Ask Michael, KB9VBR: What's do I think about the new Yaesu FTX-1F QRP transceiver

[@pfmcdermott1]

Some water resistant rating really should be standard on radios meant to be used outside.

[@mariemccann5895]

Not sure this is meant to be used outside, it isn't a handy.

[@DominicMazoch]

Staying with my Ic 703+ Sips power on standby. Has tuner. George Jetson can use it without screaming JANE at the top of his lungs!

[@whitepinephotography5887]

If you like boat anchor tech, You have it. Enjoy.

[@scottgarvy]

I think the screen is similar in size to the FT-710. The FTM-500 screen is smaller than the FTM-400 screen.

[@wjjohns04able]

They really need to release a base unit for the head that would allow 100w hf, and 50w uhf,vhf.

[@earnestmatlock9694]

I agree that touch screen will definitely be a power HOG. Im satisfied with the ft-891 and my 25 watt leixen dual bander. Easy to operate and all that I actually need. I hope the new Yaesu it doesn't have too many issues. The original ftdx 991 was plagued with problems and was replaced with the ftdx 991A which seems to be a decent ham shack in a box. I use an oversize military ammo case with my ft-891/ ldg automatic tuner/ leixen vv898s/R&L electronics switching power supply with noise shift. All of that fits inside the ammo case with 2 extra cooling fans. Its wired to operate 110 volts off the power supply or flip the switch and use external 12 volt batteries with solar panels and run all the way through field day completely portable. I use a laptop for logging and HRD so I have the waterfall running digital modes. The laptop runs ok on 12 volts as well with seperate batteries and pannele. I have a fully deployable screen encosure to keep mosquitoes from hauling me off along with decent size tarp above the enclosure to shed sun and rain so I keep working stations. It sounds like alot and it is, but it's all fully deployable in minutes where ever I need to be. We have tropical type storms here sometimes, and you need a full power rig and deployability with abilities to repair connectors if needed. I have the whole setup with a hand truck with case for coax feedline and another for antennas and 3 telescoping aluminum mast and mounts secured to the hand truck. I typically get deployed to 1 of the fire stations here in the county if disaster declaration is called. The two radio solution is the way to go for my application. Great video as always 73 Earnest K5EWM.

[@HamBandit]

QRP is Great with an amplifier. They would have a great radio if they added 90 watts. LOL

[@TheRetrospectVault]

I agree why don't they just make it 100 watts

[@J0HN3]

Yeah, QRP is a toy, not a radio for my purposes. If SHTF I want 100 watts. An updated 991A with a modern user interface would sell really well.

[@michaelscott2592]

It's qrp some people just don't get it. If the power is too low for you just don't go for a qrp Rigg and keep your criticisms to yourself

[@jamescoffey5225]

For a SHTF scenario 20-30 watts is sufficient. Much easier on batteries than 100 watts. Military rigs are in the 20+ watts range. I wouldn't mind seeing a amateur radio in the 20-30 watts range, such as the Xiegu G90, but Yaesu, Icom, or Kenwood manufactured & sold.

[@whitepinephotography5887]

It a QRP radio dude, you can work the world on 5 watts.

[@PhilON4VP]

4 meters (70 MHz) is confirmed for UK users or where allowed. It is a nice concept clipping add-ons on the back of the radio (battery, tuner, ventilator). It's also a great solution for QO-100 satellite operation with a up/downconverter using HVF and UHF frequencies. 73 Phil ON4VP

[@whitepinephotography5887]

Michael. I hope you reserve one, I have mine reserved. My X6100 has a large screen and processing and I can tell you it does not have a large current drain. I use it with a 6AH battery and it can run all day I believe that the FTX-1F will be so good it will long pass the 705 and even the KX3/KX2. I can't believe the dim wit comments about it should have 20 or 100 watts. 20 watts is only one half an S unit more as you know it is a QRP radio. Operating QRP does require a bit if Skill and perhaps that is the answer. I tell people how well the magic carpet works as I have both the screen and Faraday cloth and even refer to you excellent videos and I still get stupid comments that is does not work. We will not know Just how good this radio is until it comes out, but it looks like a great portable and POTA radio. I hope you will do one of your great reviews. I have both the FT-991a and the FT-710 and look forward to my FTX-1F. I am not a "Yaesu Fan Boy", I just appreciate good radios. 2025 will be the year of Yaesu.

[@nr3rful]

How can someone pre-order if you don't know the price ?

[@tcort]

they aren’t taking pre-orders, they’re taking reservations. You’re paying for a place in line to purchase it when it becomes available.

[@aaronjohnston1584]

Kinda like Harley Davison 20 years ago

[@arthurgumbus3969]

If this is like its brethren in the Yaesu FT line, the receive should be outstanding and I do hope the transmit output is clean. Just wondering what the power consumption is going to be.

[@carlosroig5315]

The IC-705 currently sells for $1,349.99 The FTX-1F will be " conveniently priced between $1,199 and $1,299 that is my near guess.

[@W7LDT]

I’ll keep my KX3.

[@ivandubinsky1857]

It looks like it could have a lot of potential. I'll wait until it's been released and out for a while before I decide if I want one or not.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

I'm holding off putting a reservation in on this radio. I want to know the base price and then the prices for the optional cooling fan and the optional tuner. 73

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Michael, I'm considering it for satellite communications since it's full duplex. 73 WJ3U

[@ch716]

Many sites say it's not full duplex

[@Skullfocher]

I have doubts about it being true full duplex. Main reason is that the VHF and UHF antenna outputs are on the same BNC port. Which means that in order to mitigate desense, you would need an external diplexer. Full duplex will also come with two separate audio outputs. Maybe it can do full duplex but I'm not holding my breath.

