It’s not a review! 

I picked up a new QRP rig, took it to US-0548 Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, and ran it through some paces.  I’m in no way qualified for product reviews, but am willing to share my experience.  Take what works for you and leave what doesn’t.

The CFT1 is a 5-band, CW only, QRP radio.  Designed specifically for SOTA and POTA by KM4CFT Jonathan Kayne, it’s manufactured right here in the U S of A.

I don’t know Jonathan’s life story or path to transceiver design but I can say, he nailed it. (And swipe a pic from his QRZ page so we can see what he looks like).  Understand, this is a guy who leaned over to Thomas Witherspoon K4SLW and mentioned he’d like to design and build a QRP rig. A year later he had the CFT1 in production. 

Let’s look at specs from the literature:

The CFT1 is a 5 Band, Compact Portable QRP CW Field Transceiver. It operates on the 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, and 15m amateur radio bands. It features a ~5 watt class-D transmitter, message memory playback, iambic keyer (with paddle reverse), among other useful features.

Specifications:

• Voltage and Current – 8-14V, Receive 80-100 mA (60-80mA with LCD Backlight off), Transmit 600-1500 mA. (800mA typ.) 2.5A Over Current Protection, Reverse Polarity Protection
• Chassis is 70x100x36mm (2.77×3.94×1.43”).  Not quite as teeny as the QRP Labs minis but definitely comparable.
• Receiver sensitivity  is -125 to -135 dBm.  It includes a crystal filter at 300-400 Hz. 
• With a 12v power supply, the CFT1 transmits 8w on 40m, 5w on 30m, 20m, and 3w on 17m and 15m. 
• It has a built-in Keyer (5-50 WPM), Full Break-in, MOSFET T/R Switching, 4 CW Messages of 50 characters each, Message repeat, RIT and XIT.
• Sidetone – 300-900 Hz, adjustable for pitch and volume. (the volume control is under the back cover)

I’ve been eager to try this radio. Specifically, I wanted to try it using a 9v battery.  I’d read the specs listing 8 to 14 volts and 1.5 amps on transmit and felt the itch to try a 9v battery. After a little research on the google machine, I found a set of 4 rechargeable 9v batteries (LiPo) and some 9v battery to the standard QRP rig power connectors on Amazon.

Sometime ago, I watched a video about a club that held a 9v battery contest.  The object was to score as many contacts possible on a single, 9v battery.  I think we’ve established I’m not a contester, but the idea of using a battery small enough to fit in a watch pocket and available at any gas station has stuck in my curiosity.  I hooked up, powered up, and transmitted into a dummy load – and it worked!!  Maybe I’ll just rub it on the carpet before my next activation.

Gear Loadout:

• CFT1 QRP Transceiver
• Anker speaker
• 9v LiPo battery
• BamaKey TP-III
• Packtenna 20m EFHW
• RG-316
• POTA30 Carbon Fiber telescoping mast
• Admin pouch with log and pencil

Activation:

I tuned to 14.06-ish, called QRL a few times, noodled around some minutes with getting spotted and yammering at the camera, then  called CQ four times.  Someone heard me.  It works!!  KE3Z in PA was first to come back.  I heard a few small pileups, doubles more likely, but in all, the activation was slow.  Taking a full 20 minutes for 11 contacts, I got a little nervous there at the end. I was concerned I’d run out of battery before I could collect the activation.  Turns out the sun had been irritable so I’m not convinced this activation represents the “9v capability”. 

But, everything felt fast and easy to me.  One trip from the trunk, the wire went up smoothly and quickly. The key felt good on that jeweler’s anvil and the wet processor between my ears was calm and able to copy.

What about the CFT1, you ask?  Don’t mind if I do.

The CFT1 is a fine little CW only, QRP transceiver.  There’s nothing innovative or fancy here, just a solid performing solution for operators wanting or needing a light and tiny option.  The receiver is very quiet, the keyer is forgiving, and the user interface is right there on the front cover.  Four message memories seems generous and having a button for each one on the face plate is great.  Power supply voltage on the display is another really nice feature.

I don’t have any complaints – the CFT1 is exactly what I paid for and expected.  I look forward to many more activations with it.

I do have a few observations…..

If KM4CFT offered me a wish list, I’d trade the RIT button for a shortcut to keyer speed.  SWR and output power would be nice. I’d ask for a menu option to swap between power supply power, transmit power, and SWR on the main display.

This was a great activation, the weather was nice, and it brought good feelings to be back in my home parks after a weekend in the territories.  The CFT1?  It’s a great radio for a reasonable price and I’d take it anywhere.  If you’re local, I’m happy to let you take it for a spin.

Keep an eye out for the YouTube video of this activation.

As always,

TNX and 73
KA5TXN
DitWit