Them's computers Howard!
On 4/23/2013 8:48 AM, Howard Kaufman wrote:
> ARaspberry Pie?
> How does that work better than apple or pumpkin?
> Sounds great with morning coffee!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 6:46 AM
> Subject: Fwd: [X1M_QRP-Transceiver] My first impressions of the X1M QRPp
> Transceiver
>
>
>> While there's nothing that indicates this might be very accessible, =
>> here's more info on the X1M HF QRP radio.=20
>>
>> Ed is still waiting for his shipment, so once he has it and hooks me up, =
>> I'll keep y'all posted.=20
>>
>> I did write to the QSYer guy, and he tells me that the keypad won't =
>> work, as the X1M has a real serial port, whereas Icom radios use =
>> something else and convert. So, for better accessibility, it would be a =
>> computer, or maybe we can work up something using a Raspberry Pi or =
>> similar? Well, it would be a good excuse to learn something, wouldn't =
>> it?
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>
>>
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>> From: Papadad <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: [X1M_QRP-Transceiver] My first impressions of the X1M QRPp =
>> Transceiver
>>> Date: April 22, 2013 8:54:40 PM EDT
>>> To: "[log in to unmask]" =
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> I also received my X1M from the manufacturer yesterday. I will do a =
>> written review, while video would be better, youtube is blocked here =
>> and so I did not bother to make a video, play with the VPN to upload it, =
>> etc. I can do that during the weekend. =20
>>> =20
>>> Initial opening the box observations:
>>> =20
>>> Unit arrived in bubble wrap, no outer box or other packaging. =
>> Instruction "manual" is 1 page front and back printed, which gives basic =
>> specs and menu functions - good enough that even an inexperienced ham =
>> could be up and running. The units that I am procuring are fully =
>> assembled, not kit form. The box contained the radio as well as a =
>> hand microphone wired for the radio. It also included a phono jack for =
>> CW key (wire yourself) and a power jack (wire yourself). I wired the =
>> power jack, plugged it into the ps and the radio and turned the radio on =
>> -- nothing. OK, quick inspection of the power plug reveals that the =
>> barrel is too wide and the pin is too narrow - the plug fits snugly into =
>> the jack, but the inner barrel does not connect to the inner pin. I =
>> unplugged my AT-100 auto-tuner (that is wired with similar barrel) power =
>> jack, plugged it into the radio just to try things and the radio turned =
>> right on. =20
>>> =20
>>> Radio is light weight. All metal enclosure and looks to be well =
>> shielded. Rear panel of my unit has "metric threaded" SO-238 RF =
>> connector, and I was able to find some PL-259's that fit just fine. The =
>> Amphenol connectors that I have did not fit well...so...it's easy to =
>> swap out a different rf connector, or get a simple adapter with the =
>> right threads to convert it to N-connector or BNC connector etc. =20
>>> =20
>>> Radio has a small built in speaker. Volume/audio is adequate but =
>> not super loud - probably better with external speaker or use =
>> headphones. While the mic looks identical to a ht speaker-mic, it is =
>> not wired that way and thus is used only for TX audio. The mic has a =
>> red LED on it when in TX mode to show transmit. The LCD display will =
>> also show a T or R icon when in transmit or receive. =20
>>> =20
>>> Initial operating observations:=20
>>> =20
>>> Radio has a built in preamp that really helps receive. The =
>> sensitivity is around 0.45uV which is less sensitive than my FT-857 -- =
>> i dont have other QRP rigs to compare it to, but it's not in the same =
>> class (price or performance) as a K1, Scout, 817D, etc anyway so i =
>> suppose it is really more than adequate. There are dedicated bandpass =
>> filters that switch in and out and those seem to really help selectivity =
>> (as expected with an SDR).=20
>>> =20
>>> Tuning - the first thing you will want to do is spin the dial. OK, =
>> the VFO knob feeling is clicky clicky knob, think of it like a "select" =
>> knob on the 817/857 or Alinco DX70 radio if you are familiar with those. =
>> Or, if you have owned QRP gear, think of it like the Uniden 2510/2600 =
>> or RS HTX-100 main tuning knob. It is not a "smooth VFO" knob. The =
>> knob clicks. And, like every other knob of this design , it too =
>> occasionally skips a beat or two, so you have to watch the VFO when =
>> tuning up or down band. I would have preferred a smooth vfo tuning =
>> mechanism, but can't have everything. The VFO knob has rotate =
>> function and a push in function. The push in function is used to "set" =
>> certain parameters, such as tuning step once the step has been selected. =
>> =20
>>> =20
>>> The LCD display is green backlight and fairly easy to read considering =
>> small size overall of the unit. Frequency is the main use for the LCD =
>> display, as is TX or RX function, pre-amp on or off. =20
>>> =20
>>> There is no S-meter or RF(output) or SWR meter on the LCD display =
>> unit. =20
>>> =20
>>> Tuning resolution can be set to Mhz, 100 Khz, 10 KHZ, 1 Khz, 100 Hz, =
>> 10 Hz, and 1 Hz. Yes -- pretty remarkable but remember this thing is =
>> all DSP driven. 1 Hz resolution is probably overkill...but anyway, =
>> it's there if you need it. It's a little=20
>>> =20
>>> Modes are USB/LSB/CW. No AM or FM or FSK. You change modes with =
>> one of the front panel push button switches. Pushing and holding one of =
>> the switches will put you into Menu mode. Pushing and holding other =
>> switch will turn the preamp on or off. =20
>>> =20
>>> You can set the BFO frequency for these modes within the setup menu (9 =
>> menus are available for various tweaking, mostly dealing with the SDR =
>> aspects of the radio.
>>> =20
>>> There is no obvious POWER OUT or MIC GAIN or ALC adjustment as noted =
>> previously..
>>> =20
>>> I am mostly a CW op and the bandwidth in CW mode is fairly wide ... =
>> maybe 1800 Hz bandwidth. Did not have time for measuring it but it is =
>> certainly not a narrow filtered receiver as judged by my ham ear. =20
>>> =20
>>> On SSB it plays nicely and was listening to some of the Sichuan =
>> earthquake H&W traffic last evening. =20
>>> =20
>>> I like the gen coverage receive, but without AM detection, it is just =
>> so-so listening in on the shortwave bands unless you zero-beat and =
>> eliminate the heterodyning. Good news is that the DSP is super stable =
>> so the thing doesn't drift like the old capacitance style vfo's.... had =
>> to keep one hand on the tuning dial while listening to London...Once set =
>> you can at least hear and understand the broadcast (bandwidth a little =
>> narrow for AM too)
>>> =20
>>> Have not done much advanced testing - sensitivity, selectivity, audio =
>> and power out, etc... will report more when tests are completed. =20
>>> =20
>>> I feel it's important to represent this rig as it is.... not mislead. =
>> Share positives and negatives... provide feedback to manufacturer for =
>> improvements, etc. The unit I have, is serial number X0087...white glue =
>> on sticker. Would be interesting to compare production differences =
>> with others. =20
>>> =20
>>> As indicated previously, I have placed an order with the manufacturer =
>> and will keep posted on committed delivery dates to me, and then onward =
>> shipping, pricing, etc. for those who expressed interest. =20
>>> =20
>>> More to follow.
>>> =20
>>> Joe K7JOE/BY1
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> =20
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