Yaesu: Japanese handheld: direct conversion vs. double conversion

[KA0XR]

Related question - why are more handhelds from Japanese makers going with direct conversion now instead of double conversion - a cost-cutting move to compete better with cheaper Chinese radios? Are older double conversion units that are still in production like the VX-6r & 60r that much better on receive than newer direct conversion HT's, especially for multi-band radios?

 

[AK9R]

I assume that economics is a major factor. Direct conversion "radio on a chip" radios are easy to build, there are several chips available, and the parts count is low. No pesky IF transformers, either.

 

[prcguy]

Double conversion is not necessarily better, a good direct conversion design can easily outperform a lousy double conversion scheme. A modern direct conversion radio is usually a full blown DSP SDR and that can have lots of features like infinite IF BW filters that would not be practical on a hardware dual conversion unit.

Related question - why are more handhelds from Japanese makers going with direct conversion now instead of double conversion - a cost-cutting move to compete better with cheaper Chinese radios? Are older double conversion units that are still in production like the VX-6r & 60r that much better on receive than newer direct conversion HT's, especially for multi-band radios?

 

[pcunite]

Full SDR is the future. The problem in the past was the software, threaded nature of the software processing, and the speed of the onboard chips. This is all improvoing and will out perform traditional designs and improve longevity and toughness of the radio. High end radios are now coming in well appointed SDR arrangements.