{"id":41491,"date":"2020-01-07T12:32:42","date_gmt":"2020-01-07T16:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=41491"},"modified":"2020-01-07T12:32:42","modified_gmt":"2020-01-07T16:32:42","slug":"mission-rgo-one-impressions-availability-pricing-and-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/mission-rgo-one-impressions-availability-pricing-and-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"Mission RGO One: Impressions, availability, pricing and upgrades"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Readers might recall that I picked up a Mission RGO One<\/strong> 50 watt transceiver from Boris (LZ2JR) at the 2019 Hamvention<\/a>. I’ve been helping Boris and his team evaluate this Bulgarian-manufactured general coverage transceiver since then.<\/p>\n

I’ll be writing a comprehensive review of the Mission RGO One for The Spectrum Monitor<\/a> magazine later this year, but in the meantime I thought I’d post a quick update.<\/p>\n

I’ve gotten a number of emails from readers asking specific questions about this transceiver and its availability\/pricing. Here are a few answers to your questions:<\/p>\n

Is it a good one?<\/h2>\n

This is the most common question, of course.<\/p>\n

In short: the Mission RGO One has exceeded<\/em> my expectations.<\/strong> The RGO’s noise floor is low, the dynamic range high, the audio pleasant, and the ergonomics are top-notch. As I said in a previous post, you can tell the RGO One was designed by an active ham radio operator. The radio is a pleasure to use and harkens back to the days of benchmark pre-SDR transceivers.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind I have a very early evaluation model and it’s due a firmware upgrade. The only negatives I’ve experienced are ones I would expect as we flesh out minor firmware bugs. Indeed, most all of these have been sorted already.<\/p>\n

I’ve used the RGO One in both the shack and in the field and find it’s a capable radio in both situations.<\/p>\n

In fact, last year I taught a ham radio class to a group of home-schooled high school students. Of course, I wanted to offer them proper on-the-air time so they could experience a little HF radio magic. My radio of choice was the RGO One for its ease of use and excellent built-in audio.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I took the class outside and we connected the RGO One to a resonant portable 20 meter vertical. One of the very first SSB contacts we made was with a ham radio operator in Slovenia–with solid 5 by 9 reports on both ends. After that, my students were hooked! (In fact, four of my seven students have since passed their ham radio license exam! I’m incredibly proud of them.)<\/p>\n

If you’re curious how well the RGO One holds up during contest conditions in CW, I highly<\/em> recommend checking out this CQWW report by John (AE5X)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Market niche<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>With a large number of QRP and 100 watt sub-$1000 transceivers on the market–including the Elecraft KX2, Yaesu FT-818\/FT-891, Icom IC-718\/IC-7300, to name only a few<\/em>–where does the Mission RGO One fit in?<\/p>\n

Good question.<\/p>\n

In my mind, what makes the RGO One unique is the fact that it has the price, weight, and form factor of a field-portable, front-panel QRP transceiver, but is capable of pumping out a full 50 watts of power without an external amplifier.<\/p>\n

The RGO one is lighter (about 5 lbs) and draws less current on receive than most comparable 100 watt general coverage transceivers.<\/p>\n

I see the RGO One becoming my choice radio for most Parks On The Air (POTA)<\/a> field activations this year. In the past, I’ve used my beloved Elecraft KX2<\/a> for NPOTA and POTA activations because it’s extremely portable and incredibly versatile. I’ll still use the KX2 for activations that require hiking or in situations where I can’t easily set up a tabletop radio, but I can’t tell you how many times I wish I had a little more TX output Since the RGO One can provide up to 50 watts out, it’ll give me a little more “juice” when conditions demand.<\/p>\n

Availability and pricing<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At present, there are a limited number of early production Mission RGO One transceivers in the wild. The company is in the process of scaling up production.<\/p>\n

To that end, you will now find a Mission RGO One pre-order form<\/strong> on their website.<\/a><\/p>\n

The price is 790 Euro (roughly $880 US) plus shipping<\/strong>. There will be two shipping options: directly from Bulgaria, and from the USA in mid-May 2020. These units will all be fully factory assembled and aligned.<\/p>\n

It’s my understanding that eventually there will be a modular kit version of the RGO One and the price will be much less than that of the assembled unit.<\/p>\n

Internal ATU option<\/h2>\n

The RGO Team is also in the final stages of producing an optional high-performance internal ATU.<\/p>\n

I have no details about pricing or availability yet, but I will be testing this ATU in the shack and in the field later this year. After I’ve evaluated the ATU, I will publish my full review of the RGO One in The Spectrum Monitor magazine.<\/p>\n

Other Questions?<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As you might have gathered, I’ve really been enjoying my time with the Mission RGO One transceiver. Lately, it’s even taken the place of my beloved KX3 in the radio shack.<\/p>\n

