#363

This is a short review of the new Penntek TR-45L 5-band, 5-watt, CW QRP transceiver produced by WA3RNC. We take a look at the physical characteristics, and the completely menu-less operation of the rig. Such a fun transceiver to operate! Production expected to begin for factory wired/aligned units in early 2023, to be followed by kit availability shortly after that. For more information, visit the product webpage:
www.wa3rnc.com...
Inside pics:
www.qsl.net/w2a...
www.qsl.net/w2a...
www.qsl.net/w2a...

[@coldfinger459sub0]

This is hitting the hearts and minds of all the analog guys just with a touch of spice of digital. The tactile feel of knobs and switches, and for those who love the ability to fine tune, and adjust to galore .

[@marekmaslak8040]

exactly, and I love just staring into, and amiring the analog meter.

[@va3ux]

I agree, Thats why I still have my original Kenwood TS-930 after nearly 40 years - knobs, switches, and no menus.

[@ruhnet]

I suspect these will sell very well if for no other reason because of the S-meter and the little rack handles :) Love it.

[@grantmcduling9760]

As always, such a great, honest review. And as has happened to me before after watching your reviews, I bought one! It has just arrived and I couldn't be happier, even though by the time I had paid for delivery plus the import taxes and general sales tax here in Australia, it has turned out to be a very expensive radio. Thanks so much!

[@w2aew]

Buy once, cry once, but enjoy for a LONG time!

[@dovetomarc]

You always do a great job. Concise, to the point and crystal clear explanations. Thank you!

[@johnathanasiou9284]

What a truly amazing design, construction (especially the vintage S-meter & mix of analog/digital) & concept. Wished it also had SSB voice Tx capability. Well done to John (WA3RNC) for even producing such an amazing rig!. Thanks so much Alan for presenting it & I'm also blown away by the UI simplicity as most modern rigs are a plethora of menu options

[@rajaramkrishnamurthi1538]

Om John well done .I am impressed. Most suited for rural as well as urban Indians. ,,Keep us informed of production status for this great product from a fellow ham. 73,s

[@makerspace533]

Looking at that radio makes me want to smile. I suspect what you have is a prototype. It looks like something a ham would build out of old parts from the scrap bin. The meter looks like it came off an R390. My guess this is what the designer was after. A retro garage look radio, but still, great performance.

[@w2aew]

This is what the production models will look like - all new parts. And yes, it definitely has the vibe of a hand-made prototype.

[@earl4769]

I love it- order submitted. Thank you for the nice review...

[@SuburbanDon]

I like it if for no other reason than it's menu-less.

[@normanmoment7379]

The TR-45 Lite is beautiful. Love the look and that it's not menu driven; love the meter, the 16X2 display, and the layout of knobs and switches. Brings back the joy of being a novice licensed ham back in the 60's.

[@lynnhilborn5947]

I just finished building the TR 35 kit… well laid out design and construction details, excellent packaging of parts…enjoyed every minute of the build. Hat off to John !! Saving up coins of the realm to buy the 45 when it comes out as a kit. Sold all my high end Icoms and Kenwoods…happy to survive with my Drake TR4C, TenTec Argosy and the TR-35.

[@rajaramkrishnamurthi1538]

Excellent.i was looking out for such a qrp rig for my late evening and early morning on the aiir experiences

[@MentalWhiplash]

Just got confirmation today that mine is ready to ship....Merry Christmas to me!

[@AnthonyJones-vk6xq]

WOW, i had seen photographs of this radio, but your video has made my mind up, i just must have one of these, the retro old school rig look and analog audio are everything i love in my radios. I not only hit the like button, i subscribed as if this is the standard of your presentations i do not wish to miss out on anymore of your superbly made videos ! Many regards from France, incidently the VK callsign after my screen name is not my call, i do not know why youtube has put it there ! Best 73 de F5VLY

[@w2aew]

You will love the TR-45L - I have used mine nearly every day since I received it late last year. I barely turn on my Kenwood TS-870S anymore!

[@donaldgiles7691]

Thanks for a very informative discussion to the features of the TR45 L. Thus radio is perfect for my POTA CW activations.

[@Aimsport-video]

Holy Smokes what a thorough review. DC inputs are 2.1 and 2.5mm. Love the DC labels... Should be factory standard.

