|
So, the Zbitiz has been out for a minute.?
Would you all that have the radio say it is safe to buy with no major issues??
Read a few reviews that stated some issues with the unit. I know nothing is perfect obviously.?
I would much prefer to spend $200.00 than $600.00 for the FX-C4R honestly.?
|
Hi Tony,
I ?ordered the Zbitx just yesterday, despite having read all the reviews and all the problems. This is because I would like an RTX that ?I can get my hands on, in terms of both the ?hardware and the software. I think that this RTX is ideal for people who like to experiment, modify, add things, and learn new way to do radio, like we made in "old days". So, I don't know if it's a safe purchase but I think that if you are used to experimenting, I think it could be a good radio to have fun with.
73, Franco
|
I agree with Franco. If what he writes doesn't apply to you, get a G90.
?
73 DF7II J¨¹rgen?
|
I've had mine for several weeks now. I think it's an amazing radio. That it's open source just means there's more than just Farhan fixing bugs and extending its capability. There was an issue with what appeared to be latency in keying CW. Last I checked, it was fixed. Some things were fixed, modified, or extended by HF Signals or one of the hams who bought one, and could go into the firmware, find the problem, and eventually, fix it.
I had one of the first wave, around the middle of the 700-ish people who bought one. I saw Farhan post that orders were open, and within 10 minutes of his post, I had one ordered. It took a bit to get here, but I didn't mind, I had a Midnight Design Solutions "Old Friend" transceiver for 30 meters on my bench at the time. (I finished it, and it is a total champ.)
A few people didn't like the zBitX and sold theirs. People snapped them right up. I wouldn't part with mine. I've updated the main firmware and the UI firmware (two different processors), and watched it get better and better in real time. I'm going to have to send my KX3 in for repairs soon, and I'm probably going to put the zBitX in service for the duration. (If I find it annoying as my daily driver, I can put in my IQ32, my mcHF clone, or, if I clean up space for one of them, I could put my ICOM IC-746 Pro, or even my Yaesu FT-101 ("No bloody A, B, C, D, E, or EE" -- Montgomery Scott).
So, my opinion is that I have found it to be a worthwhile purchase. I like the thing very much, and am glad I jumped at it. For what you get, the price is insanely inexpensive. I've paid more for SHOES than the zBitX cost. (I have oddly shaped feet, and I buy specialty shoes for diabetics. It's quite easy to spend $200-300 on 3 or 4 pairs. I know because I did it. I'm wearing one of the pairs now.) But, since I don't know you at all well, I have practically no information upon which to speculate whether or not YOU will find the purchase safe to buy. I believe so, but as in all things, YMMV.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P
I agree with Franco. If what he writes doesn't apply to you, get a G90.
?
73 DF7II J¨¹rgen?
|
There was a ham here who found a 2MHz spur coming out of his radio, and also spurious signals 2MHz up and down from his desired signal.? ?He was pretty adamant that the level was above FCC allowances by a fair bit -- and far higher than any spurious signals from other transmitters he had.? ?Ashhar measured the spurs on his radio in house and found it was far lower and made a comment that ome of the stages were being overdriven, likely resulting in the spur.? ?I think he probably adjusted the currently released product as a result -- but I don't know if the ham who had the unit in question ever got a solution for HIS radio (which could not be utilized on the air as a result of violations of the FCC limits).? ? I think this may be the most concerning issue still out there and I wonder if he ever got a resolution?
(A long time back I had similar issues with one of the sBitx's?I was "refurbishing" -- and I eventually conquered?it by reducing drive current in the Si5351, and by somewhat improving the linearity of one or more stages in the power chain, to my satisfaction.? ?My issue was well resolved as a result.)? ?
Gordon KX4Z
I've had mine for several weeks now. I think it's an amazing radio. That it's open source just means there's more than just Farhan fixing bugs and extending its capability. There was an issue with what appeared to be latency in keying CW. Last I checked, it was fixed. Some things were fixed, modified, or extended by HF Signals or one of the hams who bought one, and could go into the firmware, find the problem, and eventually, fix it.
I had one of the first wave, around the middle of the 700-ish people who bought one. I saw Farhan post that orders were open, and within 10 minutes of his post, I had one ordered. It took a bit to get here, but I didn't mind, I had a Midnight Design Solutions "Old Friend" transceiver for 30 meters on my bench at the time. (I finished it, and it is a total champ.)
A few people didn't like the zBitX and sold theirs. People snapped them right up. I wouldn't part with mine. I've updated the main firmware and the UI firmware (two different processors), and watched it get better and better in real time. I'm going to have to send my KX3 in for repairs soon, and I'm probably going to put the zBitX in service for the duration. (If I find it annoying as my daily driver, I can put in my IQ32, my mcHF clone, or, if I clean up space for one of them, I could put my ICOM IC-746 Pro, or even my Yaesu FT-101 ("No bloody A, B, C, D, E, or EE" -- Montgomery Scott).
So, my opinion is that I have found it to be a worthwhile purchase. I like the thing very much, and am glad I jumped at it. For what you get, the price is insanely inexpensive. I've paid more for SHOES than the zBitX cost. (I have oddly shaped feet, and I buy specialty shoes for diabetics. It's quite easy to spend $200-300 on 3 or 4 pairs. I know because I did it. I'm wearing one of the pairs now.) But, since I don't know you at all well, I have practically no information upon which to speculate whether or not YOU will find the purchase safe to buy. I believe so, but as in all things, YMMV.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P
I agree with Franco. If what he writes doesn't apply to you, get a G90.
?
73 DF7II J¨¹rgen?
|
On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 09:33 PM, Tony wrote:
Read a few reviews that stated some issues with the unit.
?
There's your answer.? If you can live with the issues in the reviews and/or look forward to trying to resolve them over time, it's worth buying.
?
I think Vince's review ( ) is really thorough.
?
It covers the highs, the lows, and everything else in between.
?
Read it thoroughly and IMO you will be much better informed than the average buyer.
?
--
Regards,
Dave, N1AI
|
Many of the reviews have pointed out some bugs or shortcomings, but all have stated that this is an experimenters radio. If you want a polished radio, buy a Yaesu , Icom, Kenwood, Elecraft, etc.?
I ordered one because I can deal with these minor issues, it weighs under a pound, so perfect for POTA/SOTA and self-contained digital modes.?
On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 09:33 PM, Tony wrote:
Read a few reviews that stated some issues with the unit.
?
There's your answer.? If you can live with the issues in the reviews and/or look forward to trying to resolve them over time, it's worth buying.
?
I think Vince's review ( ) is really thorough.
?
It covers the highs, the lows, and everything else in between.
?
Read it thoroughly and IMO you will be much better informed than the average buyer.
?
--
Regards,
Dave, N1AI
|
On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 08:57 AM, Jay Bremner wrote:
I ordered one because I can deal with these minor issues, it weighs under a pound, so perfect for POTA/SOTA and self-contained digital modes.?
?
Personally I think the issues with current draw and heat generation make it less than perfect for POTA/SOTA and self-contained digital modes. ?The review I linked has these two items as the first two negative points for the radio.?
?
Hopefully these things will be improved over time, but from what I read here it sounds like most people are operating them from home using wall current and have added cooling solutions that add weight, as opposed to attacking the root cause of excess current draw and heat generation.??
?
--
Regards,
Dave, N1AI
|
Gwen Patton
Dave, N1AI
Jay Bremner