| KF6SWU |
Rating:  |
2024-07-07 | |
| Having a blast at home and POTA! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This radio does everything I want and keeps it simple. You can find all the features online or in previous reviews.
I'm using a QRPGuys Multiband tuner with their trapped EFHW, hanging as an inverted V at 23 ft in my backyard. For POTA, I sometimes take just a wire for 20m. I throw a line in a tree or use a tenkara rod for a mast at the beach.
3 Bands. I don't need 80m (antenna too long!) and 20m goes far enough. From California, I have had QSOs with Japan and Australia.
I appreciate the SW-3B rotary encoder and have the printed rails/cover to protect all the knobs in transport. The backlit screen is easy to read. Listening to SSB is fun when I'm not finding anyone on CW and let's me know that band is open.
I have used a few other borrowed QRP rigs. The KX1 was great but way more than I wanted to spend (if I could find one). The KX3 is amazing, more complexity than I want and a little heavy for a backpack. (Also expensive.) The only thing I miss a little bit is the adjustable filter on the KX1. I don't think that is holding back many contacts.
Adjusting keyer speed takes a couple seconds, but I have done it mid QSO.
On my version, purchased April 2024, it is possible to record a full CQ message beyond just your call.
The price is a bargain and Dale's responsiveness is A+++.
This radio lets me focus on making QSO's and not fiddling with or looking for other gear.
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| LNXAUTHOR |
Rating: |
2023-07-01 | |
| better technical documentation than LNR rigs |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
recently acquired one of these rigs used as NIB; i believe it is a later one w/the IRF510, but i have not completely disassembled it
pros: easy setup; af/rf gain; plenty of volume compared to the LNR MTR4BV2 (which has no volume control); lightweight; 8 memories per band (40/30/20); SSB receive, along w/SWL bands; 4 VFO tunng steps; out-of-band no-transmit feature to test key/paddle, keyer mem; 8-15V, 3W out w/9V, 5W out w/12V; voltage readout; readable signal meter; CWR mode; +/-9Khz RIT, +/-30Khz XIT; keyer speed adjustable; single CW keyer mem; auto/on/off backlight
cons: single CW keyer mem only sends "CQ CQ CQ your_callsign K" (would have preferred empty mem)
the biggest pro for this rig is the excellent technical and diagnostic/repair manual by KL7KN - no other current QRP rig maker provides such a document, although Penntek comes close due to kit assembly instructions and available schematics (to be fair, there is a KD1JV io.groups w/some technical info, but not specific to the LNR models) - but you can buy the SW-3B with confidence that unless there is a catastrophic firmware failure, you will be able to fix the rig yourself
this rig is a bargain 3-bander for QRP ops - if you can live without a usable keyer memory, then you will be pleased |
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| K7DXT |
Rating: |
2023-04-05 | |
| Great Form Factor...But the Xmit hum... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I really love this little rig...the way it is set up, ease of use, etc. It took about three weeks to receive it from China. When I got it on the air, I could hear low frequency hum in my headphones upon transmitting. I tried several things...different cables, antenna, power source, etc, but the hum remained on transmit. I contacted Dale and he was responsive, and told me to send it back for repair. I didn't want to go through that process, so just decided to live with it. I like it enough that I've thought about buying another one...hoping the hum issue was isolated. But I've not heard anyone else having this problem. |
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| NM5S |
Rating: |
2023-04-04 | |
| After 3 yrs. it is still my favorite SOTA rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I am very happy with this rig. It continues to be a great performer on many SOTA summits. It is compact, lightweight, and was a bargain. The minimal service I needed was painless, fast, and costless. |
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| G4VRR |
Rating: |
2023-04-04 | |
| A Great Idea But With Flawed Design Choices and an RF Issue. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Update; after many months and a great deal of head scratching, it transpired that on 40 metres only, it could not cope with an 8" unscreened wire hookup for the morse key, even with two Fair Rite Snap-Its. Replacement with a screened lead provided the cure. Whilst this may seem obvious to the majority, the issue remained even into a dummy load which still has me puzzled. Accordingly, I have increased the star rating to four, but my other reservations still apply. At the end of the day it's a great little radio, but with (for me at least) a few too many little drawbacks. Overall it's a keeper.
Original review:
A great little portable transceiver. However, as previously noted, the limitation with the memory register is irritating given the obvious deployment scenarios, and by extension the lack of flash upgrades that could address this too. Basically you get a production run and that's it. On the other hand, this comes under the heading of things you know (or should have known) prior to purchase. My principal reason for marking it down is that on 40M (even with just a dummy load and a LiPo) it drops RF out in milliseconds. It's OK on 30M and 20M, it just doesn't like 40M. I have outlined some other niggles below that mean for myself at least the SW-3B doesn't quite warrant four stars. "Needs help" at two stars seems too harsh, but really that's what I should have awarded.
I have not tried to trouble Dale with the RF issue because first I know I'm not alone, and secondly I can predict the outcome as being WYSIWYG. That said, over time I have discovered that if I back off the RF gain somewhat the RF drop out problem goes away. It is bizarre that a control that is deployed during receive should impact the transmit side of things, but I guess it's direct RF pick up. I have double toroid choked all external leads to no avail. It is what it is. Maybe some extra internal decoupling would help, but- really?
