Here are some FAQ answered: 1) The battery is removable and can be used with the radio, exposing the rear ports if you need to, uses the supplied cable, see this twitter photo: twitter.com/TechMindsYT/status/1714751865307488746 2) There is an inbuilt ATU 3) If you want to use Digital modes portable, then you can either remove the battery and use the provided separation cable, or you can use BlueTooth with the apps shown in this video here: ruclips.net/video/o8ovuRo4f2E/видео.html I will add more replies here as more questions come in. Thanks for watching 🙂
can it be programed for repeaters and that info saved, as is done on say an HT radio when setting up channels? If not, this could be a deal breaker for me. Thank you for the vid. Tom S. Ocala, Florida.
This hits the high points of everything I’ve ever wanted from Icom/Yaesu. Built-in APRS, BT CAT/Audio, a simple interface. The SWR plot is also super handy for field expedient antennas. Basically a built-in NanoVNA.
Lockerbie Scotland sounds historically well known, and this rig sounds nice.😊 Always enjoy your tech videos from across the pond. My favorite QSO's are with the UK, as we speak the same language and have a shared history and frienship. Being born in London in 1944 during the later part of WWII. My wife and I visited London, stayed at Earls Court for two weeks in 2013 Also, my wife likes to follow the Royal family too.😊 73 de W2CH Ray, and KC2NKU. Marylyn.
Thanks for doing the spectrum analysis. Not enough people concentrate on how clean the output is for harmonics. Shame the 70cm second harmonic is a bit high but the rest are more than decent.
SDR with on-board ATU, included battery, HF, 6m, VHF, UHF, digital modes via USB-C or Bluetooth at an affordable price?! Wow, I'll need one of these, such a nice little all-in-one box is hard to come by!
That's a nice bit of kit, Mat. A big step up from my own new radios, a Chinese mcHF clone, and the QRP-Labs QMX. The mcHF clone has a name of sorts, but I've forgotten it. It's an all band all mode SDR-based transceiver, with around 5-10 watts out. No VHF or UHF, but I've got decent HTs for that, including some nice ones with the US 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. I've got handhelds with charging cups, external microphones, and those "tactical" folding antennas made of measuring tape steel hanging from the ceiling. I have these in 3 places around the house, next to my bed, next to my primary operating position in the living room, with my "shack stack" next to me, and I'm the kitchen where i frequently sit to watch the world go by out my window. But the real winner is that QMX. It's a 5-band QRP CW and digimode transceiver about the size of a deck of cards. It has phenomenal performance and you can't beat the size. I power both the mcHF and the QMX with a USB-C PD cable that gives 12v at 5 amps from a suitable PD power bank. It's a very lightweight system that can also charge my phone, my tuner, my torches, and lots of other gear. I used to build kits, but I'm getting them assembled if i can, as i have trouble sitting at the bench, building them these days. I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work and 73!
I'm curious how good the APRS is, when the GPS module is installed? Or will it connect to an external GPS? That could be useful, when doing SAG for a bicycle event.
Looks like a machanically solid version of the technically almost identical Q900, but for twice the price, which is ridiculous for the additional encoder and extended mic functions. Having antenna wires go out to the front is a total no go for me, apart from the microphone and maybe headset if it is still anlog and wire based. I am still looking for the promised follow up videos on the Q900? Something more in depth would be great - how to flash firmware, how it looks inside, how stable the software is and how reliable the radio is overall in real life? What about intermod when connected to wideband antennas, what about the dynamic of the RX and TX?
I think they need to supply a connector cable to connect battery to radio so to leave access to the rear panel ports. You still make use of the smallish form factor and retain the advantage of rechargeable battery. Seems a bit of an oversight to make it /P friendly but cant access the rear connectors with battery attached making digi modes a bit inaccessible.
That's a decent radio Mat and a nice review. Glad to see it has decent filtering on tx. I do wonder at the logic of covering essential ports with a battery! 73 Fraser MM0EFI
@@theradiorover Yep, comes in the box, I just forgot to mention it. There is a lot more to this radio, just couldn't fit it into a small video. :-) Thanks
Hi mat, I agree Herts beds and bucks are very quiet on 4m vhf uhf never used to be. I live in a dip here in Dunstable so I usually drive to my nearest high spot for contacts. Now this radio looks good and definitely interested in purchasing one as yaesu have stopped making their portable.
At first I was horrified to see that the key socket would be obscured by the battery pack, but I suspect the short cable you were holding in your right hand when you started unpacking is an extender for the battery pack, so you can still plug your morse key in but with the battery detached. As another commenter suggested, it would be nice to see how it is to use and how effective the filters are on CW?
