Is the MB1 Prime 2021 an HF Ham Radio or a computer? Or both? On today’s lunchtime livestream, I will hook up this radio and attempt some POTA chasing, after we go over all of the details of this feature RICH ham radio!
Expert Electronics MB1 PRIME (2021 Version)
The MB1 PRIME transceiver is a game-changer, it’s a transceiver and a PC in a single package. It has a classic design, developed over several decades, with the most advanced DUC/DDC SDR technologies – Direct Down Conversion (DDC) and Direct Up Conversion (DUC) and a fully-featured high-end personal computer with an Intel Core i7 processor onboard.
The main advantage of the MB1 PRIME 2021 over its predecessor has improved TX IMD3 AND all-new PC hardware:
- GIGABYTE GA-IMB370TN Industrial ITX Motherboard
- Intel Core i7-9700 3.00GHz 8-Core/8-Thread CPU (4.70GHz Turbo Freq)
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Samsung 970 EVO 500GB SSD (Solid State Drive)

Transceiver Features:
- Independent RX path based on DDC(Direct Down-Conversion) architecture
- Independent TX path based on DUC(Direct Up-Conversion) architecture
- 2software RXs + SubRX for each of them (4 slices total) + independent wideband Bandscope up to 80 MHz
- ExpertSDR2 software in two styles: Desktop style and MB1 display (for integrated GUI)
- Remote controloperation, using it, you connect PTT and CW-key to the E-Coder panel. Microphone and E-Coder are connected to the remotely set up PC
- TCI interfacefor seamless connection with third-party software
- Professional TX processing moduleprovides the most advanced tuning capability for voice operation
- High-quality IPS 7″ touchscreendisplay with a 1280×800 resolution
- Supports any software applicable for Windows 10 OS
- ExtCtrlconnector to control external devices with 8 powerful keys with open collector
- COM-portfor connection of external devices, like PA, antenna switches etc.
- ALCconnector for external power amplifiers*
- Has a special XVTRconnector for VHF transverters** (SMA connector)
- 4separate programmable PTT outputs for external power amplifiers
- An opportunity to use the transceiver as a signal generator via DAC OUTconnector (SMA connector)
- An opportunity to use external filters in the middle of the RF path, using RX INand RX OUT (SMA connector)
- Monitoringdelay in CW mode is about 5-6 ms
- Input for external 10 MHz reference oscillator
- An opportunity to use the transceiver in SO2Vmode
- Full duplexor half duplex modes***
- 4 HF (UHF (SO-239) connector) and 2 VHF(N-type connector) antenna connectors
- Internal power-meter for HF and VHF bands and SWR-meter for HF band
- Recordand play on air fragments (IQ files) with a bandwidth of up to 312 kHz
- Internal ATU(Automatic Tuner Unit)
- The embedded power supply unit
* ** *** These functions are supported by the transceiver’s hardware but is not implemented in the ExpertSDR2 software. They will be supported in the future ExpertSDR2 software releases.
PC Capabilities:
- Installation of digital modes software
- Installation of HAM and Contest logs
- Two CW Skimmers may be used on different bands
- The transceiver can connect to the LAN and the Internet
- Use of Internet applications (e.g., e-mail, Skype, ICQ, TV, etc.)
- Play video and audio files
- Watch TV via USB-receivers
- An opportunity to connect two external displays, keyboard, mouse
- An opportunity to connect external speakers to the PHONES jack on the front panel
Application area
- Full-function radio amateur transceiver
- Mobile contest-station
- Remote receipt point for the contests and other applications
- Spectrum analyzer with the bandwidth up to 80MHz
- Work with the external programs of digital connection types, CW Skimmer, etc.
Software
A version of ExpertSDR2 software with adapted GUI for 7″ display was specially developed for the MB1 transceiver. At the present time software works in RX/TX mode and supports two independent receiving channels with the bandwidth up to 312 kHz. A DSP library developed by company Expert Electronics allowed improvement of receiving quality and higher the stability of the software.