Please comment if you have other questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.<\/p>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Readers might recall that I picked up a Mission RGO One 50 watt transceiver from Boris (LZ2JR) at the 2019 Hamvention. I’ve been helping Boris and his team evaluate this Bulgarian-manufactured general coverage transceiver since then. I’ll be writing a comprehensive review of the Mission RGO One for The Spectrum Monitor magazine later this year, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[545,836,3],"tags":[7067,4102,7065,7064,7066],"class_list":["post-41491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ham-radio","category-new-products","category-news","tag-boris-sapundzhiev-lz2jr","tag-ham-radio","tag-mission-rgo-one","tag-rgo-one","tag-rgo-one-transceiver"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-aNd","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45374,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/mission-rgo-one-firmware-update-2-10b-and-pre-order-form\/","url_meta":{"origin":41491,"position":0},"title":"Mission RGO One Firmware update (2.10b) and pre-order form","author":"Thomas","date":"September 17, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A number of SWLing Post readers have been asking about the pricing and availability of the Mission RGO One transceiver. RGO One designer, Boris (LZ2JR), has informed me that he's published a new pre-order form available via the following link. The form specifies all options and pricing and applies to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32457,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/the-mission-rgo-one-a-new-50-watt-all-mode-hf-transceiver\/","url_meta":{"origin":41491,"position":1},"title":"The Mission RGO ONE: A new 50 watt all mode HF transceiver","author":"Thomas","date":"May 28, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Shortly after posting a set of photos I took at the 2018 Hamvention, I received a number of reader inquiries regarding one particular radio: The Mission RGO ONE. I found this cool tabletop transceiver in the flea market area of the Hamvention early Saturday morning and included it with my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-Hamvention-Photos-Sunday-2-of-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-Hamvention-Photos-Sunday-2-of-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-Hamvention-Photos-Sunday-2-of-7.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2018-Hamvention-Photos-Sunday-2-of-7.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37918,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/taking-the-new-mission-rgo-one-transceiver-to-the-field\/","url_meta":{"origin":41491,"position":2},"title":"Taking the new Mission RGO One transceiver to the field!","author":"Thomas","date":"May 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"SWLing Post readers might recall that last year at the 2018 Hamvention, I met with radio engineer, Boris Sapundzhiev (LZ2JR), who was debuting the prototype of his 50 watt transceiver kit: the Mission RGO One (click here to read that post). Since last year, I've been in touch with Boris,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Bail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Bail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Bail.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Mission-RGO-One-Bail.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46799,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/a-comprehensive-review-of-the-mission-rgo-one-general-coverage-50-watt-transceiver\/","url_meta":{"origin":41491,"position":3},"title":"A comprehensive review of the Mission RGO One general coverage 50 watt transceiver","author":"Thomas","date":"December 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The following review was first published in the November 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine: A review of the Mission RGO One ham radio transceiver by Thomas (K4SWL \/ M0CYI) Wow...I love this! If I am perfectly frank, that would sum up my initial impression of the Mission RGO\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vance-POTA-RGO-One-Chameleon-Emcomm-III-CWMorse-Paddles-Bioenne-1-2-1024x768-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vance-POTA-RGO-One-Chameleon-Emcomm-III-CWMorse-Paddles-Bioenne-1-2-1024x768-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vance-POTA-RGO-One-Chameleon-Emcomm-III-CWMorse-Paddles-Bioenne-1-2-1024x768-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Vance-POTA-RGO-One-Chameleon-Emcomm-III-CWMorse-Paddles-Bioenne-1-2-1024x768-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44483,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/belka-dsp-shortwave-receiver-now-available-via-mobimax\/","url_meta":{"origin":41491,"position":4},"title":"Belka-DSP shortwave receiver now available via Mobimax","author":"Thomas","date":"July 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Boris (LZ2JR\/AC9IJ) who notes that his company, Mobimax, in Europe now distributes the excellent Belka-DSP receiver. Boris informed me that he has inventory and they ship immediately (at time of posting--July 25, 2020). The price is 145.72 EUR (roughly $170 US). They have two shipping options to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Belka-DSP-YouLoop-NCPL-antenna.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Belka-DSP-YouLoop-NCPL-antenna.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Belka-DSP-YouLoop-NCPL-antenna.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Belka-DSP-YouLoop-NCPL-antenna.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Belka-DSP-YouLoop-NCPL-antenna.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48063,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/w2eny-new-military-handset-and-other-accessories-for-the-mission-rgo-one\/","url_meta":{"origin":41491,"position":5},"title":"W2ENY: New military handset and other accessories for the Mission RGO One","author":"Thomas","date":"March 7, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Don, who notes that\u00a0W2ENY has developed a full suite of products for the Mission RGO ONE (click here to read our review of the RGO One). Don notes that W2ENY is producing a military handset, desk mic, headset with boom mic, and PTT cable.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/W2ENY-Mission-RGO-One-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/W2ENY-Mission-RGO-One-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/W2ENY-Mission-RGO-One-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/W2ENY-Mission-RGO-One-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41491\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}