Eric, you produced a very clear video with no nonsense, and it's appreciated. I bought a G-90 as a FIRST HF radio and I'd REALLY APPRECIATE a video from you on how to operate it. Many thanks in advance!
At 10:54 - Contact with Larry, AG5Z. That's Larry Morgan, one of the guys who was VE for testing for my General! I was on 2 meters one night from my home in Atmore, AL, and had a QSO with Larry with a good band opening. I told him I was about 80 percent done with studying for my General, and he told me to come in the following Saturday at Hattiesburg to try for my test. I took him up on the challenge, drove there to test, and passed it missing just 2 questions! Larry's a great guy. He invited me to check out his ham shack after the testing was over. His shack looks like a museum of radio. I made my first HF contacts on his radio. His folks were hams, so he grew up in the hobby. Nice contact...thanks Eric!
Received my Xiegu G90 last Monday and I am very pleased. What a RIG!!! I'm using the alpha vertical antenna. Talked to North Dakota from West Virginia. S8 signal. 20 Watts. This new technology is phenomenal!! I'm old school anyway and I can work this radio this ease. Thanks for the videos Eric, Jim (K8BOW)
The g90 is like half the price of the x5105, best entry level in its class, and with the tuner built in it really doesn't have competition. Perfect mobile rig.
Great video - answers many of the questions for us who are looking for a low cost way to get on the air in HF. Your presentation was clear, to the point and not overly chatty like some guys.
So tempted. But I just got a X5105 & have discovered all the problems with that. Am worried that I might suffer as much frustration with the G90. Still, it does sound good. Thanks for the video.
@@haramanggapuja Suffered frustration of trying to calibrate the side bands on an X1M from Xiegu (which STILL dosen't sound right, but works). I am still willing to take my chances with this one.
I just bought one of these a week ago it’s a nice rig. I’ve heard nothing but positive things about these. I was going to use mine for possibly doing pota.
I just ordered it. I also ordered the Cooler stand. I can't wait. I waited two years to see everything. Should have it in a couple of years. Love the tuner and waterfall. I already have a 300-watt amp.
People I tell about this radio think it's a toy. Lol, they're gonna get a surprise. This radio is great! Had it for a week, yesterday and I am just in awe the way this radio works. The wave of the future!
I got a G90 about a month ago and it came with a very nice manual and the mic is identical to the mic that came with my Icom IC-2730. I can't believe the contacts you can get with 20 watts.
I'm thinking this is going to be my first HF radio for my ham shack. Everything I'm seeing on this is nothing but positive. There are so many different directions you can go with it and it seems so easy to operate. I'd probably go with an external speaker, but I'm liking everything I'm seeing. I might end up with this radio within the next month or so. Probably before Christmas. It'll be my present to me. With as inexpensive as I've been seeing them, one of these might be a decent present for my parents, too. They got me into amateur radio, so why not get them into HF?!
I couldn't agree more Joe. I've been having a blast with this radio. Got the CE-19 today and the cooling fan stand. They compliment the radio nicely and the stand is just awesome. Xiegu is going to do great with this outfit.
Great video! My G90 arrived yesterday. Will be using a MFJ-1778 G5RV Wire Antenna 80-10 Meters 102’ with it. That screen is definitely small, I’m probably going to get a magnifying screen to put in front of it. I also like that it decodes CW into text since I don’t know morse code, at least will be able to see what people are sending. I’ll probably end up buying one of those CW keyboard units in a month or so... N5BYB
OMG, 13:45... Josh from HRCC told us about "The Beacon." Anywho, the Xiegu G90 looks pretty solid for it's price tag. I can't wait to use one! - KF0QNM
Nice, thanks for the great intro! I got my G90 delivered to my main QTH but unfortunately due to the lockdown I can't get there right now (I rent another place, too). Really looking forward to using it soon!
