Ham Radio - The RS-918 clone of a clone of an outstanding open source SDR transceiver, the mcHF. 

Kevin, thank you for leading me to this. I'm a new General and have been looking for a kit project just like the mcHF. I placed an order from Minka tonight! I strongly concur with your position on open source! Well done!

I was waiting for this video and it didn't disappoint. I had encountered the mcHF before seeing the clones, so I was aware of the unauthorized commercial clone status well in advance. I can understand the unfilled market demand that was created by the long development and scant availability of mcHF kits. Chris is up to prototype version 0.8 but the kits being sold are the 0.6 version, as are the Chinese clones. Chris sold some 0.7 kits but is out and apparently isn't kitting any more because the current effort is toward the 0.8 kit that many people want. I also get the impression that, like many open source projects, the mcHF development team has largely disbanded and the development is now being done almost exclusively by Chris, with some kit and builder support by Lucy. I get the feeling from the blog that Chris and Lucy are working hard but it's almost more than a couple can do, and certainly more than they can do as quickly as the mcHF's loyal fans would like. I concur that the mcHF is a very nice bit of kit and I'd like to buy an mcHF, either as a kit or a finished product, although the latter may never exist. The lack of respect for intellectual property, mostly by Chinese manufacturers, is the reason Hans won't release open source microcontroller code for any of the QRP Labs kits, and while I lament the great loss to the ham community from not having dedicated hobbyists contributing new features via open source code contributions which Hans could curate in the official firmware releases, I understand exactly why Hans keeps the code proprietary. Even then, there is a risk of his hardware designs being ripped off and his executable firmware used as is by Chinese manufacturers, as was clearly done with the RS-918 with the mcHF boot screen.

I bought a bare bones kit from Chris about a year ago and I'm loving the radio. Use it daily to make contacts from my shack and field work. I can recommend this radio to all QRP ham radio operators

Good review. Like the attitude on respecting other's intellectual properties. Keep the videos coming.

Glad to see somebody at last discussing the theft of IP from Chris. I have the v0. 7 which I built. I got the pre-populated boards so there were no SMD components to be soldered. It all went together easily and worked first time. Support Chris M0NKA , buy his kit. I'm 71 and my hands are not that steady, if I can do it, then most people should be able to. It's a really great radio, especially for digital where you only need to use 1 cable for radio to computer. 73 de PJ7DH

looking fwd to this ive been looking at these the last few days.

Thank you very much, I feel to start QSO around the world now, 73, G7UNF, from uk

Hello Kevin, Thank you for this video. It helped me a lot about what to buy or not. regards, Jan PE1BTF 73's

Reminds me of the opensource MMDVM project. The creators got shafted hardcore by the Chinese market AKA Jumbo Spot. If you buy Chinese knockoffs throw a little money toward the project (donate directly) to help support it.

Thanks for your tour and time , Kevin. From Earl ( va7erl ) 73 from Victoria,BC

Thank you Kevin for putting the focus back on M0NKA. It's despicable how the Chinese have ripped him off and don't care a bit.

I was seriously thinking of buying one of these from the Chinese makers, until I discovered the back story. Now, I'll be ordering one from M0NKA sometime in the New Year (once I get my feet clear of other guff). Chris and team are now offering fully-built kits for the same price as the cloners, and that suits me. My teeny-tiny kit building days are behind me. If we don't support our local guys, someday we'll be moaning about nobody making stuff at all.

Great review! I've just ordered the mcHF transceiver after seeing many reviews. I'm curious as to how backward compatible some of these mods would be such as the keyboard you mentioned. The mcHF as many people know is a very configurable radio and I wondered if the firmaware was close enough to the originable to allow the same level of experimenting without bricking the device. Another question I have is how close to the mcHF are the circuit boards inside?

i noticed you had CMP Off (voice compression). might have helped with your Early Bird Net check-in. with shipping from UK the mcHF w/case is ~314 GBP or (at today's exchange) ~392 USD. note Ailunce HS1 is 499 USD and the HS1Plus (has built-in battery) is 599 USD.

if you did get the product page a little bit below there is complete assembled radios in the same page as the kits.

hello, I picked one of these up and the first thing I noticed was the waterfall is going up, instead of down such as falling lol. I checked the setting and the firmware. The firware was out of date from 2018 so I updated the firmware but still noticed the the water is not falling and was going up? I know the display is correctly installed as everything that appears on it shows correctly, not upside down (as I say with a smile :) ) So what is going on with this? Never seen a backward waterfall on a radio? Is there anything that can be done to correct this this? George

Would you mind sharing which firmware model was installed during your test?