Thanks for the video. I look forward to them. 1. No built in tuner 2. Selected ham bands. How can I operate 137 KHz, or 474 KHz, or 222 MHz, or 902 MHz, or 1.2 GHz ??? Can this transceiver be opened up for all TX frequencies ? 4. What frequency accuracy improvement can be achieved using an optional GPS antenna, or is the GPS option only used to detemine posisition ? 5. If I am setting up WSJT-X, what CAT emulation does it use ? ICOM ?? 6. I am very interested in this radio, for a future purchase. 7. For normal HF operation I would go with the Xiegu C-106, at less than 1/3rd of the price. Thanks again for another very interesting video. You keep us on the leading edge of product availability. Stan ZZZZz
I am curious about this model. I owned an Ailunce HS2, you all know how it ended. I wonder if it is stable and all functions work well. It is a real shack in the box thats for sure..
It looks like an interesting successor to the Yaesu FT-817/818 which is no longer being manufactured... But a pity that they put all those connections on the back where they are covered when the battery is installed. These should be moved to the side or even the front...
Nice radio, Mat, but I think I prefer my Yaesu 991a which is an SDR defined radio. I want at least 100 watts out on HF/6 meters. I've had the MARS mod done so I can use it on 11 meters. Cheers & 73 from K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Sounds like a G90 slayer. Built in sound card, internal tuner, VHF, APRS (Think beaconing for POTA/SOTA!). It mentions bluetooth control, dual VFO. This would be great for working sats if it is full duplex! 73 - KC1OCA
Would be very interested in seeing how it operates connected to a PC. Both for WSJT-X operation but also software like HDSDR, since this has both audio and IQ output, plus CAT control via the USB port. That said, I seem to understand the IQ bandwidth is limited to only 48kHz, I would be curious to see if that's also the case connected to a PC as it is quite low.
Another interesting radio offering. Lots of nice, listed features. Wondering if the 171 can provide analog APRS beaconing and toggle between two channels? And if so, does it mute the beacon TX audio? Wondering too if this can support Amateur radio satellite ops?
As far as I know the APRS only works in China, and it requires a sim card as it uses APRS-IS rather than actual APRS over the air. Also I have included a link in the pinned comment above to a video where I show the available software packages that can run on Android over Bluetooth to the radio. Great for portable DIGI. Thanks :-) There is also an app called StarTracker, which works with this radio. Its a satellite tracking and cat control application.
The microphone is exactly the same as on my YAESU mobile VHF/UHF transceiver. I'd guess the protocol between mike and radio is also the same. Has anyone ever found a base station mike that can be connected to those radios? Thanks for the video. Ralf, DL9KCG
At minute 13:28, it shows a 2nd harmonic of 2 meter emissions of about 43 dBc (reduction from primary emission). The requirement is 60 dBc. This means its 13 watt output power at about 145 MHz has a harmonic of 650 micro-watt at about 290 MHz; this harmonic exceeds the US FCC limit 97.307 (e) of 25 micro-watt by 26 times. Spurious emissions at 20 m and 40m seem ok (within limits of 43 dBc). What is the IMD characteristics of dual tone modulation (for example, 900 Hz and 1300 Hz) in SSB ? This would shed lights on how the HF RF linear PA is pushed, power wise; a poor design will splatter noise outside of the intended 2.7 KHz transmission bandwidth.
Wouldn't it be cool to have a radio that also provides pins the go high for respective frequency ranges so you can easily setup a few hf contactors to automatically select the suitable antenna. I dunno if it has been done already, i left this discipline 25 years ago.
Mat, please measure the battery current for Rx ("standby") with antenna noise, and Tx at full power and both cooling fans running. This radio looks promising for man-portable SOTA/POTA/IOTA/etc, but we all know that power consumption is a limiting factor for that and what separates the better QRP radios apart for that application. Also, when you do further digital testing with its built-in sound card, let us know what laptop driver is installed for that (where it comes from - Microsoft?) and your experience getting it going for both audio, CAT, and PTT control. Good review so far!!
Can this be plugged into a computer and used as an actual SDR, or only via audio out? Also, any insight into how well the DMR function works on the models that have it, I'm interested in listening to DMR...
I dont have the DMR module so I cannot comment on this model for DMR. Yes, can be connected to computer and used like an SDR radio. I have a video on my channel showing the Q900 connected to software, works the same.
@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks for the reply! I see it can be used with their own software... are you aware of any compatibility with the more standard packages like SDRconsole, SDR# etc?
@@bassmanjr100 I would say the G90 still presents some better options than the PMR in terms of the remote-mountable head, and an automatic tuner, but overall the PMR would be a better radio for use in a backpack/POTA use case, I think.