The SW-3B cannot retain its previous V/M setting upon power up. Every time I switch it on, I have to remember to first select a memory for the part of the band that I want (the low part!) and secondly flip V/M before attempting to tune around. This is daft, it should be able to remember where you left off. A minor irritation but worth mentioning. I could address this by putting a low QRG CW memory up at what appears to be default start up memory position 8, but that's not intuitive, I would still have to punch the VFO knob before attemting to QSY and really it shouldn't be necessary at all.
So far as direct operating experience goes, I find that once you have got over its initial jewel like attraction, by the time you have configured a voltage source, headphones or external loudspeaker and some way to establish antenna matching together with all the attendant cables, I have come to the conclusion that I may just as well pack my FT-818nd. There is a great little Czech QRP company sells a neat little SWR /Power indicator that will fit inside the case, but they have been out of stock for so long that I'm bored of checking and I suspect vapourware.
Don't be put off by my comments because as I said- it's a great little transceiver that hears very well, but think about the logistics of deployment. With a lightweight LiFePo4 it wins hands down on weight for SOTA, but for POTA and related activities, by the time you've hooked everything up together, I feel that it misses the point a bit.
I would not buy this item again unless I could be confident that the RF issue had been addressed, and this is not the type of product that you can sit down with in your local emporium ... |
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| VE3EGA |
Rating: |
2023-04-03 | |
| Better than Most! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned my little SW-3B for about 3 Years - About the same time as I had owned the original and single-band QRPLabs QCX.
They are all GONE - but the SW-3B is a KEEPER!
In conclusion, It is compact, versatile, ultra-reliable tiny CW Transceiver with 'SSB RX' (listen to the SSB NETS?) that just simply 'DELIVERS!'
Well done Dale and thanks for a great QRP product!
73 |
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| W2GIW |
Rating: |
2022-11-01 | |
| A very well rounded little radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
A nice compact unit with SSB receive, should someone need that. Performs just like it should. Really like how the "step" tuning works.
Wide voltage range is a big plus.
I added a flat battery pack from Amazon (two for $8.00 or so) that holds 8 AA's. Used a few velcro strips to hold it to the bottom of the radio with the battery door facing the desk, so to speak. Works great. No separate batteries needed. 7/8 longer than the -3B but exactly the same width.
Even has an on/off switch.
Also...I believe the power connector is the same one used on the LNR's and the FT-817, 818....Ken
Update!! Does anyone know how to delete your call in the auto CQ and start again? this one is about two years old. Page 9 in this little manual is no help....Thanks...Ken |
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| KL7KN |
Rating: |
2022-08-19 | |
| Well worth the cost of ownership |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Great little rig. full 5 watts @12VDC, will run on a battery down to ~8VDC. RF gain, a real ++. The radio is a single conversion, with the IF derived from the same DDS system, so no BFO crystal - the received signal is always inside the filter passband. CWR allows dodging some QRN/QRM. 'Trail Friendly' configuration/form factor - love it!
Dale does incremental Product Improvement - this on a batch-by-batch basis. The CQ function is now (2022) open memory - so you may enter "CQ de (yourcall)/QRP" for example. It seems the software found on the SW3C is now used in the little SW3B.
The one feature that sold me was the SSB RX and the wide coverage. This allows me to check into SSB nets, for example, where other rigs lack the RX BW to do so.
5 stars for performance, or 5 stars for ease of use - a winner.
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| VE3SIF |
Rating: |
2022-01-03 | |
| Great little QRP radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I was looking for something similar to the QCX but with both 40 and 20 meters. This radio fits the bill for my ultra-portable ops. Three bands, rf gain, wide voltage range, rit, low current draw, and it’s tiny! The receiver is good, the 400 Hz filter setting is a good choice for this radio. It seems very well built and the seller, Dane, has been great to answer any questions that I’ve had. I’m very happy with it so far.
The manual it comes with is so-so but the operating guide written by Don, KL7KN, is great. Both are available on the Venus website to download. Changing keyer speeds is no good. It works, but is not practical for down in the middle of a QSO, for example. As other have written, the power connector isn’t standard (4x1.7mm). It could use more memory – the way mine is set up, I can only enter my call sign for the radio to call a standard CQ. I can’t configure it to call CQ POTA, for example.
Still, for an inexpensive portable rig, it’s terrific.
Here’s a review video of it. Not everything is covered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIMXTQ5gEN8 |
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| EA8CYU |
Rating: |
2021-07-19 | |
| Excelente equipo QRP -- Muy buena atención al cliente. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
A primera vista sorprende su pequeño tamaño y peso, las perillas y el conjunto muestra robustez.
El manejo es muy intuitivo buen receptor y filtro.
La atención a cliente es magnífica. No tendrá ningún problema con Dale.
En poco tiempo tendremos el SW-3C con alguna mejoras
Puntuación
SW-3B -- 10/10
Atención cliente Dale -- 10/10
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