Recent RS-958 80 Watt VHF Ham Radio Transceiver - Or is it?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Here is the response from the manufacturer: About the RS-958 , supplier asked the engineer to use a professional large-scale instrument to test. At the frequency of channel 1, the power reached 76.1w. Problem 1: Module problem. Due to the Sino-US trade issue, the original 80w power module is not available and is always out of stock. We purchased a 60w module and then changed the circuit board plan so that the actual output power can still reach 80w (there will be a ±5w deviation at different frequencies) Problem 2: The length of the feeder used by the customer, the loss in the middle, and whether the instrument is a professional large-scale instrument test will affect the power. 1. The worse the feeder, the greater the power loss transmitted. 2. The longer the feeder, the greater the transmission loss. 3. The instrument is an ordinary handheld instrument, the greater the deviation

[@jaymzx0]

Ah, yes. Of course it's your fault their device can't meet the advertised specs. Also, if the 60W power module is capable of hitting 80W and produce a signal with enough spectral purity to be legally transmitted, why does the module manufacturer sell an 80W module? 🤔

[@stormshadow_6477]

@@jaymzx0 I'd hazard a guess and say that while spectral purity might be ok, the signal still may be distorted by overdriving. Or the transistors are being kept well within acceptable levels for longevity. I saw a comment somewhere here claiming that the 80W module can hit close to 100 watts, which would make sense in that case. Blaming the subpar power output on the power feedline is rather goofy though, really does sound like a bad excuse...

[@khimroy3958]

buying prc made products must be careful! Full of 'village made or call Shan Zai ' products! I call it copy cat products 🐈 that copy from the Japanese product ! On the other side is this PRC made products is cheap!

[@PAJ3Cub]

The best price I can find on line for the RS-958 in the US is $211.00 USD compared to the Yaesu FT-2980 which is currently available for $170.00. Why would anyone buy this???

[@paulsengupta971]

The link gives the radio much cheaper than $211, but it's still within spitting distance of the price of the Yaesu, so I agree about asking why anyone would buy it!

[@ploegmma]

I don’t get it. For less than €10 more you can get a real Yaesu FT-2980E. Why would anyone bother?

[@G7CDA]

I have a Yaesu 2980 which came with a genuine 80w output and is quite happy up to 100w which can be dialled up in the Technical Menu and is widely documented on the internet as being OK to do. The Yaesu has no fan either but the heatsink carries right across the back. It is a great radio and is very solid.

[@VTX-Live]

The level at which this radio mimics the 2980 is remarkable!

[@fthorup]

looks like a direct copy! Just added a fan...

[@stefanpaul9443]

My FT-2980E has no build-in fan as opposed to this copy - but brings 80W for sure instead 😂

[@mikesradiorepair]

I have seen this exact make / model radio sold on AliExpress and advertised as a 100 Watt radio. The daughter PCB at the front left looks like it could possibly be a voltage rail switch or regulator. Kind of hard to trace out the PCB traces in the video.

[@paulsengupta971]

From a comment above, the 80W module can apparently be driven up to 100W, at least in the genuine Yaesu. I guess with the unavailability of the 80W module and only the 60W module being available, it can only be advertised as, and driven up to, 80W!

[@samocooper9070]

the daughter board is fan power and control via a bodge wire on to the main pcb

[@vicrod74]

Makes a good repeater radio, honestly.

[@mikewillis1592]

The data sheet is clear that the output is 60W, but if you delve deeper it will readily do 80W and more. From 13.8V I would expect 90W. The 60W is a guaranteed level at 12.5V across the whole frequency range. I suspect if you try it with a 13.8V supply and good quality DC cables so it is really 13.8V at the radio, it will do the 80W. I know this because I have that module, it is good for 10W or so of DATV but it will do much more. There is a module RA80H1415M1 that does 80W and that's probably what will be in the Yaesu. That module does 60W over the 130-170 MHz range. What do you think the chances are this is the exact same part but rated for 80W in the amateur band and 60W outside that? Curious?

[@enthru]

Yeah, looks like it's true

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Check my pinned message.

[@theradiorover]

I use a Yaesu 2980 to power my 2m APRS digi-peater. I chose it because of its simplicity, but mainly because it has no cooling fan and therefore runs silently. That thing you have isn't the best, is it?

[@BikerCaf]

60W TX module means it's a 60W radio. But anyway, there have been reports of those power meters you're using being way out of calibration when sold new, though I expect yours is fine, it's showing 60W'ish from a 60W module (albet around 170MHz). Yes the PA modules can run more power, but you run the risk of blowing it if it sees a high SWR. + semiconductor lifetime is reduced if used at or over its stated power limit.

[@norrinradd8952]

The last 2980 I bought was made in China. Nobody is shocked that a Chinese knockoff finally made it to market.

