The radio arrives in a Pelican-style case with a few accessories: microphone, USB cable, two spare 5A fuses and a fused DC cable that has a few loops around a toroid.
One end of the DC cable is bare, the other is terminated with an XT-60 plug to match the jack in the transceiver.
Also included is the Bluetooth code which I've recorded and saved to my Dropbox. Don't want to lose that!
There is currently no manual for the FX-4CR. Yu's website says to use the online manual for the FX-4C for now.
I believe the only difference between these two radios is that the FX-4CR has a claimed output power of 15-20 watts (10 for the FX-4C) and Bluetooth capability.
My initial impression of the radio, before even turning it on, is that it is quite solid. The aluminum case - held together with recessed Allen screws - is substantial, with the end plates being 1/4" (60 mm) thick.
I'll be measuring various parameters of the FX-4CR tonight and tomorrow. Those results will be posted later in the week.
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Last pic shows that DC crept into the device somehow. I'm waiting for the internal pics to count the toroids and IF xfmrs. :) Keep havin' fun!
ReplyDeleteYep, couldn't resist posting a quick powered-up photo as I was making spectrum tests. So far, I'm very impressed with the results of those tests as well as RF Out measurements.
Delete73,
John
I received mine yesterday. I attached Anderson PP and powered up. The menu is firmware is 1.0 so this is definitely a work in progress and we are the beta testers. The menu is definitely different. I was able to work several POTA stations on both SSB and CW. Power output is definitely in the 10-20 watt range but seems to vary by band. The phone jack is weird since the internal speaker stays on even using headphones. I could not get FT8 to work. Receive is ok, but power would spike then go to 0. ?AGC setting may be off. Oh well, it is a solidly built rig with a cool color screen and it works on SSB and CW. Hopefully firmware updates will add features and fix bugs. I would like to have a current manual however.
ReplyDeleteBrad, AB4BA
Yes, the menu/manual is different from that of the FX-4C. I'm making notes as I go thru the operation of the rig and hoping Yu will be responsive with FW updates. Any FX-xxx users care to chime in as to whether that's likely to be the case or not?
DeleteI get consistent power out across all the bands with the exception of 6m (lower, as expected). Harmonic suppression on all bands is excellent.
My use will be almost exclusively CW and my eventual review will be written from that perspective.
Brad, I'm very much interested in further comments on the rig from you, regardless of mode.
73,
John
What a handsome radio! Can't wait to hear your thoughts and impressions as I wait for my "L" model sometime in the next couple of months (hopefully!).
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Thomas (K4SWL)
Hopefully, you won't have to wait much longer. Thomas. Suggestion during the wait: go ahead and order some of those stick-on feet as with the IC-705. Here's a YouTube "Short" uploaded a moment ago showing the great audio fidelity on SSB (10m is fantastic today):
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/XApjNdZUfc8
Salud,
John
Thomas - waiting on my "L" as well. I did ask Yu where things stand and he replied very quickly. Assembly is due to take place in mid March with shipping sometime in April. I'm hoping it is worth the wait. In the meantime, I'll follow the reviews of the 4CR posted here. So many radios......so little time.
DeleteDennis
WB8DD
Fold-able feet for tilting rig:
Deletehttps://amzn.to/3IIEpsq
Hello from Austria,
ReplyDeleteMy FX-4CR just left the FedEx hub in Dubai and I can't wait to have it with me. It will make it just in time before heading to Colombia with my girlfriend. In the first week of March, listen for HK2/OE6FTE, maybe we can do some FX-4CR to FX-4CR QSOs :-)
Just wondering: Theoretically, it should be possible to connect the audio output of a cell phone with the mic input of the FX-4CR and to operate digimodes through apps like DroidRTTY and DroidPSK. Did anyone of you already try this (maybe with the FX-4C)? Trying to keep the luggage to a minimum and to leave my laptop at home.
Have fun and all the best,
Alex, OE6FTE
Hello Alex,
DeleteI hope more info on the digital aspect of these rigs eventually finds it way to the internet. So far, I've not seen much on the original FX-4C. These rigs were originally sold (in the US) by LNR Precision but any info on their website is now gone.
Enjoy your trip to HK2. An FX-4CR to FX-4CR should be easy from here! When do you arrive?
73,
John
Hello John,
DeleteI'll arrive in Santa Marta 5 days from now (on the 28th). Most likely, I won't be able to go on-air right away, possibly on the 2nd or 3rd of March. FedEx just informed me about an "operational delay," so I hope the FX-4CR will arrive before I leave ... fingers crossed.
Thanks for sharing the RIT issue!
73s from Austria,
Alex
I wonder if that microphone works with a KX2… I like the small size and more ergonomic form factor than the super tiny DIY options or the very large OEM option…
ReplyDeleteGood question - the KX2/3 mic is tough to obtain these days.
Delete