A new portable rig 3/31/19

So, a local ham and friend of mine recently shared an article about a new radio coming out, the Ailunce HS1 hf sdr transceiver.  Since I was so impressed with the Ailunce HD1 DMR radio, I felt I needed to try this rig out. A week or so ago, I was on the Retevis.com website and found the HS1 was on sale, I placed my order, and it was delivered today.

I was very excited about this rig. It was small, something the size of the Elecraft KX2 or KX3 at half the price. It reminded me of the Xiegu x5105.  I have a FT-817nd, but at 5 watts, it can be hard to make a contact...let alone hold a quality QSO. The HS1 has a maximum output of 15 watts. This should help make a few more contacts when out portable. It has FM, SSB, CW, digital, and FreeDV, and it is also much lighter than my 817.

As I said, I received this new rig today. I have an unboxing video on YouTube.  https://youtu.be/XHL7r2ltbFQ

An interesting fact I noticed was the radio had no Ailunce markings as in the pictures on the website. All other features look the same.  The box it came with is marked as "Recent" and instructions have a model number RS-918. A Google search reveals that this rig and the Ailunce HS1 look the same. I have to assume they are the same rig. Being from China, I figure one factory produces these and stamp different names on them. I'd like to know the whole story and why mine is not an HS1 when I purchased it from Retevis.com.

Whether an HS1 or a RS-918, I am still looking forward to trying the rig out.

-Bob

Today's Project

Howdy, folks.

I really do find enjoyment putting together different go-kits.  My latest is a new packet go-kit.  This new kit includes an Icom ID-880H that has been sitting in my shack hardly used for a couple of years.  I have temporarily commandeered my Bioenno 20Ah LiFePO4 battery from my HF go-kit.  I also have a RadioShack 19 amp power supply when I have shore power available.  Rounding out the kit is the Timewave PK-96 TNC.  I picked up a Pelican style case, an Apache 3800, from Harbor Freight to put it all in. 

Stay tuned for a video featuring the kit coming soon. 

73!
KK4DIV

Excercising the radios: portable ops with packet radio and PSK31 030319

Today I took a little of my portable gear out to the park just to make sure everything still works.  I believe it is important to exercise your equipment every so often to make sure it works when you need it and (as I found out today) to make sure you know how to use it.  First, I got my packet-in-a-box out and logged into my BBS a couple of miles away, then with my ft-817 logged a psk31 qso.