Guide to Buying Budget QRP Radios

My guide and lessons learned from buying and using budget QRP transceivers. #QRP #hamradio #transceiver

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

I have the newest black version of the "red brick". Works great! Frequencies are spot on, good sound, up to 10 watts, built in SWR meter. Built in battery that seems to last forever. Solid, simple radio that works.

[@Jimhamby859]

I’m looking for a cheap hf radio. Would you recommend it. What is the model you have?

[@Purple-w4s]

Not all hams are wealthy, some of us cant afford Elecraft, IC705s and have to buy cheaper rigs or used ones. Same goes for antennas..towers and huge beams etc...I have to make my own..more fun and better sense of achievement in the long run.

[@dalehilltopfarm]

Excellent post. Considering my first QRP. Your video was very informative. Not sure what my needs are but will continue to research.

[@nicke.3011]

Ditto. i am bouncing between a complete G90 setup for $750ish, or spring for a complete IC7300 setup for $1500, or something else ??

[@lawrence1md]

I’m pretty sure it’s call “RAD” (radio acquisition disorder) hehehehe. Love the videos Walt!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahaha I suffer greatly from it! 73, Walt

[@lawrence1md]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I hope to hear ya on the air waves sometime, 73

[@baddogwaterfowl7302]

I started with a black version of your “red brick” and still have it. Upgraded to a G90 for portable ( highly recommend it to everyone). After scraping pennies for a while I was able to get a yaesu ft-891 and atas 120 for a mobile rig. Love the channel keep making videos.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much! 73, Walt

[@Uncle_Fred]

A dream radio would be the FX-4CR with an internal antenna tuner, HF, UHF and VHF, USB-C data and 20W power, bluetooth data and audio, and IP68 weatherproofing. This would be close to an all-in-one radio for most uses. I feel like we are maybe 5-10 years from seeing this radio get built!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That would be the perfect radio, I agree!

[@devinhedge]

Hi, I’m KN4FVH. And that’s my current project.

[@Uncle_Fred]

@@devinhedge I subscribed to your KZbin channel in case you post some updates. Keep everyone posted.

[@Uncle_Fred]

@devinhedge Is there any site with details on this project? I would love a radio that can do these things, especially if it's not limited to a specific narrow frequency set like all other radios. For example, I want a backpack portable radio that can listen to FM radio and transmit on HF, without needing multiple radios to do this.

[@RA-Arg]

The Hitachi 8 transistors radio that you show at the end was my first attempt to radio. With 10 years old I connect that beauty to an external antenna and ...... hear the world. The experience was incredible. 73 and Dx! LU8ARM

[@terrycheek4097]

Planning on getting into QRP this summer. This video really helps me.

[@LB5JJ]

Great summary Walt! As I've mentioned I prefer the FX-4CR over the G90, but thinking about it that's mostly down to form factor, weight and power consumption (on RX, on TX they're pretty much on par). For my last activation in Sardinia I took the FX-4CR and didn't even bring a backpack. Radio and wire antenna in one pocket, power bank in the other and carrying the telescopic pole in one hand. Amazing to be able to travel that light and still have 20W and a fairly advanced radio!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Bård! That FX-4CR size and the build quality is absolutely amazing.

[@giorgiodenunzio1796]

@LB5JJ, I am probably going to buy a G90 so I am investigating about power supply options. Could you please tell me what you use as the power bank? TNX DE IU7RAW, Giorgio

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@giorgiodenunzio1796 I just did a video on this and the power options I used are early in the beginning of the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoK8nJpjfaeXjqcsi=z-KUagtfYepi21GV

[@giorgiodenunzio1796]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks! I have just begun exploring your videos so I had not seen it! Great work! Thanks again for pointing out!

[@johnag9d]

I have been using the truSDX on FT8 and CW and an MFJ qrp loop form an apartment. Works great. CW and digital modes are great with QRP. SSB is more of a challenge but a lot for work. Keep your expectations in check and have fun.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that!

[@arnecarlsson9740]

Thanks for a very enthusiastic and well presented recommendation and information about great QRP transceivers!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for watching! 73, Walt

[@TinyTJ04]

I've been hoping for a video like this. Watching now... Thanks!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching!