Good video Kevin. That RIT knob looks like it is very wobbly. I can't stand wobbly knobs.

Hi Kevin, Well done video. Agree with your opinion. That net on 40m, you mentioned early bird but I can't locate any info on the net. Do you have a link handy? 73 WB3BJU

Nice point Kevin and great vid! What power supply you use when portable with the radio? Looks like powerbank ?

And the mcHF, my friends, is almost exactly what the new Yaesu FT818 SHOULD have been like! Are you listening Yaesu?

Kevin Thanks so much for all you are doing for ham radio. I have one of these and love it. Great job. De KM4WII

Totally agree with you. Someone has done all the hard work and they get ripped off. Sad to see this happening all the time with just about everything.

Was going to buy one of these clones, but after this, I think I’ll go with Chris, don’t know when he will have availability. I imagine the folks at Elecraft will learn a lot from this radio. Perhaps the KX4 if there is one, will look like this....

Keep in mind that the clone is based on version 4 of the mcHF pcb. Which is several versions behind the official project and has known issues. You get what you pay for!

10:30 The VHF radio at top center is obviously a VHF-FM 'Marine' radio, as clearly indicated by the channel "16" (16 being the poster child of VHF-FM Marine Radio channels).

Awesome review!

The McHF software is now licensed under the GPL v3. So long as the clone makers obey the terms of the GPL, there is nothing wrong with buying them.

I am pleased to have an original MCHF. Given the service nightmares on the clones (or so I've heard) the original seems to be the way to go. Some of the clones cannot even update software! The MCHF is a fine little radio that in some ways rivals the Elecraft KX2, but only in some ways. It is great for portable and SOTA work.

I have the Tekpower version of the 30 amp switching power supply. What would be a or the cause of triggering the OCP on startup?

Is incredible the people doesn't understand that the GPL is a copyleft license, is an anti-IP license by nature but required people to release the source code,schematics and in other the receive the benefits of such agreement.

As a older HAM I am no longer capable of building this project. The original project builder could have done himself and the rest of us a favor by Licensing a Company to assemble and handle firmware updates. As it is now these Chinese companies have ripped of his labor and design, forcing us to make a ethical decision. As for me , I will have to pass.

hi Kevin(not sure what i did will try agin) hello from sunny Wales UK temp 23c how difficult do you think it is to construct and align the mcHF, perhaps a video on assessing the competencys required to construct various kits Dave C GW0NVF

Hi.Does the radio get very warm when in receive for an extended time?

Wold really love to buy the mcHF radio -but who knows when it is avaiable agn....

Yo Kevin: GREAT video! I AGREE with your assessment of the open source violation. Hopefully the update process will shake these Chinese ripoff artists out. I think it will. Keep up the great work! de seeker/Jeff WA7LFP

Kevin, I think the 978 includes a battery. 73's Don KC3MBK

Kevin. Excellent video in every respect. I'm on a tight budget and would have jumped on this unbelievable bargain but for your clone/common source opinions and conclusions. I'm now seriously thinking about purchasing a kit direct from Chris and building with using skills acquired building my 4SQRP Group Hilltopper20. Chinese economic/tech depredations are hot button topics. I'm old enough to remember lots of ill-will during the day era of "Japan Inc.". At clone retail prices (free shipping included!) I have to wonder what kind of a living the Chinese assemblers and "kitters" are earning for their labor. I'm old enough to remember the similarly fraught era of "Japan Inc.". Kudos are due you for the aplomb with which you address the issues.

Needs a bigger case for its heat and a bigger screen for our old eyes. Also provide HDMI out so we can plug it into existing monitors.