It does transmit out of band, but I haven't tested mine yet to see exactly where the limits are. I still want to see if it gives me any wattage on the 220 band.
Collecting the array of drill bits to drill holes through the lithium battery for rear port access. What size drill bits do you recommend to make all ports accessible? 😂
Looks like a nice radio. I tried the Aliexpress link and it says they don't ship to the UK. Interesting that you can get an optional internal DMR module for the radio. There's an optional GPS module apparently but I'm not sure if that's an internal board or if it plugs into the front socket.
Just like the Q900, the GPS module is installed inside on headers onto the board. It's better to order the GPS module installed. The DMR module is soldered on, so you almost have to order it that way.
Great review. I have been looking at this radio for a few weeks, and it is good to finally get a good review of it. This would be my first radio since getting my general license, and it looks to hit all the buttons that I am looking for. I am not sure if 20 watts would be enough, but would an amplifier be compatible with this one? Sorry if the question sounds like a newb, but I am one.
I also recommend the G90. 20 watts is plenty, I can work the world from ZL land SSB. The G90, while it does have it's issues, is tried and tested and has a good rep. This new radio, wait and see I think. Sure, it looks cool, let others with $$ review it and find the flaws.
Does anyone know if there is a diagram for this somewhere? I just received one of these broken radios. Unfortunately, this model is very far from a decent design. Inside, it's a disaster when it comes to repairs. I have already found the factory short circuits, but the radio still does not start. The display does not light up.
I find this radio is very handy and sensitive. The only sad part is the software does not allow you to save multiple frequency to the radio memory . It's only allows you to save limited amateur band frequency. Cat control is has alot of limitation. You can't input a frequency
Hi Mat, great video. You said the battery was included, but on banggood website they speak about a battery case? I asked them this question. Can the power level (output power) be adjusted per watt? (to drive an amplifier)? Thanks, Phil ON4VP
Some cool features, but who has ever wished that their battery covered their interface ports? Or wished that their coax cables could be more in the way at the front of the unit by the controls.
Kind of a double edge sword really. The sounds comes from the side of the radio, where my mic was at the front, so there was a little reverb coming from the back wall of the recording area. Plus local QRM. But yes, the NR feature does knock it down a bit.
Excellent review Mat - thanks! Looks like it would replace my G90 and 2/70 HT quite nicely as I operate both from the beach but never at the same time. Can you think of any benefits that the G90 has over this other than (from what I can see) a slightly smaller size? Cheers! Matt M0PTO
Automatic tuner is a big one, I'd say. Also, the detachable head presents options for vehicle mounting the PMR does not have. E.g. mount the base somewhere in the back of the vehicle, and put the head unit up on the dash.
Strangely, nobody is talking about this. I checked the manual: PMR-171 has the following features: 1. Real-time spectrum. 2. Waterfall chart. 3. Doppler frequency tracking. 4. Using software-defined radio technology (SDR), full-band support FT8, USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM, DMR (optional), WFM (Receive Only). 5. Dual frequency conversion circuit structure. 6. The IF width and IF displacement hardware and software can be modified to provide powerful IF interference suppression. 7. DSP digital noise reduction. -------------------------------------------------- 8. Built-in (4~160) m high-speed automatic antenna tuner. -------------------------------------------------- 9. Built-in electronic key controller, all parameters can be set flexibly. 10. Built-in sound card with IQ and audio output. 11. External battery compartment design. 12. USB TYPEC3.1 to connect to the computer 13. High-precision TXCO ± 0.5ppm (-10°C~60°C). 14. Ultra-wide working voltage range: 9~18VDC, some voltage transmission is limited 15. Power supply anti-reverse polarity protection. 16. Built-in GPS/Beidou, electronic compass (acceleration, angle sensor) (optional). 17. GPS timing (optional GPS module required). 18. The RTC clock can be set. 19. Voltage display. 20. Ultra-light weight: ≤2kg. 21. Bluetooth wireless control, Bluetooth FT8.
To GUOHETEC... When I decided to buy PMR171 I thought: it is like putting together a Xiegu G90 (450 €) + Baofeng DR 1801 DMR (150 €) = 600 €. The price of PMR171 + DMR is 1.192 €. (835 € with the discount). G90 is a great radio. I own one for more than one year. I take it with me in all my outdoor expeditions and it always works very well. It is not necessary to set it with extrange configurations to get it working eitheir in LSB, USB, FM... GD88 is also a good radio, estable and reliable. PMR171 is more expensive. I would undersatand it because it is suposed to support SSB modulation in VHF and UHF. But considering that the audio quality of SSB is a disaster and DMR performance is more than poor, I consider that you are selling a product that is not prepared to go to the market.
