This coming from a 5105 owner who thinks that walking more than a few hundred feet is suffering:
The tradeoff I would think about is weight. The 5105 is a heavy little beast, mostly due to the battery. But that¡¯s not fixed by any of the competition as they mostly need an external battery. And all of that is strongly affected by whether you think you need the power output.
I¡¯m attracted to rigs with lower power drain especially on receive. But I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m up to running less than five watts especially on SSB. So my fix so far is to be able to use CW, SSB and digital, in this case PSK31 on an Android phone. But again, PSK is a battery hog so there goes the battery weight.
I really like the physical arrangement of these new rigs. Putting the display and most of the controls on the largest face of the cube is wonderful. I dislike the tiny screen and mobile radio design of my FT-817. Otherwise it is a great radio.
My prime mode is to ride my motorcycle up into the mountains of southern Baja and throw a wire over a cactus. I have the bike battery there for backup. Except for this year when I¡¯m stuck up here in the rain for obvious reasons. Grump.
Mike
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I only have the X5105, but I've read about the other 2 models you're considering.
The main difference I can think of is the built-in battery in the X5105.??
The screen size it larger too, I think.? And I've read that the "outdoor model", with the clear cover shield over the display screen, has a different display type that show up better in sunlight.? You might be able to confirm that with Radioddity, and there's also another, newer dealer who was mentioned (and recommended) in a thread a few weeks ago.
One of these radios will probably have a controls layout that will work out better for you, but you'll have to use your imagination to figure out which.? Unless there's a COVID miracle and hamfests can get going again - AND you can find one with all 3 radios to see and feel.
None of the three get much factory support as far as I know, but the RS918 has been around for a while and I think has open-source firmware.? That might make it easier to find schematics and "how things work" inside the radio.
Oh, one other reason I think the X5105 is is a good POTA choice is the built-in mike.? And with the X5105ps shape factor, by mounting a whip antenna on the BNC you can use it like a walkie-talkie.? Check some of the youtube videos.
Not likely a big factor for you, but the X5105 also has the I.F. output for a panadapter, and there's a $35 SDR tiny dongle kit for that (for use with an android phone or tablet & android app).
--
Doug, K8RFT
