Category Archives: New Products

Guest Posts, New Products, News, QRP, QRP Radios, Reviews

First Look at the HF Signals zBitx QRP Transceiver

10 Comments

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade!

by Vince (VE6LK)

Dear readers, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had time to activate POTA and write about it, and today I tried to activate a park, but a combination of equipment issues and nobody responding to my calls ended my activation. Anyways … when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, and accordingly the activation article is now a radio review article instead! <grin>

That radio is the HF Signals zBitx. An SDR radio, it was spoken about at 2024 Four Days In May and it opened up for orders on December 25 2024 – a Christmas present, if you will. Thomas and I both jumped on the ordering queue (two numbers apart, no less) as well as 248 others around the world. I thought to myself “an all-mode 80-10m QRP radio with a waterfall and weighing under 1 pound for under $200USD shipped? SIGN ME UP!” and pressed the order button. Honestly I thought about it for less than 45 seconds once I read the specs. I also thought to myself that it was an “experimenter’s radio” and not a fully finished product, meaning you can tweak it if you wish to dig into the bowels of the code on the built-in Raspberry Pi.

The 250 original orders were snapped up in two days and then the purchase button was turned off on the website. There were some shipping delays from the original date, as HF Signals discovered the Chinese New Year holiday of 3 weeks where, it seems, everything is shut down. I also discovered this with the Morse Tutor Kits my buddy and I sell, and we couldn’t ship product for a month as we could not get parts.

Showing the on-screen keyboard. It also shows the fit and finish of the shipped product. Photo credit: HF Signals

The radio arrived on March 31, about 4 weeks beyond the original estimate, and I was excited to open it up. I mean, who doesn’t like new radio day after all? I was so excited that I did an unboxing and first look video on YouTube and showed off a few quick things about the radio. TOP SECRET – it took me 5 takes to shoot, so it wasn’t quite a first look!

The radio promises much and delivers a lot. It transmits on 80 through 10 meters at around 5 watts driven by a pair of 18650 cells, or your 6 to 9V four amp power supply. It has two microprocessors, one is a Raspberry Pi Zero W and one is a Pi Pico to drive the display. It has integrated AM, SSB, CW, FT8, touch screen, built-in electret mic, built in CW keyer and keyboard, and weighing just 460g / 1 pound including the batteries. This radio seriously has lots to offer especially at the price point.

The author’s radio with a customized faceplate and VFO knob. The triangular slice in the waterfall display is a photographic artifact.

The source code, schematics and 3D print files are all available on a Github, and indeed I customized the front panel and replaced the knob with one that has a dimple on it, if only to spin the VFO more easily.

You must be made aware that I was really excited to get this radio. It has a history of many other Bitx radios before it. But I’m also aware that there’s the old axiom about “too good to be true” so I tempered my expectations. You must also be made aware that I really want this radio to work as its small form factor, low cost and integrated waterfall make it exciting an exciting prospect in my limited fleet of QRP rigs. And, for the record, I have nowhere near the QRP rig count that our gracious host has, nor are they individually named.

Besides all of that, it is the only HF radio I plan to pack for Hamvention 2025 so it’s gotta be right for that trip.

However, the zBitx may be best described as an early release and/or a work in progress. Continue reading First Look at the HF Signals zBitx QRP Transceiver →

Antennas, New Products, News, QRP

New Antenna: Elecraft announces the AX3 compact vertical antenna

7 Comments

Check out the following announcement posted to the QRP-L discussion group by Wayne (N6KR) at Elecraft:

We’re pleased to announce the AX3 whip antenna.

This highly integrated antenna covers six HF bands, handles up to 30 W, and has many features to facilitate quick-deployment POTA/SOTA and general QRP field operation:

    • Coverage of 30/20/17/15/12/10 meters (+ 40 meters with AXE1 adapter)
    • Right-angle BNC connector for direct coax attachment
    • Unique low-loss, plug-in contact block simplifies band switching
    • Built-in tabletop tripod
    • Housing, whip and removable tripod legs quickly disassemble into 6″ (15 cm) pieces
    • 1/4-20 threaded mount in base for use with taller tripods and hiking poles
    • Two counterpoise attachment points (mini-banana jack and binding post)
    • Supplied with waterproof nylon bag and counterpoise wire

Please click on the link below for details:

https://elecraft.com/collections/antennas/products/ax3_ax3-30-10-meter-whip-antenna

Note that the link name incorrectly refers to the AX1. We were in a hurry 🙂 This will be corrected tomorrow.

