REVIEW: SW-3B HF RADIO
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- čas přidán 29. 07. 2024
- The SW-3B is a miniature HF CW transceiver designed for portable amateur radio use. It covers 20m, 30m and 40m - perhaps the three most popular amateur radio bands. Output power is about 5 Watts - plenty for HF portable operating. In some ways similar to the LNR Mountain Topper range but the firmware is more like the YouKits HB1B range.
**UPDATES/CORRECTIONS SINCE PUBLICATION***Power socket 4mm x 1.7mm - same as FT-817/MTR-3B. There is a wider filter for SSB - I didn't notice it initially.**
Weight 180 grams. Case size (excluding knobs and connectors) 11 x 7.5 x 2.5 cm.
www.venus-itech.com/product/s...
Excellent comparison with MTR3:
reflector.sota.org.uk/t/sw-3b...
Questions and comments welcome.
Note this is not a sponsored review. Item was bought on open market. I have no financial stake in this product. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Got my SW-3B last week. It seems upgraded with an OLED screen and the 1 memory for the keye r is open, you just can program it like you want. Great TRX, instantly fell in love with it.
Sounds like a useful upgrade!
A great little 3 band CW set similar in size and weight to the MTR3B but with a tuning knob and volume/RF gain control. The CW filtering is pretty good and the SSB filtering (although it sounds a little narrow) is still about usable for AM broadcast listening (just). The power socket is 4mm x 1.7mm so the same as the FT817 and MTR3B but not the standard you will find on most other bits of kit. Ordering was simple and shipping reasonably fast at 2 - 3 weeks to the U.K.
Thanks - I had not realised that the input was the same as the FT817. Also noted on the wider SSB filter.
Thanks for the tip on tuning by tricking the receiver to send solid tones.
Nice Review. I have been using SW-3B for 10 months and have no complaints. Using the paddle closed, for ATU was new to me. I would certainly try this with my AH-705. Thank you. JS1QIZ
Thank you for your clear review. I feel confident this will work for my purposes.
BTW, when i visited the Venus Tech website, I saw that they have a data-only qrp trx for 40m and 20m. :-) I ordered one. Wanted to order a SW-3B (as an incentive to relearn CW) but they are sold out right now. 73, Stephan, DF6PA
I really enjoy your videos and reviews Richard. I guess I must relearn CW quickly :-) 73, Stephan, DF6PA
It’s well worth the effort!
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures I know...did CW 40 years ago to pass the licence...but over the years...this skill vanished...
Great video Richard from a knowledgeable and trustworthy source, I.e you 73.
Thanks Paddy.
Apparently, everyone appears to be enjoying their SW-3B as I have not found any used ones posted on eBay or the forums in the several months I have looked for them. I am not opposed to purchasing one but have been studying a wide variety of potential commercially sold rigs and many used items auctioned for almost as much as when they were brand new, I assume due to limited availability with supply chain issues still being a major influence. I was heavily into QRP from 1979 - 1991 and then took a long hiatus from the hobby for career and business travel reasons. Now I feel like Rip Van Winkle trying to get back into the hobby where everything has changed and costs have made many modern commercially available rigs cost-prohibitive. I always had a sweet spot for the tiny minimalist rigs like the Tuna Tin 1 & 2 which are fun to play with but those are mere toys when considering an option for use in POTA. This Venus SW-3B appears to be a step or two above that for my immersion into the hobby as I explore POTA and other opportunities. POTA is appealing for an extra reason. We are semi-retired full-time RV caravan travelers now where we snowbird north to south and back again from summer to winter. RV parks and campgrounds are not ideal for birdie-free receiving, so I end up traveling to a park or trail for minimal RF noise. This seems to be ideal for POTA whether I am a hunter or an Activator. Since I work outside (managing campgrounds for the US Forst Service and my employer) I enjoy my time off being outside also, again POTA friendly (at least in good weather). Thanks for the review of the SW-3B and I will put it on my list of top 5 rigs to consider for very portable consideration. 72, Dave - KU9L
Hi Richard. Great review, thank you! I particularly like that you describe not only good parts, as some CZcamsrs do, but drawbacks and compromises as well. 73 de R2AUK
Thanks. Lots of CZcams reviews are sponsored in some way.
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures True, but I suspect that it also may have something to do with cultural aspect. It's been my observation that in some countries people find it somehow inconvenient to leave a little bit of negative feedback, despite the fact that such a feedback could help to improve the next version of the product.
Hi Richard nice review you put it across very well , I see like myself you enjoy motorhome camping and qrp radio outdoors I myself doing the same from my VW camper my little radio is the mtr3b LCD very pleased with it and very frugal on batteries cheers RomanoEI5EN
Thanks Romano - we seem to have quite a few hobbies in common!
As described this radio would have some advantages over the MTR3B which covers the same bands. But with only one effective memory for the callsign only, it is not as flexible. The tuning knob and frequency display are a big advantage. And no doubt the price is better than the MTR3B-display version. I didn’t note any comments about output power on each band, for various DC voltages from the battery. That would be useful info. Thanks for a helpful review! De VK1DA/VK2UH
See follow-up video in about an hour.
Interesting rig and worth a punt! Thanks for the review. Appreciated de ZL2AIM
Definitely worth a try! I like mine. I use it with a WOLFWAVE audio processor at home.
