Let’s Try the Penntek TR-45L!
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- Ed Bennett @W4EMB is an awesome guy! He let me take his Penntek TR-45L for a test drive! I’ve been wanting to try this radio for a while. It has an awesome complete feature set. Do I end up loving it? Watch & find out! Let me know what you think about this rig in the comments!
If you aren’t subscribed to Ed’s channel, you’re missing out! Check his out at @W4EMB
QRP CW Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Tuskegee National Forest (K-4451) on 3/8/24.
P.S. can you count how many times I used the word “thoughts” in this one video? 😂😅 oops
Thanks for joining & 73!
Gear Used on this Activation:
Radio 1 - Penntek TR-45L
www.wa3rnc.com/store/penntek-...
Radio 2 - Icom IC-705
www.dxengineering.com/parts/i...
705 Cage - Windcamp ARK-705
amzn.to/48qHTuy
Antenna - AlexLoop WalkHam Magnetic Loop
www.dxengineering.com/parts/a...
CW Paddles - Bamatech BaMaKeY TP-III
www.bamatech.net/morsetasten/...
CW Key Base - Steel Bench Block
amzn.to/3NrWLA3
LL Bean Tote - Zip Hunter’s Tote (Large, Olive Drab)
www.llbean.com/llb/shop/11793...
Radio Bag - Camera Lens Case
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Zipper Pouch for Accessories
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Field Notes Graph Paper Notepads
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My Favorite Logging Pens
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Notice: The Amazon links above are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn an affiliate commission.
Chapters:
Intro - 00:00
On the Air (TR-45L) - 03:00
On the Air (IC-705) - 20:30
My Thoughts on the TR-45L - 31:40 
Наука
I did a video on my channel where I measured the actual keying speed of the TR-45L and the Elecraft KX2. Yes, the TR-45L actual keying speed is about 10% higher than the displayed keying speed. (The KX2 is about 5% higher than indicated). That being said, I really LOVE my TR-45L. I bought it to rotate it in the field with the KX2, but to be honest, it has become the rig I used most often in my shack. I have also brought it on vacation and used it in the beach house. Final note - you might have had slightly better luck with the Notch control turned all the way to the right which actually puts the notch filter outside of the audio passband.
Great information! I can completely understand the love for it, it’s a cool rig. Just not one for me personally :)
I was going to say the same thing! From the manual... Page 1:
"The notch filter is to the left of the volume control. The frequency of the notch can be varied
from about 200 Hz at fully counter-clockwise (Min) to more than 3 kHz fully clockwise (Out).
The notch filter is essentially out of the circuit when set fully clockwise because the notch
frequency will be well beyond the highest audio frequency available from the receiver."
It's seems kinda weird that the notch filter is "out" with the knob turned "all the way up", but that's just the way it is. I usually start my activations with the following settings: [1] RF GAIN just below max, [2] NOTCH fully clockwise, [3] RX MODE on CW narrow (CWN). 73 DE VE3IGS
I had no idea! I assumed all the way counterclockwise was off. I should have read the manual better :)
That TR-45L has a beautiful sound! Thanks for sharing...
That said, now that I've read your and Evan's comments, I wonder how it sounds IRL... hmm.. I like the little thump, I guess.
The percussiveness (is that a word??) of it is great! I know a lot of people really like the sound of it. I have a feeling the buzzing was the where the edges of the speaker touch the cabinet. I bet putting a simple fix like a little foam or fabric where they touch would fix it right up. I can’t do the 700hz sidetone though. 😬
top notch review Aaron. Thanks for your input and points of discussion. Between you and Evan, You both have quite a few QRP rigs under your belt . My limited QRP collection hinders me from a broad range of knowledge. Thanks again for the review!
It’s a great radio! My negatives are just personal nits. If I could adjust the sidetone down to 600hz, I would probably buy one actually. Thanks again for letting me give it a try!!
The bamatech is a nice looking key! Thanks for doing what you do, Aaron!
I agree, it’s photogenic..but it works great too. TU & 73!
Man, good on you for knowing a lot of those guys names that you worked. That's impressive.
Thank you! I try to memorize the names of people that I hear on the air often. 73!
You're really doing quite well with the Alex Loop. Nice vid.
It’s a great antenna!
That is one cool looking setup. I have been looking into the Penntek line for a while now. See you down the log! 73 KO4JKV
it’s definitely a cool rig! it’s got a good feel to it, even if it’s not my personal favorite
Woot..I love hearing that I actually was readable
Absolutely! TU for the contact!
Thanks for the great video Aaron as always. I have a TR45 and a 705 I agree with your comments. The 705 is a ripper. I find the meter on the TR45 acts a bit odd, bounces around quite a lot especially on SWR after keying pegs flat out, I also wish it had a NB where I live there are a lot of electric fences I can blank them out completely on the 705. All and all the TR 45 isn't a bad rig but the 705 is brilliant 73 😊
I hear ya! The TR-45L certainly has a “cool” factor. It’s fun, I could overlook the other nits if I could just adjust the sidetone down to 600hz. hihi. But man, I agree about the 705. It’s just a super polished rig. It’s gonna be hard for any manufacturer to make a better radio in my opinion. 73!!
