Nov 21 2013

The Illusive Feitong FT-808

Many blogs wrote about it, many Chinese sales channels list it: the Feitong FT-808 HF transceiver. Discussions about this ‘Made in China’ HF rig just don’t seem to stop. After a few fresh comments today I decided to post what we know and what we don’t know.

Feitong FT-808

What we do know:

  • Specifications:
    • Frequency range:
      • Rx 0.5-29.999999MHz
      • Tx 1.6-29.999999MHz
    • Mode: USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM
    • Memory channels: 100
    • Power supply: 13.8V DC(¡À15%)
    • Current drain (at 13.8V):
      • Receive Standby 1.4A
      • Transmit Max. power 25A
    • Operable temp. range: -10 degrees C to +60 degrees C
    • Dimension(WxHxD): 240x200x65mm
    • Weight: 4kg
  • Receiver:
    • Receive system: Double-conversion super heterodyne
    • Sensitivity(12dB SINAD):
      • 0.5-1.5999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY 1uV, AM 10uV
      • 1.6-29.9999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY 0.5uV, AM 2uV
    • Squelch sensitivity(threshhold): SSB, CW, RTTY: Less than 5.6uV
    • Selectivity:
      • SSB, CW, RTTY:
        • More than 2.1 KHz/-6dB,
        • Less than 4.5 KHz/-60dB
      • AM:
        • More than 6 KHz/-6dB,
        • Less than 20 KHz/-40dB
    • Spurious and image rejection ratio: More than 70dB(1.6-29.9999MHz)
    • RIT variable range: +/- 150Hz
    • Audio output power(at 13.8V DC): More than 2.0W at 10% distortion with an 8¦¸ load
  • Transmitter:
    • Ourput power: SSB 100W AM 40W
    • Modulation system:
      • SSB Balanced modulation
      • AM Low level modulation
    • Spurious emissions: Less than -50dB Below peak output power
    • Carrier suppression: More than 40dB
    • Unwanted sideband: More than 50dB

Does the radio exist? Yes.

Is the radio cheap? No. Don’t get fooled by listings mentioning a price of around $400. Shipping will cost you around $600 per radio(!). The real price is $975.00, which does not include shipping. You can have an Icom IC-817 for a lot less.

Can the radio be purchased online? Probably. However, all the vague ‘companies’ I exchanged e-mails with did not accept safe payment systems like credit card or PayPal. This leaves scary things like Western Union and wire transfer. Haha, over my dead body…

Delivery time: some sellers mentioned that the radio was not immediately available, expected delivery time was 1 year(!) from the date of purchase. You must be nuts to even consider such a deal.

Bottom line: while technically not vapor-ware, the Feitong FT-808 will be hard to come by and at a price no one in his right mind would be willing to pay. Add all the other uncertainties (how good is the radio) and you know what to do: let it go.

6 comments on “The Illusive Feitong FT-808”

  2. we need these ham radios from china – we have been getting ripped off here by these control freaks that think the equipment is made out of gold

  4. Once the price is lower to $200.00 they will fly off the shelves. Until then, lets wait it out. At the moment they are asking $200. too ship are they crazy. Check to see what your cost would be.

  5. I have seen the FT808 several times at Hong Kong electronics fairs and talked with the manufacturer directly at those fairs. The radio definitely exists but both myself and a major Japanese amateur radio manufacturer have been unable to purchase a sample FT808 from the Chinese manufacturer’s demo stock at those fairs.
    Btw, I haven’t seen the manufacturer at the H.K. fairs for the past 3 or 4 years.

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