[@N4GW]

Anyone know the final price

[@MikeB0001]

To break the market...i bet it will be just over 1k..with coupons to bring it sub 1k. It will make Icom fanbois jump ship...then the price will creep up. It would be a marketing genius ploy. But I digress.

[@theoldhobbit3640]

As a Yaesu fan boy, I love the idea of this radio. I operate almost extensively portable, and my radio stable carries nothing but Yaesu. Yaesu needed both a replacement for the 817/818 as well as challenging the likes of the IC705, give it time, there will be a 100w version on the horizon 😊. The battery does not concern my, neither does the additional fan for hateful 8, but no tuner😮. I have never used a tuner in the field as any antenna I build is resonate on the band I use, but for those who don't a tuner would be helpful. I'll stick with my trusted 817 and 857 for the moment ❤

[@Pitbike65]

There will be a an automatic tuner "backpack"

[@VE9ASN]

As a 705 owner, it certainly intrigues me. Requiring a cooling fan with a mere 10w output is ridiculous, and a sign of being inefficient. After seeing how yaesu ignored the obvious widespread issues of the cracking cases on the ft5dr that I also own, it really gives me a bad "gut" feeling about the company.

[@alexalonso2093]

Waite what ? Cracking cases WTH 😂

[@VE9ASN]

@alexalonso2093 yep, a large percentage of the ft5dr develop a Crack in the case, all in the same location, just a fact. 73

[@whitepinephotography5887]

Most 705s run hot. Yaesu tackles it head on. Its OK when the FTX-1f comes out there will be tons of 705s for a song.

[@jamescoffey5225]

I had always thought that QRP radio ops were oriented toward minimalist radio under quasi-primitive conditions. I suppose that ship has passed. 😀 Very informative video. Thanks & 73 de AE5ZX

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

There was a time when QRP rigs were pretty austere. And there are still QRP transceivers that are quite diminutive and are well suited for a minimalist's pack. But like everything else, the new generation is laden with as many features as larger rigs.

[@stalin200000]

what do you think about ICOM IC-V82

[@EvanK2EJT]

I already put a deposit down for one. I own more QRP radios than I know what to do with, but if this thing has ears anything like my FTDX10, that's all I need to know (and I suspect it will minus the crystal filters). I don't really care so much about the price as long as it's not insane. My 705 is a great radio, but the receiver and filtering are just meh.

[@jneale5204]

After my disappointment with the FTM-500, i am going to hold my comments until it comes out and people make videos about it.

[@BruceForster-k9n]

Will it work with the ATAS120?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I can't say for sure due to the sparse information that Yaesu has released, but I would assume a Yaesu radio would support a Yaesu antenna.

[@SQL_HAM]

They should use the same format to do a replacement for the aging 891 which I love. Willing to pay a premium, of course.

[@pauls8456]

Sorry but that’s rubbish about the FT817 burning finals, I (and everyone I know) have never had that issue with over 20years of owning them, and I still have 2…. Also the IC705 has many similar features and is very low current draw.

[@yakovdavidovich7943]

Such weird commentary... "Big screen equals massive power consumption," and the IC-705 is sitting over there with 300mA on RX with the screen on... the IC-705 is lower current draw than the FT-818, and has the big screen. I think you guys are making assumptions based on the screens of yesterdecade.

[@nr3rful]

Crips...just what we need is a other so called QRP radio😢

[@ivandubinsky1857]

Why "so called"? QRP is determined by power output which, on SSB, is 10 watts PEP output.

[@davidkay1386]

I don’t understand what the Crips have to do with it.

[@youtube.youtube.01]

It's foolish to "Insult" any radio or equipment that you never have personally tried. It really sounds like you want to kill amateur radio instead of promote it.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I certainly wouldn’t call our reaction to the announcement of this transceivers an insult. And unlike other KZbinrs I’m not going to fawn over every product announcement. But instead look at the specs and give a critical assessment. The ham community deserves that.

[@dugbohamradio]

I ll stick with my original mcHF M0NKA with SDR touchscreen, internal ATU and half the size and 10Watts.

[@JA-fy1bn]

I realize it's all personal preference, but Yaesu's tendency to make their radios look like sports cars does not make sense to me. It's a radio! Not a Porsche! To each his reach.

[@michaelscott2592]

Don't use it then

[@turtlecreek4633]

73, w3rrm

[@TheRetrospectVault]

why can't they just make it 100 watts

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

The whole thing gets bigger. Bumping to 20-25W would not be as bad. I wonder if they will create an add-on tuner/amplfier. They announced a tuner, but amp/tuner would be great.

[@ivandubinsky1857]

Because, then, it wouldn't be a qrp rig.

[@TheRetrospectVault]

@@ivandubinsky1857 I know but I just think it is a waste of money

[@whitepinephotography5887]

They do its called a FT-710, amazing radio, just no VHF/UHF.

[@TheRetrospectVault]

IMO QRP radios are a waste of money

[@ivandubinsky1857]

Fortunately, real hams don't care about your opinion and have fun working the world with low power.