We’ll have a few dozen of these at the DX convention in Visalia, California tomorrow. If you’re at the show, please drop by for a demo.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

Those who own radios like the Xiegu G90 will appreciate the 30 watt power handling of the AX3.

Of course, regulars here will know I’m a big fan of the Elecraft AX1 and AX2 antennas, so I will certainly test the AX3 as well!

Accessories, Kits, Morse Code, New Products, News

The New KM4CFT KX2 and KX3 Iambic Paddle Kit

9 Comments

My friend Jonathan (KM4CFT) recently sent me a neat little prototype paddle he designed for the Elecraft KX2 and KX3 field transceivers.

He wanted my feedback, so he generously sent me a set to evaluate at no charge.

Lately, I’ve been tied up with the final stages of debris cleanup here at the QTH, leaving little time for field activations. While I haven’t had the chance to take these paddles out into the field yet (stay tuned!) I’ve thoroughly tested them on both my Elecraft KX3 and KX2. In the meantime, Jonathan has made the kits available for purchase on the HamGadgets website.

The price? $49.97 — a solid deal for a simple, functional paddle designed to plug directly into the front of the KX2 and KX3.

Assembly is quick and straightforward, taking around 15-20 minutes. There aren’t many parts, and the mechanics are refreshingly simple. If you’re curious, you can check out the kit assembly manual here (PDF).

My Impressions

I think it’s an excellent little key for the price. The paddle action is light — the 3D printed material keeps them featherweight, making keying effortless.

For field use, they should perform brilliantly. The light touch required keeps things stable on a table, with the KX2 or KX3 providing more than enough weight to prevent the paddles from shifting as you operate.

The operating angle works well for me too. I know Jonathan put a lot of time into getting this right during the design process — and it shows.

Any Downsides?

The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is that the two thumbscrews securing the paddles to the front of the radio aren’t captive.

This means they can be easily lost during transport. I recommend storing the paddles in a thick poly bag to keep everything together in your pack.

Additionally, because the screws aren’t captive, you need to be a little careful when installing the paddle. I’ve found it easiest to place the radio on its back, so you’re screwing the thumbscrews downward.

I lightly plug in the paddle, then start threading both screws before fully tightening either one. This gives me better control and helps avoid dropping the screws — something that could be a real headache in the field, especially if they hit the ground.

Lastly, these paddles don’t have the “precision key” feel of more expensive options. But to be fair, they’re designed as an affordable alternative to Elecraft’s KXPD2 paddles, which retail for $169.95. Even the KXPD2 — while smaller and sturdier — doesn’t feel particularly “precision” in use. The KX3 paddles come closer to that, but they also cost $239.95.

At $49.95, it’s hard to complain — these paddles do exactly what they’re supposed to do without breaking the bank!

If you’ve held off buying front-mounted paddles for your KX2 or KX3 because of the cost, I’d highly recommend giving these KM4CFT paddles a try.

Click here to check out the KM4CFT KX2/KX3 paddles on HamGadgets.

Accessories, New Products, News

G7UFO’s Magnetic Case for the BaMaKeY TP-III Paddle

4 Comments

A few weeks ago, Neil (G7UFO) reached out to let me know that he has started producing and selling 3D-printed magnetic cases for the BaMaKey TP-III.

He generously sent me one to check out, and I have to say—it’s a great option if you’re looking for a simple way to protect your TP-III when tossing it into your field pack.

Here are a few photos—note that the TP-III magnetically attaches to the base of the case. While the bond isn’t super strong, it holds the key securely in place during transport. The cover also stays closed with the help of magnets.

I love his UFO logo!

As you probably know, one of my goals here at QRPer.com is to support independent ham radio makers—especially those who create and sell gear they personally use in the field. This case is an excellent option for TP-III owners in the UK, but Neil also ships internationally.

If you’re interested, you can purchase this case either fully assembled or as a magnet/washer kit if you’d like to 3D-print and assemble your own.

