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| Reviews Summary for Eagle Spitfire 454 |
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write your own review of the Eagle Spitfire 454.
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NE0P
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 24, 2004 01:27
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What will they think of next?
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Wow! A 10 meter HT with 5 watts out, a LCD readout, and SSB/FM. Can't beat this for portability. I have owned 2 of these, and took one to KH6 with me on vacation. Receiver sounds pretty good. Stood in the parking lot of a grocery store listening to the CA QSO party a few years ago. Worked a P40 station in Aruba while it was hooked to the 10 meter dipole.
The antenna that comes with it is worthless. I hooked up an AEA 10 meter antenna from the DX handy, but for some reason the Spitfire didn't like it. Wouldn't put out full power with it.
The biggest problem is the clarifier (RIT). There is no off switch for it, nor is there is center detent at the zero level. You have to play around until you find were zero is, mark that, and hope it doesn't get moved too much.
Also, tuning is a little course, and it is difficult to get between 1 KHZ frequencies.
Smaller than the FT817 with true 1 handed HT operation, but could use a couple of improvements.
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RICK1834
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 1, 2004 21:26
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Neat toy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I haven't done a lot with this little rig but play with it. No remarkable contacts or anything. I have used it in the mobile, though. I have a cool little attatchment that fits where the battery goes and gives you a lighter plug and a coax connection out the bottom! I think that this was a Cherokee accessory. I have a speaker mic for it that I think was from Alinco. Just fun. You need one.
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KC5NYJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 15, 2001 00:11
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cool radio
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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considering the size and price, not bad. I bought it to listen for Russian 10m sats, and for transmit use after I upgrade, so I can't say much for the transmit side now, but the receiver is ok. It needs a NB or ANL though. Also, the long antenna is absolutely needed if you are serious about hearing anything. This radio is marketed under several names, including Albrecht, Magnum, and Titan. The Titan goes for about 109 bucks on Ebay.
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W8KQE
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 11, 2000 15:28
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10m handheld SSB, AM, FM H.T.!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The Eagle Spitfire 454 is a neat little 5-6 watts out 10 meter only (28.0 - 29.690 MHz) portable H.T. It comes with a very inefficient BNC connected 7" rubber duckie antenna, which should be replaced with a larger telescoping or other homebrew whip antenna if you are serious about working domestic QRP 10m skip or even DX. It also has a few necessary features such as a clarifier for SSB signals, and repeater offset. You access frequencies by up and down buttons on the unit, and you do get a full frequency readout (for ex. 28.400). I don't believe the radio goes up and down in anything less than 10Hz increments, but you can program it to cover any frequency down to a 1Hz resolution, which is a nice feature to insure 'full coverage' of the whole band, especially with the clarifier in use as well. The receiver on this unit seems to be a O.K. as well, but stations ever barely move the digital LCD "S meter" on the unit, except when there is a very strong opening on 10m, or when you connect the radio to your home tribander or vertical. On to the fun stuff...
For me, as an avid DX'er and QRP enthusiast licensed since 1977, I am always looking for new challenges. I believe I have achieved the 'DX holy grail' finally with this radio. To make a long story short, I only made one contact with it using the portable duckie antenna, while standing in my driveway. But OH, WHAT A CONTACT! I first tuned across the 10m band on my Icom 756 base unit running my tribander, and contacted a strong EA4 station in Spain. I asked if he could give me a call and listen for me on my Spitfire H.T., so I ran outside and waited for his call. I tried answering. At first, he didn't hear me, but when I held the H.T. with the antenna oriented horizontally, as opposed to straight up vertically during my initial call, he HEARD ME and CAME BACK TO ME with an "S2" 3 by 3 report!!!!!!! The thrill was back!!!!! I worked a transatlantic DX 10m SSB QSO with a Spanish ham using only my QRP walkie-talkie in my driveway!!!! The ham radio "Holy Grail" indeed!!! Pardon my enthusiasm, but I truly feel that with a slightly improved whip antenna on this H.T., and an open 10m band, you can literally work the world, even with a measly walkie-talkie! It won't happen often, but when it does, man what a rush!!! All in all, this is a great little unit for about $150 U.S. If you think QRP'ing from a base or home location is fun, you've gotta try from a walkie-talkie on upper sideband!!!!
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