INTRODUCTION

The MX-2 was a small, handheld SSB transceiver for 2m VHF operation. By modern standards it was a small brick but it worked very well, apart from its low battery life.

Similar units were made for HF bands (with higher power), on 6m and even 4m. The rig dates from the early 1980s.

LIKES AND DISLIKES

POSITIVES

This brought a new dimension to 2m SSB operating, both out in the field on hilltops and at home on small beams or a halo. Although it only produced 200mW pep this was more than enough to work plenty of locals on SSB and, in lifts and contests some useful DX, much of it when used handheld.

It made an excellent little driver for QRP transverters: I made up a set for 160m, 15m, 10m and 6m and great fun was had. The transverters were out of sight under the desk so the only rig on the desk was the diminutive MX2 which looked all the world like a miniature, miniature HF rig.

Nice having all the controls on the top - convenient for handheld use and neat on a desktop.

Useful external mic facility when used as a mini-base station.

A remarkably good, clean and quiet receiver considering what it was.

In addition to the CW key socket on the back there was a small push button CW key on the top RHS - very useful when QSOs were struggling on SSB to use this to get through!

NEGATIVES

The latching PTT switch!

Limited tuning range: 50kHz on two VXO ranges around the 2m calling frequency.

Poor battery life if used with the intended internal 9V PP3 battery pack, even worse if using a rechargeable pack instead. This could be overcome by using an external 9.6V NiCad pack.

SPECS  

Power Consumption
160mA TX, 40mA RX,
9V supply

RECEIVER
Typical Sensitivity
<0.5uV for 15 dB S/N

VXO
2 ranges of 50kHz.

SIZE
1½"(D) x 2 5/8"(W) x 5 5/8"(H) without knob
39mm (D) x 66mm (W) x 142mm (H)

WEIGHT
13 oz. (500g) without battery

LINKS  

MX2 page contains much useful information on this rig and others from the now silent Mizuho stable.
Schematic
User manual

eHam reviews of the MX2