[@LawpickingLocksmith]

A cute baby! Love the analog meter!

[@Neo_Chen]

I really like that heavy-duty look of it, also that S-meter gives it a 1970s aesthetic style 👍

[@WJKarle]

Another well-conceived and delivered discussion of equipment.

[@barrygkx]

Great review, very informative. 400 hz CW filter.....perfect ! That little guy is really loaded with features. I love the analog meters. The layout is well thought out. Thanks for posting. Barry, KU3X

[@w2aew]

Thanks Barry - it's really a great little QRP CCW rig.

[@multicyclist]

Brilliant. I love the knobs, switches, and an analog meter.

[@C4H6As]

Very cool, this combination of old and new!

[@willieb6529]

was very happy to discover my TR-45L "lunchbox" came with a battery holder inside and a sidetone knob on the back - got the zmatch version with no battery, and was able to put in a less expensive lithium ion battery... so impressed that i also bought the 'skinny' version too! great rigs!

[@ibdaman4144]

Just punched the TR-45. This review was extremely helpful!

[@a_ham_like_me]

Thanks for a great review! This radio looks like a must-have for portable CW work...in addition, it would make a fantastic addition to the shack for regular use.

[@vernonraines3002]

Excellent video, with great camera and audiio work! Will be looking for more on this transceiver to add to my shack.

[@cwqrpportable]

Thanks for such a great review. John sent me mine on November 2 and I’ve been playing with it ever since. I absolutely love this little rig and agree with all your comments and findings. I’ve taken it out on portable ops, backyard adventures and just sitting in the shack and it has performed admirably. This is my second Penntek rig, having built the TR-35 earlier this year. I can highly recommend this little gem. 72 de Brent VA3YG

[@mikefinn2101]

Nice video a nice new qrp rig. It looks great and seems like a winner 73s wb7qxu yes looks like lots of fun

[@kens7050]

Great radio and review. So much so, I just bought one! I live in Florida year round, and I do lots of portable QRP, all CW. Can't wait to get it out into the field. Thanks, Ken W2KS

[@davidwilcox9110]

I love mine, and I have most of the newer digital SDR radios to compare with. This is a bare bones radio that is for those who want to just make contacts and not fool around with all the multilayer push button ways to get to all the fancy pantcy adjustments in the newer radios.

[@mostlypostie1]

Add 10m and SSB TX to this, and I would not be able to resist. What a cool rig!

[@temporarilyoffline]

This is a great looking radio (and so are the others). I can't wait until I get better at CW, then I can review one!

[@tonywalker2372]

A clear, concise and knowledgeable review. Thankyou.

[@petepnut]

Thanks! Would be a very complete little radio with SSB Voice, as others have mentioned. I love the Zed Match Tuner on the back!

[@RealJohnnyDingo]

I was thinking I would really like to see the schematic... lo and behold, there is a schematic on the website! i'm really impressed by the design, it's obviously had a lot of thought put in. thanks for making the video 😊

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Great review. I just received mine a couple of days ago. The units being shipped now have also have a knob on the back to adjust the sidetone. Nice little transceiver that has a retro look and feel. This will be replacing my HW-9 on the shelf. 73 de WB4DW

[@w2aew]

Nice - I have thought about adding a sidetone volume control on mine....

[@VE3RKP]

Great radio , Great review !!! ...Dear Santa ' I have been a good Ham this year...🙂

[@andrewd4890]

What a great radio. That S meter has the S-line look. It’s like an old style radio but with digi readout, memory keyer, flexible tuning rate and bandwidth options, plus optional antenna matching. Wow! It will be a lot of $AUD. Thanks for the review, very comprehensive. BTW I use that paddle on my portable rig (kx3). It is good, much more reliable than the previous one which was a 3d printed and meltable plastic. It melted and the paddle arms bent in the Aussie sun on a SOTA summit…. 73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2DA

[@jimwalters683]

P

[@brianhind6149]

AS always Allan, a superb video. What a neat little box ! The fact that there aren't 6 levels of menus to scroll through is its greatest feature from my standpoint. I may have to indulge myself with buying one.

[@catman351]

Thanks for this. Just preordered mine in January. Good video! 73.