[@j3xk72r9]

The entry level Yaesu radios are actually made in China, so this may be the real thing rebadged. The display looks identical.

[@davewalker7126]

my old FT2900 made 75 watts without a fan - I turned it down to 50 watts using the 'secret' menu. Paired up with an old CB coffin microphone instead of the MH48 its a bombproof choice. Still exists as the FT2980, and at a cheaper price than this imposter on review.

[@4youian]

Just wondering if anyone knows if these modules work at HF? There's nothing in the datasheet for that frequency. 73, VK7IAN

[@enthru]

No, they don't

[@404DisasterNotFound]

Looks like a voltage step up/down converter to me (The board on the bottom left).

[@enthru]

Or linear stabilizer, because I'm not seeing the choke. But anyway looks like it's power stabilizer for fan (we can see wires goes to the back side of radio).

[@404DisasterNotFound]

@@enthru You got a good point there!

[@didotb01]

If you don't get a respond, how likely would you mod this radio to get full 80 W ?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Apparently it's already modded to supply near 80 watts output, maybe I need to check my power meter! lol.. Check my pinned message.

[@Cardassiaprime]

Interesting video, but I’ll Stick with my Yaesu 8900r quad band 50W.👍

[@TechMindsOfficial]

That was my first radio when I got licensed. Love the 8900.

[@pixeluser175]

It even has the old WIRES logo on the front buttons... Why.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

It actually works. It’s like they have copied the Yaesu firmware exactly.

[@pixeluser175]

@@TechMindsOfficial Holy... Very nice.

[@VTX-Live]

@@TechMindsOfficial maybe they did, short of replicating the firmware 1:1, maybe they just figured out how to download and decompile it right from a real yaesu.

[@TobotronPrime]

I have a FT-2980R and it looks EXACTLY the same as that radio - I wonder if they are the same on the inside too?! Still I would much rather own the Yeasu for an extra £25 as its only £150!! With that given I don't really see why this copy exists!?

[@TobotronPrime]

well I commented before watching the video :D

[@alphaadhito]

Lol, I have 2900R at home and wondering whats the difference with 2980. Then came out this 😅

[@PhilON4VP]

Hi Mat, yes according the present module it works but why advertise 80 watts ??? LOL 73 Phil ON4VP

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Son: Can I have Yaesu? Mom: We have Yaseu at home! Yaesu at home:

[@VTX-Live]

@@jeffkardosjr.3825 😂

[@TheOpticalFreak]

How expensive was it?

[@paulsengupta971]

£125.

[@glynnetolar4423]

No, Chinese manufacturers would not exaggerate (lie) about their specs, would they? This hasn't happened before, hundreds of times?

[@spakkajack]

10 mins on 20w would get it rather hot under the covers

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

I would call this a Nayhoo!!!

[@eliotmansfield]

at least you can return it and get a refund for not as described now you have reviewed it

[@adamap2796]

A mahoosive heat sink and an equally NON mahoosive power output. 😀

[@wildbill1]

I bet you that radio gets hot operating on high power

[@haxboi5492]

So it's a Yaesu knockoff at the price of a Yaesu? Hard pass

[@rjy8960]

A Chinese rip-off radio not performing as per specifications....Wow! Who'd have thought it? Glad my Wingfubong handie puts out 100W - not checked it yet but apparently according to the advertising....

[@VTX-Live]

@@rjy8960 I got the shingwangdong UV-600XRv2++, it puts out 10,000w with a 600ah battery! It's pretty good.

[@mikegianfrancesco9431]

Bootleg ft 2900r

[@R50_J0]

Low quality, short-lived Chinese clone junk at only a moderate savings in price.

[@johnnorth9355]

Circa £126 ? Who cares about the missing watts ?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

In the grand scheme of things, I doubt very much difference, but it’s more about principle. Getting what is paid for. Hopefully I’ll find out soon and keep you all updated. Cheers

[@paulsengupta971]

ML&S have the Yaesu one without the missing watts for £150.

[@vincei4252]

Why lie? The hybrid clearly says it outputs 60W. This alone is a reason not to bother buying this.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Could be a factory mistake, wrong serial number sticker etc. but I’ll post more information once I get a response. Hopefully they will send me an 80watt model and check their inventory. Cheers

[@vincei4252]

@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks. In manufacturing getting something as simple as labeling their products wrong is kind of suspicious especially when you consider all the other things that have to go right to end up with a working product line. It ends up annoying customers and could easily cost them money. I'll be on the lookout for any followup. Cheers.

[@hzgl]

... there's always an abundance of chinesium and surprises in these bootleg radios

[@khimroy3958]

buying prc made products must be careful! Full of 'village made or call Shan Zai ' products! I call it copy cat products 🐈 that copy from the Japanese product ! On the other side is this PRC made products is cheap