Category Archives: QRP Radios

Announcements, New Products, News, QRO, QRP, QRP Radios

The Yaesu FTX-1: Packages, Pricing, and Early Observations

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As soon as reservations opened for the Yaesu FTX-1 via DX Engineering last year, I placed my order.

Details were sparse at the time, but we understood this would be Yaesu’s modernized successor to the beloved FT-817 and FT-818—the iconic bullet-proof radios that served the community for over two decades. Indeed they still serve me well!

This past week, new information surfaced via official Yaesu channels and FCC filings. A number of YouTube videos are already circulating, but I won’t be publishing anything myself until I have the radio in hand and can take it to the field.

That said, it feels like Yaesu was preparing for a full announcement anyway, especially with Hamvention less than two weeks away. Hamvention and the Tokyo Ham Fair have historically been the venues where major product launches from Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood happen.

Summary & Observations

Before we begin: Here’s a summary of what we currently know about the FTX-1. I’m doing my best to keep things objective—there are no performance claims here, since no one outside of Yaesu has tested the radio yet. Some features suggest real potential (like the receiver architecture), but any speculation is clearly noted as such. Until we can get hands-on, this is simply an overview of confirmed details provided directly by Yaesu and its authorized retailers.

Note: All images are sourced from the Yaesu brochure. Pricing below is based on early estimates from authorized retailers and may be subject to change.

The FTX-1Field

(≈$1,499.95 US)

The field comes with Field Head with SBR-52LI (Li-Ion Battery), SSM-75E (Microphone), and DC Power Cables.

Via the attachable battery pack, the Field Head alone will output up to 6 watts. If a 12-13.8 V external power source is connected, it can output up to 10 watts.

FTX-1optima

(≈$1,899.95 US)

The FTX-1optima system includes: Field Head with SPA-1 (100 watt amplifier), SBR-52LI (Li-Ion Battery), SSM-75E (Microphone) & DC Power Cables.

That’s the only difference between the two versions: the inclusion of the SPA-1 amplifier. At least, based on the FTX-1 brochure (PDF).

As a QRPer, I initially discounted the amplifier. I typically run 5 watts or less and rarely exceed that, maybe once or twice per year. But after a closer look, I suspect many hams will opt for the amplifier version.

Here’s why:

  • 100 watts output on HF
  • 50 watts on VHF/UHF
  • Dual antenna ports
  • Built-in 2.5-watt speaker
  • Integrated ATU for 160–6 meters

I’m guessing–pure speculation here–the internal ATU is similar to those found in base rigs—likely offering a modest matching range, perhaps up to 3:1. That’s just my assumption as I place the order, and I’ll wait for confirmation once the unit is in hand. I would love to be proven wrong as we all appreciate wide-matching-range ATUs.

Another point in favor of the Optima: the $400 price difference between the Field ($1,499.95) and Optima ($1,899.95) packages is actually less than the standalone cost of the SPA-1 amplifier ($649.95), should you choose to purchase it later.

So, although I doubt I’ll use the 100W amp often, I’ve gone ahead and ordered the Optima package.

Accessories

Here’s a list of currently known accessories with estimated U.S. pricing:

FC-80 – HF/50MHz 10W Automatic Antenna Tuner – $319.95:

SCF-1 – Cooling Fan – $54.95

FC-90 – HF/50MHz 10W Automatic Antenna Tuner (for Long-wire/50Ω antenna) – $319.95 [Note: this appears to be a stand-alone ATU, not one that attaches to the FTX-1 directly. I’ll confirm.]

SPA-1: 100W Power Amplifier (supplied with FTX-1 Optima) – $649.95
MHG-1: Side Carry Handle (for carrying FTX-1 attached with SPA-1) – $14.99

FGPS-5: GPS Antenna Unit – $69.95
BU-6: Bluetooth Unit – $54.95
SSM-BT20: Bluetooth® Headset (BU-6 must be installed in Field Head) – $36.95
SBR-52LI: (no photo) 6400 mAh Li-ion Battery Pack – $199.95

One item I’m particularly interested in is the SPG-1 Protection Guard, which is Yaesu’s own front faceplate protector. No pricing info available yet at time of writing.

You know what?

Yaesu has genuinely surprised me here.