[@RobMacKendrick]

Those ball radios were great radios. I got one for Christmas when I was 12, and was surprised how good it sounded.

[@daviddubinsky5216]

Excellent video, sir. Not just good - it is excellent. Thank you.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much!!!

[@justinmcginty26]

Cheers from Australia. Great advice.

[@charlescompton4495]

Thanks for the great video. I'm a general class ham and enjoy the heck working guys running legal limit with my Qrp and my 12 watt radios. I have some friends who run G90 radios and would love to own one. I'm a senior retired with a very limited budget so may have to stick to a home made 1 watt CW rig and a couple of other low power rigs. I do have a couple 100 watt rigs . An Icom 718, and an Alinco DX-SR8T. I run the Alinco on low and super low every now and then just for fun Greg

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Greg! You've got some great radios there. I have an Alinco DX-70 and I love it. 73, Walt

[@binder098]

Excellent presentation, good lighting, great audio. G90’s on my list; with half dozen smaller radios, like you I can’t resist.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! You will really like the G90.

[@skepticalmechanic]

G90 is a great radio!!!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Good video Walt, thanks. If you are only interested in CW and/or digital modes, it may be worth mentioning QRP Labs. For example the QMX 5 band QRP transciever can be bought as a kit or built by QRP Labs which, at present, is CW/digital only.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I currently have a 3 band Hilltopper and a QCX for 20m. I will probably end up with a QMX one day. As soon as I get a little better at CW I’ll be out there playing with them and including them on the channel for sure.

[@N4GW]

Love the way you opened up the video

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! I’m sure the comments will be coming!

[@m1sdh]

Great summary Walt. I have a (tr)usdx and G90. I'd certainly agree that (tr)usdx whilst fun little radio, your going to want to upgrade pretty quick, especially if your getting it for SSB. And I love my G90, both for using at home and portable. You get so much radio for your money with G90, and other Xiegu.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching and commenting, my point exactly! 73, Walt

[@davidhaman4642]

Thanks Walt. Too many butts in this world. Who cares what the ‘other guys’ think. I am subscribed to your channel and patreon member. I watch your channel more than other hammers. Keep it coming. It is up to each of us to make use of the ham channels. Free speech! W8BLT David

[@jamesgeorge1709]

I thank you for your comments on budget qrp, I'm on a fixed budget and these are all fun radios. I've been a qrper since 1978 and still get a kick out of working dx with 5 watts, it can be easily done but like any other radio pursuit it's all in the antenna, good antenna equalls good dx.I enjoy your site.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much!

[@1polonium210]

I have a G90 and an X6100. Both are great radios and I give each five out of five stars. I also have an FX-4CR. I need to run a firmware update, but that also looks like a winner. I recently acquired a PreppComm DMX-40. The radio was delivered today. I look forward to breaking that little rig in tomorrow.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Great radios! I have the DMX-40 myself but haven’t played with it yet. I need to get mine going too! 73, Walt

[@1polonium210]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I look forward to your review of the DMX-40!

[@laverdanick]

I’m impressed that you’re filming this in November 2023, it’s still October in the UK, obviously we’re lagging behind. I agree with you that the clones are not suitable for beginners. I purchased relatively cheaply for £100 a RS928+ that was down on output power. When I delved into it, there were significant differences from the original MCHF circuit, which were causing the low power, so not a fault that had developed. I also built a USDX single band with switchable output filters from bare circuit boards. Definitely more of a fun experiment than a serious radio. Anyway thanks for the video. 73 Nick G0OQK

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahaha yeah I was a couple days ahead there! 73, Walt

[@charleyfarly3017]

I love your videos. I got a g90 and I am loving it. It’s what I could afford and it works. As for antennas I put up a 40 meter tenntenna end fed. Unfortunately I only had 24 gauge wire and with the weather we have here it snapped in two. Today I built a new one using 14 gauge wire. Measured it out with a tape measure and put it up in the air, plugged in the g90 and scanned it. I was amazed!!!! It was 1:1 on 40, 1:1 on 20, 1.2:1 on 15, and 1.5:1 on 10! I am so happy! Thanks for all your videos. Built a few antennas and experimented so see what works for me. Awesome videos!!!!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for watching my videos and thanks for the great comment! Perfect setup with the G90 and the TennTennas EFHW. Hope to catch you on the bands! 73, Walt

[@rs4425]

I appreciate this channel. I've owned a few HF rigs but what I want is a receiving radio that can do local CW. This gives me options. THanks..

