Field
Optima
1. Nice rig
Looks like a good replacement for Yaesu's previous QRP rigs including the discontinued FT-817/818 adding a great color touch-screen, dual SDR Receivers and modern QRM filtering.
2. Not an Icom IC-705 killer
a. IC-705 can do FT8 without adding a "fanny pack" to it's ass end.
b. IC-705 can do FT8 on battery power. FTX-1 can't because it requires the fan which mounts where the battery goes.
b. IC-705 can do wireless FT8 over Bluetooth / WiFi meaning you can leave cables home (and prevent them from picking up RFI too). Also means you can do FT8 with cheap Android devices. The FTX-1 has Bluetooth but not WiFi.
c. FTX-1F and IC-705 put out roughly the same RF power. If the FTX-1F could output 20 watts (which it can't) it could have been a 705 killer. This is a lost opportunity in my mind.
d. The basic Yaesu FTX-1F is priced at $1,500 or $150 more than the Icom 705 (currently $1,350). Add Bluetooth ($55), fan for FT8 ($55), and (GPS $70) to make them similar and you're at $1,680 which is $330 more expensive. That means you can buy the Icom 705 with MAT-705PLUS auto-tuner and a 12ah LiFePO4 battery for less.
3. Issues
a. Needs an optional fan to handle FT8 which can't run off the supplied battery.
b. It costs more than 2x as much as the FT-818 so definitely not a rig for beginners.
c. Software-synthesized metering is nearly impossible to see outdoors in sunlight. I have the same problem checking SWR on my FT-710 which is otherwise a great radio.
d. FT-817/818 were never known for great battery life. With this new radio running an SDR computer and color screen, I doubt it will be much better, and a spare battery is $200!
4. Not a Yeasu FT-891 killer either
a. It's still a QRP rig. When band conditions suck, there's nothing like having 100 watts at your disposal. It can mean the difference betwen success and a failed POTA activation. Yes, you can get the 100-watt Optima version, a nice option, but $1,900 for Optima or $600 to add later. It might make more sense to get an FT-891 than the SPA-1 linear because you would have 2 rigs (in case one goes away for repairs).
b. FT-891 costs about a third the FTX-1 Optima (plus accessories).
c. FT-891 has bar style power and SWR metering and a display which is easy to see in bright sunlight.
d. FT-891 remains the best rig for POTA, especially for new activators.
You can get a Yaesu FT-710 base plus a FT-891 mobile/portable for less! |