This is a more ambitious and modernized package than I anticipated—one that smacks of 2025 design expectations. The modularity is compelling: field operators can assemble the package they need without carrying unused features into the field. It’s an approach that sets it apart from many competitors.

The concept is simple but effective—when it’s time to hit the field, you just detach the FTX-1 faceplate from your base station setup, pack it in your kit, and you’re ready to go QRP. No additional cables to disconnect, no reconfiguration required. Clean, simple, and efficient.

If you’re someone who wants a 100W radio for field work but finds $1,899 steep, don’t overlook the FT-891—in my opinion, it remains one of the best values in the market at $630 US.

Still, the modular approach of the FTX-1 is refreshing. Snap the Field Head onto the amplifier and it becomes a base station. Detach it and you’ve got a capable QRP portable. Even a dedicated OEM front protection guard is offered.

Yes, it’s in the same pricing tier as the IC-705 and Elecraft KX2/KX3, but unlike those, the FTX-1 can be bundled with an OEM 100-watt amplifier—complete with dual antenna ports, a built-in speaker, and an internal ATU—for just $400 more. I love my Elecraft KXPA100, which pairs beautifully with both the KX2 and KX3 (and virtually any other HF radio), but it’s currently priced at $1,649.95 on its own.

Given that these units are manufactured in Japan, and I’m based in the U.S., I’m hopeful that these prices already reflect the 10% baseline tariff now applied to most goods from Japan. At the moment, I’ve seen no mention of surprise import costs—but that’s always something to watch.

What’s Next?

My order is in, and you can be sure that once the FTX-1 arrives, I’ll take it straight to the field and post a full field report and activation video. We’ll take a look at it together. Four to six weeks later, I’ll post a proper review.

Addendum: Yaesu USA Overview Video

Yaesu USA recently released an official video overview of the FTX-1, where they elaborated on several technical features.

One detail that stood out in both this video and the product brochure: the FTX-1 shares receiver architecture with the FT-DX10—a very capable transceiver with excellent RX performance. While I don’t expect the FTX-1 to match the FT-DX10’s filtering or front-end capabilities, this could bode well for its overall receiver performance.

Check out the video here:

Field Reports, Guest Posts, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Videos

Philip’s Field Impressions of the Xiegu G106

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Many thanks to Philip (KA4KOE) who shares the following report:

Xiegu G106 Report

by Philip (KA4KOE)

Recent developments and other drivers pushed me to purchase a Xiegu G106.

This radio has dropped significantly in price recently. I figured, “Why not?!” given the paltry sum Radioddity was asking.

I will not delve deeply into the technical aspects of this radio, as others have covered this subject in great detail. In my opinion, the G106 is a viable QRP radio and excels at CW and FT8. I also made contacts using SSB, but given the lack of speech processing, I found the effort, shall we say, challenging. The firmware on my particular radio is Version 1.3.

I checked the spectral purity using the panadapter on my Flex 6300. I realize the Flex is not a lab-quality instrument, but the serious spurs and other trash around the carrier, noted by others, on a 5-watt CW signal appear to be minimal now and compliant with current FCC regulations.

Some get all caught up in demanding the absolute best specifications, performance, looks, etc., or whatever you find important in your personal metrics for a radio. As an engineer, I approach this philosophy from a different mindset. Often, striving for those final few percentage points of improvement is only noticeable under the most stringent of band conditions. The situation is essentially a cost/benefits analysis. So, my personal rationale is “good enough.”

Indeed, the Xiegu G106 is “good enough” for QRP field activations, provided one also deploys a good antenna. Here’s an analogy: will a steel sledgehammer or solid gold one (ignore gold’s softness in this example), of the same mass, both do the same job? The answer is “yes.”

The only issue I have noted, as have others, is that the radio’s AGC recovery isn’t quite correct. Occasionally, the audio will “pop” when switching from transmit to receive. Hopefully, the G106 will improve if Xiegu issues firmware updates beyond Version 1.3. The radio doesn’t exhibit this annoying behavior every time one switches from TX to RX.

I recently activated US-2190, Magnolia Springs State Park, near Augusta, Georgia.

Band conditions degraded over the course of the day due to coronal holes present on the earthward-facing side of the sun. I did manage to make 25 CW and 8 SSB contacts on 40 and 20 meters using a sloping 40–10 meter N9SAB End Fed Half Wave, supported on one end from a 32’ carbon fiber pole. See the QSO map below:

Here’s my activation video:

Bottom line: I like the G106.

