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Reviews For: Youkits HB-1B QRP CW Transceiver

Category: QRP Radios (5 watts or less)

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Review Summary For : Youkits HB-1B QRP CW Transceiver
Reviews: 52MSRP: 299
Description:
Youkits HB-1B 4 Band QRP CW Transceiver
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.youkits.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00524.6
M0CFM Rating: 2012-06-06
Fantastic! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
If your thinking of buying one of these fantastic radio's you have done your homework and have read the reviews!
I started out as a UK Novice, 3 Watts max power so therefore know what can be worked with the power this radio produces!
Receiver seems real hot, the internal keyer fantastic and the overall size brilliant! Optional internal battery lasts well too, What more can you ask?
If I was being picky I would like to see variable power and a bit of protection over the display but that's all!
A brilliant radio!
We done Youkits!

M0JHA Rating: 2012-05-28
bang on Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Had the HB1A a while back and regretted selling it so i got the HB1B . I like /p and usually use the 817 and although a great rig i wanted something less current hungry and this looks to be a good comprimise..

I worked stations from the word go straight out the box to my 40m dipole with good reports . The IF filter works a dream also and the RX on mine is RED HOT .Yes there are a few niggles for me but this is still a great value radio . the lack of a vswr indicator is my biggest gripe and with that the case there really isn't much i can say bad about this little radio .. it has fun written all over it .

The palm mini paddle looks like it was made for this rig and sits on the side perfectly . I made an end fed tuner with built in vswr indicator for mine and a set of 2300mAh 12.6v li-ion batteries.. i have just ordered a small swr meter so i can use the rig whilst in my van and hook it up to the mobile multibander .. like i say the swr indicator is an important bit of gear for me personally but i'm thinking of buying an indicator from Hendrix and fit this inside the radio as i won't be using internal batteries so there is spare space inside ..

I have not had this rig turned off in the shack it's that much fun using it ..if your into your qrp and maybe some /p work then personally i think for the money your going to be hard pressed to get anything that's going to be as much fun to use . every now and then we come across gear that has keeper written all over it , this is one of my keepers for sure ..



ON6KE Rating: 2012-05-17
Amazing Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I can't have but praise for this tiny transceiver.
I LOVE its features, its lightweight, the near full break-in, the digital display, the continuous IF (didn't expect it was to be THAT good), the internal keyer.

It's a FUN rig that in the few weeks that I own it produced very nice QSO.
I'm not going anywhere on vacation without this cute little rig in my bag !!
WU0R Rating: 2012-03-25
Poor Quality in my Unit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, here it is 2-3 weeks after I got my first unit, and here is what is wrong with it.

1. Inoperable display - can't read anything, when it decides to display (vaguely), it shows 18-20 vdc (on a 12 vdc regulated input).
2. Key it up, locks it up.
3. Packed the battery holder inside the unit with bubble wrapped around it (was too large for inside the case), broke off a cap from the circuit board.
4. SOmetimes turns itself off. sometimes no receive signals.

Bought mine off Ebay from the source, says they have 8 available, when in fact, the build them as they sell them, which means, no stock on hand. None are quality checked, just built and shipped. You are very lucky if you get one that does work properly and if you don't, good luck.

Been told week after week, my "backordered???" unit should be shipping this Friday. That was the 16th, the 23rd, (March) and to date, NADA.

Out of my money, still on the hook, doubtful I will get a real working unit, at least one that works correctly. Spoke with 4 other ops off the web, that all had problems too. Seems 1 out of 5 are bad. Likely built in a sweat shop in Asia as teh Canada address isn't real. The individual I have to deal with is always in China. Hope Ten Tec checks each and every one they sell from YOUKITs, else their rep may get tarnished. If you got one that works okay, you are extremely lucky. If not, you are like me, wondering if or when you will get a working unit??