[@vincei4252]

Very nice looking radio. If only I could do CW

[@JohnVK5JAK]

I love the VU Meter. It reminds me of a Nagra tape recorder.

[@jackiemcglothlin4180]

Hello! Just wanted to let you know that your video was the greatest, and I'm anxiously awaiting my TR-45L! Hope to hear you on the air sometime! Vy 73 es 72.

[@CH_Pechiar]

Brilliant radio.

[@KX4UL]

Very good review Alan. I love it! I am very impressed with its retro looks, size, features and simplicity. This little radio is by far the coolest thing I have seen in a while in HAM radio. I must have one! Hats off to John, WA3RNC for a great little rig.

[@emylrmm]

A reasonable price point too, considering low volume, domestic assembly. The analog meter is a nice feature.

[@rico1319]

Man, this little radio will sell not only because the way it looks (wow) but all its features! Love the old style equipment! Helps me remember the good old days! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱. Glad I still have my KW TS 830 sugar!!

[@w2aew]

I agree. And I love the TS-830S too!

[@Thunderontheroad]

I will be ordering 1 before the end of this year.

[@tdumnxy]

I hope the creator of this radio does really well with it, I am sure he will. A fine review of a fine radio. I must try harder to master CW. 73

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Really neat transceiver ☺️ thank you for sharing Alan ☺️

[@w2aew]

Who is Pete?

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

@@w2aew sorry Alan 🧐

[@AlpineWarren]

Also of note is that the negative side of the balanced output is a ground for the BNC as well so you can run your ground radial from it.

[@gsansoucie]

I’m on the waiting list for the second run of the kit version apparently. This looks like a great radio for picnic table portable. I love my KX2 and KX3, they aren’t going anywhere, but it’s always nice to have another. And the fact that there are separate key and paddle jacks is huge, I am so spoiled with my KX2 and KX3. I usually run a paddle and a straight key /p when activating a summit or park, the key let’s me slow down and or make an SKCC call. Thanks for the video. W1ND

[@bfx8185]

What's a nice piece of radio :o

[@W1RMD]

Great looking rig!

[@joeblow8593]

Thanks for the review

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

That is a cool rig wow its got that homebrew look i love it👍💯⚛🎄🎁

[@skeggjoldgunnr3167]

That IF will not be compatible with any commercial external waterfall display, will it? Only 7 minutes in I am conjuring up in my head how I will be sneaking in a set of collins filters and rewriting the code to flash onto the PROM. CW is where it's at for me. My Drake R8b may need to be my RX rig. But I have no Ham license yet - because I've always wondered what little kit built TX CW low power solution I will use. Now I know! Woo-HOO! Excited here! This thing is LOVELY!

[@danlazer8762]

Gorgeous! Excellent review. I have got to stop buying qrp rigs but damn...

[@NCmountainview]

Nice review, and a very impressive little rig! Also, I like the Kenwood hybrid you have in the background. I have a TS 820S station and really enjoy it!

[@w2aew]

I've got an 830 and an 870 - both great rigs too.

[@cwguy8960]

Great review! I too notice the difference between the warm analog and the digital DSP receivers. With the 'lunchbox' handle, it's only a matter of time before someone 3-D prints a cover for this gem!

[@anthonymokelkie9360]

Looks good to me, real knobs and toggle switchs a real radio Nice I like the design. thanks video Tony ve4akf

[@kao354]

Thank you for an in depth review! The rig looks nice and sounds nice as well. Although, my love is still QCX mini, and taking into account price tag you can build 5 of one band QCX mini's and will still have a budget for a key or another band. I understand that the QRP is a different world, but the reviewed rig assembled is almost the same price as Icom IC-718, if I am not mistaken. I would choose 718 + extra CW filter. But it is only me.

[@gliderpilot8882]

Thanks you for an excellent review. I am on the list to get one. 73's.

[@trig6712]

Looks, sounds excellent

[@MichaelLloyd]

I really like that rig. The mix of old school analog and digital is nice. 73 NE5U

[@jimwalters683]

LLP

[@davidjohnson497]

Very nice, concise, and informative review. Thank you! I have just learned about this radio maker, and I really like the TR-35, may get one even though I have enough radios, haha! The TR-45 seems to only add one more band, the 75/80m band. I do not usually work that band when doing portable operations, so I think I may get the TR-35 soon. Sure do appreciate your clear presentation and wish you all the best through the new year! Dave WA4NID

[@chrisharper2658]

I really like the retro home brew aspect that kind of looks like something from the 1940s but with all the new stuff. And it is clear that the functionality is really well thought out.

