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.

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.