Tag Archives: Yaesu FTX-1F

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:

Articles, News, QRP, QRP Radios

Are we spoiled for choice? Why There’s No Better Time to Be a QRP Field Operator!

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Last year, at the Tokyo Ham Fair, Yaesu unveiled the long-awaited FTX-1F portable HF transceiver. After years of speculation, we finally have a successor to Yaesu’s venerable FT-817/818 product line on the horizon—a radio series with an impressive run of over two decades.

The Yaesu FTX-1F (Source: Yeasu)

I’ve enjoyed reading the flurry of comments that continue today from readers following the FTX-1F announcement many months ago. The reactions are all over the map, but overall, it seems the FTX-1F checks a lot of boxes for amateur radio field operators.

This got me thinking…

From Sparse to Abundant

When I was first licensed in 1997, options for compact, portable QRP transceivers were few and far between. Sure, there were some kit radios and a handful of basic analog options, but almost no general-coverage QRP field radios. The only one that came close (besides the Argonaut II, which wasn’t exactly backpack-friendly) was the Index Labs QRP Plus.

Don’t get me wrong—there were some classic QRP radios out there, but they weren’t exactly compact. Tossing one into a daypack for an afternoon hike? Not likely.

Fast forward to today, and it’s a completely different story. The market is overflowing with QRP radios, offering something for every type of operator.

A radio for every preference and budget

  • Sub-$400 radios? You’ve got options like the QRP Labs QMX, CFT1, (tr)uSDX, Xiegu G-106, and Venus SW-3B/6B.
  • Affordable kits? Check out the QRP Labs QCX/QMX series, the CFT1, and (until recently) the Penntek transceivers.
  • Ultra-compact CW transceivers? Look no further than the Elecraft KH1, Mountain Topper MTR series, and QRP Labs radios.
  • Shack-in-a-box radios with built-in ATUs, mics, and batteries? Consider the Elecraft KX2, Xiegu X5105, X6100, and X6200.
  • High-performance QRP rigs? There’s the Elecraft KX3 and Icom IC-705.
  • Spectrum displays and built-in sound cards? The Icom IC-705, Xiegu X6100/X6200, and likely the upcoming Yaesu FTX-1F (fingers crossed) have you covered.

And that’s just scratching the surface. The past decade has brought an explosion of innovation in the field-portable space, making it hard to keep up.

I couldn’t have imagined a radio like the KX2 back in 1997! Nineteen years later, it was a reality.

Even better, prices have become more competitive. Adjusted for inflation, we’re getting more radio for our money than ever before. Sure, some options are pricey, but compared to 1997, we’re living in a golden age of QRP.

A personal perspective on radio prices

Case in point: my first HF transceiver was a used Icom IC-735, which I bought for around $700.

Original IC-735 sales flyer

At the time, that felt like a solid deal for a full-featured HF radio that originally retailed for $1,150. Adjusted for inflation, that $700 would be about $1,371.83 today.

For perspective, one of the priciest QRP radios on the market right now is the Icom IC-705, which retails for $1,349.95 at time of posting. That’s $21.88 less than I paid for my used IC-735 inflation-adjusted.

On the flip side, if you adjust the cost of a brand-new, assembled QRP Labs QMX (roughly $200) to 1997 dollars, it would have been about $102.

Better still, if you’re willing to build the QMX from a kit, you can snag it today for roughly $102 in 2025 money.

Had the QMX existed in 1997? The kit price would have been $52.19 inflation-adjusted!

Sure, inflation-adjusting isn’t a perfect science—it doesn’t account for many other economic factors like manufacturing advances, material costs, or exchange rates—but it’s still a fascinating metric to use for perspective.

Talk about a bargain!

It’s a brilliant time to be a QRPer!

Working DX with a handheld radio and a 4-foot whip antenna? We live in amazing times, indeed!

So, while it might sometimes feel like “the perfect radio” doesn’t exist or that prices are sky-high, I believe we’re actually living in the best time to be QRP operators. The options are plentiful, the innovations are remarkable, and the value for money has never been better.

What do you think?

New Products, News, QRP Radios

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

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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!