New 144 MHz SSB only handheld coming out

[VK3YE]

Poking around various websites I stumbled across a new 2m SSB only handheld - ie a modern day IC202. It's a single conversion superhet with a 30 MHz crystal filter IF.

Details in Japanese are at: http://www.nishimusen.co.jp/nts220/nts220.htm Manual: http://www.nishimusen.co.jp/nts220/NTS220-MANUAL.pdf

69,800 yen + tax suggested retail price (ie not cheap!)

Basic specs

1. Frequency range --- 144.00 ~ 144.99MHz
(Semi-break-in with the side tone) 2. Types of radio wave ----- SSB (USB), CW
3. Transmission output ----- Max 1W
4. Oscillation method ----- PLL (RIT function and 2.5KHz/Step, frequency stability ± 2.5ppm and 0.05kHz/Step in + FUNC key)
5. Receiving sensitivity ----- 0.15μV below (SINAD 12dB)
6. Reception system ----- Single superheterodyne
(Four internal AA alkaline batteries) 7. Supply voltage ----- 6V DC
About 80mA 8. Consumption current ----- when no signal is received, about 250 ~ 700mA when transmitting
9. Antenna ------ 50Ω (SMA)
10. Dimensions ---- 78 × 27 × 140mm (I excluding protrusions)
11. Body weight ---- 300g or less (battery built-in time)
Backlight off when the audio output cross-sectional backlight, the squelch setting is 12. Lighting display ---- voice output
13. Accessories ------ AA batteries (four), power cord, microphone speaker connecting cord (HM-75A connectable), CW KEY for connecting cord

80 mA @ 6 volts is about 1/8th the power draw of the FT817 on rx. So it could be useful for driving microwave transverters. However its means of frequency control (up/down buttons) might not be as good for fast excursions or careful tuning in (not sure if it has memories).

Warranty is only 1 year in Japan only. Combined with its high cost (a used FT817 might not be much dearer) its appeal in this country might be somewhat limited. However the Japanese have a history of producing quirky/interesting ham gear that seldom makes it here (possibly due to their novice licence) and this appears the latest example.

[VK4GHZ]

... However the Japanese have a history of producing quirky/interesting ham gear...

Peter, you're not wrong!
An all-time favorite radio that I owned in the 80's was the Kenwood TS-660.
A seemingly odd coverage of 21/24/28/50 MHz bands only.

Except for size, I can't see how this 2m SSB handheld could compete along side an FT-817 though.

[VK3YE]

Peter, you're not wrong!
An all-time favorite radio that I owned in the 80's was the Kenwood TS-660.
A seemingly odd coverage of 21/24/28/50 MHz bands only.

Except for size, I can't see how this 2m SSB handheld could compete along side an FT-817 though.

RX current consumption is far better. https://plus.google.com/s/nts220%20ssb claims that it's better than the '817 on receive.

It's cost though is high ($700 yen = $700?) and the lack of easy VFO tuning (more so than an FM rig) could reduce its appeal (unless it's got memories going from say 144.55 to 144.1 would be a real hassle).

The company http://www.nishimusen.co.jp/ has some interesting (and very niche products) especially if you wanted to build your own satellite.

These little companies do what the likes of Mihuzo, Tokyo Hy Power, Ten Tec (originally) and Elecraft did. They offered a more basic less featured product than the majors and hoped that it would appeal to a segment. Now gear from the majors has dropped in price. So now it's the Chinese makers who are most active in niche areas like QRP market.

[VK3ALB]

Some kind of computer control would have made it quite useful.

What century are we in?

[VK3BSF]

Must be a Japanese preference using 2m SSB HT...u wud be lonely in melbourne/sydney using a 2m SSB HT unless it also had FM capability..now your talking??