The Xiegu X1M is a recent attempt at HF portable QRP transceivers straight out of China, and it looks like they are on the right way: small and lightweight – check, simple and robust design – check, low power consumption – check, CW and SSB modulation – check, full HF coverage – check. Yes, it is not the prettiest girl in school … but who cares when it is the cheapest ? No really, it costs about US$260 as a kit or US$300 assembled, half of what an Yaesu FT-817ND does.
Here’s the list of characteristics:
– continuous RX and TX: 0.1 ~ 30 MHz
– SSB / CW Output Power: 4-5 W;
– operating voltage: min. 9.6V (DC), max. 14.5V (DC);
– operating current: 0.35A (min), 1.2 A (max);
– switchable RX preamplifier
– 100 memory channels;
– RIT
– CW RX/TX delay adjustment
– electronic bug key
– switchable backlight
– weight 500g (the FT-817ND is 1.2Kg)
– size: 97x40x155mm (the FT-817ND is 135x38x165mm)
The X1M is all made in SMD technology with 0603 parts; the RX preamplifier uses a very low-noise (NF:1.2dB) CATV 2SC3357 transistor, the IF is at 9MHz with a 6-pole crystal filter 2.2KHz wide, the mixer uses high-speed HSB88W Schottky diodes, the IF amplifier has a MC1350 stage with controllable gain (for AGC purposes), the audio amplifier is an LM386 (just 4mA of standby current) and the local oscillator is made around an Analog Devices AD9851 DDS.
And, to show that it’s not a toy but a really nice tool at a very good price, it has an interface that allows it to be connected to the PC and operated via Ham Radio Deluxe or any other similar software, being compatible with the Icom command set (ideally, the IC-718).
Unfortunately the only video of it working doesn’t say too much:
Anyway, I’m almost sold, I think I need to get one.
View Comments (20)
Thanks for posting the specs and videos. Very interesting. With hands/fingers on the rig, a realistic image of it's size becomes evident. Bit smaller than I thought but still ok.
Ideed, it is smaller than the FT-817 and half the weight (true, no internal batteries). We need a serious review on this thing.
But note, the TX and RX are both continuous from 0.1 - 30MHz which means that it will also be ideal for 5MHz users. The concern comes with possible pirate stations and out of band ops.
Am promis administratorului acestui nou blog că atunci când va face ceva util pentru radioamatorii YO îl voi lăuda, Doresc să mă ţin de cuvânt. Materialele publicate reprezintă un început de bun augur, fiind informaţii utile pentru cei interesaţi de aspectul tehnic al hobby-ului nostru. Îi doresc să continue pe această cale, în domeniul pasionant şi creativ al redactării şi publicării - spre folosul comunităţii. Nu exclud nici posibilitatea de a realiza chiar şi o colaborare între paginile noastre de internet.
73 şi succes!
Francisc Grünberg, YO4PX
http://yo4px.blogspot.ro
yo4px@rdslink.ro
OK, apreciez verticalitatea si multumesc pentru comentariu. Toate cele bune !
See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/x1m/
http://www.cqxiegu.com/
FROM GOOGLE TRANSLATE
X1M [v2.01] Introduction
The whole paragraph x1m portable shortwave dual-mode (ssb / cw) transceiver accept reservations. The machine conditions are as follows:
Transceiver Frequency range: 0.1 ~ 30mhz transceiver, 3.5 ~ 29.6Mhz the amateur bands assurance indicators optimal;
Operating modes: ssb / cw (amplitude reported)
Power output: 5w (max);
Operating voltage: minimum 9.6v (dc), the highest 14.5v (dc);
Operating current: 0.35a (min), 1.2a (max);
With preamplifier;
100 channel storage;
rit function;
Different frequency transceiver functions
With automatic cw key, hand / switch;
Backlight to turn off the keyboard can be locked;
Dimensions: 97 * 40 * 155 (mm)
The correct URL for the transceiver's Yahoo! group is - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/X1M_QRP-Transceiver/. I have one waiting for collection in the post office, should be another 12 hours or so before I get my hands on mine and post a video and bunch of photos.
73,
Indrajit VK2IJC
http://vk2ijc.wordpress.com/
Thanks alot, please let us know, everybody is curious about it.
Where to buy this rig ???