I agree with pretty much everything you said. I have PILE of field radios. Like you said, it' depends on what I'm doing. I pretty much operate CW only (but I'll occasionally do SSB and digital), so that gives me more options. If I'm going to be near my vehicle, and want a little more power, I'll run a G90. If I'm hiking and want a full featured shack in a box, it's the KX2. If the weather is trash, I'll run my TX-500. If I think I might do digital, I usually bring my FX-4CR, and if I'm going super light and portable I'll run either a Mountain Topper or an SW-3B. I also ALWAYS carry a (tr)uSDX as a backup rig. I know not everyone has the ability to buy multiple field rigs, but it does at a level of flexibility to the mix. If I could only have one field radio, it would be a toss up between the KX2 and the TX-500. Both are amazing radios. The KX2 is a more complete package, but the TX-500 handles the inclement weather we get up here in upstate NY way better. At the end of the day, run the radio you have, and if you have more than one, choose the right rig for what you're going to be doing. Great video! Evan K2EJT
GREAT RESPONSE!!! There is a beauty to this hobby in that there are so many radios out there. And then for us, it's a series of trade-offs. It keeps it all fun. Thanks for watching.
Nice video. Good overview of pros and cons. My only gripe with all the selections is resonate antennas or ATUs... I dont own a G90, but thatd be a great hybrid option.
I didn’t talk about antennas yet. That is planned for the next video. But for me, resonant antennas are the way to go. I do not own an ATU (except for what is in the KX2) so… 😁 Thanks for watching, and I hope you stick around for the next video.
For field radios, I run a FT-891, Penntek TR-35, and a QCX-mini 20M like yours. I have a QMX kit that is in queue to build, I will get there eventually, I think that will be a nice addition to the fleet. But honestly I tend to return to the FT-891 time and again. I am usually setting up fairly close to the vehicle, and even for short hikes, the 891 goes in my backpack with the 12AH battery. I like the flexibility to run more power, and do SSB if I want to. For whatever reason, the digital modes don't interest me for POTA. I do some hunting from home on FT8, but out at the parks, not a mode I choose. --n1bs
Hey Brian, good to hear from you. I will be extremely interested in your thoughts on the QMX when you get it built. My QCX is far from my favorite. I don’t feel like my receive is very good at all. As such, I only use it when absolutely necessary. 😁 Thanks for watching.
I return to my FT-891 so I can have the SSB option. Yesterday I was at my local park (K-3503, Govt Canyon). I began with CW, planning to move to SSB once I'd hit the 10 QSOs for an activation. I made the move, but after a little while returned to CW for another page of QSOs. I had the option of more power and more modes. I used 20 watts, but preferred to be on CW. However, I want the QMX! Maybe it's time to get in the queue for the fully built version.
As to my setups, i have 857d, 817nd, and QMX. For portable and an ft100d for mobile work atas100. It's like something with an internal battery and atu so I'm thinking KX3 with kpa1500 is my dream
I use the same key ... in the same place ... on my FT-891. I took it on an airplane last week. I should have brought my QRP rig (TR-25). Advantage of FT-891? power & versatility, of the TR-25? size, all day long with 3Ah battery. Disadvantages? of FT-891 it was heavy during my trip to VA
I agree with pretty much everything you said. I have PILE of field radios. Like you said, it' depends on what I'm doing. I pretty much operate CW only (but I'll occasionally do SSB and digital), so that gives me more options. If I'm going to be near my vehicle, and want a little more power, I'll run a G90. If I'm hiking and want a full featured shack in a box, it's the KX2. If the weather is trash, I'll run my TX-500. If I think I might do digital, I usually bring my FX-4CR, and if I'm going super light and portable I'll run either a Mountain Topper or an SW-3B. I also ALWAYS carry a (tr)uSDX as a backup rig. I know not everyone has the ability to buy multiple field rigs, but it does at a level of flexibility to the mix. If I could only have one field radio, it would be a toss up between the KX2 and the TX-500. Both are amazing radios. The KX2 is a more complete package, but the TX-500 handles the inclement weather we get up here in upstate NY way better. At the end of the day, run the radio you have, and if you have more than one, choose the right rig for what you're going to be doing. Great video!
Evan
K2EJT
GREAT RESPONSE!!! There is a beauty to this hobby in that there are so many radios out there. And then for us, it's a series of trade-offs. It keeps it all fun. Thanks for watching.
I though at @1:20 you were going to say "the grinder app" (thanks for the idea NotARubicon)
Nice video. Good overview of pros and cons. My only gripe with all the selections is resonate antennas or ATUs... I dont own a G90, but thatd be a great hybrid option.
I didn’t talk about antennas yet. That is planned for the next video. But for me, resonant antennas are the way to go. I do not own an ATU (except for what is in the KX2) so… 😁 Thanks for watching, and I hope you stick around for the next video.
For field radios, I run a FT-891, Penntek TR-35, and a QCX-mini 20M like yours. I have a QMX kit that is in queue to build, I will get there eventually, I think that will be a nice addition to the fleet. But honestly I tend to return to the FT-891 time and again. I am usually setting up fairly close to the vehicle, and even for short hikes, the 891 goes in my backpack with the 12AH battery. I like the flexibility to run more power, and do SSB if I want to. For whatever reason, the digital modes don't interest me for POTA. I do some hunting from home on FT8, but out at the parks, not a mode I choose. --n1bs
Hey Brian, good to hear from you. I will be extremely interested in your thoughts on the QMX when you get it built.
My QCX is far from my favorite. I don’t feel like my receive is very good at all. As such, I only use it when absolutely necessary. 😁
Thanks for watching.
I return to my FT-891 so I can have the SSB option. Yesterday I was at my local park (K-3503, Govt Canyon). I began with CW, planning to move to SSB once I'd hit the 10 QSOs for an activation. I made the move, but after a little while returned to CW for another page of QSOs. I had the option of more power and more modes. I used 20 watts, but preferred to be on CW. However, I want the QMX! Maybe it's time to get in the queue for the fully built version.
As to my setups, i have 857d, 817nd, and QMX. For portable and an ft100d for mobile work atas100. It's like something with an internal battery and atu so I'm thinking KX3 with kpa1500 is my dream
YES! A KX3 with a nice amplifier 🤤
I use the same key ... in the same place ... on my FT-891. I took it on an airplane last week. I should have brought my QRP rig (TR-25). Advantage of FT-891? power & versatility, of the TR-25? size, all day long with 3Ah battery. Disadvantages? of FT-891 it was heavy during my trip to VA
You are right! Oh I wish they could magically fit a full powered rig into something the size of a TR-25! hahaha. One can dream!
Always the 891. Unless it's not the one you want to use
Or just don't have room for it. :) Thanks for watching
i would use all the radios. dont mind the lump on my shoulder
😂🤣😂👍
Great video Kevin. KE4GTQ.
Thanks Russell. I saw you on the other day, but just missed saying hi. Maybe next time. It’s been a while.