$6,695.00
Review
Icom IC-705 PAT Winlink Setup | Ham Radio Raspberry Pi
“Hello Operators Todays video is a Ham Radio Raspberry Pi tutorial for the Icom IC-705 and eventually other radios. We will be using a new setup... Read more
Setting the Mic Gain and Compression by W6LG
“Setting the mic gain and compression can be a bit tricky. Too much compression and too much mic gain results in a distorted signal. Jim Heath W... Read more
SunSDR2 PRO Review by RadCom
A powerful HF to VHF transceiver from Expert Electronics The SunSDR2 PRO is the latest transceiver from Russian company, Expert Electronics, and packs... Read more
Radioddity GM-30 GMRS HT Walkie Talkie | Best GMRS Handheld Radio?
Radioddity has a new GMRS HT Walkie Talkie and today we’re going to take a look at what comes in the box and the menu of this new GMRS Handheld... Read more
FT8 and the 6m band [ Club Log ]
by Michael Wells “DXers have adopted FT8 to catch openings on the 6m band in the last year in even greater numbers than on HF. With the often sp... Read more
Equipment
ES-4 Radio / Antenna Selector Switch between 3 radios and 5 antennas
ES-4 COMES AS A CONTROL UNIT AND A BASE (SWITCHING) UNIT THE BASE UNIT RECEIVES 12V POWER AND HAS ALL THE HEAVY COAXIAL CABLES CONNECTED TO IT. THER... Read more
Ailunce HS2 HF VHF UHF SDR Transceiver
HS2 is an ultra-portable full-frequency full-mode SDR radio. Receive frequency coverage 300K~1.6GHZ. The built-in network port can realize remote oper... Read more
Runbo P5 4G DMR VHF/UHF
Military grade Tablet with integrated RTK Positioning powers Forensic Mapping, Collision Reconstruction, Land Surveying etc. Running Android, you can... Read more
ICOM IC-DPR30
ICOM IC-DPR30 Smallest and lightest ever ※ 1 , built-in antenna, Bluetooth ® support. New release of the transceiver IC-DPR30 that can be used to styl... Read more
AOR DV1 3GHz 100kHz-1300MHz, SDR Digital Voice Receiver
Download AR-DV1 Brochure (3.5MB) Download AR-DV1 Brochure light (823kB) Download AR-DV1 operating manual with command list (8.2MB) Download AR-DV1 fir... Read more
Antenna
FX771 MetroPWR Overview
Technical Features METER METROPWR FX771 Coverage 1.8/55 MHz 160/6mt + VHF/UHF (optional) Measure Power AVG, PeP, dBm, R, Z, X , SWR, ReturnLoss Po... Read more
40 Meters 4-element Wire Yagi by VE3VN
Read great article from VE3VN – 40 Meters 4-element Wire Yagi : Read more
Finding Annoying Power Line Noise – Ham Radio
Power Line Noise MFJ-5008 ULTRA-SONIC RECEIVER W/PARABOLIC REFLECTOR, 18~DIAHF and VHF operation can be affected by noise on the bands which mak... Read more
Indoor SteppIR Yagis by AE9K
Indoor SteppIR Yagis by AE9K Read Full Article: SteepIr Antennas Web Site Read more
Comet mobile antenna of 430MHz band – ASF-430
Comet is the 19th Kansai first exhibition was of the amateur radio festival venue, fin-type mobile antenna · ASF-430 of 430MHz band. Adopted wa... Read more
App - Mobile
Remote Vacuum Relay Switch, RK-314
Features The RK-3xx series of switches uses vacuum relays. It is designed to switch coaxial lines in RF systems operating up to 5 kW continuous... Read more
A New App Visualizes the Radio Waves All Around Us
Radio Waves The modern world is awash in a sea of radio waves — currents of electromagnetic radiation upon which our digital lives depend. What if you... Read more
Rfinder for Visually Impaired on Android
Rfinder Tom W3ZX, a visually impaired ham gives a great demo on Android using TalkBack for the visually impaired. See More: http://www.rfinder.net/blo... Read more
SmartSDR for iOS v3.9.12 Now Available
Marcus, DL8MRE announces that release of SmartSDR for iOS v3.9.12 is now available for download or update from the Apple App Store. SmartSDR is a full... Read more
CW QSO Simulator for iPhone and Android
This app is a real CW QSO simulator for ham radio operators. Supports “599BK style QSO”.In order to reproduce a realistic QSO environment,... Read more