Accessories, Antennas, New Products, News

New Antenna and Leg Strap from KM4CFT

4 Comments

Many thanks to Jonathan (KM4CFT) who shares the following note:

We are pleased to announce the release of some new products: a 100 watt version of the popular KM4CFT End Fed Kit as well as a Leg Strap, which is perfect for those who have the KM4CFT paddles, Bamakey TP-III or ModernMorse Paddles (or any small magnetic paddle).

Photos:

Accessories, Antennas, Field Reports, New Products, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, Videos

Pure POTA Fun: A Quick Two-Watt Activation with New Gear and a Vintage Pack

6 Comments

Wednesday, January 29, 2025, was a busy day, but that morning, I was yearning for a little POTA time. I carved out an hour in the late afternoon to play radio—just enough time for a quick activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway (US-3378).

I had two new pieces of gear I was eager to test:

  1. A BNC mini antenna clamp mount, designed by my good friend Mike (KE8PTX), for use with Elecraft AX-series antennas and other mini verticals.
  2. A vintage Swiss Army rucksack, a Christmas gift from a dear friend, beautifully restored by Jack Carter.

BNC Mini Antenna Clamp Mount

Mike designed this clamp to be lightweight, durable, and versatile—it can attach to more than just a tabletop. He’s even clamped his AX1 to tree branches! As with all of Mike’s creations, it’s purpose-built for field operators like himself.

If you have a 3D printer, you can print your own, or you can buy a professionally printed version from Joshua (N5FY) at Tufteln (links below).

A New Vintage Backpack!

This Christmas, I received a surprise parcel. When I opened it, I couldn’t believe my eyes—a vintage Swiss Army rucksack in pristine condition!

Many of you know I have a soft spot for vintage military packs, and this one is truly special. Jack Carter, who restores these packs, wasn’t sure of its exact age but estimated it to be from the late 1950s or early 60s.

Specs:

  • Internal aluminum frame
  • Water-resistant salt-and-pepper nettle canvas with leather straps and bottom
  • External flapped pocket (9 x 11 x 2 inches)
  • Adjustable leather shoulder straps
  • Main compartment (20 x 16 x 8 inches)
  • Weight: ~6 lbs

Jack meticulously documented the restoration process, including deep cleaning, six rounds of leather cleaning, twelve coats of leather conditioner, and two cans of Filson Oil Wax applied with a heat gun to protect the canvas.

The result? A cavernous, beautifully restored rucksack that will accompany me on many POTA and SOTA excursions. At six pounds, it’s a bit heavy for longer hikes, but for moderate treks, it’s perfect.

I chose the TR-45L for its first POTA activation because I’ve always felt the TR-45L has a nice vintage/nostalgic look to it. It and the pack pair nicely!

Setup

Setting up the BNC clamp mount was a breeze. Mike designed it with a dedicated attachment point for the Elecraft AX2’s 13’ counterpoise.

After securing the antenna, I used the TR-45L’s built-in Z-Match ATU to achieve a near-perfect SWR.

Note: Unlike the AX1, the AX2 is a monoband antenna. Mine is set up for 20 meters, though the coil can be modified for other bands above 20 meters.

With everything in place, it was time to hit the air!

Gear:

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

  • Penntek TR-45L with optional Z-Match tuner and internal battery (note: this item has been discontinued)

Antenna System

Key and Cable

Logging

Pack and case

  • Vintage Swiss Army Rucksack
  • FoxPro padded case for the TR-45L (discontinued)

Camera Gear

On The Air

To make the activation more fun, I lowered the output power to two watts. Earlier in the day, 20 meters had seemed lifeless, so I expected a casual activation with space between contacts.

I was wrong. Continue reading Pure POTA Fun: A Quick Two-Watt Activation with New Gear and a Vintage Pack →

Field Reports, Morse Code, New Products, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Videos

Chilly Morning, Hot Pileups: Testing the New MTR-3B “Currahee”

12 Comments

In late December, I received a much-anticipated package from LnR Precision: my new MTR-3B V4 “Currahee.”

Life has been hectic, so I didn’t get the opportunity to take it to the field until Thursday, January 9, 2025, when I carved out some time in my schedule.

It was a chilly morning, with temperatures hovering around 20°F (-7°C). Still, I wanted the full field portable experience with the new Currahee, so I bundled up in my winter gear and headed out.

Pisgah National Forest

Rather than doing another activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I checked the Pisgah National Forest website and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Lake Powhatan recreational area was open.

