A new dual band multimode radio for 50 and 70MHz: Noble Radio NR6N4
Earlier in the week, via the Southgate Amateur Radio feed, I saw details of a rig I’d heard rumoured for some time – a dual band 50 and 70MHz multimode. The manufacturer is a new name, Noble Radio.
Technical specs, provided by the Noble Radio website are as follows:
1. RECEIVER SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Coverage: 4M: 69.9 MHz to 70.5 MHz
6M: 50.0 MHz to 52.0 MHz
Modes: SSB (USB & LSB) and CW
Circuit Type:
Downconverting Design
Dual Converesion: 1st IF: 10.7 MHz 2nd IF: 25 kHz
Sideband elimination using phasing techniques with digitally generated Quadrature carriers and Image Reject Mixers preceeded by 15 kHz crystal roofing filters
Ultimate receiver bandwidth set by adjustable SCAF filters (two 8th order filters used. One for High Cut and one for Low cut)
Sensitivity: MDS = -130 dbm
Dynamic Range Figures:
Blocking: 110 db
IMD (3rd Order) = 95 db
Selectivity:
500 Hz to 4 kHz adjustable with the SCAF filters
Ultimate attenuation of filters are 55db or better
2. TRANSMITTER SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Coverage: 4M: 69.9 MHz to 70.5 MHz
6M: 50.0 MHz to 52.0 MHz
Modes: SSB (USB & LSB) and CW
OUTPUT POWER: 20 Watts CW or PEP SSB
SCAF Filters can be used to tailor SSB Transmit audio.
3. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
SYNTHESIZER: DDS/PLL synthesizer with 10 Hz minimum step size. Tuning rate is variable depending on the Tuning Knob speed (Variable Speed Tuning – VST)
MEMORIES: 10 Memories per band
ANTENNA IMPEDANCE: 50 ohms unbalanced
SUPPLY VOLTAGE: 11.5 to 14 Volts Regulated DC (Negative Ground) at approximately 3.6 Amps at full output power.
DIMENSIONS: 8 in (203 mm)W x 12 in (305 mm) D- including knob and heatsink x 3.75 in (95 mm) H – including feet
WEIGHT: Approximately 4 lbs (1.8 kg)
4. SPECIAL FEATURES
The NR-6N4 has the capability of being controlled by a standard PC type keyboard that plugs into a rear connector. Once a keyboard is interfaced to the radio, it can be used to directly enter a frequency, skip directly to various functions by a single press of a function key without having to navigate the menus from the front panel buttons as well as being used to send CW via the keyboard. There is also a built in keyer function that operates with a standard keyer paddle for CW operation with or without a keyboard connection.
The low level 10.7 MHz IF signal is also brought out to a rear connector so that it may be used for panadapter or SDR applications.
* All specifications in this document may be subject to change without notice or obligation
No details of availability are provided as yet – no doubt the CE approval hoops will have to be jumped through.
This is sure to be a popular rig. A commercial 70MHz multimode has been long awaited. The fact that it is a dual bander including 50MHz will no doubt add interest, although I guess the majority of people that want 50MHz radios probably have one. Is the power level right? 20W is certainly useful – though 50W would be better still for tropo contacts, I feel. Hopefully datamodes interfacing (JT65A/JT6M/JT9 etc) will be straightforward – I haven’t yet seen a photo of the back of the rig!
Exciting news for 50 and 70MHz enthusiasts!
I guess it might be ok if you needed one but quite useless to me.
It’s also useless here in the USA because we don’t have 70MHz privledges. Why would you want to buy a dual band radio where you can only use one of the bands?
Joe KB3PHL
Now this can be a great help. 4m SSB equipment is very rare. TEP from northern ZS to EU is possible on 70MHz.