Introducing the CFT1 Compact Portable QRP CW Field Transceiver

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With 2 months of beta testing behind me with the NEW CFT1 5-band transceiver, here are my initial thoughts. I have completed over 10 Summits on the Air (SOTA) activations with this very capable rig, making contacts all the way to Japan with it. In this video I briefly talk about my experience building this kit. I also run through the features and then show it in use on a SOTA activation on Wahl Knoll located in North-Eastern Arizona.
CFT1 Transceiver Kit (hamgadgets.com...)
KM4CFT CW Paddle and Sleeve (www.printables...)
Tufteln Protective Cover (tufteln.com/co...)
Electronics Screwdriver Set (amzn.to/3WPvsn0)
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#hamradio #SOTA #CW #MorseCode #PortableRadio #QRP #POTA #CFT1 #kit #electronics #hamr

Опубликовано:

30 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 57

@Swamp-Fox Месяц назад

Looks like a well thought out, purpose built rig! I really like the easy to navigate menu system. 73, Patrick KF4LMZ

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thank you Patrick

@EI6DP Месяц назад

$349.95 + Shipping !!! You would be better off going for the Xiegu G90

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Some folks really like the G90

@EI6DP Месяц назад

Hello - Yes - I was considering the G90 for a log time - I eventually bought one - being a CW op I find the G90 a super CW rig.

@houseofhamradio Месяц назад

Great job Charlie! I like how you transcribe the code with errors and all. I do the same thing. Shows the viewers that we all make mistakes but just keep on rolling and nobody cares. Beautiful activation zone and looks like a great little radio. 73 Bob WV7W

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thank you. Glad you show the mistakes too. I was a bit self conscious on the first one or two that I released with mistakes but I think it is appreciated and useful to other to include.

@Utahforrest Месяц назад

Charlie! Thanks so much for the disassembly video. My CFT1 gets delivered tomorrow and I'm very excited to tackle it. I'm a new builder but I've assembled two QMX rigs over the last few months. This rig looks very straight forward. I recently did a video with Jonathan's paddle and I have his EFHW showing up with the rig as well. 73 de KI7QCF

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

I hope you enjoy the build and use!

@Utahforrest Месяц назад

@@RedSummitRF will do! Also - somebody told me you’re also a BYU fan. Hope to catch you at a game this fall maybe we can SOTA the Y.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

@@Utahforrest ah cool! I am a BYU fan and Alum. I usually fly down for one game a year. Will let you know. No plans yet.

@TimHarperW5TAH 4 дня назад

I wish it had 80 meters. 80M at night is amazing, NVIS is very useful. ADD 80 M!!!

@SOTA-plus Месяц назад

Appreciate the walkthrough, and then showing it off in the field. The tone is beautiful - seems like this radio could be used comfortably all day. So exciting to have a newcomer in the niche area of QRP kit design!

@JonathanKayne Месяц назад

Hi guys! I actually asked Ara to let you guys play with his at a SOTA activation sometime in the future! I'm curious to see what the SOTA cat's opinion is on this new radio! 73 de KM4CFT

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

I agree, it yes, I find the radio very pleasant to operate.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thanks Jonathan

@richysradioroom Месяц назад

40m: 8W, 30m: 5W, 20m: 5W, 17m: 3W, 15m: 3W. Nice.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thanks for your continued support, my friend.

@WestonUSofA Месяц назад

Looks good but it is pricy in my opinion. $100-$150 would have been a better price range. I would love to see a water resistant version!

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Water resistant radios are always a plus! I've had a few different radios in my pack during rain and was worried.

@Lee-M0VKR Месяц назад

Hi Charlie, quick update. I have built my CFT1 now, and it’s had its first QSO. What an absolutely outstanding radio! I have done back to back testing with the obvious culprits and it by far the quietest sounding on RX, the audio is so smooth and buttery and makes picking out weak station very easy indeed. I could quite happily sit and listen to the CFT for hours (as I did this afternoon) without fatigue. There is a very good reason it is valued at a higher price, because in my opinion it is simply better, and well worth the extra. Kudos to Jonathan for producing such an excellent radio. 73, Lee M0VKR.

@GarySchiltz Месяц назад

That looks like a cool little rig. Easy enough for a beginner to build, but practical and not just a toy.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Definitely - thanks for your comment.

@Steve-GM0HUU 3 дня назад

Thanks for video. I wondered if the manual/instructions have a schematic? I was curious to know what the architecture is (superhet, DC, SDR?). I just like to know something about what I am building when it comes to kits. The CFT1 looks nice and sounds very nice on RX. The dedicated memory buttons are a nice feature.

@JonathanKayne 3 дня назад

The manual has a schematic. There is also a high resolution schematic available for download as well on the documents page of ham gadgets. The radio is a superhet.

