Saturday, May 18, 2019

From Bulgaria to Texas: the RGO One from LZ2JR

I'm not sure how Boris LZ2JR knew that today is my birthday, but at 12:30 this afternoon the postman delivered a package from him, the contents of which completely alleviated the "I'm another year older" feeling. Good medicine!

Boris is currently in Dayton demo'ing the new and long-awaited RGO One transceiver - a radio I've known about for some time. The clean layout of the rig and the several YouTube videos of it in action had me chomping at the bit to get my hands on one so when Boris offered me a loaner with the option to buy, my answer took about 3uS to formulate.

I'd already downloaded the owner's manual (1.7M pdf) and cleared a space on the operating desk in anticipation of the radio's arrival and I must say it looks dandy among the mostly-black boxes that make up my station. Photos don't do it justice.

Over the next week or so I'll be putting this 50-watt rig on the air on both phone and CW in next weekend's CQ-WPX (CW) Contest. I also want to make spectrum measurements with our analyzer at the work QTH and compare the efficiency of it with that of my own 50-watt portable solution (QRP rig + Hardrock 50).

I'll keep notes and make a video of the results. If you hear me calling CQ in the next 7-10 days, give me a call. You already know which rig I'll be using.....

Some photos:
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Hmm - what could this be?

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Comes with fused Power Pole cord and microphone

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First power-up
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10 comments:

  1. Hello John, it has a very clean and simple look. Very different to other transceivers although if it was black it has something from Elecraft. I think you will enjoy testing it. Good luck! 73, Bas

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    Replies
    1. So far I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Band conditions are poor but the rig is doing well.

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  2. Couldn't find a price on his site, but I could have missed it.

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    1. I think that's still being determined. The one I have is a prototype and they are not yet available for sale (as far as I know) although that could change at any time.

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    2. Here it is:
      http://lz2jr.com/oc/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=51

      73 es GL
      Boris

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  3. Wonder why so much fan cooling for only 50 watts?

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    Replies
    1. For high duty cycle with digital modes. Tnx for the QSO Cap.
      73 - John

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  4. Well the fan cradle is for as proper as possible cooling and highest possible duty cycle in digitals. On the other hands it can be excellent also in hot environment. I remember how the K3 fans had to do their job tightly when I operated K3 at 30-35degs C room temp during last summer. So even although it looks "over-cooled" I am sure it is not. Boris know quite well what he is doing :)
    Petr, OK1RP

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  5. Btw: How you are satisfied John with this sweet rig after some time? Thanks for sharing your experiences over here...

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  6. Hi Petr - I like the radio quite a bit and will be using it in CQWW (CW) next weekend. I hope to make a video of it in action and will post a bit about the experience after the contest. Most of my experience with it has been on CW and it is quite enjoyable to operate.

    73 - John AE5X

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