[@KU9L]

I love my TR-35 & I bet I'd love the TR-45L too. As a pure fantasy, I would love a TR-46L for 15, 12, 10, & 6M ... I can dream can't I? Cheers & 72, Davey - KU9L

[@kenanshobbies9970]

Excellent video, Alan! It is a very nice QRP rig, but I couldn't help noticing your Kenwood TS-830S in the background. Even more interesting is the fact that yours says "HF SSB TRANSCEIVER" where mine and most of the others I've come across say "HF TRANSCEIVER". Regardless, still love to see hams rockin the Kenwood hybrid radios!

[@w2aew]

Never noticed that about the label on the TS-830S!

[@624radicalham]

Would it be possible for you to make a little video showing it receiving SSB phone? Sometimes while out in the field, when taking a break from sending CW, one might want to listen to some phone for entertainment! Would love to see how this sounds on phone. Excellent video as always!

[@w2aew]

I just posted a little follow-up video that shows SSB reception: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGLbpZSrrr6jmMU

[@624radicalham]

@@w2aew You are absolutely the best. I've learned so much from your channel over the years, from oscilloscopes to AM modulation to everything that makes radio tick. Wouldn't have been possible without your channel. Thanks for keeping amateur radio alive. Rock on!

[@drstrangelove09]

the front looks very nice!

[@Wheel_Horse]

I'm really liking that little rig! I wonder if Santa will bring me one?

[@HansVanIngelgom]

I have been trying to learn CW on and off for decades but always failed. At some point I feel like I almost might be ready to try on the air but then I get so nervous that everything falls apart and I lose track. Then years pass until I get reminded of how much fun it seems to be to be proficient in it, and I restart practicing. It seems like a continuous wave. I'm sure I would be really bad in the beginning, and it seems really intimidating to start a qso with someone who would probably just get annoyed by my mistakes.

[@w2aew]

I felt the same way. I learned CW over 40 years ago the *wrong* way (at very slow speed and memorizing dit-dah patterns, which forces a lookup table approach). About 25 years ago, I re-entereed CW and started to break the mental translation habit and was able to upgrade my license. Then, ignored CW for another 20 years or so. Jumped back in a few years ago. With regular practice (and encouragement from fellow hams), gradually got better and more confidence. I'm still only about 15-18 wpm, but this is plenty fast for most. And, CW is full of good/kind operators that are willing to slow down or space things out to help - so don't worry about making mistakes - we all do! And, it's all fine....

[@allenlutins]

"It seems like a continuous wave" I see what you did there ;)

[@SteveParks]

We were all new once. I like chatting with new CW folks. What broke the code for me was meeting a friend on air everyday. About 3-4 months for 1/2 hour. That was enough time for 3-4 exchanges of info. I got close to head copy by the time life got too busy and I was too lazy to get up in the am. . .

[@cwqrpportable]

Don’t give up. Try to find someone you can hook up with on a regular basis to exchange very slow CW. I was fortunate to find such a fellow ham; he was patient and dedicated. After a few months of regular Qso’s, my confidence increased as did my cw proficiency. In my 35 years as a ham, I’ve only ever heard one fellow ham complain about a newbie’s cw. The vast majority of hams are patient. You can do it. I relearned CW 20 yrs ago and have never looked back. I’m now 95% CW. Good luck!

[@wtmayhew]

The first transceiver I had was a used Heathkit HW-16 CW transceiver in 1974. There is no motivator to learning operate CW as when CW is your only option for getting on the air. I’m rusty on CW now, but it doesn’t take too long to get back in the groove though I may not be too fast. I still remember my first QSO when someone a couple of towns over answered my CQ on 40m. The other operator realized I was a novice (literally the license I had) and was quite accommodating. This Penntek looks like a nice little transceiver, not complicated to operate, no need to dig through menus to make adjustments. Quite often the qualitative matters more than the quantitative. The Penntek looks like a great option for Parks on the Air or similar portable work. If you’ve never done CW work, you’ll be surprised at how well you can get out with even just a few Watts into a reasonable antenna. The other advantage is that CW with the narrow filter in is much less fatiguing for listening because there is not constant audio hash blasting your ears.

