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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