When I arrived, the park employee at the entrance gate informed me that I was the only guest that morning. And what a morning it was! Despite the cold, the clear skies and full sunshine made it a glorious day.

The best part? No competition for picnic tables! Woo hoo! (We must embrace the positives, right?)

Quick field kit

About 10 minutes before leaving the house, I hastily put together a quick field kit for the Currahee in my Pelican Micro M50 waterproof case.

This was a trial run to see how I might organize a fully self-contained kit for the Currahee, similar to what I’ve done for my other MTR-3B radios. While I didn’t have time to finalize all the kit components, I wanted to gauge the space available and determine what antenna, throw line, and other accessories would fit best.

Tufteln Cover

Joshua (N5FY), a good friend, sent me a package over the holidays containing some of his latest Tufteln protective radio covers. To clarify, these were gifts; I didn’t pay for them. Among the covers was a brand-new design specifically for the Currahee.

Like all of his covers (you’ve probably seen the ones I use for my KX2, KX1, CFT1, QMX, and others), this one fits brilliantly. In fact, it might be my favorite! The Currahee cover provides a durable, low-profile solution that complements the radio perfectly. Makes it a very durable little package.

Break-In Activation

In the near future, I plan to create a more in-depth video about the Currahee, but my goal for this outing was to get it on the air and give it a solid break-in.

Although the Currahee features built-in capacitive touch paddles, they require contact with bare skin. I wasn’t keen on exposing my fingers to the cold, so I opted to use my trusty TP-III paddles instead. By the end of the activation, my fingers were still getting sluggish, but I managed to log plenty of QSOs.

For audio, I paired the Currahee with my Anker Soundcore Mini speaker and connected it to a 40-meter End-Fed Half-Wave antenna. This antenna is an ideal match for the Currahee since all three of its bands—40, 20, and 15 meters—are resonant. Kudos to LnR and Steve for these excellent band choices!

For power, I used my 9V Bioenno battery. While the Currahee can handle over 13VDC (making it compatible with a “12V” LiFePO4 battery), I prefer running my Mountain Toppers with 9V, which yields about three watts of output power.

Gear:

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

Key and Accessories

Antenna, Throw Line, and Cable Assembly

Battery

Case and Pack

Logging

Camera, Mics, Speaker, Gloves and Other Accessories

On The Air

I started the activation on 20 meters, which turned out to be a fantastic choice. Continue reading Chilly Morning, Hot Pileups: Testing the New MTR-3B “Currahee” →

Accessories, Morse Code, New Products, News

Pre-Built VK3IL Pressure Paddles via VE6LK

13 Comments

If you’ve been listening to the Ham Radio Workbench podcast, you might have heard Vince (VE6LK) mention that he and VE6TD planned to order parts to produce a batch of pre-built VK3IL pressure paddles.

Well, I just heard from Vince that they have completed a limited run. Here are the details from the ordering page:

For a limited time, VE6LK and VE6TD are selling pre-built 4″ (100mm) long VK3IL v2 pressure paddles. They ship with a high-quality attached 4′ silicone cable with your choice of a straight-through or right-angle TRS plug on the end.

We are the only place you can buy one of these pre-built in North America. If you would rather order a kit, check out VK3IL’s blog [linked here] where he lists other places that sell kits. We are not selling kits, these are pre-built.

You’ll receive exactly the following:

    • Pre-built paddle with integrated 4′ silicone super flexible cable
    • Your choice of straight or right-angle plug on the end of the cable
    • Wrapped in black heat shrink tubing, padded on one side for comfort
    • Paddle is approximately 105mm (4″) long x 25mm (1″) wide x 9mm (5/16″) thick and weighs 28g (1 oz.)

We pre-test each and every paddle before it leaves our hands.

The price for each pre-built paddle, shipped to Canada or within the continental United States (CONUS), is $85 CAD or approximately $59 USD. I believe this is a fair price for those who prefer not to source the parts themselves to build a VK3IL paddle.

I must say that the pressure paddle design functions beautifully. It provides very accurate keying in the field and, so far, it has worked with every radio I’ve connected it to.

Click here for more information and to place an order.

Guest Posts, New Products, News

New Mountain Topper MTR-3B Details

21 Comments

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.