Thank you for your kind consideration and attention.

73

Philip Neidlinger, PE

KA4KOE

Gailey (WV2P) and Frank (NM9X), pictured above, also accompanied me on this activation.

Check out their QSL cars below:

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

First Field Outing with My New-to-Me Elecraft K1!

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In the chaos of the past two months, I managed to post a few field reports out of chronological order. I’m probably the only one who notices—these aren’t sequential stories, after all—but since I was there for each activation, it feels odd when the timeline’s off.

Case in point: you might recall this recent post where I shared how I finally landed an Elecraft K1 field-portable transceiver. I’d been hunting for a K1 for years, so I was thrilled when this one popped up locally in North Carolina.

Last month, I published this field report where I paired the K1 with my AX1 antenna for a low-profile (but high-performance) activation in Pisgah National Forest.

But here’s the thing: that was actually my second activation with the venerable K1. The first one? It took place along the Blue Ridge Parkway on February 24, 2025.

Taking the K1 to the Field!

It’s always exciting to take a new radio to the field—especially one I’d been chasing for so long. I purchased the K1 back in August of last year. As soon as it arrived, I tested it and realized it was in serious need of alignment.

I brought it over to my friend Vlado (N3CZ), hoping to use his signal generator to sort it out. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time that day, so I left the rig at his QTH. Then Hurricane Helene hit, and… well, suddenly it was 2025.

We finally got around to the alignment in February. As soon as it was dialed in, I hit the field.

Blue Ridge Parkway (US-3378)

I made my way to a familiar spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway—the Folk Art Center—and set up the K1.

Mine is a four-bander (40, 30, 20, and 15 meters) with both the optional internal ATU and AA battery pack. To give the internal tuner a little workout, I paired it with my trusty Tufteln 9:1 End-Fed Random Wire antenna.

Once deployed, I hit the ATU button, and the K1 quickly found a solid 1:1 match. With logs at the ready, it was time to hit the airwaves!

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

  • Elecraft K1 (four band version with optional ATU and internal AA battery pack)

Key

Antenna

Pack and Case

Logging Supplies

Battery

Camera/Audio Gear

On The Air

I started calling CQ POTA on 20 meters, thinking I’d eventually migrate to 30 meters if things slowed down. Continue reading First Field Outing with My New-to-Me Elecraft K1! →

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

First Look at the HF Signals zBitx QRP Transceiver

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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 →

News, QRP, QRP Radios

Futureproofing the KX1: My Spare Parts List

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If you’ve been a reader of QRPer.com or a subscriber to my YouTube channel, you’ve no doubt figured out that I’m a huge fan of the Elecraft KX1 transceiver.

The KX1 was my first handheld CW field transceiver and, frankly, it still holds its own today as an effective and fun field radio. With up to four bands, an optional internal ATU, internal battery pack, attachable paddles, and even a built-in logging lamp, it was well over a decade ahead of anything else in its class for size, weight, and portable versatility. In fact, the only commercially available product that truly bests the KX1 in every category is the Elecraft KH1—produced two decades later in 2023.

Using the built-in LED logging lamp!

Even with the release of the KH1 and other ultra-compact radios on the market, the KX1 remains a rare find on the used market and has long since been discontinued.

Over the past few years, I’ve received numerous inquiries from readers asking which spare parts they should order to keep their KX1s on the air.

Back in 2021 or 2022, I placed an order with Elecraft for a few needed parts to repair my KX1. While I was at it, I decided to order additional spare parts I might need in the future.

Before placing the order, I consulted with Elecraft’s KX1 repair specialist to get suggestions—focusing especially on components that may not be easy to source outside of Elecraft. Fortunately, Elecraft still maintains a healthy stock of KX1 parts—no doubt because every KX1 started life as a kit!

Suggested Spares List

I recently went back into my order history and pulled together a full list of the parts I purchased for my KX1 spares bag. Some of these components (like the 3.5mm jacks) are relatively common, but I’ve included them here for completeness:

I would have added a spare firmware chip to the list, but those are no longer available. If you’re digging into your KX1, handle that firmware chip with care and take precautions to protect it from electrostatic discharge.