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching! 73, Walt

[@nine7295]

The Belka is an excellent CW receiver and tiny

[@snarfusmaximus]

I have an Elecraft KX3 and several Yaesu rigs but I still get excited about cheap Chinese radios. I have a (tr)uSDX coming that's due to arrive any day now. The mcHF derivatives and Xiegu radios look to be great value for money. Cheap radios have a place - they do the job and you will only be disappointed, not heartbroken, if they get damaged or lost. Perfect travelling companion.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that, I completely agree. Have fun with that (tr)uSDX!

[@KS0JD]

Great video and thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for for watching and commenting!

[@TheMidwestdrifter]

I’m seriously thinking about buying one of these. Been watching several videos and researching these radios a lot. The g90 that is! Great video

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! The G90 is my favorite radio. You will like it if you get one.

[@janiceemery2008]

Hi Walt, thank you so very much for the review. Its folks like you who have the experience with radios that can provide such good reviews. This is good for someone who doesn't or can't spend a lot of money on a radio. I can certainly appreciate that. Radios can cost a lot of money and you don't have to spend a lot and may possibly be happy with one that is less expensive. Thank you again Walt for providing such a good review. Yeah, what is it in this county that is not coming from overseas, good luck with that one. KO4UWU 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for watching and adding the great comment! 73, Walt K4OGO

[@LivingByFire]

The Xiegu G106 is also an excellent QRP 5W radio and usually can be had new for $279. My very first QSO was on it on 5W with a gentleman in Florida from my home in Kentucky. I have it and the G90. Both are really good.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yeah I should probably pick up a G106. Mike K8MRD kind of ruined it for me with that radio with his bad review. I should probably give one a try.

[@LivingByFire]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES with the latest firmware the radio is actually decent. Granted no internal tuner, but it does the radio thing.

[@ehayes5217]

Interesting info, some I've never even heard about; ur vids make me wanna' try QRP consistently!😀🇺🇸

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching my vids!

[@stephane-710]

Nice video, thanks, Walt. From my side I also use the EGV+ from EA3CGY. It is an excellent QRP transceiver in TX and RX mode, only CW mode on 40-20-10 Bands, with a correct price. The new model for 9 bands is now also available (EGV 9B). For SSB+CW you also have the DB4020 rig. 73's. Stephane and enjoy QRP!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Awesome, I will check those radios out

[@W8MJL]

Thanks for this video Walt. I had the x5105 myself and loved it but sadly sold it to a ham wanting to get into QRP, so as someone as helped me once I paid it forward. I've since been looking into the X6100 but have been hesitant due to the bugs and battery issues I've read about, but again, now that they're coming out with the X6200 I'm again on hold to see if this might be my new QRP rig. You video has given my a lot to think on, thank you. 73 W8MJL

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I’m waiting and watching the X6200 myself. 73, Walt

[@deankq4adj125]

Another great video Walt. I'm like you, I have the G-90 and just purchased the x6100. They are both amazing for the money. Keep up the great work!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much!

[@mikedetmar]

Great video. I have the (tr)uSDX from one of the authorized resellers. I got it last year and it’s been an awesome little rig. I mostly hunt POTA from my front porch with a EFHW wire in a tree. It’s been well worth it. It’s not perfect -the sound is a little rough on my particular rig. I recommend using it with headphones. It’s so much fun to make contacts on. Thank you for all the videos.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting! 73, Walt

[@W5DON_in_Oklahoma]

Walt, good video - good summary. I agree with you regarding hams just getting into HF: QRP can be extremely frustrating and that can sour the experience. On the other hand, as you mentioned, a QSO with an Australian station from the US on 5 watts… how can you not love that? My most rewarding QRP experience was exactly that: I worked Queensland Australia from a campground in central Oklahoma on 5 watts with my FT-817. Keep them coming. Don / W5DON

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much Don! Yes that thrill of a great QSO like that is amazing. Happy Thanksgiving my friend!

