Eric and all, There is also an HF rig in an HT form factor, being
marketed by Youkits, through Tenntec.
If memory serves, it's mainly an SSB rig, with 40memories, and sells
for around the same price as the Ziegu, X-1M, discussed earlier.
I've heard no mention yet, of accessibility either pro or con.
But, I suspect that with HRD in the case of the X-1m, and sighted help
in the case of the Youkits, if one could predetermine what freqs and
parameters were to be incorporated into the rig, some interesting
possibilities could develop.
Of course, there are FT817 originals and ft817NDs on the used market
for $350 to 500$s.  I know, they're Yaesu, and Yaesu has some inate
problems with accessibility!!! But With Some Free, and Some Paid
software programs, and the Millenium QSYER from John Hansen, one can
have quite a feature rich and possible to work around, radio.
I've had my love-hate relationship with ft817s, but have my original,
model, widebanded, with mems set up, use a qsyer and pretty much enjoy
the radio. Danny Dyer, Wb4idu.

On 5/26/14, Danny Dyer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> On 5/24/14, Eric Oyen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> thats true about the old adage. SInce they do ship it in a kit form, it =
>> might be possible to find better parts (such as better transistors and =
>> other replaceable parts). Thats the fun thing about cheap kits, you can =
>> always improve them. :)
>>
>> -eric
>>
>> On May 24, 2014, at 7:45 AM, Alan R. Downing wrote:
>>
>>> Eric, I know nothing about this radio, but it brings to mind the old =
>> adage,
>>> "You get what you pay for."  If you buy one I hope that it works to =
>> your
>>> expectations, but it wouldn't surprise me if it turns out to be a real
>>> loser.
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> Good luck. Best 73
>>>=20
>>> Alan/KD7GC
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> Alan R. Downing
>>> Phoenix, AZ
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: For blind ham radio operators =
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> On Behalf Of Eric Oyen
>>> Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2014 5:46 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: a cheap portable HF radio from china
>>>=20
>>> hello guys,
>>>=20
>>> I was poking around to see if there was any portable solutions for HF =
>> =3D
>>> that didn't cost a mint. Here is the link to an article that is a =
>> review =3D
>>> for a chinese made HF Handy talkie:
>>>=20
>>> =3D
>>> =
>> http://yo9irf.blogspot.com/2013/03/x1m-portable-chinese-hf-transceiver.htm=
>> =3D
>>> l
>>>=20
>>> I would say, for $300 fully assembled (its also available as a kit for =
>> =3D
>>> cheaper), it is certainly more affordable than other "portable" =3D
>>> solutions. It can also be computer controlled with HRD (using the same =
>> =3D
>>> command set as the Icomm IC-718 (also supported in Hamlob under =
>> linux).
>>>=20
>>> -eric
>>> n7zzt
>>
>