Here are some FAQ answered:
1) The battery is removable and can be used with the radio, exposing the rear ports if you need to, uses the supplied cable, see this twitter photo: twitter.com/TechMindsYT/status/1714751865307488746
2) There is an inbuilt ATU
3) If you want to use Digital modes portable, then you can either remove the battery and use the provided separation cable, or you can use BlueTooth with the apps shown in this video here: ruclips.net/video/o8ovuRo4f2E/видео.html
I will add more replies here as more questions come in. Thanks for watching 🙂
can it be programed for repeaters and that info saved, as is done on say an HT radio when setting up channels? If not, this could be a deal breaker for me. Thank you for the vid. Tom S. Ocala, Florida.
This hits the high points of everything I’ve ever wanted from Icom/Yaesu. Built-in APRS, BT CAT/Audio, a simple interface.
The SWR plot is also super handy for field expedient antennas. Basically a built-in NanoVNA.
the interface is a killer feature. yaesu 991a has the worst interface ever. but it's a good radio in his own
Lockerbie Scotland sounds historically well known, and this rig sounds nice.😊
Always enjoy your tech videos from
across the pond. My favorite QSO's are
with the UK, as we speak the same
language and have a shared history
and frienship. Being born in London
in 1944 during the later part of WWII.
My wife and I visited London, stayed
at Earls Court for two weeks in 2013
Also, my wife likes to follow the Royal
family too.😊
73 de W2CH Ray, and KC2NKU. Marylyn.
Thanks Ray and Marylyn, hope we get to make a QSO sometime! Thanks for watching 🙂
Thanks!
Awesome! thank you!
Cool to hear! I havent been working the HF band. Greetings from SM4VFA in Avesta, Sweden. 73
Thanks for doing the spectrum analysis. Not enough people concentrate on how clean the output is for harmonics. Shame the 70cm second harmonic is a bit high but the rest are more than decent.
Yep, that's what I though too. Cheers!
Agreed. The 70cm measurement he did, assuming it is lab grade, is a bit under what the US's FCC requires for spurious emissions.
Unfortunately the magic number in Germany is -60 .... Thank you for the analysis
SDR with on-board ATU, included battery, HF, 6m, VHF, UHF, digital modes via USB-C or Bluetooth at an affordable price?! Wow, I'll need one of these, such a nice little all-in-one box is hard to come by!
That radio looks really impressive.. SDR kit has come a long way.
Good informative review as always 👍
I'm glad you do these reviews!
You're welcome, thanks!
Seems like a fantastic little manpack style radio. Wish it had a little more power for uhf/vhf.
That's a nice bit of kit, Mat. A big step up from my own new radios, a Chinese mcHF clone, and the QRP-Labs QMX. The mcHF clone has a name of sorts, but I've forgotten it. It's an all band all mode SDR-based transceiver, with around 5-10 watts out. No VHF or UHF, but I've got decent HTs for that, including some nice ones with the US 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. I've got handhelds with charging cups, external microphones, and those "tactical" folding antennas made of measuring tape steel hanging from the ceiling. I have these in 3 places around the house, next to my bed, next to my primary operating position in the living room, with my "shack stack" next to me, and I'm the kitchen where i frequently sit to watch the world go by out my window. But the real winner is that QMX. It's a 5-band QRP CW and digimode transceiver about the size of a deck of cards. It has phenomenal performance and you can't beat the size. I power both the mcHF and the QMX with a USB-C PD cable that gives 12v at 5 amps from a suitable PD power bank. It's a very lightweight system that can also charge my phone, my tuner, my torches, and lots of other gear.
I used to build kits, but I'm getting them assembled if i can, as i have trouble sitting at the bench, building them these days.
I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work and 73!
I got one from Bangood, what a load of crap and a waste of £300.
Yeah, couldn't agree more, this manpack looks and performs great.
Cheers!
New Delhi
I'm curious how good the APRS is, when the GPS module is installed? Or will it connect to an external GPS? That could be useful, when doing SAG for a bicycle event.
Looks like a machanically solid version of the technically almost identical Q900, but for twice the price, which is ridiculous for the additional encoder and extended mic functions. Having antenna wires go out to the front is a total no go for me, apart from the microphone and maybe headset if it is still anlog and wire based.
I am still looking for the promised follow up videos on the Q900? Something more in depth would be great - how to flash firmware, how it looks inside, how stable the software is and how reliable the radio is overall in real life? What about intermod when connected to wideband antennas, what about the dynamic of the RX and TX?
It looks like this radio is also sold as the Hamgeek PMR-171
I think they need to supply a connector cable to connect battery to radio so to leave access to the rear panel ports. You still make use of the smallish form factor and retain the advantage of rechargeable battery. Seems a bit of an oversight to make it /P friendly but cant access the rear connectors with battery attached making digi modes a bit inaccessible.