[@garygrove6643]

I like that one!😀 Gary Grove

[@ivandubinsky1857]

Nice review!

[@elwood.downey]

Great review, many thanks. I like the way the operator is more engaged when operating this radio and you need to be more aware of what you're actually doing. Adjusting the tuner looked exactly like tuning up my Drake! Would like to know how clean the xmit signal is in case I wanted to connect a small amp (I only connect amps to clean signals so I don't amplify crud also).

[@w2aew]

I'll have to look at it on the spectrum analyzer. I expect it to be quite good as it does have bandpass filters for each band.

[@samjones-ou3bn]

how id love a ssb tx looking this good 5 watts be great !! very cool radio 4 cw

[@ryanjones9305]

You had me at “no menus.....”

[@AB1Vampire]

Extended menus on new radios reduce the spontaneity of operation. I miss those old rigs with no menus whatsoever.

[@richsherman3673]

This is way to cool.... finally a high quality CW QRP Transceiver that is built like a small battle tank... Love it.. DE KP4FIR

[@thomasweller7235]

Like it, except for the long presses. The long press functionality should have a label on the panel.

[@skyterrapin]

We need a ssb version of this.

[@gerd3136]

What a nice device 😍!

[@KennethScharf]

reminds me of the old Heathkit Sixer and Twoer,

[@SeAfasia]

Great radio....tks for presentation..73

[@kazcat8096]

I would love a ssb version of this radio

[@ehayes5217]

Wow, I want one!!! Tnx & 73 dit dit 😃🇺🇸

[@kc6nfv746]

pretty dam cool radio like the s meter

[@segrus]

Cool! Thank you

[@myradiovideos]

Great video for sure and the designer did a lot of research on functionality and simplicity. My only concern is the Meter Movement. Being a portable radio it will get moved around and will get some amount of vibration or a shock.. How well will the meter movement react to this? I wonder if he did any research on the meter movement?? The meter itself looks great in appearance, but the internal part does not look that robust.. I guess time will tell or he himself can clarify this.. Robert WA6PHN

[@Paul_VK3HN]

A fun old skool transceiver with modern updates, and a lot of work to bring it to such a polished product. It's a 2xNE602 receiver isn't it? I didn't see an RF attenuation switch. Maybe I missed it. What's it like in the presence of a strong signal?

[@w2aew]

No explicit attenuator. So far, reducing the RF gain in the presence of strong signals is all I've had to do.

[@Paul_VK3HN]

@@w2aew Ok, RF gain is a continuous variable attenuator, that'll do it.

[@dzoni2zr]

Hey Best regards from Serbia YU7VSN here Nick great videos love the work 73DE

[@davidpeterson1521]

Realy like the look, just wish they had one in SSB.

[@romancharak3675]

No Menus........how intuitive, and novel, in this day and age!

[@lon3don]

Give it SSB and AM and 50 Mhz I would buy it straight away, maybe more than one. I have SDR already but it would be nice to have analogue.

[@robertbruce7686]

It's the panel meter 😊

[@howardsix9708]

wonderful retro..............cheers......m0wem uk

[@nhclayshooter]

I must have one..I simply must!

[@w2aew]

You won't regret it.

[@nhclayshooter]

Well, I did buy a TR-35 that I absolutely love. However, I do see a TR-45L in my future. And like you, I rarely use my FT-710 anymore. Who knew? @@w2aew

[@nhclayshooter]

@@w2aewWell, I'm on the edge here, as I now have the TR-35 that I absolutely love. Since I don't care about 80 meters, I'm having a hard time justifying the upgrade to the TR-45L. So, I just have to mull it over and make a decision. Oh well....

[@qzorn4440]

wow very nice transceiver. I am watching several Ham and astronomy videos to learn how to make a SDR 21cm 1420 MHz radio telescope dish. 😎 Thank you. PS: Is there a good way to get started with a online course to study for a first level Ham license?

[@qrptedmac]

Just paid my emailed invoice. So, thx for the vid.

[@randydireen3566]

I'm getting one