FX-4CR 20w QRP HF Radio - FIRST LOOK!

[@normnpat]

Ordered this radio last week. Thanks for your video. Plan on using it for POTA, FT8. Love my Xiego G90, and am looking forward to receiving the FX-4CR some time in July.

[@AD6DMDennis]

Thanks for the mention. 3:48 Might become the new tagline: Don't you wish you had one of these? 😄 Can't wait to see how the FX-4CR performs.

[@HamRadio2]

Do it!

[@davem7847]

Jason, not sure if you saw on the vendor webpage,, there is an issue with a board/circuit that may put out spurious emissions beyond FCC regs.

[@westerntourist]

Interested in buying a FX-4CR, but waiting to hear how it performs and what if any issues it has. Thanks,Jim

[@gorillamotors]

What would rather have this FX-4CR, Yaesu FTX-1F, or the ICOM 705?

[@HamRadio2]

Wow, tough choice. Here is what I think. 1. The FX4CR is a great rig, but it is probably the weakest of the 3 in terms of receiver sensitivity and output power on Digital. However, it is also the smallest of the 3, so if you need compact, this would be my choice. 2. The IC-705 is a fantastic radio with almost everything you need, including VHF/UHF. However, it is more fragile than a portable radio should be, imo. It is also quite large for a portable radio. But with an external battery source, it will output 10w on Digital (and other modes) 3. The FTX-1F hasn't been released yet, so any comments I give can only be speculation. BUT... I think I am going to love this radio when it becomes available.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Waiting for mine... Very excited for it. 73!

[@richardadams9039]

How does this little package handle heat? Back in 2019 I ran ft8 on my KX3, with factory heatsink installed, it could get quite hot at 10 W with the duty cycle of ft8. Setting an old PC CPU heatsink on top wicked enough away I could easily run hours. As the case appears to be a milled block of aluminum at some point heat must build up. A finned radiator seems like a next addition.

[@dwayne5530]

That's a pretty nice case it came with The IC705 should've had 20watts too for as big as it is. You can always turn the power down to 5w or 1w if you wanted.

[@RoelandJansen]

10 vs 20... Really? Hardly noticeable.

[@HamRadio2]

Perhaps, but now all the G90 guys have no argument.

[@dwayne5530]

@@RoelandJansen Better to have than not have and as big as the 705 compared to other QRP radios that does 20, it should be able to do more than 10w on external be it 20-50w.

[@RoelandJansen]

@@dwayne5530 OK shall I now start mentioning the x6100 here? The 705 is not even remotely comparable. It BTW us a qro radio. Not a hot-washed 7300. If you want to have your 50+ Watts.

[@dwayne5530]

@@RoelandJansen Mention whatever you want. I don't really care. My original comment is for the size of the 705 compared to the size of the FX-4CR is that the 705 should've been able to do more than 20w on external. Jason in the video even made a size comparison. You sound bitter. Maybe you should get out and enjoy some outdoors life

[@B.Murphy]

My order is in! Can't wait.

[@ChrisBeiting]

would you recommend this over the G90? I'm prepping for my general so I'm trying to consider my HF radio. And taking it to parks and stuff is one of the biggest things I want to have it for

[@HamRadio2]

Probably so - the screen on the G90 and this one are about the same size, but this one is lighter and smaller and has the built-in soundcard. It has more all-around features.

[@juergenw7495]

I bought a G90 recently but i love this new FX-4CR. main disadvantage is the missing ATU for me.. But i love the form factor and design, its nice for custom cases (pelicase and such solutions) i guess, cause its missing round edges and all that crap. Also having 6m is awesome.

[@pnowikow]

I'm excited for this radio. 🎉

[@CC-hk6vy]

It's value is all in the software interface. Your FUTURE video showing it hooked up to PC using WSJT-X, GRIDTRACKER, and a Logger will be the proof! I'd li e ro have one as a SO2R standalone to run FT8 while using another mode/band. De WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@QRPGUY]

Thanks for the video. Once you get familiar with this radio can you demonstrate radio settings for ft8 using Bluetooth? Thanks

[@HamRadio2]

I've used it a little, it seems to work well

[@AC9DJ]

I ordered one of these back in April. Eager to get my hands on it.