[@hamradiobasics]

Great run down of budget QRP radios Walt. Thank you for sharing your lessons learned with some of them. Been mulling over the Xiegu 6100 but the heat sink issue with them has caused me to pass. May look at a x5105.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I mulled over the X6100 for the longest time and finally broke down and got one. I’m glad I got it to be honest.

[@betterbprepared]

Hey Walt, great video and perfect timing. I am in the process of investigating QRP rigs now. I am learning CW so the QRP rig will be my primary CW rig. With that said I still love POTA on SSB. FX-4CR is intriguing and I do like the X6100. If I can go big, I'll get the Elecraft KX2, but if not, I think the X6100 will be my choice. Thanks again for the great video.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching and the kind words! 73, Walt

[@rockshelter]

Excellent honest opinion on qrp rigs. Walt you have the gift of communication and ability to educate (convey? Sorry not native English writer) You really did true field testing and not just "lab" and the results are very trustworthy. Your videos led me to a G90, but then a chance for an affordable second hand x6100 , hardly ever used, emerged. And I love this little thing. Still getting a G90 though :) A few guys and in our local ham organization and me now join to assemble Hermes lite radios through a few workshops. Not exactly a portable rig. Not sure if you did a video on this, guess its more of a software oriented thing . Would like to get your opinion on this radio. 😊

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much! I haven't had the chance to use a Hermes Lite yet but I really want to use one soon. I have been looking at them. Once again, thank you so much for the kind words!

[@MikeN2MAK]

The addiction is real, LOL. Great summary of some fun radios!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! Yes it is!

[@rjollis]

Another great video roundup, Walt. I took your advice early in the year and bought the Xiegu G90 and I love it. It was my first HF radio after a 30-year hiatus and it runs circles around my 1990s vintage IC751A. It really reinforces the fact that antennas make all the difference if you are running QRP or a bit more.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much! Yes it’s all about antennas for sure.

[@chipweather]

Im a beginner too hf(been in ham radio for two years) and I'm been having fun with it being my first hf rig. I did build it as a kit though

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Awesome, nothing better and more rewarding than building a kit!

[@chipweather]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES i shouldn't have been able to finish it. Im terrible at soldering

[@airheadzradioadventures]

I knew we’d end on the G90! Great stuff, man!!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! Hahaha absolutely the G90!

[@notthatguy4515]

Thank You Walt. Enjoy your videos and learn A Lot from your videos.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for watching and for the great comment!

[@trig6712]

Excellent many thanks use an FT817 and also Venus SW-3b using mainly CW amazing GM4NNC

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! 73, Walt

[@kdrichardson5261]

5 watts to aus....hero!!! They are fun!

[@KD9ZHF]

I like your down to earth videos.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!

[@jimsradiocheck936]

Great video my friend I have a lot of those portable radios you showed I have two of those ball radios the blue was one of my first radios I also have a radio sickness LOL

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

A blue one was my first radio too! I got it for my birthday in 1970. Thanks for sharing the radio disease with me my friend!

[@pasjeihobby]

I would love to get my hands on X5105 or X6100. Form factor is very appealing to me. Great video !

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! They are great radios

[@ronfirth5198]

I believe I have a similar radio addiction. Have a G1M and a G90, also an RS918 ,main rig in the shack is a 7300. G90 is an incredible QRP Rig. I'm usig a QRP Labs QDX for WSPR, and can highly recommend it , as well. It's an excellent kit! VA3IRF----73's.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for the recommendation, you’re going to have me buying another radio! 73

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

I’ve ditched my Yaesu FTDX10 for the FX-4CR for my POTA activations. So much easier to carry around and travel with. 73!

