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Reviews For: Zastone ZT7500

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Zastone ZT7500
Reviews: 3MSRP: $800
Description:
ZASTONE ZT7500 SDR Short Wave Transceiver HF LF 6M VHF UHF DDC DUC All Mode Mobile Radio 20W 0-750MHZ Receive Touch Screen
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.zastone.com/product/showproduct.php?id=137&lang=en
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
23.533.7
G0NIG Rating: 2024-08-07
This is NOT an out of the box radio. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If you want/need a radio that is good to go out of the box then you would be better off looking at other DDC/DUC transceivers.

Like many of the OpenSource and kit based SDR designs Chinese manufacturers have tried to mass produce these radios, unfortunately with less than stellar results. You only have to investigate the performance of the McHF clones, the Q900 and it's variants, even the offerings from Xiegu. None are what I'd call out of the box solutions and will need a lot of work on the part of the purchaser to get anywhere close to acceptable. With this in mind the Zastone ZT-7500 is no exception.

I have both the 20Watt and the 100Watt versions. In this review I'll be referring to the 100Watt version but the same criticism's apply to the 20Watt version.

Documentation: This is non-existent except for a a basic manual that details the buttons and the menu tree. The purpose of the functions is mainly left up to the users imagination.

Construction. At first glance this doesn't look too bad. But under closer scrutiny it's apparent that some components differ both in value and device designators than those specified by the original designer, Dmtry (UA3REO). Even of greater concern is that some major circuit components are missing, such as the total omission of the 6m LP filter. I must add here that the 20Watt version only has a single 170MHz LP filter after the PA which results in very strong odd harmonics, even the 7th harmonic is less than 10dB down from the fundamental, therefore you will need a separate LP filter array to prevent your country's radio authority from knocking on your door.

Overall performance: The receiver is good, in fact it is very good. The reproduced audio, even on very weak signals, is clear and I find it a joy to listen to. Unfortunately the transmit side of the radio is severely lacking. Power output is only close to the 100Watt on a couple of the lower bands. Above 10MHz the output severely drops off even though the current draw doesn't. Again this is an example of substituted and incorrect value of components being used.

Everything is fixable. But to rectify these problems you'll will need a good understanding of circuit principles and/or an ability to translate all the good information from Russian to your preferred language.

The original Wolf DDC/DUC transceiver project is one to be admired and commended. However this mass produced clone is a very poor facsimile.
KA2ZSD Rating: 2024-07-16
Beautiful Sounding Receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a 7500 V10 newest firmware .Wonderful SDR Transceiver.Water fall compares to my Flex 6600M..I am comparing the wolf 7509 to my Yaesu FTDX 5000MP .What 5000 hears the 7500 hears .What shocked me is the 7500 receiver the most naturally sounding I have ever heard.I ordered amplifier key cable custom made from RadioDan on eBay with his buffer unit for Mercury Lux amplifier .Using EV 76ND mic getting great audio reports .NR 1&2 works very well along with NB and notching filtering .
It’s a great back up radio for my Flex 6600M and Yaesu 5000MP.
Joe KA2ZSD
SSBER Rating: 2023-11-19
Interesting Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a Wolf clone version on eBay for a reasonable price of $899. It took forever to get here from HK, but DHL was graceful and finally delivered it. It comes as a raw radio, not plug and play at all. It's open source so I used YouTube, GroupsIO, and Facebook for Tech support. No warranty or manual, and it's complex with ton's of setting that need golden screw driving. It comes with basic firmware, upgrading is technical and not for the novice geek, but won't brick, supposedly. But it's strangely addictive, constantly futzing with the settings. On Facebook, there are some very knowledgeable people that help you instantly, from the other side of the world. I like it, plus it has an amazing display.