FX-4CR First Impressions & a Summits on the Air Activation

Every once in a while, a rig comes along that truly stands out. I’ve had the pleasure of using the FX-4CR HF transceiver for just one week, yet it has quickly become my go-to rig. As someone who primarily uses Single Side Band (SSB) for portable operations, the 20-watt output was a key feature that caught my attention. Let’s dive into why this ‘magic 20’ is so significant, but first, a bit about the rig’s affordability: as of this writing, it’s priced at $550.

In my ham radio journey, I’ve had the opportunity to use several excellent rigs, including the Elecraft KX3, iCOM 705, and most recently the Yaesu FT-818ND. Each of these rigs was impressive in its own right. I sold the KX3 & 705 due to my inability to participate in SOTA in Texas, and the 818ND because I found the 6 watts & receiver hugely lacking in performance.

Fast forward to 2024, and the physical demands of carrying my FT-891 up SOTA summits are no longer viable, prompting my search for a lighter QRP rig. Although the KX3 and IC-705 were beyond my budget, my quest led me to discover the FX-4CR through the Coastal Waves & Wires YouTube channel. The rig’s specifications, including its 20-watt output in a remarkably compact form factor (weighing just 1 pound, and measuring 4.21 inches in length, 2.56 inches in width, and 1.69 inches in thickness), made it an ideal choice for me.

Despite its small size, the FX-4CR can get warm during extended use at full power, reaching temperatures of 35-40ºC on a cold Colorado summit. Some users have ingeniously added a heatsink using thermal tape and conductive paste to mitigate this. Yu, BG2FX, the rig’s developer, has been exceptionally responsive, frequently releasing firmware updates. An upcoming Beta for V2.0 promises to increase the power output to 23-27 watts on 80-10 meters and 10 watts on 6 meters, which is excellent news for VHF rovers seeking a portable 6m rig.

Here are some highlights of my experience with the FX-4CR:

• Receiver Quality: The clarity of the receiver was a pleasant surprise.
• User Interface: The menu is intuitively designed, allowing for easy navigation without consulting the manual. Despite each button/knob serving multiple functions, the design is user-friendly, aided by microprint on the rig that identifies additional functions.
• Portability: Its form factor is unparalleled in portability, reminiscent of the LNR Mountain Topper, and designed by the same individual behind LNR Precision’s portable radios.
• Efficiency: During a one-hour activation, the rig’s power consumption was impressively low, using only 0.3aH from my Bioenno 3aH LiFePO4 battery at full output.
• Open Source: The open-source nature of the radio promises exciting developments from the ham community.
• Display: While the small screen may challenge those with visual impairments, I found the waterfall display particularly useful during busy band conditions.

The rig’s temperature during heavy use and a slight delay in the Transmit/Receive relay are minor concerns. The latter, expected to improve with firmware updates, is currently noticeable when transitioning from transmitting to receiving.

My first portable outing with the FX-4CR to Berrian Mountain (W0C/FR-060) was a success, utilizing a SOTABeams Link Dipole antenna without a tuner for efficiency. Despite a comment about my audio sounding a bit muffled, which I attribute to the pairing with a Heil BM-17 headset and necessary adapters, the activation was productive, yielding 28 contacts across 40 and 20 meters.

The rig’s demand is high, with batches selling out quickly. Caution is advised against counterfeit units sold elsewhere; only purchase from the official website (www.bg2fx.com). The user manual, which I’ve uploaded for convenience, is well-written and a valuable resource.

In summary, the FX-4CR has potential to surpass my Yaesu FT-891 as my favorite portable rig due to its compact size and robust output. Reflecting on the military’s finding that 20 watts is an optimal balance for effective communication without excessive weight or power requirements, I’m convinced of its suitability for my SOTA activations.

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