[@MikeN2MAK]

20W is a real sweet spot for POTA, if you ask me. The G90 was my first radio and it got plenty of parks activated with a bunch of different antennas.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I totally agree, 20 watts is the perfect spot.

[@54LR009]

Hey Walt, interesting video and a nice collection of QRP devices you have. LG from LX & 73 Serge.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much! 73

[@kenwalton]

Great video Walt. I purchased a newer version of your red brick radio back in the spring. I really wanted a shack in the box (HF, VHF, and UHF) but could not justify spending over $1200 for something like that. I have been happy with it since building an inverted V antenna for 10 and 20 meters. My longest contact has been about 760 miles, which might be because of the takeoff angle of the antenna. Just last week I received a Chameleon 17-foot vertical whip also with a mirror mount from a truck stop, wires for radials from Lowe's, and a 2-foot ground spike I had on hand. I set it all up Thursday and made a contact to Virginia. I heard someone from Italy, but as much as I tried I don't think he could hear me. Keep up your informative videos. Ken from Kentucky KQ4DEO

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I really like my 17 foot whips. You’re going to make some great contacts with that setup.

[@Tommyr]

Good video Walt! I just scored the last MTR4b (under $400) from LNR for this month. Awaiting shipment. Have a few MFJ 90** qrp rigs, a Youkits HB1B, and a KX2.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! Great radio, I have the MTR3b. LNR makes great stuff. I'll probably start doing some CW stuff on the channel after the first of the year when I get a little more confident in my skillset. 73, Walt

[@jiriwichern]

I sourced components for the uSDX SOTA (from Barb, WB2CBA) with 8-band LPF board and 1.02x firmware and built five (3 for HAMs that don't have the skills (any more) to the fine solder work... and 5 other HAMS of my chapter built another 5 with my components). It's a neat little unit in a aluminum housing and you can experiment with the band filters and choose support for 8 out of the 6m-80m HAM bands. I'm trying to combine 10-12 and 15-17 and add 6 meters but you may have to compromise with 3rd harmonics suppression if you try to let the filter handle two bands (it's still at least -30dBm but if you tune your filters in the dip you could get up to -40 dBm). The uSDX SOTA project is a variation on the PE1NNZ/DL2MAN uSDX. One of its weak points is the audible 'ticking' noise the unit makes when its OLED display is updated, especially on the 20 meter band and higher frequencies. You can mitigate that somewhat with adding a 3.3 MHz high pass filter in the RX line and ferrites on the power lines of the OLED display... or you can modify the firmware by lowering the S-Meter updates or add a sleep function when no interface elements are hit for, say 30 seconds. And there are no internal speaker and microphone in this unit. For the rest it has all the strengths and weaknesses of a 'normal' (tr)uSDX. Don't TX without a tuned antenna connected to it unless you want to almost instantly burn out the 3 BS170s and use recent firmware and a good speaker or head phones if you want to have at least a decent SSB RX experience. Same for phone TX, use a decent mike and recent firmware.

[@bodstrup]

A bit above the “cheap” range - consider the LAB599 TX-500. I had a good 1400 km SSB QSO with this rig using a 2.1. meter tall Superantenna from Denmark to mid Italy in the weekend. Works really good - and can handle rain

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I've been wanting a TX-500 for a while. Looks amazing.

[@terrysurface8663]

Thanks for this review. I have been looking and I think the X6100 is the one for me. I too can use the SWR plot, and I can use internal battery to chase RFI around the neighborhood. This would be more of a test radio than one I would use a lot. I have a 991A and ts2000 in my shack. 73 DE N4IQV.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching and commenting! 73, Walt K4OGO

[@dannyshortwave]

Great rundown on all those QRP radios. I own a G90 and very happy with it. I agree with your opinion on recommending the G90 as their first HF rig without breaking the bank. I also have my eye on the x6100 because of the internal battery and also for use on the 6 meter band. Awesome video. Have a good day Walt.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much my friend! Have a great day!

