It’s been a couple of weeks since this radio landed from the customs and due to being away and other issues I’ve not been able to say anything. So now I’ve spent a few hours listening and a couple of contacts here is an initial thought and later the videos will be uploaded.
When I first heard MAXLOG was producing a radio for RFLimited I was worried. The 8800 version of this radio was loved by some, hated by others due to so so customer care and the inability to solve issues with them. Time passed and more news was heard about the Magnum1 the thought was this could be different, and the VFO mode 24-30Mhz was a great idea making this a dual band radio in amateur configuration and tri-band in export mode.
Initial Look:
When you first turn on the radio mine shows band3 as was modified for me so covers export mode and VFO mode 24-30Mhz. The signal meter seems at first to be hyperactive and jumps from 1-3-7-5-3 quite quickly. But just back RF gain down a little and it behaves. Receive on AM/SSB is clear, defined, sharp and even with the signal meter behaviour the voices are clear and defined well. Even at the edge of audibility it’s fine on the ears. All RFLimited radios receive on SSB well and with this the history continues. It gives to the mind there is more under the hood than maxlog*
Audio:
SSB audio is good with the standard Mike and dynamite when using the cr577 ceramic Mike. Just remember to turn the Mike gain down or you’ll have issues with the loudness.
AM audio also strong, defined and good swing. Mine was to a little over 50w and all sounded good. The key here too is the Mike gain and also use talkback to help you get to the level that you need.
FM The reports were mixed. From excellent to not so good. I think this is a matter of taste more than anything else. Maybe needed be tuned for FM use? I don’t know but I found with gain 27 and volume 4 and tone 7 on the CR577 it worked just about the best of all.
Menus are easy to navigate and set things how you want. Programmable bleep if want to sound like a Superstar or Lincoln then 1770 for tone and 300 duration and sounds pretty much there. Echo works fine no issues, ASQ I found a little tight for opening and closing but it’s one of the best in it’s class when put against other radios. PC Programming isn’t there and it’s hard to say if needed. If you allow users to change all parameters it’s needed and if not then leave it alone! Extend to 80 channels per band would have been nice. But as I say if you cannot make the radio how you want it with settings then leave well alone.
Controls are not loose, seem strong and work well. Buttons to turn off display, NB, Hicut and all usual suspects. Don’t seem flimsy and of course are connected to the very BMW’esque angel eyes display.
This isn’t the end but the start. A camera error forced me to delay uploading some videos so I need to re-shoot these. Price as we know in EU is high €360 and of course the people that think it’s a €99 radio will always do it. But those who think re-badged 8800 it’s far, far and FAR away from being a MAXLOG which came in the past. And was I wrong in my initial thoughts about and it being a rebadged MAXLOG. Yes I was!
* I’ve been lucky to chat with Eric Lewis from RFLimited whose late father was the legendary Sam Lewis and I’ve learned an engineer whose work included the Ranger AR-3300/3500 has been involved in the SSB side of this radio. So that’s why bullet proof SSB receive, it’s a different beast to the other versions of the MAXLOG.
I intend thus weekend ahead test the radio with a different camera and will launch part II of this Magnum1 article. I’m a convert! I didn’t think it would be as good as it is. And I can say it is good, really good. And I’ll be back soon with more news and videos about it.
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