They do, if you look at the part where I show the DC cables there is a short cable there to go between the battery and the radio.
@@TechMindsOfficial argh nice.
Surprised by the quality of the QSO, SDR is running far. Good to hear OM from Moscow 👍
I miss a handheld SDR with FM/SSB on HF/VHF/UHF supporting APRS, FT8, PACKET and AREDN with TCPIP
That's a decent radio Mat and a nice review. Glad to see it has decent filtering on tx. I do wonder at the logic of covering essential ports with a battery!
73 Fraser MM0EFI
See here: twitter.com/TechMindsYT/status/1714751865307488746
@@TechMindsOfficial I did think a flying lead would be a good idea. 👍
@@theradiorover Yep, comes in the box, I just forgot to mention it. There is a lot more to this radio, just couldn't fit it into a small video. :-) Thanks
Hi mat, I agree Herts beds and bucks are very quiet on 4m vhf uhf never used to be. I live in a dip here in Dunstable so I usually drive to my nearest high spot for contacts. Now this radio looks good and definitely interested in purchasing one as yaesu have stopped making their portable.
At first I was horrified to see that the key socket would be obscured by the battery pack, but I suspect the short cable you were holding in your right hand when you started unpacking is an extender for the battery pack, so you can still plug your morse key in but with the battery detached. As another commenter suggested, it would be nice to see how it is to use and how effective the filters are on CW?
we need a spacer with those external jacks on it so the battery could still be on the radio. what do you think?
You could 3d print a spacer very easily.
@@LanceVK6LK_AussieHam " "
@@Frisky0563 Spacer can be achieved by connecting the radio and battery with a dual-head data cable：）
That is some interesting radio! Not too cheap though.
Looks nice and really portable too.
I'm looking forward to taking this out portable. I have a couple of antennas to try out so this will be the perfect radio to take portable. Cheers
They are just getting better and better 😊
Thank you , dear:)
Thanks for the video. I look forward to them.
1. No built in tuner
2. Selected ham bands. How can I operate 137 KHz, or 474 KHz, or 222 MHz, or 902 MHz, or 1.2 GHz ???
Can this transceiver be opened up for all TX frequencies ?
4. What frequency accuracy improvement can be achieved using an optional GPS antenna, or is the GPS option only used to detemine posisition ?
5. If I am setting up WSJT-X, what CAT emulation does it use ? ICOM ??
6. I am very interested in this radio, for a future purchase.
7. For normal HF operation I would go with the Xiegu C-106, at less than 1/3rd of the price.
Thanks again for another very interesting video. You keep us on the leading edge of product availability.
Stan
ZZZZz
It has a built in tuner. You can direct dial frequencies using the mic or use the VFO and set Step to MHz. FT817 I believe.
@@TechMindsOfficial Wait, it DOES have a tuner? I thought you said it only had SWR protection?
@sypher4912 yes it has a tuner, hence the TUNE button.
@@sypher4912 Specs on their site says it can tune 1:3. This rig might be a G90 killer.
@@MichaelLaferriere It's too expensive to seriously challenge the G90
I am curious about this model. I owned an Ailunce HS2, you all know how it ended. I wonder if it is stable and all functions work well. It is a real shack in the box thats for sure..
I owned the HS2 aswell, this is far more advanced in terms of bug fixes etc.
It looks like an interesting successor to the Yaesu FT-817/818 which is no longer being manufactured...
But a pity that they put all those connections on the back where they are covered when the battery is installed. These should be moved to the side or even the front...
There is a battery separation cable supplied. I’ll do a follow up video answering everyone’s questions soon.
Great! @@TechMindsOfficial
Looks like a cool radio .. One thing it is so small not designed for old eyes , that's too bad I really like this rig.
Nice radio, Mat, but I think I prefer my Yaesu 991a which is an SDR defined radio. I want at least 100 watts out on HF/6 meters. I've had the MARS mod done so I can use it on 11 meters. Cheers & 73 from K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Would be interested to see rx and tx current draw on hf for full power.
Details are on Banggood
Apparently it also has a built in automatic antenna tuner.
What a neat little Radio 😊
Sounds like a G90 slayer.
Built in sound card, internal tuner, VHF, APRS (Think beaconing for POTA/SOTA!). It mentions bluetooth control, dual VFO. This would be great for working sats if it is full duplex!
73 - KC1OCA
Quality control ? there is a mark on the lower back panel, silver of case has either its coating rubbed or its some substance maybe a sealant paste.
Hope it hits its published specs unlike the Q900🤔
So far so good..!