Love this radio. I really believe it will go down in history as one of the greats. I just hope people decide to support the creator more than the copier. It's a huge amount of work invested and very generously open sourced for hams not commercial rip offs. The hardware is a piracy, the software is open source for non commercial use. Think about it. Good on you Kevin for highlighting. Just remember m0nka is the place to buy and support. imo.

Unfortunately mcHF is not open source because of "non-commercial" clause in license. Apparently term "open source" is not what majority of people think it is, but rather a term that some people came up with and definition of it can be found here - opensource.org/osd.html Having said that, I bought original kit from M0NKA, first I had trouble sourcing power transistors and then I had trouble getting any power out of it without finals going into crazy oscillations and finally after mods and mods I got it to behave, it is outputting solid 10W, but I haven't made any QSOs with it because after all the hassle I got IC-7300.

The mcHF is higher quality for a lower price than the clones anyway. You know the clones are using inferior components, and are probably put together like crap. True, you will have to build it, or find someone who can, but you will have a superior radio. I'm seriously considering getting one and adding a raspberry pi, and a laptop size touchscreen in a custom case. Glad I saw this video!

Hello guys, does anyone know, if this can be fully operated (RX and TX at at least 4W on FM, AM and SSB) on CB 27MHz 11m band? I really love the waterfall spectrum graph and can see a great deal of how this can be leveraged for DX. I know how much of an overkill is this radio for an unlicensed CB operator, but all including the most advanced CB radios are so dumb that it can't even have a menu to set-up anything, not to mention super high tech like CTCSS/DCS :( Doing portable with this cutie must be a joy.

I agree on what you say but as you also say what about us who cannot solder? Also, you cannot buy the mcHF for the love of money.

Let me add some light to this subject. Many people don't know how to solder electronics well, as well as many have royally fucked up their device by trying to solder their device & permanently ruin the device. So they went back to the "original" person who created the device / OSP. and asked if he could pre-build the device for them. The answer was a clear and stern [NO]. So people were upset about that and companies took notice. And that's when companies stepped in and pre-built the device which allowed people to purchase the product already put together so people could just plug and play the device. That's one of the main reasons why these companies are doing this. So just to clarify as to what is happening. and YES I know the owner doesn't want it that way. But this is the world we live in. - Don't don't kill the messenger, I am just clarifying whats happening here that's all. Also let me point out something else. This kit fully assembled is at a VERY affordable price range. Which helps those who are new to get into the community without having to take out a second mortgage just to get a decent radio with decent features. Many commercial radios out there are costing $1,500 and up just for the radio alone. A SWR meter (a good one) cost around $400. that's expensive for people. And the community wonders why they cant get new people in. Well that's the reason why. Not to mention $450 just for a watt tester from RigExpert & other companies. its getting really stupid when it comes to prices on things like this in this community. Companies need to stop with these overprice tags on these devices. They are scaring away new comers to the community very quickly. Why do you think most of this community is like geriatrics ward and barely any young people? well because its mostly the elderly in retirement that are in this community, and very few young ones participating. Young people are NOT going to be spending thousands of dollars on a just radio. So think about that for a few minutes then think about why this community is having a hard time getting young people to participate.

Hello,I am asking myself why M0NKA's mcHF has got these multiple clones. To my opinion, the basis of the mcHF was a radio development kit for students in communication electronics, and that Chris and his team mainly developped software for it. The production of the hardware would have been out of budget for a group of students or simple HAM radio operators; there must be a big east-Asian company involved behind this SMD-hardware. M0NKA merely sells kits without housing and without end-stage RF-transistors, and having the SMD part already set up. He must thus have an agreement with the east-Asian manufacturing company. Chris and his team are essentially working forth on the software (there is more than one software working on this hardware out there!).Chris is probably not very upset that his radio was put on the market by east-Asian manufacturers, because this makes his open-source project really fly ! There is no open-source project without users! 73 de Edgar, HB9TRU

As a Linux user since the mid 90s, and as an amaused fan of (crazy) Richard Stallman, I highly respect your honest opinion on the subject! And on this 'clone of a clone' crap radio. You, sir, have software and hardware dev morals and ethics. Even if it wasn't thievery in action... those wiggly crap control pots and/or knobs would stop me from buying it at any price. Give it a few months and they'll fail. 73 OM

I have one. Had a QSO with a Ham in Texas that was saying he was running 1000 watts. I got him with 10 watts. KG7IRJ Ohio Extra

I would have kept part of the software closed source and sold license keys for $1. So locking out the Chinese, and genuine constructors won't mind paying $1. The ST micro has calibration values that can be used to generate a random code, and hence a license code.

