The Legendary Mountain Topper HF Radios

The Mountain Topper Radios (MTR) are the most svelte top down radio some one can have in their kit without goong full stripped down home brew. They are effective, efficient and tiny. If you're interested in Morse Code, you should probably check them out.
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[@mikeh4524]

Way to fight through the Morse, Josh! I love that you’re not afraid to make mistakes and share them! Also, I think you told him you’re from Tamaulipas, Mexico. 🤷‍♂️ -KE0VIM

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

There is a small correction to power input. Generally for all MTRs you’ll want to feed them no more than 12v. The 4 bander can take 13.8v, but if you give it an antenna that isn’t precisely matched, it could hurt the radio.

[@KX4UL]

Nice look at the Mountain Toppers! I have the same exact MTR3b and love it! So happy to see you getting into CW. It will open up a whole world of opportunities for your HAM radio fun and future videos. Stay well OM and 73!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@averageguysradio]

Great video Josh, It was both informative and fun, I really like how you didn't edit out that qso (fun stuff) it added a bit of an every HAM element. I have long marveled at how SOTA operators like Adam (K6ARK) and Steve (wG0AT) make it seem so easy making that long distance contacts. I will certainly be getting one once my CW proficiency improves a little bit more. Thanks again and 73

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks Jose!

[@k8drtqrp]

Hey that's the radio you beat me to! I will find one in good time. Glad to see the review is done. I will be here.

[@Thunderontheroad]

You and me

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’ll likely have something more in depth after I get more flight time with it.

[@herdbrian6662]

Never realized you were a south paw! I like that you key rt and write lt. That’s how I’ve been practicing.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It's handy!

[@JPang-fu7yh]

Sure wish I could find one!!! LNR has paused online ordering since 02-07-2022.

[@DK5ONV]

Those mini Radios looking darn sweet. They are that little fitting in pretty much any side pocket of my pants. Even the CW Paddle finds room in one pocket. The qrp EFHW Antenna and some battery fit in another pocket to bring it to the the portable radio playground. How great is that? I mean, now I have more room left in my rBackpack for all the Beers, Doritos & shit. Good job on that Video Josh, keep up the Good Work. 73 de YFUG 💯🎸🍻🙋‍♂

[@mikak1]

Good video. I own the "brothers" as well, although I have not taken the big brother out in the field yet. I didn't notice the difference in the number of mountains until I saw it on the video. I use the 3b on longer SOTA hikes and it is fun to operate. I bought the MTR3b new about two years ago from LNR. I really like the radio, but after about 5-6 SOTA activations, the up/down arrows stopped working. Have no clue why this happened, as I did not drop the radio or mistreat it. I can still use it by manually entering the frequencies. I reached out to LNR once, but had no reply. I should probably try and contact them again to see if they can repair it. Forgot to add, the 3b is loud as you stated. I would definitely recommend purchasing a volume control when using headphones. Mike - N6MKW

[@OnTerraFirma]

I have the PFR-3B (yellow one) built by Steve and sold by Pacific/Hendricks. Great rig with a full tuner (endfed, bal, coax), built in battery holder, and volume knob. Having the balance lead tuner makes it great to run multi band doublets portable. Just wish it had a variable bandwidth audio filter.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

That’s the one!!!

[@gliderrider]

We called that one, “the poor man’s kx1”. It was really a shack in a box. de n5vwn

[@Thunderontheroad]

I’ve been wanting for this one

[@kurt53641]

Same

[@johnbauman4005]

Really fun looking devices. I see you have the left-handed version! No update to their website for a year now and no apparent ability to get on a waiting list, ETA, etc. None currently on eBay. I guess they are in so much demand they don't need to provide much consumer support. However if they are waiting on parts as per their website, they could certainly take the opportunity to step up their support game. John

[@thomasauslander3757]

Thanks for yr great enthusiasm.

[@kurt53641]

Been waiting to purchase the new mountain topper. Website still will not take new orders.

[@royramdeen8864]

Gee.. I want one of these and could never find one josh..☹

[@temporarilyoffline]

That 3b is super interestnig to me. I don't like the 9v, but I could put up with it and a buck converter.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It will take 12v ok. But no more. I think it’s value is the flush controls. It slides into any pack and disappears. Great radio. 👍

[@dxradioman6351]

No AGC in the MTR3b and that's why the volume pot in the ear bud line. Great radio.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@shadowlab9543]

i really hope they bring back the mtr-3b, i really like the small size

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Me too!

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Outstanding rigs, lack nothing for portable ops. No whiners allowed.

[@ianliston-smith7921]

Well built, looks great but I don't think I'd like the lack of any proper tuning knob, or volume control. Sorry, but the basic up-down keys on some portable rigs are just not practical. And why can't they gang all three switches?

[@MrZas2485]

Mountain Topper vs SW-3B. How do they stack up Josh.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Man. Good question. We’ll talk about that in the future.

[@Screamingtut]

Josh, Is something wrong video still uploading?? Its been 3 hour+

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yeah. Something is broken. Will reupload shortly.

[@KMondy]

More lnr mtr please.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Will do! I’m still pushing on Morse Code!

[@DonzLockz]

Great little devices but CW is hard to learn.

[@bubbleheadft]

Somebody's been watching a lot of DankPods lately.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I think all of his video. Have to catch myself. These tiny radios start looking like MP3 players.

[@Aimsport-video]

LiFePo4 voltages are higher than spec limit for the Mountain Topper. Please be careful.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Did you watch the video?

[@Aimsport-video]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse yes. You said 13.8 will work fine around 2min something. But as per manual “A simple way of making a 13.8V supply safe to use is to add two silicon rectifier diodes in series with the positive power lead, such as 1N4001 diodes. This will drop the supply voltage to the MTR by about 1.5 volts.”

[@Aimsport-video]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse love your channel. Please don’t shoot the messenger.

[@mdeberl5872]

I have the Mtr4b V2.3 on order from LNR and I noticed the manual they sent me indicated the same thing about lowering the voltage with two diodes so it would be good to get this clarified. Thanks for the great video.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The 4b is advertised as taking the 13.8. The 3b only 12. I tried to explain that in the video. No bullets fired. Just making sure I didn’t miss-speak. 😅

[@Bob814u]

I have had a LNR MTR3b (original) for a couple of years. I need to use it more as I am really enjoying CW on my KX3. 73!!! de KE5ES