[@spareiChan]

I have both, I find the g90 to be better for use in the field on HF as it has less "issues" and can operate on a wider range of battery options being usable up to 17v. The x6100 is a great radio but there are some serious design flaws that knock it down compared to the g90. It has issues with internal birdies and it's RF rejection is a joke, you WILL need chokes and a good one if you are operating with a EFHW. It will feed CM RFI right into your mic and headphones, this is a bigger issue below 20m. The x6100 also can get quite hot even on SSB while generally the g90 doesn't unless you are doing digital. That being said, both have gotten me hundreds of pota qsos, the phrase "qrp" when calling just attracts everyone to you, even when calling park to park people often with more power will let the op know there is a qrp calling and let you thru the pileup. so power wise there is no difference, audio wise I get compliments on having "crisp" audio often.

[@kennethblackwell1137]

The only one that I have is the "Red Brick", only it's black. I haven't used it much. I've thought about buying the G-90.....but I have Yaesu FT-818 and FT-891. Thanks this was a nice review...

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Keep thinking about the G90 my friend hahaha

[@corsavic1]

great video just ordered my ziegu waiting for it cant wait

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! You’re going to love it

[@bryantwalley]

10:00 Love that one but every seller now shows that pic but says theirs has different knobs. It’s the orange knobs that put it to the top.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I’ve had mine for a while, it has the orange knobs.

[@downsouthsafaris6788]

Great video Walt my love affair with QRP was also from that x5105 I wouldn’t buy it again, I would (and did) look at the x6100 though! (you’ve been against the grain lucky with the QCX clones) but agreed with you across the board with one proviso and one consideration: If you’re a new to ham operator with a 10w restriction then think about what rig fits into your radio journey best - for me that x6100 is the one it’s got the built in tools needed to make antennas and everything you’ll need in one package that does up to 10w as you grow in your ham life the x6100 will always have a place I think the cheaper (and in many ways better) G90 would get left out once you’re 100W licensed. I think the option for a second hand rig should also be looked at an older Icom 706 mk2 or Icom 718/Yaesu ft 450 are all selling for about the same price but without the ATU and SWR sweep are better options Lastly you’ve got it spot on with the trusdx it’s a toy that you’ll definitely learn so much more about radio from and also compliment your RF journey specifically to understanding power, but it’s definitely for the more advanced user. I’ve ordered the Fx-4cr over the G90 and similarly priced X6100 for its portability and support. Ive realised I can build better resonant antennas than something an ATU can tune and in reality external batteries are the way to go for portable operation. I’ve had some amazing activations with the trusdx on multi day hikes but often thought I need extra power to get out initially. 20w and two packs of 4x18650’s are sufficient

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much and thank you for the great comment! 73, Walt K4OGO

[@nine7295]

FT-450 and IC-718 are very basic radios and cannot compare to the RF performance and filtering options in many of the radios listed in this video, so you are comparing apples and oranges.

[@downsouthsafaris6788]

@@nine7295 I stand by what I said. Listen to Walt’s comments at about 40 seconds in - BUDGET. I’ve loved using the 450 and the 718 their manual inputs help stimulate the learning. Unlike the majority of the transceivers mentioned the ft450 and IC718 will still be going strong in 10 years time. I’m absolutely loving my FX4CR right now - for me it’s perfect

[@pquimby]

For the FX-4CR, the published maximum power for FT8 as specified in the manual as of Oct 2023 v1.1 is 5W. This is not enforced in firmware. It's listed in the Important note after Setup for WSJT-X settings in section 7.3.

[@QRPNet-Livestream]

Great summary Doc.. A lot of fun and entertainment in every one of those radios.. thx for sharing your experience.. k0klb

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Doc! 73 my friend!

[@shanehogarth6373]

Interesting video, thanks. Ive had the white button, a red corner and a tr-usdx. Out of the three I've had geat fun with the white button, but as youbsay its a lottery as mine died after a few days, but i did manage to resurrect it. Main problem was build quality. Ive now sold the tr-usdx and used the main board from both the white button and the red corner as a base for a larger radio. The receive audio on the white button as you say is absolutely the best hands down. A software upgrade and a simple speech processor on the chinese radios transforms transmit audio reports. Take a look at my channel to see what I've been up to with mine thanks again, good video.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for the info! I will check out your channel

[@tkflanagan4449]

Thank you so much..... AWESOME!!!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@kirkp_nextguitar]

If you love CW the Venus SW-3B performs well on 40, 30 & 20m for $188 plus shipping.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes!! I actually have one and it is great.

