Before we get into today’s featured new products, let’s answer this burning question:
What exactly does “potpourri” mean, and what the heck is it doing in an amateur radio blog post?
If you’ve used potpourri around your ham shack to enhance the ambience of your space (we doubt that you have, but who knows?), you understand that potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or sack to perfume a room.
It’s also defined as “a mixture of things,” including, in this case, amateur radio equipment.
The word was first used in the early 1600s to describe a type of stew, which is what we’re serving up today—a blend of products you’ll want to add to your shack, regardless of whether it smells like fragrant flowers or, more likely, strong coffee.
Taking Reservations for Your New Radio
We start our ham radio bouillabaisse with a trio of upcoming products that you can place your reservation for at DXEngineeing.com. Features and specifications included here are pre-release and subject to change. Please see website for reservation terms.
***
Yaesu FTX-1F HF/50/144/430MHz All Mode QRP Portable Transceiver
Hailed as the replacement for the popular FT-817/FT-818 portable transceivers, this rig is sure to satisfy POTA, SOTA, and Field Day operators.
It takes full advantage of state-of-the-art SDR technology and provides 6W of output power with its 5670mAh Lithium-ion battery pack, which enables an impressive nine hours of stand-alone SSB operating time on the HF bands and up to eight hours of operating time on the VHF/UHF bands, FM mode (based on a 6-6-48 duty cycle). Up to 10W of power output is available when using an external DC power supply. The FTX-1F is scheduled for release in early 2025.
***
Icom IC-2730B Black Edition Dual Band VHF/UHF Transceiver
This Icom rig features a new high contrast black LCD display for improved visibility over the IC-2730A model, also available at DXEngineering.com. The IC-2730B boasts up to 50W power output covering the 2M (144-148 MHz) and 70cm (430-450 MHz) bands and comes equipped with an HM-207 Remote Control Hand Mic. Optional Icom VS-3 Bluetooth Headset and UT-133/A Bluetooth module are sold separately.
***
Icom IC-7760 HF Plus 50MHz 200W Transceiver
Icom announced that this transceiver will have an initial limited release expected in late 2024, with more stock expected next year. The IC-7760 offers a new “innovative Shack Style” consisting of a full control console with separate RF deck, connected through a supplied 9.8-foot control cable for greater installation flexibility.
Using a commercially available LAN cable, the RF deck can be installed in a more remote location. The control console and RF deck can be connected through a wired home LAN connection for in-house remote operation. This simple configuration does not require a PC and can be easily operated from nearly anywhere in the home if a LAN connection is available.
Main and Sub dual touchscreen displays are provided for improved visibility of information and smooth operation. The seven-inch main display centralizes information necessary for operation, and the newly adopted 2.4-inch sub-display shows filter effects, various meters, and band stacking register keys.
***
Other New Products at DX Engineering for October 2024
***
DX Engineering Flat Bill Snapback Hat
The Flat Bill Snapback Hat with embroidered DX Engineering logo is the perfect mix of style and functionality. Made from a durable 80/20 acrylic/wool blend, it offers both comfort and longevity. The hat features a heather gray and black color scheme, complemented by a green underbill that adds a pop of color, along with a seven-position adjustable snapback closure to ensure a comfortable fit.
***
mAT -TUNER MAT-M200 200W Icom/Kenwood Antenna Tuner
This tuner is compatible with all modern 100W Icom and Kenwood transceivers that come equipped with the standard four-pin tuner socket. The MAT-M200 offers automatic antenna tuning across the entire HF spectrum, plus 6 meters, with a frequency range of 1.8 to 54 MHz. It supports maximum input power up to 200W (100W maximum above 50 MHz) and 100W for FT8/digital modes. The versatile unit can tune dipoles, verticals, Yagis, long wires, or virtually any other coax-fed antenna. With its impedance matching range of 5 to 1,500 ohms, it far exceeds the capabilities of the transceiver’s internal automatic antenna tuner.
***
WiMo Ham Radio Guide 2023
The 2023 edition of the Ham Radio Guide includes 87 spiral-bound color pages with 86 large format maps, some of which fold out for easier viewing. The guide is printed on strong, laminated card stock that will stand up to daily use and field service. The updated edition comes packed with information, including country and prefix lists; band plans of the IARU regions 1, 2, and 3; a comprehensive overview of national amateur radio organizations; CEPT license agreements; satellite frequencies, operation modes, orbits, and ISS frequencies; and more.
***
Visit DXEngineering.com today for these new products and all your ham radio needs!
