by Matt (W6CSN)
The Mountaintopper MTR-3B is a popular QRP portable HF transceiver that has a bit of “cult-ish” mystique about it. The radio seems to hit the sweet spot of size, weight, performance and capability desired by so many portable operators.
While I have operated the MTR-4B, and quite like it, I have yet to get my hands on the much vaunted 3B. Hopefully that’s about to change as LNR Precision has released details and pricing for the next iteration of this legendary radio.
You can check the specs for yourself on the LNR Precision web site. What piques my interest is that the band plan adds 15 meters at the expense of 30 meter coverage and the integrated touch keyer eliminates the need to pack a set of paddles.
Things that I am wondering out loud:
- Does plugging in paddles disable the touch sensors?
- Can the frequency display be configured to show MHz?
- What is the receive current draw?
- How many “R”s in “Curahee”?
Perhaps the announced pre-release of the user manual will answer these questions.
What do you all think of what we’ve seen of this new Mountaintopper so far?
72 de W6CSN
I noticed this on the LNR page first thing this morning. I like it and will be ordering one at the appropriate date and time. I do wish it was 40/30/20 but no biggy…. The touch sensors are a brilliant idea and an added bonus.
I think the touch key is a K6ARK innovation, in the MTR context. I’m excited that they incorporated it into this new version.
The nice thing about having a WARC band available is it gives the QRPer someplace to take shelter during big CW contests. But 15 meters is also a very useful band to have to handle different propagation conditions.
Yeah, you’re right Matt. I’ve always considered 30m a safe haven for QRP but I understand the benefit for including 15m.
My biggest question is what is the deal with the volume control? Looks like it requires a screwdriver? That makes it pretty useless for quick adjustments during operation.
I’m hoping it can handle 12 volts plus .
The LNR website says “ Power Out: 5W typical with 13.V supply” – so that’s an encouraging sign that it will tolerate higher supply voltage than previous MTRs.
Question is, can I safely run it off a fully charged LiFePo-4 battery, like a Bioenno?
This is a big question for me, too. I’m hoping it’ll be able to handle those 13+ volts most LiFePO batteries produce when fully-charged.
Amazing, however I’m halfway finished with a QRP Labs QMX Mid band radio, otherwise I would be all over this.
72 de AI5DD
Well, love my old MTR3b with display….like Blue better, but I’m a Carolina Blue UNC guy. The main advantage is the 12-13v but I’ve already got 9v batts and such, so it’s not a problem. Would not like Touch knobs – think WG0AT did that mod originally . Still no ATU ? Prefer 30 to 15 M.
So, I’ll stick with the old MTR3b.
BTW – Clingman’s Dome in western North Carolina has returned to its original Cherokee name of Kuwohi – meaning “Mulberry Place.”
I was briefly tempted but to much is missing from this radio; namely, additional bands. I do like the touch paddles though.
Will there be a left-handed version?
Yep, I noticed that first thing too even though I’m right-handed. I suppose you could flip it upside down and change the paddle from normal to reverse (if needed–assuming it has that function), but it’s not ideal for left-handers.
I was thinking the you could just rotate the radio clockwise 1/4turn and reverse the paddles setting if needed.
I was thinking that you could just rotate the radio clockwise 1/4turn and reverse the paddles setting if needed.
I got the MTR5B as a Christmas gift in 2019 and the MTR4B a couple of years later. I heard about the MTR5B after working the famous Steve Golchutt (WG0AT) who was using one. They’re both little gems. I don’t think of LNR as a “cult”, at least not like Elecraft (which makes excellent radios). The new radio looks pretty good, but it doesn’t fill a need. It will certainly sell out, nonetheless. The LNR radios are so different than my other radios, that it’s always an interesting experience putting them on the air, in the shack or on a POTA activation.
The “cult-ishness” come from the scarcity (real or perceived) and the high resale value for what is essentially an NE602 based, crystal filtered superhet.
I agree that MTR doesn’t fill particular “need” in market. We are awash in choices of great radios. I think at this point it’s more of a “want” based marketplace 😉
Indeed! A “want-based marketplace” is exactly what it is now. 🙂 We’ve so many options out there.
I do think the original MTR-3B series will still be very desired after this replacement hits the market. Like you, Matt, I suspect this new radio won’t have that insanely low current consumption (18ish mA). I must assume that a color display alone will increase it by 3 or 4 times. Of course, Steve Weber is a clever fellow and who knows?
I appreciate that we live in a time with so much field radio innovation.
Cheers,
Thomas
Very nice! I love it… I have several radios with Adam K6ARK’s CapKey mod… a MTR2b (20/40), a QCX Mini (30), and a QCX Mini (20).
The key works great! I only wish my KX2 had the mod! This thing has to be Adam’s baby!
72 de W7UDT
I hope someday they have a 40, 30, 20,17, and 15 meter version. That would sure round out things. If it’s done, I hope it happens before the sunspot cycle leaves us. Leave out 30 meters if needed. Paint it Orange or Yellow. That said, I’ll put my hat in the ring for the new MTR-3B. I also have no problem with the color. I think it looks great. Mountain Toppers , to me, remind me of Swiss Army knives. I think their size, looks and performance make their appeal. US made too!
Beauty! I am hoping for these things in the final version:
– Volume knob instead of hidden screw
– Sidetone volume adjustable (in the current description it is unclear if they mean volume or pitch?!)
– AGC included
– Taking a Lifepo4 @ end-of-charge voltage (>14V!)
– Rugged finals in case SWR shifts
– Bonus: Updateable firmware? (even if it was by replacing a chip inside)
Let’s see!
While reading the title of the article I was thinking, “I don’t need or want another QRP CW only radio.” By the end of the article I was asking Siri, “set a reminder October 1st 11:55 am to order MTR3b.”