[@adam-g7crq]

Hi Walt, now I've had a chance to play with one, if I had to start from scratch it'll be the G90 for me.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It’s a great starter HF radio.

[@nickl3872]

Thank you walt 73s

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! 73, Walt

[@Relayer1974]

Great video, Walt!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much!!!

[@radioman3229]

Best qrp radio review I have seen, also seeing you are a qrp radio aholic... lol, Im looking forward to maybe a Xiego 6200 review, thanks NS9T 73

[@JJH0326]

Just the video I was looking for! Anybody else do POTA? I'm new and just getting into it. Looking to meet people and do some foxhunts and some cw in the mountains lol.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

I cut the bulk of my field kit 80% and sacrificed only -1.2 dB by going with an FX-4CR.

[@anthonyglaser929]

thanks for posting.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnnorth9355]

Xiegu takes the win for me - just wish I could afford one !

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I’ve used the Affirm payment plan to buy one from Radioddity. Made it pretty easy to get one.

[@DesertRatLife]

another good video but at least put some links to places you like. I like to kick a link to see more on what your talking about. maybe even get a kick back if someone buys it. keep it up

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I purposely didn't put links in this video because I don't trust the sellers of a couple of these and I couldn't live with myself if I was part of someone getting ripped off. Also, I've made a decision to not do paid reviews or reviews of stuff that is given to me as there is just too much of it already on KZbin and I really just want to be me and give honest straight-up opinions on stuff. All the best and 73, Walt

[@ve2zdx]

Hey Walt, I miss the South American style videos: build antenna, do DX. Spiderbeam has a 1 element quad kit, I think you’d love to keep one of those in the dx jeep. 73!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hello my friend! I’m working 6 days a week right now and getting out portable is tough. I’ll get back to those videos as soon as possible.

[@WaltKO4LFE]

Excellent as usual!👏😁

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much!

[@Normjohanson]

I am not experienced enough to understand all of your acronyms. I’ll go back to my CB now

[@SuperCapsfan101]

Hi, Walt. Great review of these radios. I also operate QRP, and I’ll give up my FT-817 when they pry my cold dead fingers off my microphone! 😃. 73, Mike K3CXG who dat!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Mike! WHO DAT!!!

[@fransahm1956]

The addiction is strong and real in this one.

[@aktiva3443]

Excellent video 👍. 73 de 9A3BCZ Zlatko, Croatia

[@ColbyHiggs]

Thanks for the video!

[@meola69420]

Really want the FX4CR, but I think for two months now it's been listed on the site as sold out, no way to get in line. Thought about the IC705, but holy hannah it's expensive, and I don't really need VHF/UHF. Really leaning towards the X6100 now, don't need the wattage, more so portability, still running an old Icom IC737 that I scooped up for a couple of hundred bucks off marketplace, great deal, but it's a freaking brick that you won't be lugging anywhere! You are right about the 918 and 978 being the same aside from the battery, the only retailer I know of here in Canada has the 918 and then the 978 is the 918-Plus.

[@forgetyourlife]

Not true, orders were open October 6th 2023 and I got mine 4 weeks later. Check every day and have funds ready.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Keep checking, the FX-4CR is worth the wait if you can get one ordered.

[@Test-hw5fn]

20w is a good all round power level for reliable portable use.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes it is!

[@nine7295]

I think QRP is conventionally defined as 5W CW and 10W SSB, so many of the radios listed are not strictly QRP to the pure sense of the term. I own a Xiegu X108G Outdoor Edition, G90, X6100, Yaesu FT-818, Elad FDM-DUO, Elecraft KX3, Tadiran PRC-2200, if I am only listing those below 20W (to compare to your list). I thought about that mcHF but couldn't find an original and didn't want to buy a clone as it's hard to know which supplier is the good one. I thought about the (tr) uSDX and decided not to buy it, but a friend did. I like the Icom IC-705 but decided not to buy it because the Icom America manager's trash talk on their website (about other platforms). I wanted a Lab 599 Discovery TX-500 but i was too late when the price went up a lot. My friend bought one, but he warned me that reliability seemed to be an issue with this model. I thought of the FX-4CX and 4CR, but just couldn't make myself buying it. I think it's a little overpriced as far as a no name manufacturer.

