The Little Rig That Could. I Think I Can, I Think I Can and and It DOES!

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YouKits HB-1B CW Transceiver



I don't do equipment reviews but I had to write about this little powerhouse.  It works for ME.

In the fall of 2022, I was looking for a small QRP Multi-Band CW Transceiver.  I wasn't sure what I wanted but I came upon a find on the site below.


I contacted the broker who was selling the rig for the owner who advised me the seller had been trying to sell his HB-1B for almost a year with no takers. He said several people had expressed interest but no takers.  When he told me the asking price I almost fell out of my chair. My next question was, "What's wrong with the unit?" Broker said nothing.  Not going to mention the cost but I was excited to purchased it for what he was asking. 


Before the rig arrived, holding true to my nature of building my own antennas, I constructed a 40, 30, 20,17 and 15 meter Linked Dipole, a 29'6" random Wire with two 17' counterpoise and purchased an ATU-10 QRP Autotuner.

40 - 15 Meter Linked Dipole



Completed Linked Dipole



 
Random Wire



A couple of days after completing both antennas, my New to Me YouKits HB-1B 5 Band CW Transceiver had arrived.




Its arrival came just about the time I discovered that my cancer had returned and I was about to go through my third Bladder Cancer and treatment.  I was somewhat anxious about the different recommended treatment after surgery this time but, I was excited that I was not going let this prevent me from using this rig. My doctors and treatments were less than a mile from a POTA site, I packed up this small QRP setup so I could take my mind off and things and do activations after my treatments.  




Over those course of those treatments, I used several different setups. Often times my setups caught the eyes of nurses and others during my visits.




I've used several different setups using this little gem with two different kneeboards. The Tufteln Kneeboard by Josh N5FY  Tufteln: Portable Ham Radio Gear 













Also I've used my Pilot Kneeboard from Sporty's Pilot Shop










And a stand alone setup.










As Solar Cycle moves to the down side, it is presenting itself with some unpredictable HF propagation conditions. As a results this little gem provides me with several options of 40, 30,20,17 and 15 meters when 'm out on those Early Bird Parks on the Air activations. Although I have my Yaesu FT-817 at my disposal, it is just a tad bit heavier than the HB-1B, so lately the HB-1B has been my go to rig when I think those early morning 40 meter HF conditions may be suspect.

The LIttle Rig that COULD ..... DOES. Recently has saved me on the days when it has taken me almost an hour to validate a POTA activation when under normal conditions that happens in less than 10 minutes. This rig is now my GO To RIG.







Location: Louisville, KY, USA

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