@Steve-GM0HUU 2 дня назад

@@JonathanKayne Thanks for the reply. I shall take a look.

@jamesriley9800 8 дней назад

Nice looking radio I think I am going to try to purchase one Any other options coming in firmware like power output, cw decoder, swr reading etc

@JonathanKayne 3 дня назад

Unfortunately all of those features would require hardware changes to implement. SWR reading requires an SWR bridge, power output requires either an SWR bridge or similar circuit, and cw decoder requires an S meter. Also, I literally don't have any space on the firmware to add any more features so I can't really make them even if i wanted to!

@WestonUSofA Месяц назад

You could totally make this into a smartphone like radio. Have a touchscreen on top and put layers for different bands and a tuner. Probably would cost a lot though.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Like the RFinder cell phones?

@willian.direction6740 Месяц назад

Great rig Charlie and love the memory sign off button.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

The memory buttons are great, yes

@mikesmithg0rfd356 Месяц назад

thank you

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thanks for watching and supporting

@JayN4GO Месяц назад

Super nice rxer on this little guy

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thanks, Jay

@Lee-M0VKR Месяц назад

great video Charlie, looking forward to getting mine soon.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Right on, Lee. Enjoy!

@gustav316 Месяц назад

Very similar conceptually to the TruSDX with the sandwiched RF and main boards, but obviously a little higher end (and a little more $$$ 😂)

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

true

@joeblow8593 Месяц назад

Thanks for the demo and review

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

You bet, Joe

@NoMoreFossil Месяц назад

Just like the truSDX format, However the truSDX kit is much cheaper

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

There are a few differences but yes, I think the control board is like the truSDX

@e4949 Месяц назад

How well does the CFT1 tolerate high SWR. Am I going to blow the finals with an SWR of 3 on 17m? Same question, but could I use an autotuner (T1) and not risk the finals?

@JonathanKayne Месяц назад

In our testing, the CFT1 handles high SWR extremely well. The advantage of using IRF510 in the finals is that they are incredibly overkill for QRP, so bad SWR isn't gonna be a problem. I also included over current protection so by the time the finals would be in danger the PTC fuse would have kicked in ages ago.

@e4949 Месяц назад

@@JonathanKayne Excellent. This gives the CFT1 a significant advantage over the QMX for both input voltage range and SWR tolerance. Add a 9:1 random wire and a T1 tuner for a perfect POTA kit.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Great details on this from the guy who designed it!

@Steve-GM0HUU 3 дня назад

Even if you do manage to blow the IRF510, replacing it will not break the bank. About $2 and readily available. I wonder if the IRF510 is why the TX power drops off a little on the higher bands?

@BackcountryGearShed Месяц назад

Are there any stand out features that set this apart from the QRP Labs QMX?

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Well, they are both great radios. Hans and Jonathan are both great guys with good designs. I haven't used my QMX in the field yet so couldn't say. Maybe somebody else will read this and give a fair assessment.

@BackcountryGearShed 22 дня назад

@@RedSummitRFthanks for the response. I've continued asking around and haven't gotten any definitive answers as far as stand out features, but the CFT-1 definitely seems to have a few fans already. I'd love to see a comparison video that really breaks down the differences. Good job on the CFT-1 video, anyhow.

@MadGoat Месяц назад

I've said it before and I'll say it again... You can get a fully assembled and tested, ready to play, QRP-Labs QMX for less than half the price of this - QMX is enclosed in Aluminum, looks and feels premium for a great price, can do digital(not that I'm into that mode), will be able to do SSB, built in SWR meter. It's an SDR, which means features can and have been added with simple software updates. - CFT1 Has a cheap & thick 3D printed enclosure that's not really a premium feel for that price point, has to be built(a QMX kit costs less than 1/3 the price if you want to build something), can only do CW, Does have better voltage tolerance(not a big deal for experienced users), and has memory buttons(😮worth the $200 extra), I can't imagine what he'll charge for assembled kits, $450-500?. This radio doesn't offer anything groundbreaking that justifies this high price point. This kit should really have cost no more than $100-150.

@KD9VUK- Месяц назад

Completely different designs though in terms of the radio side. I doubt you could do the crystal filters any cheaper.

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

I think most people have an open mind about new radio designs, and let things shake out a little before forming opinions. It's an incredible accomplishment to design and bring to market a radio at the age of 25. I've said it before and I'll say it again . . . value is measured differently from one individual to another. It's worth every penny to me.

@ai5dd Месяц назад

Nice, I've built two QRP-Labs QCX-Minis, I would love to build this kit. 72 de AI5DD joe. p.s. I had to hide the video since I didn't want to see the translations (I like to head copy)

@RedSummitRF Месяц назад

Thanks. Very good on hiding the scrolling translation. Very smart to keep pushing yourself.