[@cw.only.channel]

thank you 73!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! 73, Walt

[@skeeterk7trd158]

I have the X5105 but looking to go lighter, maybe the FX4CR 👍

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

The FX-4CR is definitely a lighter rig and the extra watts makes it even better. 73, Walt

[@californiakayaker]

From the digital mode perspective no clue which radios would be best. That said, the sBITX newer version is ready to go. Almost all digital modes included and on the screen when you turn it on.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

The FX-4CR has Bluetooth and is also ready to go

[@pyreneesfarm7818]

Don't look at the back of or origin stickers on anything, even furniture with certain black smooth finishes. I used to bring in expensive furniture from the west coast YEP, a 900.00 bed with a beautiful finish. To see the origin sticker, you had to go completely under the frame and take a piece off the body of it, but it is there.

[@grandmagordon1703]

tnx agn walt .great shirt de wb8e navy duck

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! 73

[@thomashardy9994]

Just ordered a qrp radio from a US seller on eBay. Feeling pretty good about it. 😂

[@tomm899]

Good stuff thanks

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks!

[@gaptastic]

I was getting impatient ... "When's Walt gonna say g90? WTF?" G90 was my first HF radio and will probably never get rid of it. But have been eyeing the FX-4CR and 6100 for some time. Hmmm which one will it be? Thanks Walt! Keep on keeping on with the great videos!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahaha I was saving the best for last! Thanks for the kind words my friend!!!

[@jeremynewman1277]

​@COASTALWAVESWIRES first question do you have to have a ham license second question compared to the 10 mm band for CBS do you adjust the swrs the same way or not

[@jeremynewman1277]

​@@COASTALWAVESWIRESthis is my first time ever hearing about this kind of radio I am very interested thank you for the video

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes these are ham radios so you need a license for most bands. The FX-4CR will work on 11 meters (CB) and the G90 can be modified to work on 11 meters. Yes SWR must be adjusted just like you do in the CB world

[@RonanCantwell]

Xiegu got it right (eventually) with the G90. It's a LOT of radio for the money. The X5105 also has a proper IF out that can be squirted into an rtlsdr dongle. Doing that, along with CAT control, you can run HDSDR or SDR# etc on your computer and have a ton of fun with proper audio.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I had forgotten that about the X5105 IF out to dongle trick. Hmmm I need to play with that, I’ve got a couple rtlsdr dongles. Thanks for the idea!

[@RonanCantwell]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES just set the input offset to 70.455 MHz in the software and it's like having a whole new radio 😁

[@johnsinclair3067]

IMO the G90 is still the best "features to price" radio on the market. Still anxiously awaiting specs Xiegu's next offering: will it be a 20watt "Shack in the box"? Will it have onboard digital modes like the SBITX?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I’m anxiously waiting to find out too!

[@Brigantine2008]

Good video🇺🇸

[@Jack-tr1jm]

Hi Walt. Another great video. Just wondering if you ever got a chance to try the PreppComm MMX or DMX40? I recall you mentioned that you bought one to try out. I realize it’s CW only with a built-in decoder - so a niche product - but was curious of your thoughts. I’m guessing since you never did a review you either didn’t have time or maybe really didn’t like it. Keep up the good work! 73 Jack N3DNA

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi Jack, I just haven't had the time yet but really want to use that thing soon. Thanks for giving me the nudge. 73, Walt

[@snuffy19608]

Ok Walt, you got me. Membership bought. And a question: I just ordered a tru sdx, wondering where to get an external microphone. Any ideas? Take care, Happy New Year!! Greg

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much Greg! I used the cheap mic that came with my older uSDX. It worked well. I’ve seen them on eBay for under 15 bucks. Happy New Year!!!!