The good news? All of these parts—and every other component in the KX1—are easily cross-referenced in the KX1 manual. You might even spot a few other components worth adding to your order while you’re browsing.

Click here to view the KX1 manual as a PDF.

I hope this helps! I’ve been asked about this often enough that I figured it was worth sharing in a post.

Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)

Morse Code, News, Portable, QRP, QRP Radios

The Return of the Venerable Elecraft K1!

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Some of you might recall that back in the summer of 2022, I performed a POTA activation with my buddies Eric (WD8RIF) and Miles (KD8KNC) at Hawks Nest State Park (K-1813). Here’s the field report, and video:

You might have also noticed that I recently performed an activation with my own Elecraft K1. Here’s a bit of the back story on this particular radio:

My K1 Journey

I originally owned an Elecraft K1 from around 2010 to 2013. It was a four-band version (40, 30, 20, and 15 meters) with the optional ATU. I loved that little radio, but at the time, I wasn’t as dedicated a CW operator and hadn’t yet discovered programs like WWFF and SOTA—POTA didn’t even exist back then! Those programs would’ve given me a perfect excuse to take a lightweight, portable radio to the field regularly.

Eventually, I sold my K1 to help fund the purchase of an Elecraft KX3.

I mentioned in my 2022 K1 field report that I’d been keeping an eye out for a deal on another K1. That Hawks Nest activation reminded me just how much I enjoy operating this simple QRP kit radio.

Not an Easy Search

Finding a good K1 isn’t easy, for a few reasons.

First, there are quite a few K1 variants out there, since Elecraft offered a number of optional packages. The K1 supported up to four bands, but the default kit only included two. Optional modules included an ATU, a battery pack, and a noise blanker.

Most of the K1s I’ve come across have only two bands and no ATU. I’ve been on the lookout specifically for a four-band version with the ATU.

K1s—regardless of configuration—rarely show up on the used market. When they do, the good ones are snatched up almost instantly.

And perhaps most importantly: all K1s started life as kits. There was never a factory-assembled option. So, your K1 is only as good as the person who built it. Building one yourself is no longer an option, either—at least, in the past ten years, I’ve never seen an unbuilt K1 kit at a swap meet, in person or online.

Then Came a Tip…

On July 19, 2024, my buddy Eric (WD8RIF) sent me a message about a K1 for sale.

I skimmed the message on my phone and immediately noticed that it belonged to Joe White (WA4GIR), one of the founding members of the Knightlites QRP Association. It was a four-band K1 with the ATU and the internal battery pack—asking price: $550 shipped.

I ran to my computer and fired off an email expressing my interest.

Soon after, I learned from Gary (N3GO) that this was actually an estate sale to benefit Joe’s widow. Somehow, I had completely missed the /SK in Eric’s original message. Joe had become a Silent Key in July 2023, and I had missed the news due to our summer travels that year.

Suddenly, $550 didn’t feel like too much at all. I had been hoping to find a K1 closer to $400–$450, but this one had two valuable options I wasn’t even counting on. On top of that, it was built by someone I knew of—and had even met before.

Totally worth it, in my book.

Not a Shelf Queen

This K1 isn’t going to sit on a shelf. I plan to take it to the field and put it through its paces with both POTA and SOTA.

In fact, I’ve already completed two activations with it—the one I posted out of order a couple of weeks ago, and another–my first outing–I’ll be sharing soon.

Noise Blanker vs. Battery Pack

Eric reached out last month and asked if I needed a noise blanker module for my K1. Honestly, I hadn’t even checked to see if mine had one installed.

Turns out, the internal battery pack and the noise blanker are mutually exclusive—you can’t install both. The smaller speaker used with the battery pack conversion kit occupies the same physical space as the NB module.

That’s fine by me. I very rarely need a noise blanker in the field anyway and I’ve no plans to mount this in a vehicle.

That said, I am considering replacing the AA battery holder with a small Li-Ion pack—maybe even one I can charge internally, like Elecraft’s KXBT2.

I’m curious: have any other K1 owners done this mod? Had Li-Ion packs been commonplace back when the K1 was released, I imagine this would’ve been a standard option.

Fine Tuning

This radio is in excellent shape—impressive considering it was built in 2001 (serial number 420!).