Would be very interested in seeing how it operates connected to a PC. Both for WSJT-X operation but also software like HDSDR, since this has both audio and IQ output, plus CAT control via the USB port. That said, I seem to understand the IQ bandwidth is limited to only 48kHz, I would be curious to see if that's also the case connected to a PC as it is quite low.
See this video I made: ruclips.net/video/o8ovuRo4f2E/видео.html
AliExpress link comes up with "product cannot be shipped to the selected country", (I'm in the UK)
Adjustable RX/TX bandwidths on SSB and CW? If so what's the range?
Thanx again and yes, looks close to Q900.
What about 60/4/11m and 149Mhz on this one?
Amazing how much it does :)
I would like to see one beat on with ft8 for about a week and see how it goes.
Looks like a nice radio. Maybe Santa can bring me one.
Another interesting radio offering. Lots of nice, listed features. Wondering if the 171 can provide analog APRS beaconing and toggle between two channels? And if so, does it mute the beacon TX audio? Wondering too if this can support Amateur radio satellite ops?
As far as I know the APRS only works in China, and it requires a sim card as it uses APRS-IS rather than actual APRS over the air. Also I have included a link in the pinned comment above to a video where I show the available software packages that can run on Android over Bluetooth to the radio. Great for portable DIGI. Thanks :-) There is also an app called StarTracker, which works with this radio. Its a satellite tracking and cat control application.
It looks like a nice secondary / emergency use radio….
Does anyone know what the DMR add-on costs?
Thanks!
@@PowderMillyou're better off ordering the version that has the modules installed if that's what you want.
The microphone is exactly the same as on my YAESU mobile VHF/UHF transceiver. I'd guess the protocol between mike and radio is also the same.
Has anyone ever found a base station mike that can be connected to those radios?
Thanks for the video.
Ralf, DL9KCG
At minute 13:28, it shows a 2nd harmonic of 2 meter emissions of about 43 dBc (reduction from primary emission). The requirement is 60 dBc. This means its 13 watt output power at about 145 MHz has a harmonic of 650 micro-watt at about 290 MHz; this harmonic exceeds the US FCC limit 97.307 (e) of 25 micro-watt by 26 times. Spurious emissions at 20 m and 40m seem ok (within limits of 43 dBc). What is the IMD characteristics of dual tone modulation (for example, 900 Hz and 1300 Hz) in SSB ? This would shed lights on how the HF RF linear PA is pushed, power wise; a poor design will splatter noise outside of the intended 2.7 KHz transmission bandwidth.
Easy fix actually, but 'some soldering required' to cure.
Looks like no CW or digital while on battery?
Bye bye POTA and SOTA
There is a supplied battery separation cable that exposes the ports, or you can use Bluetooth which provides cat and audio.
twitter.com/TechMindsYT/status/1714751865307488746
It looks like for digiral operation the battery has to be removed to access the USB and audio connections.
You can use Bluetooth instead. Or use the battery separation cable that is included.
@@TechMindsOfficial Bluetooth is an awesome capability to have included!
Does the PMR-171 have built in antenna tuner and how good is the ATU?
Yes, it has the built in antenna tuner,
It goes all the way to 74MHz which is pretty rare
Wouldn't it be cool to have a radio that also provides pins the go high for respective frequency ranges so you can easily setup a few hf contactors to automatically select the suitable antenna.
I dunno if it has been done already, i left this discipline 25 years ago.
Hi Matt. Nice piece of kit. Did I miss the price?, or was it not quoted?
I checked it out... Runs around $1300 cdn for full kit... Plus another $150 for delivery... Not a cheap radio...
Definitely not a cheap option. Thanks for replying.
Thanks for the very promising video. A great transceiver but unfortunately the tuner is missing, right?
wrong
Interesting radio. Most reliable location to purchase? Thank you for another great video.
I want to see the FCC ID number assigned to this device. If there isn't one, you legally cannot sell them here in the US
I kept noticing the rig operating at +16 volts on the display. Is that the battery voltage?
Can it be plugged into a computer for control like a Hermes Lite?
It can be controlled from a PC using HDSDR and their own proprietary application as well.
Mat, please measure the battery current for Rx ("standby") with antenna noise, and Tx at full power and both cooling fans running. This radio looks promising for man-portable SOTA/POTA/IOTA/etc, but we all know that power consumption is a limiting factor for that and what separates the better QRP radios apart for that application. Also, when you do further digital testing with its built-in sound card, let us know what laptop driver is installed for that (where it comes from - Microsoft?) and your experience getting it going for both audio, CAT, and PTT control. Good review so far!!