I am not sure how you came to the conclusion that it is a clone of a clone, far more likely is that they are simply "clones" (Not sure that is the correct term for an opensource project) based on the same original mcHF radio. Either way, there are now more versions out there, many work really well and you can now find some greatly enhanced firmware for them as well.

Is it still called a clone if the base is open source project ?

Is it possible to expand transmission to 27MHz?

The disclaimer is so he doesn't become a commercial radio manufacturer. You are not supposed to buy his kit and use it as a commercial radio. I was looking at it for use as a marine SSB radio. Technically, that would be against the use disclaimer.

I see on their website that they're now offering assembled radios

Still waiting for the OVI-40.

Great video of this slightly controversial SDR. I own one as well and have done several videos of it on my channel.😃

I have this radio and while the interface is very versatile and comfortable, the sound is INCREDIBLY bad hiss sauce there where the SAME station reads crystal clear on: tecsun660, malachite radio, smal Xiegu HF transciever… I don’t understand! We are talking the SAME ANTENNA for these tests! And this despite all of the filters integrated in this radio!….

I am also in Kingman. KJ6VYF

Bangood already removed it from their shop. There is message popping up about the policy 🙂

I fully support your view on open source, but we know that not all respect it or the license clauses -- anyway thanks, I will definitely have a closer look at the original mcHF SDR.

10:45 marine radios

I'm not convinced it is a clone of a clone. It seems likely that there is one factory and multiple re-sellers. Good catch on the licensing issue! I'd pass on it for that reason alone. Thanks for the review, 73 de KD6FAC.

I despise commercial theft of IP designs, then sold for profit, when the source code and core design is subjected to non-commercial use. Personal use, okay. If I were interested in HF, I would buy the kit.

thanks for the review, now looking at the original kit rather than a clone de G6JFL

Att 11:10, there is a pirate copy of a linear amplifier made by finnish Juma Radio, who made the TRX1 and TRX2 transceivers and even long wave transmitters. Kevin didn't seem to know about that. It looks exactly the same. Chinese pirates have no creativity. They just steal any design and copy it.

Could it be that the project has granted them permission to manufacture the design?

Why are the "Big Three" rig manufacturers not watching and reacting to what is coming out there? I mean, I am sure the performance and resilience of their front-ends and finals is superior to what these new players in the market are able to provide. I mean, yes, they sure are implementing some features in software, but still packaging it up in old style cases, heavy, expensive. I personally own a Xiegu G90 and I am amazed how many features and a nice punch it packs in such a convenient package for a really small price. Fully customizable filters? There! An ATU that can tune a coat hanger? There. The entry models from the big ones should really, really start considering these features as well. Wait a year or 2 and we will have HF/VHF/UHF with 100 W and ATU from these chinese guys at around 600$ And radio amateurs will start buying them, you'll see...

11:25 "...probably not designed by them..." I hope that you all realize that the design of the product itself is merely the first ~1% of standing up a production line. Design of the tooling, testing, and so on is the other 99%. Factories would have dozens of departments, and only one will be product design (including SW). Designers of electronics sometimes think that they're done when they've designed the product itself, when in fact they've not even started standing up a production line. That's why the licensing fee per unit might be $5 on a $1000 product, as that's actually all the product design is actually worth. If you want to go into mass production, then go ahead, help yourself, fill yer boots.