The only maintenance I’ve done so far is calibrating the frequency—it was about 500 Hz off. I do eventually need to look at the button contacts, which are a bit finicky.

K1 Bail or Stand?

If you own a K1, I’d love to hear what solutions you’ve found for propping it up in the field.

I’m thinking about adding a small fold-out laptop foot, like the one I installed on my TR-35, to give it a better viewing angle. I don’t want anything bulky—just a little elevation to make operation more comfortable. Please comment if you have a suggestion!

Why the K1 Still Shines in the Field

After spending time with this K1 again, I’m reminded why it’s such a superb field radio—especially when fully loaded. With the internal ATU, it easily matches my random wire antennas, making setup in the field quick and painless. I love that the K1 is a complete field radio system in one compact package.

The receiver and audio characteristics are truly impressive: it has a low noise floor, smooth QSK, and brilliant, mellow audio that’s easy on the ears during long CW sessions. Keying is clean and responsive—just what you want when you’re trying to work a pileup or snag that weak signal.

And while it’s not pocket-sized like some modern QRP rigs, for a tabletop-style radio, the K1 is remarkably small and lightweight. It slips into a field pack without taking up much space, yet delivers performance that holds its own against much newer gear.

Since the K1 was a kit radio, it’s also easy to repair and incredibly well-documented. I’ve always believed that kit radios are ideal for emergency preparedness. If something goes wrong, it’s much easier for a non-radio-tech to trace a fault and potentially fix it. That peace of mind—knowing you can service your own gear—is a huge bonus.

In short, the K1 may be over two decades old, but it still ticks all the right boxes for avid field operators!

News, QRP Radios

Xiegu X6200: CW Keyer Timing Issues Addressed

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Some of you might recall that I tested both an early prototype and a production model of the Xiegu X6200—both arranged to be sent to me on loan by Radioddity.

One of the biggest issues I had with the X6200 was that the keyer timing was off. These keying issues were most noticeable when operating in iambic mode, especially when forming letters like C, R, or K by squeezing the paddles—something I often do. For example, when I tried sending a “C,” as in “CQ,” the keyer would produce a “B” instead.

I last mentioned these keying issues on September 20, 2024, here on QRPer.com while testing firmware version 1.0.1.

New Firmware

On October 14, 2024, Xiegu released firmware version 1.0.3, which some readers told me addressed the keyer timing. But, of course, my life changed on September 27 when Hurricane Helene swept through the mountains of North Carolina. Testing firmware was the last thing on my mind, and frankly, it just slipped through the cracks.

On January 15, 2025, Xiegu published yet another firmware update: version 1.0.6.

This past Wednesday morning, I realized that I had never updated the firmware on my X6200 loaner and tested the keyer timing in real-world conditions. So, I downloaded the update, installed it, and packed up the X6200 for a POTA outing at Lake James State Park (US-2739) that afternoon.

I actually recorded this activation and will publish a full field report and video in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, I wanted to get the word out early: the keyer timing issues are pretty much resolved!

Why do I say “pretty much”?

Before Xiegu addressed the keyer timing, making contacts was tedious due to the number of times it would miskey a character.

On Wednesday, that was no longer the case. The keyer responded as it should and worked very well.

That said, I did note three minor anomalies:

1. Occasional Miskeying of “C”:

About three times over the course of my activation, when I sent a “C” by squeezing the paddles, it produced a “B.” So, roughly 3% of the time, this happened. I plan to reach out to Xiegu and see if they can tweak this further. In truth, though, I suspect this might be a nuance of my own sending style. I may even try shifting from Iambic B to Iambic A mode to see if it resolves the issue. Either way, I don’t consider this a major concern.

2. Inaccurate Keyer Speed Indicator:

The displayed keyer speed is off. When I set it to 18 WPM, it was actually sending at 22 WPM. Likewise, 20 WPM was closer to 25 WPM. This is easy to compensate for once you’re aware of it, but it’s worth noting.

3. One Keying Pause:

Once, when I sent my callsign rapidly three times in a row for a QRP DX contact, the keyer paused briefly, as if the buffer had filled, then resumed. It was a bit odd, but it only happened once. I’m not sure if this was related to the keyer itself or another element in the radio software that needed time to catch up. Regardless, it didn’t hinder my activation.

Of course, I’ll be sending these observations to Xiegu.