Can this be plugged into a computer and used as an actual SDR, or only via audio out? Also, any insight into how well the DMR function works on the models that have it, I'm interested in listening to DMR...
I dont have the DMR module so I cannot comment on this model for DMR. Yes, can be connected to computer and used like an SDR radio. I have a video on my channel showing the Q900 connected to software, works the same.
@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks for the reply! I see it can be used with their own software... are you aware of any compatibility with the more standard packages like SDRconsole, SDR# etc?
@@SquillagusNiggle Where does it say that?
Looks great. Can you do some 2m SSB work when you do the VHF UHF review part please
What’s the antenna matching like? Is it as versatile as a G90, which this is a pretty direct competitor for at HF.
It looks like a jacked up G90.
@@bassmanjr100 I would say the G90 still presents some better options than the PMR in terms of the remote-mountable head, and an automatic tuner, but overall the PMR would be a better radio for use in a backpack/POTA use case, I think.
@@sypher4912It does have an ATU better than the G90s. The BT smartphone app is just like a remote head.
Great review, but what about CW?🤔🇺🇸
No grounding ("Earthing") connector?
I'm using one of the antenna connector cap screws as a ground. You don't need super heavy guage cable to ground 20 Watts HF.
It is supposed to be walk around portable. How are you going to ground on the move?
Is there any option to tx out of band ? iIf yes would be interesting to test this (power, wat frequencies it opens).
It does transmit out of band, but I haven't tested mine yet to see exactly where the limits are. I still want to see if it gives me any wattage on the 220 band.
Thanks @@dschaefer6454 for info. I'm interested if you make some more tests out of band.
I have one but is fill up whit info i dont need. Now i want to reset the set in factory mode....how to do that
Collecting the array of drill bits to drill holes through the lithium battery for rear port access. What size drill bits do you recommend to make all ports accessible? 😂
See here: twitter.com/TechMindsYT/status/1714751865307488746
Can t be made to operate on 11m like the G90 and is the GMRS/FMRS blocked?
Nothing seems to be blocked.
Looks like a nice radio.
I tried the Aliexpress link and it says they don't ship to the UK.
Interesting that you can get an optional internal DMR module for the radio. There's an optional GPS module apparently but I'm not sure if that's an internal board or if it plugs into the front socket.
Just like the Q900, the GPS module is installed inside on headers onto the board. It's better to order the GPS module installed. The DMR module is soldered on, so you almost have to order it that way.
Banggood ships to the UK
$113.10 shipping? That's a deal killer.
Eek
nice radio from David ZS6DSG
That rig is really cool. Does it have equalizer adjustment on the transmit signal? Thanks Matt. 73 de WA3RSL
Yep, you just press the PTT and you can adjust Treble and Bass for the transmitted audio.
Great! Thanks. 73@@TechMindsOfficial
Great review. I have been looking at this radio for a few weeks, and it is good to finally get a good review of it. This would be my first radio since getting my general license, and it looks to hit all the buttons that I am looking for. I am not sure if 20 watts would be enough, but would an amplifier be compatible with this one? Sorry if the question sounds like a newb, but I am one.
Bro Don't do it! Wait and see how this works out. Get a G90 Or something else.
I also recommend the G90. 20 watts is plenty, I can work the world from ZL land SSB. The G90, while it does have it's issues, is tried and tested and has a good rep. This new radio, wait and see I think. Sure, it looks cool, let others with $$ review it and find the flaws.
I see where it has CB. I wonder if those radios sold to the US would include those non USA bands and CB which is illegal to have on a ham radio.
It's the same no matter where it is sold. I live in the US and mine has CB, 4m, and other stuff that we don't normally include here.
Does anyone know if there is a diagram for this somewhere?
I just received one of these broken radios.
Unfortunately, this model is very far from a decent design. Inside, it's a disaster when it comes to repairs. I have already found the factory short circuits, but the radio still does not start. The display does not light up.
Great content but why are you always reporting "59"? :)
The phone socket unless I miss my guess is for the telephone looking accessories
I see a Message icon.
Is that a voice keyer?
I find this radio is very handy and sensitive. The only sad part is the software does not allow you to save multiple frequency to the radio memory . It's only allows you to save limited amateur band frequency. Cat control is has alot of limitation. You can't input a frequency
Will it transmit on 27MhZ? Great video, thank you.
Hi Mat, great video. You said the battery was included, but on banggood website they speak about a battery case? I asked them this question. Can the power level (output power) be adjusted per watt? (to drive an amplifier)? Thanks, Phil ON4VP
Some cool features, but who has ever wished that their battery covered their interface ports? Or wished that their coax cables could be more in the way at the front of the unit by the controls.