I also enjoyed the review! Interesting what the Chinese are producing these days. Taking a leaf out of the books of the likes of Small Wonder Labs etc.
Grant VK4JAZ
@@grantmcduling9760 Yes - all these radios are very similar - 25 year old designs. Perfectly adequate for the intended use.
GM4NNC Good Richard, very interesting thank you
Thanks Trig.
Nice review Richard. Would SOTAbeams Dual Bandwidth Filter Module fit inside it?
Good question. I may open it to see.
I'd love to see a ranking:
MTR-3B
SW-3B
HB-1B
KX1
Impossible to do unless it's against some clear criteria. Sorry.
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures No worries. I went with a KX2 so I'm pretty well set. Wonderful to see you up and about.
Thanks for review Richard. Wondering if you have tried QRP Labs QCX and how this might compare to the SW-3B? Obvious limitation of QCX is that it's single band (and you have to build it!). Just curious, as I have a couple of QCXs but this SW-3B is tempting for /P ops on account of the 3 bands.
Correction 17/11/22 - QCX is now replaced with the QCX-mini. QCX-mini is available as a kit or in assembled (tested, adjusted and calibrated) form.
Hi Steve I have not tried the QCX. Sorry.
QCX has no AGC. It has power about 3 wtts from 12v and should have about 5w from 15-16v. I just built one and have only 1.2wtts... I should tune output filter...
Hello, you don't have to build the QCX mini, one can buy it assembled also. Also you can order the AGC module for it.
73 es dx
Gust ON6KE
Hi Richard, good review, noticed the BHI earphones too, would you recommend them??
73 Simon M0SYS
Yes. I really like them. I have not used the noise cancelling facility but they are very comfortable.
Hi Richard. Thanks for this. Perfect timing, as I'm just about to buy! One thing: you say the the filtering is a compromise between SSB and CW, but the spec on the Venus website claims, "Two filters: CW and SSB are automatically switched according to the operating mode. The CW filter has a bandwidth of about 400 Hz and the SSB is about 2 kHz." This clearly isn't your experience so do you think you have an earlier version? Can you say what the power socket actually IS, if not standard? Thanks again and 73 - Martin, G4EFE
It's entirely possible that i was wrong about the filters. I only listened on SSB very briefly. I will investigate next week and also advise on the connector if I remember.
gud review de ne7ts
Thanks!
Thanks for the review. Does this device have a keyer inbuilt? or can you just plug the paddles straight in ?
It has a basic memory keyer inbuilt.
Nice review, I have just ordered one! I'm learning CW and thought it might be an extra motivator for me 😀. Have you come up with any options for a small case or pouch for it? 73 Steve MW0SAW
LowePro Viewpoint CS80. Everything needed to operate in one pack.
Not yet!
Just received a SW-3B, but there is a problem. The CQ button sends "CALLSIGN CALLSIGN K" rather than "CQ CQ DE CALLSIGN CALLSIGN K." I reached out to the company. Any body see this issue and have a fix?
Contact the manufacturer. They are usually very helpful.
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures they are sending me a replacement MCU chip to solder in.
If I order one of these on the Venus Tech website, what happens about VAT and import tax?
(I've not bought something direct from China before!)
If you are lucky, nothing.
I just bought it, made a few contacts, but I found that it behaves like Iambic B. A quick squeeze gives me an "R" instead of "A", so I have to use my key as a single lever to avoid addition errors. Does yours do that too?
Not sure. You can use an external keyer if you wish.
Your tuning mention - turning on holding paddles together has not harmed it, has it? Found no other way to tune…
Never had a problem tuning that way.
Can you connect a straight key to this radio please?
Yes.
Richard, would you have any guidance between the 3B and the 3C? Does the radio come built or in a kit? TNX de David
The 3B comes built - not a kit. No experience of the 3c. Sorry.
Do you have any tips for learning CW? Thanks KG7CQG
That’s easy. Practice every day for at least 15 minutes. And don’t give up. Takes about three months.
Richard Newstead If your lucky!
I’ve been using “Morse Machine App” 15 minutes a day for 3 months now add a new letter/number every 2-3 days (start with the first 4) it WILL come. It eventually “clicks” but you need to do the work.
Available at Sotabeams?
No. Available from the link in the video description. No commercial ties with us.
What key do you like to use?
Palm - no longer manufactured.
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures what are some other options ?
I say this everytime I walk into the house with a new Rifle. Lol. Or radio or __________. Fill in the blank. Lol. Yet she thinks 300 pairs of shoes are normal ?
SOTA. I joined this group. I screwed up my passwords on the 2 different sites so bad that I quit. Lol
I do love all the radios though.
I guess if a password is a bit too much for you, SOTA might be beyond you. Enjoy your radio though!
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures clever.
Richard hi do you have an email address for Dale please cheers Martin GM0LHK
I don't have it to hand - sorry!
Very interesting. Subbed. de EI5IJB
Mornin good review - i was told it has a cw decoder in it but i cant locatew it - cud you enlighten me - also i went to the Venus site but i dont see anywhere to contact them - any info be appreciated - thanks
I doesn’t have a CW decoder
@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures thankyou