Yaesu FTX-1 Optima All Mode 100W HF/VHF/UHF (Portable) Transceiver

The FTX-1 Optima is the full-power version of Yaesu’s FTX-1 series. It includes the compact Field Head transceiver, the SBR-52LI 6400 mAh Li-ion battery for stand-alone portable operation and the SPA-1 100 W RF power amplifier for base-station use. With the battery attached, the Field Head provides up to 6 W output, or 5 W and below in QRP operation. Connect an external 13.8 V DC supply and the Field Head can deliver up to 10 W while also charging the battery. Dock the Field Head with the SPA-1 amplifier and the Optima becomes a 100 W HF/50 MHz station system with external DC power. The radio covers HF, 50 MHz, 144 MHz and 430 MHz amateur bands in SSB, CW, AM, FM and C4FM digital modes, with continuous receive coverage from 30 kHz to 174 MHz and 400 MHz to 470 MHz. The Field Head uses BNC-type antenna connectors for portable operation, while the Optima main body provides M-type/SO-239-style antenna connectors for conventional station coax and higher-power base-station use.

Key Features

• Complete FTX-1 system with Field Head, SBR-52LI battery and SPA-1 100 W RF power amplifier
• Up to 100 W output with the SPA-1 amplifier and suitable external DC power supply
• Up to 6 W output from the supplied SBR-52LI battery, or up to 10 W from 13.8 V DC external power when using the Field Head
• HF/50/144/430 MHz all-mode SDR transceiver for shack, portable and compact station use
• SSB, CW, AM, FM and C4FM digital operation
• Wide receive coverage: 30 kHz–174 MHz and 400 MHz–470 MHz
• 4.3 inch colour TFT touchscreen with 3DSS spectrum display
• True dual-band simultaneous receive, including C4FM/C4FM operation
• Advanced SDR architecture with A/D conversion, FPGA processing and 32-bit DSP filtering
• FT8 PRESET mode for fast digital-mode setup
• MicroSD card slot for settings, messages and firmware updates
• USB-C support for data communication modes such as RTTY, PSK31, SSTV, FT8 and APRS
• Built-in CW functions including keyer, memory keyer and full/semi break-in operation
• BNC-type antenna connectors on the Field Head for portable antenna setups
• M-type/SO-239-style antenna connectors on the Optima main body for station coax and 100 W operation

Typical Applications

• Full-power HF and 50 MHz home-station operation
• DXing, contesting and everyday HF operation
• SOTA, POTA and portable activations using the Field Head and battery
• Holiday, travel and field-day stations
• Emergency and backup communications
• QRP HF operating with battery power
• Digital modes such as FT8, RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV
• VHF/UHF FM and C4FM operation
• Compact home station or garden-shack radio
• One-radio solution for operators who want both field portability and 100 W station capability

Specifications

Why Choose the Yaesu FTX-1 Optima?

• One radio, two operating styles: Use the Field Head with the battery for portable work, then dock it with the SPA-1 amplifier for 100 W station operation.
• Full-power confidence: The included SPA-1 amplifier gives you the extra output needed for DXing, contesting and demanding band conditions.
• All-mode flexibility: HF through UHF, analogue and C4FM digital modes, CW functions and data-mode support in one adaptable system.
• Field-friendly and station-ready: BNC connectors support lightweight portable antenna kits, while the Optima main body provides M-type/SO-239-style connectors for conventional station coax.

What’s Included — In the Box

• Yaesu FTX-1 Field Head transceiver
• SPA-1 100 W RF power amplifier
• SBR-52LI 6400 mAh Li-ion battery
• Heavy-duty 25 A DC power cable for SPA-1
• DC power cable with 2-pin round plug for Field Head
• SSM-75E hand microphone

Performance Notes and Setup Guidance

Use the FTX-1 Optima as a full-power shack station by docking the Field Head with the SPA-1 amplifier and connecting a suitable external DC power supply. For portable operation, undock the Field Head and attach the SBR-52LI battery for up to 6 W output, or connect a regulated 13.8 V DC supply for up to 10 W output and automatic battery charging. For separate battery charging, use a USB Type-C PD charger rated at 45 W or higher with 15 V 2 A capability. For FT8 and other data modes, use the radio’s PRESET mode as a starting point and confirm audio, CAT and PTT settings in your chosen software. The Field Head uses BNC-type antenna connectors for lightweight portable coax and field antennas, while the Optima main body uses M-type/SO-239-style antenna connectors for conventional station coax and higher-power operation.