this is rig heaven! If the FTX-1X would be available at 100 watts, I would consider selling the FT-DX10!

    1. Direct competition will be the IC705. I expect similar pricing, Yaesu hasn’t announced that yet, so I guess it will be in the same ballpark.

      1. You don’t care about the competition… totally for the radio that you do… all digital, what else does the competition give you if you don’t even have radio equipment hahahaha people like you only talk and talk on forums, websites or social networks but then you don’t do radio

  23. A 5670mAh battery only giving 9 hours of operation, that means fine for a few hours of POTA near the car but for back pack trips into the woods, power consumption on Rx will be a problem.

    Still, looks cool and it’s good to keep the big three competitive.

    73 de Ray …_ ._

  24. Where are the CW memories ?

    I don’t see any listed as a feature.

    Without them, it’s D.O.A. for most POTA/SOTA.

  25. Looks like Yaesu has a winner. The 705 will be DOA. I like my X6100 better than the 705 and have never looked back. If this is a small version of the FT-710 as it appears to have the VMI feature, as well as the incredible Yaesu DSP and quality, it will be an industry leader.. I love my FT-710. I hope it is similar in size to the X6100. That will be perfect for POTA. I am just fine with 6 watts, I only run 5 watts SSB POTA and it works just as good as the FT-817 and no one will see the difference or need 20 watts. Looks like power consumption will be great and good for several activation’s. Yaesu may have waited, but this will be a winner for sure. Having the ATU as an option is brilliant. I can’t tell you how great it is to have a builtin ATU in the X6100 and not have to drag another box along. The screen looks amazing as well. One of the great features of the FT-710 and the X6100 is the screen. While a lot could change until it is released, it sure looks like Yaesu listened. I’m sure there are a lot more features not listed. I am going to start saving now.
    Tim VE3VTH/VA3UZ

    1. 705 DOA?? 😂😂😂
      The 705 has been leading the way for THREE YEARS, during which Yaesu were still pushing their 20yr old FT-81x design 😂😂

      The only useful thing on the new Yaesu is the Dual Receivers – but there’ll be a big price to pay for that.

      And like the 705 it DOESN’T have an ATU. It’s an add-on which will no doubt cost a chunk of money.

      I see in the spec there’s no mention of a built-in Server or a QSO Recorder or GPS or a few other features which 705 owners have been benefiting from all this time.

    2. “The 705 will be DOA.”

      Uh, do you understand what DOA actually means?

      Icom has been selling IC-705s for years, Yaesu plans on offering their response to it in about 6 months, maybe 1Q 2025…

  26. I’ve been waiting for years for the rebirth of Yaesu. If the receiver is at the level of the 710 and the transmitter is equal to or better than the 705 (a real puncher with its 5W) this radio is spectacular!

  27. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that future announcements will reveal not proprietary Bluetooth accessory and Wi-Fi PC connectivity, USB-C charging and operation, full APRS functionality (despite the lack of build-in GPS receiver due to already included external GPS connector), highly improved RX power consumption not just increased battery capacity.

    It’s too early to judge by the look only, but overall form factor is disappointing compared to FT-817/818 and not very well thought through, especially, for outdoor operation where portability and ruggedness plays a big role. Sorry, Yaesu, but it looks like a soundbar with build-in radio, more mobile rig than portable. I wish, but it’s too late, for ATU attachment without external RF pigtail cables. External cooling solution for FT8 operation seems like half-baked feature rather than truly digital radio re-design.

  28. How exciting it must be to know when you go to the field with this radio you have every band, every mode, and every whizbang trick in the book to practically guarantee a contact. Add an amp and you are set for a no-challenge outing. Way to go!

    N0SHU

  29. It’s good to have a newer radio with different modes/waves, but an Icom ic-78 will always be a robust and efficient king for radio amateurs. 73 QRO to you all

    1. Only HF, no VHF/UHF. No Buit-in USB / Soundcard for digital modes. Fine with me if you want to keep doing amateur radio like in the 80ies of the last century

  30. I have yet to find more than a couple of people who actually use the 3DSS feature. Which is why you see it in all the ads as pure marketing eye candy. First thing a new user does on day-2 is to turn it back to 2D for good!

    1. I have an ft-710 hooked up to a 24 inch monitor. On the big screen 3d is excellent and quite usable, the built in display not-so-much.

      With the design and button placement on this being similar to the 710, I am in.

      Hopefully it is compatible with the ATAS, it would be nice to mount it mobile.

  31. Major manufacturers seem to be moving away from hardened-weather proof QRP xcvrs designed for the field . Another high current consumption radio and a pretty device that requires a protective case. I wonder what it will have for cw and voice memories and if it will support popular digital modes of communication without the need for a laptop/tablet?

    1. Coming from a mil background, and using very rugged radios i’m surprised that none of these QRP radios seem to be focused at all on any type of ipx rating or even mil std…

      For a radio that seems to be aimed at the pota/sota crowd that is a miss for sure

  32. I’m betting on an MSRP of around $1500 U.S. for the base unit only. I doubt there will be any discounting of the unit for some time as I believe it will be in high demand for the indefinite future. One commenter is correct, I believe, that fully tricked out with the accessories it will run in the $2000 range or a bit higher. I hope I am wrong and it comes in a bit lower. I do not own the IC-705, but it looks like a good radio. I was never in love with its form factor for a field radio. ICOM, on the other hand, has that battery compatibility between the 705 and the 52a , and there is some appeal to the QRP radio’s front panel looking so much like the 7300. We are so lucky to have such choices and it makes things a bit more fun. I think it is hard to go wrong, and the variety allows hams to purchase the things most important to how they operate. As for its ruggedness, I would be willing to buy a protective cage for it as I would should I buy the IC-705, or a well padded pack to tote it around. The manufacturer is attempting to give the hams as much as possible, but if all the things they want are incorporated, I think it would price itself out of the market. I like the idea of a lower cost base unit that I can add to as I go along.

    1. Although I agree with your 1500 thought, it os crazy to sell a low power version of the 991a for the same price.
      1500 should be the price for the full pack.

  33. My FTdx10 is the best radio I’ve owned, and Ive owned quite a few. Im pretty excited about this and already made my pre order at DXE.

    I wish they would make it 10w on internal battery instead of having to use an external battery. There are times when poor conditions on an activation and having a few more watts will get the contact on CW.

    With that big of a battery you could do a 2 hour POTA activation at 25w! Having the available power to get through QSB conditions while being able to turn down the power to satisfy QRP rules would be awesome. But bigger amplifier=bigger radio. Nothing can be perfect for everyone.

    I do hope its more rugged than the 705. Sold mine with a cage. It became to big with the things needed to protect it in my bag.

    Yaesu… dump the 3DSS and put a clock on it.

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