Sounds very noicy, show noice reduction in next video please, thanks 73
Kind of a double edge sword really. The sounds comes from the side of the radio, where my mic was at the front, so there was a little reverb coming from the back wall of the recording area. Plus local QRM. But yes, the NR feature does knock it down a bit.
@@TechMindsOfficial ok i thought that was a possibility about local qrm
Did you measure the power at peak ssb or fm zero modulation or cw key down?
Excellent review Mat - thanks!
Looks like it would replace my G90 and 2/70 HT quite nicely as I operate both from the beach but never at the same time.
Can you think of any benefits that the G90 has over this other than (from what I can see) a slightly smaller size?
Cheers!
Matt M0PTO
Automatic tuner is a big one, I'd say. Also, the detachable head presents options for vehicle mounting the PMR does not have. E.g. mount the base somewhere in the back of the vehicle, and put the head unit up on the dash.
@@sypher4912 This has an inbuilt ATU.
@tincanblower The G90 is a great radio!
@@sypher4912This PMR-171 has an even better ATU (tuner) that tunes all the way up to 74MHz instead of just 30 or 55MHz.
@sypher4912 Also, detachable head: the PMR-171 has a Smartphone app that controls the radio over Bluetooth which is like having a remote head.
No tuner in this transceiver??
Does it have a tuner
Yep, sure does.
I would remove the antenna caps and replace with ESD shipping caps. Those dog tag type cans would annoy me.
They are annoying. I took mine off.
Does it have a built in ATU
No ATU for SW? I am wondering what´s the problem with integrating a tuner. Same with IC-705 and others.
read it has
Strangely, nobody is talking about this. I checked the manual:
PMR-171 has the following features:
1. Real-time spectrum.
2. Waterfall chart.
3. Doppler frequency tracking.
4. Using software-defined radio technology (SDR),
full-band support FT8, USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM,
FM, DMR (optional),
WFM (Receive Only).
5. Dual frequency conversion circuit structure.
6. The IF width and IF displacement hardware and
software can be modified to provide powerful IF
interference suppression.
7. DSP digital noise reduction.
--------------------------------------------------
8. Built-in (4~160) m high-speed automatic antenna
tuner.
--------------------------------------------------
9. Built-in electronic key controller, all parameters
can be set flexibly.
10. Built-in sound card with IQ and audio output.
11. External battery compartment design.
12. USB TYPEC3.1 to connect to the computer
13. High-precision TXCO ± 0.5ppm (-10°C~60°C).
14. Ultra-wide working voltage range: 9~18VDC,
some voltage transmission is limited
15. Power supply anti-reverse polarity protection.
16. Built-in GPS/Beidou, electronic compass
(acceleration, angle sensor) (optional).
17. GPS timing (optional GPS module required).
18. The RTC clock can be set.
19. Voltage display.
20. Ultra-light weight: ≤2kg.
21. Bluetooth wireless control, Bluetooth FT8.
The Banggood listing says that the radio is optional 😂
What are you audio settings please?, I’ve just received my radio and the audio sounds dreadful
Is the receiver full of birdies like the X6100 ?
Birdies?
Looks great! If only I had $$$$$$!
Price is getting up there for a 20 watt radio.
is this touch screen? also does it have alc?
Looks good but...... repair if needed?
What are the transmit limits? For instance will it TX on 472kHz? Or is it limited to normal ham bands?
1.8MHz and up including 70MHz.
pmo41839d-pic1.ysjianzhan.cn/upload/PMR-171UserOperationmanual_spkp.pdf
To GUOHETEC...
When I decided to buy PMR171 I thought: it is like putting together a Xiegu G90 (450 €) + Baofeng DR 1801 DMR (150 €) = 600 €. The price of PMR171 + DMR is 1.192 €. (835 € with the discount).
G90 is a great radio. I own one for more than one year. I take it with me in all my outdoor expeditions and it always works very well. It is not necessary to set it with extrange configurations to get it working eitheir in LSB, USB, FM... GD88 is also a good radio, estable and reliable.
PMR171 is more expensive. I would undersatand it because it is suposed to support SSB modulation in VHF and UHF. But considering that the audio quality of SSB is a disaster and DMR performance is more than poor, I consider that you are selling a product that is not prepared to go to the market.
How do you update the firmware HELP
Thanks you . Stupid question... doing CW looks impossible when battery is on . Is it normal ? Bad for SOTA / POTA.
There is a battery separation cable supplied.
On paper, it almost looks like when the Yaesu FT818ND's replacement MIGHT look like. Maybe one day. G7VFY
Do you know Mic wiring of the RJ45 plug ? Is is same as some other radio brands ? ex: yeasu, icome ?
Interesting... Thank you
Thanks for watching!