A very unique transceiver kit is set to hit the airwaves soon.
The DX-FT8 is a tiny, highly portable, stand-alone 5-band QRPp transceiver for FT8 that can be powered by a 5V USB connection.
Bands covered are 10, 12, 15, 17 and 20 meters - perfect for this point in the solar cycle.
Details can be found here.
Kees K5BCQ is handling the orders and shipping for the DX-FT8 and has a backlog of orders in the queue. Orders placed now won't ship until Feb 2025 due to temporary lack of availability of one of the parts (RF transformer) that make up the kit.
A few other items (purchased separately) are required to make the radio operational - all inexpensive. They are listed at the link above.
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Oooer!! Can't wait to try one of those out John! Very interesting indeed.
ReplyDelete73, Tom, M7MCQ.
www.m7mcq.com
One good thing about the long wait is that firmware will probably be improved by Feb.
Delete73,
John
This thing looks really fun. I got my DEV board from DigiKey And got it programmed with V 1.1 easily. Sorry to learn there is such a long wait though.
ReplyDelete73, Mike
I'm going to go ahead and order mine as well. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised with an earlier-than-anticipated kit arrival.
Delete73,
John
I've ordered mine, plus I've ordered the Dev Board. Something to look forward to in the New Year :-)
ReplyDelete73, Tom, M7MCQ
www.m7mcq.com
I got one early in the first run. Assembled it about 2 weeks ago, and it's been a LOT of fun so far. I had it running outside this past weekend on a 19' push-up pole on 15 meters and caught a QSO with Japan at 0.5 watts among many others. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteIt looks to be the KH1 of FT8. Can't wait to get mine.
DeleteI ordered one even before I finished reading your post! It looks like a perfect rig for POTA.
ReplyDeleteHello Mike - I think it will be a very popular radio. Even for those who aren't primarily digital ops, it has an Awesome Factor that's hard to ignore!
Delete73,
John