Summary

Before firmware update 1.0.3, I couldn’t recommend the X6200 to operators who primarily planned to use it for CW—it would have been a frustrating experience.

Now that Xiegu has addressed the keying issues (with the few exceptions noted above), I believe CW operators won’t encounter significant problems using this radio.

That said, I’m not done with the X6200 yet. I plan to take it to the field and use it in the shack for a few more weeks before shipping it back to Radioddity (who, at this point, have probably written off this poor radio!).

Look for my full X6200 field report and activation video in the coming weeks!

PS: If you’re a Patreon supporter, keep an eye on your inbox! I’ll be sending out an audio dispatch this morning–an addendum to this post–where I share more detailed thoughts about the X6200 and discuss the key characteristics I look for in a transceiver as a CW operator.

PSS: Many thanks to Radioddity for sending me this X6200, which has amounted to a very extended loan. Radioddity is a supporter and affiliate of QRPer.com. If you use this affiliate link you’ll save 5% off your purchase.

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

Index Labs QRP Plus: A Proper POTA Field Test!

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Last year, just a few weeks before Hurricane Helene hit our area, I received a large package containing several partial kits and even a couple of transceivers.

The package came from a reader and subscriber who wanted to downsize his radio collection but didn’t want to sell his gear. He refused to let me pay him—even for shipping—seeing it instead as a way to support QRPer.com and my YouTube channel. An incredibly kind gesture!

On Monday, February 10, 2025, I finally took one of those radios to the field: an Index Labs QRP Plus.

As many of you know, I’m quite a fan of this radio. Not only was it one of the first compact general coverage QRP transceivers on the market—back in the mid-1990s—but it’s also a brilliant piece of engineering and ergonomics.

Beyond that, there’s a strong nostalgia factor for me. The QRP Plus was the first QRP radio I ever saw in person… back in 1997.

With an opening in my schedule, I was eager to put this radio on the air. The only POTA site that was convenient based on my travels that day was the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since I was already in east Asheville, the Folk Art Center made for the perfect spot to give the QRP Plus its POTA trial.

I picked a picnic table and then set up the Chelegance MC-750 vertical. In no time, I was ready 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

  • Index Labs QRP Plus

Antenna System

Battery

Key and Accessories

Logging

Packs/Cases

Camera and Audio Gear

On The Air

I decided to test the waters first on 15 meters, which had recently been yielding plenty of POTA hunters. Continue reading Index Labs QRP Plus: A Proper POTA Field Test! →

News, QRP Radios

To Sell or Not to Sell? My Decision on the Argonaut V!

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You might recall from my last field report that I was undecided about keeping or selling my Ten-Tec Argonaut V transceiver.

After some soul-searching, I’ve decided to keep it!

The response from the QRPer community was incredible. With few exceptions, nearly everyone who reached out encouraged me to hang onto the Argo V—largely because it falls into that category of radio nostalgia that I’d likely regret parting with and might even end up repurchasing down the road. I have to say, I agree.

Beyond its classic look and feel, my latest activation confirmed that the Argo V is a serious performer. The QSK is silky-smooth, with no audio muting whatsoever—something I now realize is a big part of why I enjoy operating it so much.

Although I also own the Argonaut VI—an upgrade in terms of receiver performance—it’s an entirely different radio with a different architecture. It’s not simply a “newer, better” Argonaut V, but rather a unique design in its own right.

I received dozens of emails from readers interested in buying the Argo V if I decided to sell. Thank you all for reaching out—and apologies for the change of heart! Of the few who actually suggested I sell it, nearly every one of them added something along the lines of, “You should sell it… to me!” Ha!

During last night’s recording of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast, I mentioned this decision, and my dear friend George (KJ6VU) pointed out something important: taking a radio into the field or putting it on the air before deciding to sell is a great practice. Initially, I thought doing so had biased my decision—but in hindsight, I’m glad I did. The experience reminded me why I enjoy this rig so much, and I’m looking forward to giving it much more air time this year.

Thanks for coming along for the ride, and my apologies to those hoping to snag my Argo V. It’s staying put!

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Should It Stay or Go? A POTA Activation with the Ten-Tec Argonaut V

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On Wednesday, January 5, 2025, I planned a trip to Hickory to pick up my father and take him to lunch. With our family’s hectic schedule, I hadn’t been able to spend any meaningful time with him in weeks, so I was looking forward to catching up.

