X1M QRP Transceiver from China.

X1M front

Took some time off to have a look at the X1M Platinum QRP radio last week. Did not get on air with it but just picked it up and mucked about with it a little. It is very small and the display is even smaller. No way to read it without glasses for me. The radio comes complete with a microphone and power lead so is ready to go out of the box. Has a built in speaker as well.

2 knobs on the front and 5 push buttons to access the various functions. The rear has the pl259, power plug, headphones, key, and a plug to connect to a computer!

Specs as supplied:
Frequency range RX & TX: 0.1 ~ 30 MHz*
Modes: USB & LSB & CW
Power output: 5 Watts
Operating voltage: 12 vdc
Operating current: 0.35 ~ 1.2 amp
Receiver Preamplifier: Yes
Memory Channels: 100
RIT Function: Yes
Automatic Internal CW Keyer: Yes
Backlight On/Off: Yes
Keyboard lock: Yes
Dimensions: 3-13/16 x 1-9/16 x 6-1/8 inches
Weight: 0.65 kg ~ 1.43 lbs
PTT Microphone: Included
Computer Control: Compatible with Ham Radio Deluxe
(factory adapter required – Choose Icom IC-718 in HRD)

* Transmits continuous 0.1 – 30 MHz
(except US Broadcast 0.55 – 0.17 MHz & US CB Band 26.960 – 27.410 MHz)

Five Ham Bands are configured with bandpass filtering. Transmitting on frequencies outside these ranges may require external bandpass filtering.

Band 1: 3.5 ~ 4.0 MHz
Band 2: 7.0 ~ 7.3 MHz
Band 3: 14.0 ~ 14.350 MHz
Band 4: 21.0 ~ 21.45 MHz
Band 5: 28.0 ~ 29.7 MHz

Receiving sensitivity: better than 0.45uV,
RF output power: ≥ 4.5W
Frequency stability: better than 0.5ppm
Frequency accuracy: better than 0.5ppm
Operating voltage: 12.0 ~ 14.0V DC
Receiver Standby Current: 0.5A
Emission current: 1.5A Max

According to the specifications the device will receive and transmit pretty well anywhere but it can be made to stay strictly with in the 5 bands of operation. The radio seems to work quite well within the bands it was designed for and the CW signal on the scope below looks quite OK. Out put was about 3-4 w PEP.

X1M in Band

But take it out of band and it is a whole new world!!! You probably won’t want to work the WARC bands with this baby.

X1M out of band

Have not had it on air yet as no antenna suitable but it does have a lot of features in a little package. I think the 20w version they are bringing out will be the one to go for especially if they broad band it a little bit more to include the rest of the ham bands. Listening to A broadcasts will need to be in SSB mode and one wonders what the lack of filtering would do for the received signals. Might pick up a little more than was bargained for. More on that when we play with it some more.