I looked at the m0nka site....... it seems that Chris is having a problem keeping up with demand. He keeps working on the next version while not really providing adequate support on the present version, or past versions. No support for V.6, limited and spotty support on V.7, all the while he's putting videos out showing his prototype V.8. He needs to find a company that can source the parts, get the cases made, and assemble the kits for sale. I can't help but wonder how much money he's losing by not providing adequate customer service. That's why the Chinese have copied his design and work, they see the money to be made...... AJ KE6EAC

"Being that it goes directly against the terms of the open source project it's based on" Like many things that come from China. Check out the handheld game system category - nothing but open source emulators running old commercial game ROMs.

I agree with your sentiments Kevin but ... as radio hams we are a small market an the main manufacturers have us over a barrel. When you compare this to the Elecraft KX series you can see why folks buy these. If these Chinese rigs restore some semblance of normality pricewise then we will benefit

The clone radio it's great, ready to use, I hate a radio on pices.

Recent isn't afraid to use even the 'mcHF QRP' logo as you can see from this Amazon posting: www.amazon.com/RECENT-RS-918SSB-SDR-HAM-Transceiver/dp/B072155421 Someone seeing this and who is familiar with the mcHF unit, might think Recent has been authorized to manufacture the units. I'll bet Chris, M0NKA is frustrated.

not as good as the G90 witch i love plus fantastic auto Turner 73s

Prolly useful to the dissident Chinese.

Perhaps the Chinese companies are buying the kit and they are assembling them and selling them and earning money from the assembling of the radio and not from the design and parts.

They don't sent it assembled to Europe. Just to Usa. some people that not have advance knowledges Of electronic try to the Chinese rigs that's no have problems to send to Europe. ;)

Bought this radio and the finals blew out within a week. Service is basically non existent. Try sending any electronics back to China and see what happens. Xiegu is the only brand I would buy from China. At least MFJ in the states will do the service. Everything else, you are rolling dice. Unfortunately, the only major Japanese radios that compare are the upcoming ICOM 705, but it is not out yet and costs about 2-3 times of the Chinese radios. I agree, Yaesu needs to get off their butts and make a comparable version for QRP or the ICOM 705 is going to mop them up.

Hi THe truth is I am considering buying a clone version. I think when I do, because of my poor results with kits, I will send a donation to the originator. He they deserve some compensation for their work. AG4TD

mcHF is a kit. It is beautiful. But I am dumb with doing kit. I do not buy the two Chinese clones. Very expensive also. 73 VA2SOB

Why don't you interview the designer of the mchf radio rather than reviewing the Chinese ripoff copy.

Clone rocks, very good and cheap radio, I hate put a pices in your place, sorry for my poor english.

73 kolego 🇵🇱

Mate, Its China. What are you awaiting? :P Greets from Germany. ;) Jan

I WANT ONE

Since when did the Chinese ever respect trademarks, copyrights or intellectual property?

Knob looks like it's going to fall off.

The mcHF project is now DEAD, thanks to the Chinese cloners who killed it off by using the open source design outside of the copyleft terms. If you want a better radio project, look at the T41EP.

Service: Not available, according to Amazon. What a crap shoot: Hope it doesn't break or burn up. Except hope is not a strategy.

Why is such a great radio like this open source? They should have gone commercial and sold it. Things like this were bound to happen. Getting the word out what this radio is is good, so now we know.

Just for others information Chris (Krassi) is a she not a he. 👍

Mainly I do not understand why people purchasing the Chinese illegal copy with stolen IP with low quild and parts quality for the similar price like original mcHF of Chris, M0NKA! Please use the brain, support its author and avoid Chinese f....n copycats and their craps! Do not support them and help to Chris with his own development! Many thanks to all hams who decided to buy mcHF directly from him!

Great Video! 73 de wa6gxq

Open source is open source? Apparently not. So you can build one from a kit and this jerks your knot?

No mosfets, Chinese did what designer couldn’t- mass produce it

And this is why IP law is stupid. You can't protect your product on hopes and wishes alone. If you care so much about HOW something is used, don't make it open source.

It's for people who can't afford the KX3.

The rip off is more expensive than the original😂😂😂

Not worth what they're asking for it.

Would not buy it anyway. I don't support China