Of course, as is tradition, I also planned a POTA activation en route.

That morning, before leaving the house, I debated which park to activate: South Mountains State Park, Tuttle Educational State Forest, or Lake James State Park?

It had been a long time since I’d activated South Mountains, so I considered heading there. However, after checking their website, I was surprised to find the entire park still closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. I hadn’t realized the storm had impacted the foothills that severely—though with miles of trails, it made sense that they were still working to clear blowdowns.

Next, I checked Tuttle, only to discover it was still closed as well. Wow…

I knew the Catawba River access at Lake James was open because I had activated it a few weeks prior. Sure enough, their site confirmed that the Paddy’s Creek area—the park’s largest section—remained closed. Wow.

Clearly, I had underestimated the damage these parks sustained after Helene.

So, I set my course for Lake James, hoping that, by spring, the other parks would reopen. No doubt, park staff were working hard to make that happen.

Another mission

I had a specific radio in mind for this activation: my TEN-TEC Argonaut V.

I bought this radio used almost four years ago and have been very pleased with it. I’ve always been a big fan of Ten-Tec, and to me, the Argo V embodies the super-simple design I loved from their late 1990s/early 2000s radios. It features a big LED display, a prominent encoder, and a proper fold-out bail underneath—a solid legacy field radio.

What I love most about the Argo V (and Ten-Tec radios in general) is its superb audio, low-noise receiver, and silky-smooth QSK.

The Argo V wasn’t built to be a power miser—the audio amplifier is beefy and a bit current-hungry (I believe it draws around 500mA in receive, and more with audio output). But the tradeoff? Outstanding audio quality. It’s the perfect radio for Field Day or long operating sessions when you want to avoid listener fatigue. It’s also a fantastic shack radio.

That said, because of its bulk—and my tendency to grab smaller radios for field use—the Argo V has primarily lived in my shack.

The Argonaut VI

Last year, I acquired a Ten-Tec Argonaut VI, the last Argonaut model Ten-Tec produced—one I helped beta test back in the day.

When I bought the Argo VI, I told myself I might let go of the Argo V at some point. I’ve been debating this ever since.

Lately, I’ve been actively downsizing my shack. I need to sell, trade, or give away radios I’m not using. I don’t like harboring “shelf queens”—I want my radios to get regular airtime. But since bringing the Argo VI into the shack, the Argo V hasn’t seen much action.

My friend Vlado (N3CZ) and I plan to sell gear at the Charlotte Hamfest in a couple of weeks. I figured this POTA activation might help me decide whether to sell or keep the Argo V.

So, with my Argonaut V and my Tufteln linked 40M EFHW packed, I made my way to Lake James!

Lake James State Park (US-2739)

That morning, Lake James was incredibly quiet. There were very few visitors—even though this was the only section of the park open.

Then again, it was early on a Wednesday morning, not exactly prime time!

I chose a picnic table near the parking lot since I was carrying the Argonaut V and gear in a storage box rather than a backpack.

My high-visibility ABR cable assembly.

I quickly deployed my End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna and set up the Argonaut V.

Testing the TouchPaddles

Next, I hooked up my new-to-me TouchPaddles, a generous gift from a kind subscriber/supporter.

These keyers were originally sold as kits and have been discontinued for at least a decade. Though a bit bulky, it’s a fantastic CW accessory!

It uses capacitive touch paddles instead of mechanical parts. The added bulk and weight keep it stable while keying.

The unit also has built-in CW message memory. I haven’t programmed it yet (if you have experience with this model, let me know how!), but I plan to experiment with it soon.

The paddle has two output modes:

  • Standard paddle output (for radios with built-in keyers, like the Argo V).
  • External keying mode (for radios without built-in keyers or those with poor internal keying).

I used the standard paddle output since the Argo V’s internal keyer works brilliantly.

With everything hooked up, it was time to hit the air!

Gear

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Radio

  • TEN-TEC Argonaut V

Antenna system

Key and cable

Logging

Camera

On The Air

Since I was using a 40-meter EFHW, I had access to 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters without needing an ATU.

I started calling CQ POTA on 40 meters. Continue reading Should It Stay or Go? A POTA Activation with the Ten-Tec Argonaut V →