Get ready, folks! Yaesu has just dropped some exciting news for the amateur radio community with the announcement of their brand new FTX-1 series of transceivers. Expected to hit the shelves in the middle to late of May 2025, these rigs are shaping up to be serious contenders for both portable and base station operations. Let’s dive into what makes these transceivers so interesting!
Meet the FTX-1 Field: Your Compact & Powerful Go-Anywhere Rig
For those of us who love to take our ham radio adventures outdoors, the Yaesu FTX-1 Field looks like a fantastic option. This “Field Head” unit is a standalone, multi-mode powerhouse covering HF through V/UHF bands. Whether you’re into SSB, CW, AM, FM, or even C4FM digital, this little beast has you covered.
Power-wise, the FTX-1 Field comes equipped with a high-capacity 6400mAh Li-ion battery (SBR-52LI), delivering a respectable 6W (or 5W QRP for the efficiency-minded). Yaesu claims around 9 hours of operation on HF SSB and 8 hours on V/UHF FM with a typical 6-6-48 duty cycle. Charging is made easy with USB Type-C PD compatibility (45W/15V 2A recommended). For those times when you need a bit more punch, an external 13.8V DC supply will boost the output to 10W and even charge the battery simultaneously.
But it’s not just about transmitting! The FTX-1 Field boasts continuous wideband receive from 30kHz all the way up to 174MHz and 400MHz to 470MHz. This makes it a great companion for shortwave listeners, FM broadcast enthusiasts, and even those who like to monitor the airbands. Plus, it comes with the SSM-75E hand microphone to get you on the air right out of the box.
Yaesu has packed in some seriously useful features too:
- MAG (Memory Auto Grouping) & M-GRP (My Group): Smart memory management to keep your frequencies organized by band or your own custom groups.
- QMB (Quick Memory Bank): Instantly recall up to 10 of your most recently used frequencies and settings.
- PMG (Primary Memory Group) for VHF/UHF: Monitor up to 5 priority channels with auto or manual scan, perfect for keeping tabs on local club activity.
- AMS (Automatic Mode Select) for VHF/UHF: Seamlessly switches between C4FM digital and FM modes depending on the received signal.
- Memory Channel Scope: A visual representation of the activity on up to 43 memory channels.
Under the hood, the FTX-1 Field doesn’t skimp on performance. It features a robust RF front-end with excellent two-signal characteristics, a high-purity oscillator, and an SDR circuit configuration utilizing the same high-resolution A/D converter and FPGA found in the FT-DX10! You can expect effective QRM rejection thanks to the 32-bit DSP with a suite of noise reduction and filtering tools.
The inclusion of True Dual-Band Operation with C4FM/C4FM simultaneous receive (excluding HF/HF) is a significant plus, along with a high-resolution 4.3-inch color touch panel display with a 3-Dimensional Spectrum Scope (3DSS). The front panel looks intuitive with dual LED indicators and a multi-function dial for easy adjustments. Features like Super-DX for extended communication range and a “PRESET” mode optimized for FT8 further sweeten the deal. And let’s not forget the two large front speakers for clear audio! The aluminum die-cast chassis with its cooling slits suggests this rig is built to last and handle some serious operating.
Rounding out the features are APRS, WiRES-X compatibility (coming in August 2025), a micro SD card slot, comprehensive CW features, USB ports for CAT control and audio, and all the standard FM goodies. It’s also compatible with Yaesu’s FC-90 and FC-40 tuners for expanded antenna tuner options.
Introducing the FTX-1 Optima: The Best of Both Worlds?
Now, if you’re looking for a transceiver that can pull double duty as both a capable base station and a portable rig, the Yaesu FTX-1 Optima might be right up your alley. This model cleverly utilizes the same “Field Head” unit as the FTX-1 Field but comes bundled with a detachable 100W RF power amplifier (SPA-1) for base station use!
When you want to hit the field, simply detach the Field Head and attach the included SBR-52LI battery for the same 6W (5W QRP) portable operation as the FTX-1 Field. You get the same battery life, charging convenience, and wideband receiver coverage.
All the fantastic features found in the FTX-1 Field are also present in the FTX-1 Optima. This means you get the intelligent memory management, quick recall options, advanced scanning features, automatic mode selection, the impressive SDR receiver, powerful DSP, true dual-band operation, the vibrant touchscreen with the 3DSS, and the intuitive front panel design.
The Optima also shares the other features, like APRS, WiRES-X compatibility (again, August 2025), microSD card slot, CW capabilities, USB connectivity, and FM functionalities. It’s even compatible with the ATAS antennas and, notably, the FC-40 external auto antenna tuner for 100W on HF/50MHz and 50W on V/UHF when used in its base station configuration.
New Optional Accessories to Enhance Your Experience
Yaesu is also offering a range of new optional accessories for the Field Head unit, which will be compatible with both the FTX-1 Field and the FTX-1 Optima:
- SCF-1 Cooling Fan: For those extended operating sessions.
- FC-80 & FC-90 Automatic Antenna Tuners: Providing tuning solutions for HF/50MHz with different antenna configurations.
- SPG-1 Protection Guard: To keep your Field Head safe from bumps and scratches.
- FGPS-5 GPS Antenna Unit: For APRS and location tracking.
- BU-6 Bluetooth Unit: For wireless connectivity.
Final Thoughts
The Yaesu FTX-1 series looks incredibly promising. The innovative “Field Head” concept offers a unique level of versatility, allowing operators to seamlessly transition between portable and base station setups (especially with the Optima model). With a rich feature set, including advanced receiver technology borrowed from the FTDX10, true dual-band operation, and a user-friendly touchscreen interface, these transceivers are poised to make a significant impact on the amateur radio landscape.
Keep an eye out for these hitting the market in middle to late May 2025. I know I’ll be eager to hear the first reports from the field!
You can view the official annoucement brochure by clicking here.
What are your initial thoughts on the new Yaesu FTX-1 series? Let us know in the comments below!