Can you please tell me what key you are using and where I can find it? Thanks great content. 73s
Absolutely! Here are the links. 73!
CW Paddles - Bamatech BaMaKeY TP-III
www.bamatech.net/morsetasten/bamakey-tp-iii-twin-paddle-key-rot.html?language=en
CW Key Base - Steel Bench Block
amzn.to/3NrWLA3
Penntek TR-45L too clunky for me. Thank You for honest review. I'll stick with ICOM IC-705 and YAESU FT-891.
Thanks for watching! Those are the 2 radios I use the most myself.
I have never played with the original version, but my Skinny is essentially the same front panel controls. Beware that if the mode is on SSB, it will still transmit CW, but the IF is wider than in CW Wide mode I think. CW narrow mode is around 400Hz & the Audio filter helps cut static even more, not always needed. The Skinny has a side volume control for the side-tone whereas the original version must be adjusted with the chassis case opened up.
The CW Speed adjust seemed to be a little faster over the setting on the dial. My wrist is currently able to sustain around 14 wpm for an hour or two, but I am trying to work on the arthritis influence which also affects my straight key operation, lol.
Cheers, Davey --KU9L
Good info! This one had a sidetone volume knob on the back. I bet that’s an addition :) Good to hear you find the same with the speed. It seems about 2 WPM faster than the dial says to me. No big deal, just odd. 73 my friend!
@@w4arb maybe that means I am sending 16 wpm instead of 14, lol. Beyond that I get tired & start making a lot of mistakes after an hour of calling. This is mostly a problem out in Colorado with the poorer summer propagation and sparcer ham population.
I hear that! It would definitely take a little more work. The southeast US is a pretty great location for portable ops 🙃
When did you use the TR45L with ThoMas K4SWL?
I haven’t, though meeting Thomas some day sure would be awesome. he’s why I got into CW to begin with! :)
I must have you confused with someone else. Now I have to go figure that out 😁😁thanks for all you do.
I haven’t watched all your videos but was curious how you learned CW.
Thanks for watching! I learned by using the Morse Mania app to start learning the sound of the characters. And listening to hours of youtube videos of CW, like Thomas K4SWL. That helped me a lot because on air CW just sounds different than apps haha. I got on the air after a few months, and I was no where near “ready”. That was really when I got better. My #1 advice is always, learn the characters however works for you. Books, apps, classes, etc. Then just get on the air! Getting on the air and using it for real is the best teacher. 73!
@@w4arb Thanks. My first goal is to get my General then get focused on studying CW. Keep up the videos. 73 KQ4OKT Huntsville AL
I would encourage you to learn it now. As a Technician, you already have CW privileges in the old "Novice" sections of HF. A Tech with CW will have so much more fun that just 50 Mhz and up!@@oneofmanyhobbies91
Hello Aaron! 🤝
hello hello! 👋
Agreed on all points. Too busy, not packable, too big and heavy, and the filtering made me want to punch myself in the face at times LOL. I also noticed the key speed showed 2-3wpm lower than it actually was. Now, it's not all bad. I can see the use case for the TR-45, and I really like the feature set and ease of use. I might snag one if I can find one used at the right price, but it certainly wouldn't be my go to field radio. Oh...........and as for sound quality, I personally thought it was pretty good (aside from the side tone being too high), but it isn't really fair comparing it to the IC-705 since that is the best sounding QRP rig on earth bar none!
It definitely has a “cool” factor about it. I completely get why people like it. But I’m just not a fan of the audio, and I think I’d break it. Hah. And man, the 705 has ruined radios for me. It’s the bar against which I compare everything now 😂
@@w4arb The 705 is a great radio. The waterfall is fantastic, it's ergonomic for sure and it's great for digital modes. I really like mine. Having said that if you compare it head to head objectively with the KX2 as a field portable radio in my opinion the KX2 still wins out unless you are heavy into digital modes. More often than not when I go to the field the 705 ends up staying behind for the following reasons: With the Peovi Cage on it (or not) the 705 bigger, bulkier and heavier. The 705 has no internal tuner. I have resonant antennas but there are situations where an EFRW makes sense and it's nice to have the tuner. Unless you are into digital modes in which case the 705 wins hands down I think the KX2 is still king of the hill for field ops. In the final analysis they are all fun which is why we all end up with so many different ones hi hi
Thanks for the comment! Great input. I own a KX2 too, and I actually am not a big fan. My unpopular opinion is that Elecraft is way overrated. Overpriced for the quality of their fit & finish. But the market clearly disagrees with me, considering they sell em like hot cakes. But hey, that’s why we all buy so many radios. 😂 Gotta use em all and find what grooves with you. As far as the 705, I’m not a digital mode guy, in fact I don’t operate any mode but CW hah. It’s my favorite CW radio of any I’ve tried. Radios are really subjective to one’s personal taste. 73!
Alex should send you a Hampack to test. Better product
I sure wouldn’t mind trying one