I really liked the form factor of the 108g, but they discontinued it before I could get one. I'm glad to see this radio is basically an updated version and affordable. Will have to sneak some $$ from the boss lady and get one soon. 73....KE0OEW Mike :-)
Great informative video. Well done. I like the idea that the radio can do 20 watts. It makes for a great QRP as well as a low power portable radio. 20 watts is only 1 S unit down from what a 100 watt radio would give. I never run 100 watts portable. It just draws way too much current from the battery. Thanks for posting this video. Barry, KU3X/QRP
Great Review. After seeing this and some of the reviews on this XIEGU G90, did something I probably should not have since I already have so many radios already. but this one seems to have found a niche the other ones don’t fill. I ordered one of those xiegu G90s which are on sale for $450 and I put it on the credit card Which is a quasi-QRP radio that can go up to 20 Watts but can be turned down to just a few watts if you want to save battery power. However, I like the fact that, if I have too for an emergency or just want to, I can still push it back up to the 20 Watts. It is smallish and easy to carry around. I’m getting a 60 foot wire from Chameleon that I can just throw out over some tree limbs or whatever and with a lithium ion battery and my fold up solar panels I can do cw just about anywhere I am. The reason I wanted this one is because it also very easily decodes CW. No I do not want to depend on that but in an emergency If I am kind of nervous and not copying my CW like I would like then it is nice to have that little addition. It also has an internal Antenna tuner they say is so good it could probably tune up a head of lettuce. I like that in case somehow I left my antenna behind, lost my antenna, or heaven for bid damaged the antenna that I’m carrying and have to come up with a makeshift one. Especially since It also has a great SWR graph that can help along with the internal antenna tuner if you have to build a new antenna on the quick. I think this little Xiegu G90 is going to be the cats meow if I just want to grab a bag and go quickly
I think for those of us with shallow pockets, these radios are great. It's good to see the Chinese factories upping their game, and building on the experience of the earlier radios quickly. Audio sounds very good, and I like the DSP filtering features. Great video Eric. 73.
Xiegu are producing an external 5 inch screen for the G90. Not sure on the release date. Fred VE3FAL is in regular contact with Xiegu as is Wayne 2E0BVJ.
Aloha Eric, I just ordered one from eBay because MFJ thinks they are too good to ship $500 radios plus another $100 in accessories to Honolulu, Hawaii. Maybe MFJ thinks they have more $$$ than the Chinese and don’t need to drive over to the Post Office these days. I rather put Americans to work but if MFJ is simply too damn lazy to work for a living, they don’t need my money no how! I’m a damn patriot and sucks dealing with a leftest thinking company that couldn’t find Hawaii on a map even with a free luau and all they can eat! Thanks Eric for the awesome review and maybe I’ll get the free grid square map to boot too! SEMPER FI ALWAYS FAITHFUL
Thank you Sir for another great quality video. I must say Eric I'm studying my for my Ham license, because watching videos like yours others. It inspires me get on radio not just 11m. All the best from London. 73 26CT2997 😁🤘
Eric, What antenna did you use for this test? How about testing the general coverage radio part of this rig. It covers AM too. If it’s a “starter” rig for a new ham and functions well in the general coverage realm it would expose the Newbie to the other signals out there. Most of us old timers started out with general coverage radios and stumbled into ham radio by listening so this might be a good starter radio for the radio newbie/ham to be. Dave K8WPE
@HamRadioConcepts, you, Josh (Ham Radio Crash Course) and Robert (Robert Nagy) have me sold on adding this radio to my 'inventory.' It has everything I'd like (waterfall; spectrum scope; SWR/antenna analyzer; ATU) in a small, affordable package. Add a power supply and an MFJ -2104 antenna system and my go kit will be well on its way. And I might be able to fit is all into the Apache 3800 case I already have instead of springing for a Road Case USA 6U unit. GOSH, I love this hobby!!
I was sitting here watching the video and I heard ALPHA GOLF 5 ZULU! And I was like hey thats Larry in Purvis! Hahah Another fine MS ham. Thanks for the review. I've been looking at these rigs for POTA/Camping or short trips. - K5OP
Hey Eric, Xeigu just released a firmware update as of Nov. 3. I wonder if you have some time to take a look at it for improvements and feature updates. I'm really interested in this radio and contemplating asking Santa this year. Regular firmware updates is important to me. Thanks for your time. 73, John - NO0I
With the G90 you also get an ATU and antenna analyzer. If you are going man portable, that is extra stuff you don't have to carry. I actually own both the G90 and the FT 891. They both have their advantages/disadvantages.