[@alvinnorris6523]

My qrp radios that don’t have internal batteries make me smile. I always worry about internal batteries. The ic705 is best of both world with a battery that clips on back.

[@1polonium210]

Jason, did you have to run a firmware update to get the 20-m band? I cannot get 20 m on my FX-4CR. Furthermore, the programming cable seems to cause a number of computer problems (e.g., loss of audio, screen freeze) that I don't want to deal with until I get the matter figured out;. FYI, the manual lists 20 m as one of the bands, but frequencies associated with 20 m do not show up on my little rig.

[@HamRadio2]

I did not have to do anything special to get 20M

[@1polonium210]

@@HamRadio2 Thanks. I've written to the developer, Yu.

[@gtretroworld]

The size and the power is great but there is something i can’t put my fingers on,maybe a fraction bigger with a battery pack would be a good idea.

[@HamRadio2]

I'm not disappointed that it doesn't have an internal battery

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

What you doin with that old 10 way model? I'm rocking an HT and i need something better in my life. 😄🤙🏽

[@HamRadio2]

Probably keeping it

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

@HamRadio2 I would hope so, brother. I don't know how to do sarcasm on here, but it's one of those. "I'm happy to learn what you let me know situations," I'm not begging or anything. I love your content. I'm happy to get the info you bring to the table But seriously, tho- you ever think about getting rid of her, you give me a holler. I know Josh probably already has a couple stashed in kit form. 🤣🤙🏽 Serially, though, thank you for bringing the knowledge to the masses.

[@HamRadio2]

@@TheGeekiestGuy Thanks for watching

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

@HamRadio2 I gotta say thank you for engaging with your community, too. A lot of folks let newds slip thru the cracks, and i think you're great. Maybe someday when I can help, you let me know, and I'm with you.

[@Wildlandfirefighting]

Looking forward to a video on POTA FT8 with this radio

[@kylefreemason]

Can you decrease the output from 20w, if so, what is the lowest power setting?

[@RajeshA]

1W

[@kylefreemason]

Thank you

[@photoguy73]

Just received mine yesterday. Does anyone know where I can get some extra power connectors for it?

[@HamRadio2]

Amazon has tons of them

[@Frank_K4FMH]

The android app out there will do ft8. But I do want to know of the FX-4CR will connect to Windows etc via BT and allow a wsjtx connection.

[@HamRadio2]

I connected it to my Evolve Maestro

[@Frank_K4FMH]

@@HamRadio2 Good to know! My FX-4CR is in the June shipment. Thanks for the videos…

[@sciencefollower]

Appreciated. Where to buy from please. Ap2kd, Pakistan.

[@HamRadio2]

Link is in the description

[@joeframo3347]

Hey Jason 8 of us here inGa. We're all going D star we're all buying ic5100a I surely would like to work you on one of the reflectors lot of my friends like to meet you 👍 I'll let you know when we get them it be real soon 👍

[@HamRadio2]

hey Joe - I have the ID5100 but it is rare that I get onto DSTAR

[@billwallace7713]

maybe a review of the retivis portable repeater?

[@HamRadio2]

I have that and am working on a video

[@JReed305]

I dont see it on the website but I assume no tuner?

[@HamRadio2]

No tuner

[@TheBoris0175]

How close to actual 20W does this radio put out?

[@HamRadio2]

I'll be testing that but the previous 10w model put out a full 10w on FT8

[@ncphotos]

Great video de W2CSI

[@johnwilliams-hz6vb]

Cool lil rai. I will keep mift818nd. I see Yaesu bringing out one soon.

[@dustoff499]

Personally, I don't like radios with internal batteries. Mainly because they are difficult to find a replacement over time and they do not have any flexibility in Ah.