LNR website showing the new MTR-3B “Curahee”

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

Field Reports, New Products, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Videos

Xiegu X6200: Does version 1.0.1 firmware fix CW keyer timing?

10 Comments

I’ve had a production unit of the Xiegu X6200 since June of this year and have made several field reports using it for both SSB and CW.

You may have noticed, though, that I haven’t used it much in the field since June.

The reason? I’m primarily a CW operator, and the original firmware had some frustrating CW keyer timing issues.

These keying issues are most noticeable when operating in iambic mode, especially when trying to form letters like C, R, or K by squeezing the paddles. Often, when I try to send a “C,” as in “CQ,” the keyer produces a “B” instead. If you’ve watched any of my previous X6200 videos, you might have seen this happen a few times.

After some time using the radio, I can adapt and reduce the miskeying, but it still happens occasionally. I suspect part of the issue is related to the keyer timing in relation to the transmit/receive switching.

While these keyer issues aren’t severe enough to prevent me from completing an activation, they are certainly annoying.

As I’m reviewing the X6200 (thanks to Radioddity for the extended loan!), I reported the issue to Xiegu back in May and hoped the first firmware update would address it.

The first firmware update, Version 1.0.1, was released in early August. There was an earlier release, but it was retracted due to other issues.

I checked the release notes and didn’t see anything specific about CW keyer timing in the long list of fixes. I had hoped another update would follow soon, but none has been issued yet. Meanwhile, several readers and subscribers have asked me if the keyer issue was resolved.

I decided to update the firmware and take the X6200 out for another field test.

If you follow QRPer.com daily, you may have already seen the spoiler alert: unfortunately, the keyer timing issue was not fixed in this release.

Still, I had a great time squeezing in a quick activation with the X6200, and I thought I’d share the video and a mini field report with you now!

Pisgah National Forest (US-4510)

My wife and I were out while one of our daughters was in Shakespeare rehearsals in Mills River, NC on Friday September 6, 2024. We had a number of errands to run, but my wife kindly worked with me to carve out 30 minutes for a quick activation.

The most convenient POTA location was the Sycamore Flats Picnic Area in Pisgah National Forest.

By mid-afternoon, the park was busy, but most of the picnic areas were open, giving me plenty of options for setting up.

With limited time, I turned on the camera to start my real-time, real-life activation video and got straight to work.

Since the X6200 has a built-in ATU, I decided to use my PackTenna End-Fed Random Wire, as it’s quick to deploy with its 31’ long radiator—any nearby tree would do.

Next, I paired the X6200 with my BaMaKeY TP-III, plugged in the antenna, and found a spot on the band to start operating!

Time to POTA!

Gear

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

On The Air

After tuning up on the 20-meter band, I spotted myself and started calling CQ POTA. Fortunately, hunters quickly responded.

In just twelve minutes, I logged thirteen contacts. Thanks to all the hunters!

My activation was brief, and I was so focused on making contacts and packing up that I forgot to take any photos of the radio in action. I’ve included some screen captures from the video instead.

I did manage to take photos of the logs:

QSO Map

Here’s what this five-watt activation looked like when plotted out on a QSO Map:

Activation Video

Here’s my real-time, real-life video of the entire activation.  As with all of my videos, I don’t edit out any parts of the on-air activation time. In addition, I have monetization turned off on YouTube, although that doesn’t stop them from inserting ads before and after my videos.

Note that Patreon supporters can watch and even download this video 100% ad-free through Vimeo on my Patreon page:

Click here to view on YouTube.

CW Keyer Timing

As I discovered during this activation, the CW keyer timing issue has not yet been addressed in the firmware update.

After returning home, I made some notes and reached out to Xiegu to confirm that the CW keyer timing is still on their radar. They assured me that it will be addressed in the next firmware update. I’ll definitely test it and let you know once it’s resolved, so stay tuned!

If you’ve already purchased an X6200, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this all-in-one radio in the comments!

Thank you

Thank you for joining me during this short activation!

I hope you enjoyed the field report and my activation video as much as I enjoyed creating them!

Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.

As I mentioned before, the Patreon platform connected to Vimeo makes it possible for me to share videos that are not only 100% ad-free but also downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account also serves as a third backup for my video files.

Thanks for spending part of your day with me! Have a brilliant weekend!

Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)