Hi Eric, fine review as usual, i always enjoy your videos :) Just some nitpick stuff: at 11:15 and 11:47 (on 20m), i saw the SWR meter showing a higher level then back to normal, is this your antenna or the rig itself? 73, Chris ha7wx
I want one. Why did I stumble across this? I can't really afford it right now. But I want one. LOL Update: Ok, I ordered one from MFJ. Hope I like it. Nice that I could buy one from a well known American company. :-)
When you're talking about the radio it would be nice to also have some power measurements, does the radio really give 20Watts eg. Great talk about the radio, tnx
If you were new to Amateur radio and you where going to buy either X 5105 or X G90. What would you pick and why. Also I want one that I can go to parks etc... to setup.
If I had to pick one of the two with the intent of home and park use, I'd opt for the G90. 1- not as expensive 2- 20 watts out vs 5 watts 3- no built in battery to eventually replace The only advantages of the x5105 are: 1- size 2- half as much current consumed on receive (0.3 vs 0.6 Amps) 3- FM transmit and receive 4- 6 meters
This is a great little radio, I got mine a few months ago and use it with a 8.4 AH zippy LiFeP04 from Hobbyking and it's a perfect match. Audio and receiver is a lot better than the X5105, the X5105 is great for portability though. The tuner is great, it tunes my 5 band MK III EFHW from hyendcompany.nl on 160 meters and it's 20 meters long ! The reported TX Audio isn't great but that can be fixed with replacing 2 Capacitors on the MIC PCB, search the xiegug90 group on groups.io. Current 1.72 FW now shows ALC on transmit.
If you want 20+ year old technology, get a 706. I see used ones going for more than a new FT-891, crazy. I see this one at MFJ for 450.00, not bad for what it is.
GeoS I tend to agree about the 891. For some reason it doesn’t seem to get super respect out there but I love mine and I think that it may be the best of the lot amongst small portable field friendly rigs. Just my $0.02.
@@johnpeterson7264 I have seriously considered a FT-891 for portable, and that's about all I'd use it for. I've owned the KX3, KX2, FT817, etc but now prefer a bit more power out, and since I'm not out hiking anymore, the larger sizes don't matter. I agree the 891 is probably best but there is something about this little rig that intrigues me, lol.
@@geod3589 I have both the FT 891 and the G90. The G90 is a great travel/SOTA rig and a lot less weight than a FT891 with antenna tuner, bigger battery, ect.... But, if you need that extra punch the FT 891 can deliver. I would love to see a FT 891 with the features of the G90 though. SDR is the future.
It's a good video, congratulations . How long could the battery last? Do you think it is better than the FT-817, except for the battery and the display?
Hi Eric, Great video as usual. I bought one but my scope line is not YELLOW. I do have the latest firmware, is there a way to change the color? Also, what antenna did you use? MY recieves seems to be deaf. Could be conditions. I am using a 1/4 wave ground mounted vertical in the yard.
UNBOXING RANT! Love it! FT8 is great for a few hours, but then it's time to move on with life, and to escape a mode that is increasingly encroaching on adjacent modes - apparently without care. I'm looking at this radio right now. Can't decide whether to buy it or not. Sounds clean on the other videos. de Mike NG2F (Fenton is my pseudonym. I write books for a living) p.s. Are you in Fort Myers? Your call sounds very familiar. I suppose I could just look it up. Duh. Thanks for the review!
I contacted a ham on the air; he was using this model. His transmit audio was very poor and his signal was very wide. If this is typical I don't know they got FCC type acceptance. I know this was only one example but make sure you know what you are getting.
Any rig control software or speech synth options upgrades in the works? Great little radio...I'm one of your visually impaired subscribers and with all the new radios coming out of China, few of the HF rigs have the kind of voice prompts or speech feedback like most of the dual band handhelds do. Even just frequency and S-meter voice output would make it pretty accessible.
Eric, you produced a very clear video with no nonsense, and it's appreciated.