Bad decision on my part. Should have done more homework.
W0YN Rating: 2012-02-19
Impressive QRP Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased the Ten Tec R4040 version. This is a really nice little transceiver. The receiver is hot and adjustable filtering is much improved over the 2 band models. Full of quality features and fully assembled this radio is great value for the money. I considered buying a Elecraft KX1 after seeing a friends unit. The HB1B has a full frequency display which I like better. This is one nice little radio in a small package.
VE3EGA Rating: 2012-01-28
Go Grab One! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

I picked my 'HB-1B' QRP Radio up on Friday (Ready Built - NOT a KIT!) from Durham Radio in Ontario Canada, It was an 'impulsive' purchase and have been having a blast on 30 and 40m (not got round to 80 or 20 yet) ever since!

The TX pwr is 4-5W @ 12.5v and a little higher (6-7w)at 13.8v . You can work the world with these levels!

The other + reviews pretty much say it all, this is one radio that is well worth buying!

So what's so special about it?

It just plain 'ROCKS' and is so much fun!

The controls are so intuitive that you really don't need to have the manual by your side. In fact, the only time I needed the two page manual was to figure out the SK connections (I don't have a use for paddles)

The RX (3.2 - 16MHz) is a Gem - the adjustable IF Filter works amazingly well (400Hz - 3KHz)at 'close-in' QSO's (to strong signals) and SSB (RX) sounds great thru Stereo Speakers!.

The tuning knob permits stepped increments of tuning (10Hz, 100Hz and 1KHz) and there is even an RIT...

I was actually copying JT65-HF traffic on 14.076 and BPSK31 on 14.070 USB. That's how good this little RX is!

If you are looking for a small (just over half the size of the FT-817ND) versatile QRP Radio you should check this one out - it works!

73

Terry


WA6FX Rating: 2012-01-18
Great QRP Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've owned the HB-1, the HB-1A and now the HB-1B. I bought this one from Ten Tec (listed as their R4040 QRP rig), who provided excellent customer service when I had a problem with my order. Yimin and Co have really refined this radio into a superb little QRP rig. Probably the best bang for the buck I've ever purchased when it comes to retail amateur radio gear. Fit and finish are excellent, it's actually smaller and more rugged that it's predecessors. The receiver is hot, sensitivity is excellent. The continuously variable IF filter (400Hz-3Khz) works
really well and makes this rig a joy to use: zero-beat the recieved signal (@700 HZ), crank down the IF filter and you are left with the signal minus any QRM or QRN. It works better than the FT817 and the FT857's after market add-on filters IMHO. The internal keyer is smooth and adjusts well for my use, this little rig delivers great sounding CW. I love the bright blue display, It looks great in all lighting conditions and provides all the important info at a glance. The attenuator does a great job in keeping a handle on overloading signals, especially on 40M and 80M.
I'd rate this little rig a 10 if I could, it's definitely a blast to use!

73

WA6FX
KO6Z Rating: 2012-01-06
Outstanding QRP rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was reasonably pleased with my Ten Tec R4020 (2 band version of the HB-1A), so when Ten Tec took over USA distribution of the new HB-1B, I bought one. I have owned and used many QRP radios, both kits and factory built and this one is one of if not the best of the lot. All that could have been better on the R4020 (not a lot) have been fixed in the HB-1B. THe price is right too.
NG9D Rating: 2011-12-17
Seeing is believing! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This radio is now being imported, sold and supported by Ten Tec. I was pleasantly surprised by the free shipping offer, delivered USP in three business days. In only a few days, I found out that this little four band radio is going to get a lot of use! Take a look if interested:

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” (Was that an American or a Chinese proverb?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCUTnsV7zj8&list=UURdA_pzS1kJ3LEr2qP9jPHw&index=1&feature=plcp
EX_W3UT Rating: 2011-12-09
Disappointed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased a new one on Ebay and received it a few days later well packaged. Radio was DOA, nothing. Was shipped a replacement unit and just received it. The new replacement has problems as well. Receiver completely dead. Transmitter has low power output. Have requested a refund. On a positive note, response from the seller is prompt and courteous. Looks like a nice little radio, maybe just bad luck I received the 2 defective units in a row.