Hello Operators.
Since I’ve began featuring various radios, from different manufacturers on the channel, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. For some reason operators in the ham radio community believe if I show one radio, how to use it, its capabilities and so on, that this means I’m against all other radios shown on the channel previously. This is utter nonsense.
Let’s get something clear. I really enjoy featuring all types of radios from various manufacturers on the channel. I don’t favor one over the other when presenting its capabilities, how to use it, what accessories go well with it, or what’s good or bad about the radio. My goal is only to provide information for people who might be interested in that particular radio. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Yaesu ft-818, FT-891, Icom IC-705, one of the budget Xiegu radios, or an Elecraft KX2. I simply don’t care! What I do care about is doing the research, understanding its capabilities, and ultimately helping all of you get on air, with a radio which means your own unique requirements.
One of the reasons I don’t take money for reviews, is enjoying the presentation of my own independent opinion, on things you see on the channel. My opinion is generally based on field experience with a particular radio or piece of equipment. I start off bench testing the radio or gear, then get it out in the field so that I can make an informed opinion about it. Other times I’ve stayed at a hotel for a day or two, operating the radio and antenna from a balcony or patio courtyard, as many of us are forced to do in real life. I might even setup a station in the sticks above the Arctic Circle, just to show the community how capable a particular radio or piece of gear actually is. There is no agenda!
Today the polarisation in the amateur radio Community is astonishing. People are making emotional decisions about things which are purely technical. For example I said the Yaesu ft-818 update was a fail. That doesn’t mean I hate the Yaesu ft-818 or Yaesu ft-817nd. It means I believe Yaesu failed to provide a modern solution to go along with that updated model number! Of course people can still make great use out of the radio. I also said the Icom IC 705 is the most significant update for the portable ham radio operator, in a very long time. A 10 watt radio with a one wire interface to a laptop, tablet or Raspberry Pi. This is innovation which solves many problems for the operator who wants a full-featured, but QRP or low power output radio in the field. It doesn’t mean I hate micro CW rigs or other radios! It doesn’t mean I no longer enjoy my Yaesu ft-891! It does mean I’m showing you the forward technological motion, offered by a particular radio or manufacturer. In this case the IC 705.
I’ll be the first one to admit there’s no perfect amateur radio on the market. With this in mind, I like to present as many options as I can. Then I’ll let you decide if this radio along with its technical specifications and capabilities, can meet your own individual requirements. If a radio really sucks, you’ll never see it on my Channel or blog. But if there’s a new radio out there which is interesting, and seems to meet the requirements of at least part of the community, I take it as my own responsibility to provide as much information about that rig, as I can. So please stop getting bent out of shape because you see a radio you might not like on the channel. We don’t need more Fanboys in the amateur radio community. We need everyone to step up and help each other to get on-air, regardless of our personal “feelings”about a particular brand. I try to make all of my videos interesting to watch, regardless of anyones brand loyalty.
Finally, if we don’t step up and let the community and manufacturers know how manufacturers can better meet our requirements, they will continue delivering the same old technology they’ve been giving us, for the last couple of decades.
73, Julian oh8stn