[@zhangbohan7986]

Hi,could u make a video about how to diy an internal battery that could make this stuff More potable?The QRP equipment should be easy to carry without a stupid outer battery😂

[@zhangbohan7986]

De BG2FLL,73😊

[@mdwestlund1]

See if blue tooth works with phone ft-8CR app?.

[@HamRadio2]

Not familiar with that app, is it available for Android?

[@TridentMissileTech]

10 gauge was overkill. I’d rather have the 14 gauge which is more flexible and cheaper. Cheaper in the sense that I am not paying for something not needed.

[@walteredwards544]

I love the power output and small size. What I would like to see is how it compares to the Xiegu G-90. 20 watts is perfect for me because of the power consumption and it's only 1 S-Unit less than a 100 watt rig on transmit. Thanks again and I'll be watching closely for your next video on this radio. Thank you 👍🏿♊💯🙏🏿😎🙋

[@che59v]

You are joking right? "Only 1 S-Unit less than a 100 watt"???? FIVE times the power = 1 Sunit? someone got to go back to basics. Do a test, reality bites.

[@walteredwards544]

@@che59v 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Works for me.From my QTH in Georgia, with my Xiegu G-90, reached Kuwait, Japan and South Africa with 20 watts. Math maybe off but my DX game is strong 😎

[@che59v]

@@walteredwards544 ok, when there is propagation you can use 20 watts, great, we agree ( even one watt could work great), YET THE PRICE OF THE UNIT ITSELF IS WAY TO HIGH FOR WHAT IT BRINGS TO THE TABLE!!!!!!!!

[@walteredwards544]

@@che59v I can agree with that . What would you consider a fair price for a radio like this?

[@andreclay8362]

@@che59v One S-Unit is 6db and the difference between 20W and 100W is 7 dB, so you lose 1dB over the 100W rig.

[@SteveWrightNZ]

You need a bit more mic gain and compression

[@HamRadio2]

I haven't used phone on this radio yet

[@SteveWrightNZ]

@@HamRadio2 On your youtube audio..

[@HamRadio2]

Sounds fine here

[@Integr8d]

Does it bother anyone else that the Chinese can do a handheld SDR (that could be running on internal power) and have all of the power of DSP filtering and LESS power draw than an ID-52? Oh but wait, Kenwood and ICOM added usb Type-C. So I guess there’s that.

[@HamRadio2]

It's all about the screen size.

[@mdwestlund1]

Jason ANTENNA!!!!!

[@Theaskegroup]

Anyone have experience running winlink or VarAC directly with the built in sound card?

[@lasantiagoa]

It works very well with both VarAC and Winlink. You just need to set it up using the Kenwood TS-590S, 115200, your COM Port 1 bit and you're golden. 73 de Luis, HB9HJU

[@mdwestlund1]

Wa6ols here. You don't want to blow finals.

[@HamRadio2]

Nope

[@32532jfbk]

18G wire is just fine for a 20W radio. 10G wire is way too big for a 10W radio.

[@HamRadio2]

No such thing as too big...

[@BillBroadley]

Right, but how about a 20W radio? Thicker wires seem way more durable, I'll happily carry an extra ounce or two to avoid the cables that get wonky and you can tell the power varies when you bend the cables while using them.

[@KMondy]

Pota & ssb

[@justawfulgamer7738]

Hf stuff is so freaking expensive.

[@AdamosDad]

✋73's🎙KD9OAM🎧📻📡

[@Dreamlgider]

20w is not qrp.

[@HamRadio2]

Sure it is. The true definition of QRP simply means "decrease transmit power" There is no limit to QRP. Most of the time, anything less than 100w, the standard for most radios, can be considered QRP. Now if you're talking Contests, QRP is usually considered 10w or less. But those are contest rules, they're not meant to redefine the original meaning of the Q-code ARRL document: www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.arrl.org/files/file/Get%2520on%2520the%2520Air/Comm%2520w%2520Other%2520Hams-Q%2520Signals.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjxl4e8zML_AhXCk4kEHUbaDgsQFnoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1T-RZYf6OSss3Nq5EB1kmg