Joyce/K0JJW and I did another activation of Mt Herman (W0C/FR-063) today. This is a repeat summit for us this year but we were looking for an easy hike not too far from home.
As usual, we were just using the VHF/UHF bands for the activation. My favorite rig for this type of SOTA activation is a Yaesu FT-90, a very compact mobile transceiver (4 x 1.2 x 5.4 inches) that is no longer manufactured. It has a unique heatsink with an integral fan that can handle the heat from the 50-watt transmitter. We use a Bioenno 4.5 Ah LFP battery to supply the power for the radio.
I was trying to work Bob/W0BV about 65 miles away and we were not able to complete the contact. The distance is not too difficult but there are several mountain ranges in the way. Sometimes we can get the electromagnetic waves to sneak through, but not today. Hiking down the mountain, I was thinking about how we could have probably made the QSO on SSB or CW, instead of FM. I chose not to bring the all-mode transceiver (FT-817) along today, so that was not an option.
That is when the idea hit me. The FT-90 is the right form-factor and power level for VHF/UHF SOTA but it is limited to FM. Yaesu, if you are listening, here’s what I’d really like to see in a small mobile transceiver:
- FT-90 size radio, perhaps a little larger but not much
- 2m and 70 cm bands (include 1.25m if you’d like)
- At least 25 watts of output power, more would be better (say 50 watts)
- All mode capability (CW/SSB/FM/Digital), sure go ahead and toss C4FM in too.
- No internal battery…I’m going to have to use an external battery anyway to get enough battery capacity
At various times, I have had people ask “why don’t they put SSB in handheld radios?” They recognize that SSB has weak-signal advantages over FM, so they wish their handheld transceiver (HT) could do it. I say rather than shove more features into an HT, put it in an FT-90 size radio. It would be a much more usable solution.
Although I arrived at this radio concept thinking about SOTA, it would also be a great mobile rig for general use. The FT-90 was popular because it was very compact AND it had a removable faceplate that could be mounted almost anywhere. There really is no way to get VHF/UHF SSB into a vehicle other than those all-band radios like the FT-857 and the IC-7100. Oh, did I say FT-857? Sorry, that model has been discontinued. The satellite operators will love it, too, especially if it could work 2m/70cm crossband full-duplex.
So there you go, Yaesu (or Icom)…a fantastic product concept at no charge. I would be happy to beta test it for you.
That’s my idea for today. What do you think?
73 Bob K0NR
I used to have a FT-290 RII and that was awesome for 2M SSB and CW work. It wasn’t the smallest but with the battery pack I could take it out to a hilltop and play around. I’m still bummed it was stolen and I haven’t been able to find another one.
I dream of someone making an all mode radio like that for VHF and UHF too.
I lusted after the FT-290 for many years but never owned one. My proposed radio has some of those same attributes but much smaller in size and dualband. The available technology is so much better these days.
There are several FT-290 units currently listed on e-Bay.
I think you have a great idea. And with the popularity of SOTA and outdoor operating of all sorts I think it would be a good seller.
Seconding your request, I’d love to have a compact little 2m/440 radio with a digital data capabilities.
Also seconding the external battery, with a PowerPole connector please. Battery technology is changing so rapidly, and we don’t need to be tied down to Yet Another proprietary nicad pack.
I probably should have titled this the “The VHF/UHF transceiver I’d really like.” It would be useful for way more than SOTA…a compact building block for many applications.
FT817’s are cheap right now and easily modified. The covers on the 817 are heavy – remove them and replace with sheet plastic. If shielding is a concern, copper or aluminum tape can be affix to the inside of the sheet plastic. I did not do this and do not suffer any RF issues.
I use a tiny Yaesu MH-34 speaker mic so I did not remount the speaker in the FT-817.
Replace the rear SO239 with a BNC – a small aluminum adapter needs to be fabricated. Remove the battery and place a small homebrew 2m amp in that area if 5W isn’t enough. 20W is the next sweet spot on 2m SSB. I use RC car LIPO battery external to the radio. For HF, I have a small Chinese MC-50 50W HF amp. I have to get the amp into the machine shop for lightening modifications.
Not an FT-90 but way lighter than a stock FT-817.
Some day soon when I retire and have the time I want to get the covers for the FT-817 3d-printed. There’s also some more machining that can be done on the FT-817 chassis to make it even lighter.
My poor KX2 sits home unloved….
Dave
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