I bought a G-90 as a FIRST HF radio and I'd REALLY APPRECIATE a video from you on how to operate it.
Many thanks in advance!
Hey Erick thanks for the review just ordered the G 90 in SWF. Will give you a call when setup
At 10:54 - Contact with Larry, AG5Z. That's Larry Morgan, one of the guys who was VE for testing for my General! I was on 2 meters one night from my home in Atmore, AL, and had a QSO with Larry with a good band opening. I told him I was about 80 percent done with studying for my General, and he told me to come in the following Saturday at Hattiesburg to try for my test. I took him up on the challenge, drove there to test, and passed it missing just 2 questions! Larry's a great guy. He invited me to check out his ham shack after the testing was over. His shack looks like a museum of radio. I made my first HF contacts on his radio. His folks were hams, so he grew up in the hobby. Nice contact...thanks Eric!
Received my Xiegu G90 last Monday and I am very pleased. What a RIG!!! I'm using the alpha vertical antenna. Talked to North Dakota from West Virginia. S8 signal. 20 Watts. This new technology is phenomenal!! I'm old school anyway and I can work this radio this ease. Thanks for the videos Eric, Jim (K8BOW)
The g90 is like half the price of the x5105, best entry level in its class, and with the tuner built in it really doesn't have competition. Perfect mobile rig.
Getting it past the wife we need a review on that, its difficult deleating all the emails!
I have one and love it 😍. I've worked 5700+ DX with 20Watts fine!
Great video - answers many of the questions for us who are looking for a low cost way to get on the air in HF. Your presentation was clear, to the point and not overly chatty like some guys.
Thanks for the infomercial. Just ordered one.
If my wife finds out. I'm going to blame you....
LOL
So tempted. But I just got a X5105 & have discovered all the problems with that. Am worried that I might suffer as much frustration with the G90. Still, it does sound good. Thanks for the video.
@@haramanggapuja Suffered frustration of trying to calibrate the side bands on an X1M from Xiegu (which STILL dosen't sound right, but works). I am still willing to take my chances with this one.
@@haramanggapuja Care to ellaborate? as I am looking at both the x5105 and this model thx
Best Xeigu G-90 review I have seen in a long time. Normally I dislike unboxing, but you made it short and sweet. Great video and review!
Had a 55 signal into South Africa. What a radio!!
Just got mine Friday; did a couple SOTA activations and playing around at home. I LOVE IT!
@radio tech As I stated before,it's NOT a CB Radio GOOD BUDDY!
I just bought one of these a week ago it’s a nice rig. I’ve heard nothing but positive things about these. I was going to use mine for possibly doing pota.
Good to hear my MS neighbor AG5Z Larry on the Show! Great Job Eric. 73 De WV1Q AL in MS
That seem like a brilliant little radio. Impressive.
I just ordered it. I also ordered the Cooler stand. I can't wait. I waited two years to see everything. Should have it in a couple of years. Love the tuner and waterfall. I already have a 300-watt amp.
Always wanted to see how this little radio worked. Great post, TY for the demo and all the info!
Thanks for reviewing this. The radio sounded great.
Worked Russia with this rig. Just Awesome!!
People I tell about this radio think it's a toy. Lol, they're gonna get a surprise. This radio is great! Had it for a week, yesterday and I am just in awe the way this radio works. The wave of the future!
Just got mine today, I could not believe it tuned 80 meters on my 10meter vertical.
That Chang, he sure is a character
This is a great rig to use in car. Thanks for the review!
I got a G90 about a month ago and it came with a very nice manual and the mic is identical to the mic that came with my Icom IC-2730. I can't believe the contacts you can get with 20 watts.
I'm thinking this is going to be my first HF radio for my ham shack. Everything I'm seeing on this is nothing but positive. There are so many different directions you can go with it and it seems so easy to operate. I'd probably go with an external speaker, but I'm liking everything I'm seeing. I might end up with this radio within the next month or so. Probably before Christmas. It'll be my present to me. With as inexpensive as I've been seeing them, one of these might be a decent present for my parents, too. They got me into amateur radio, so why not get them into HF?!
Another awesome video, love the details and that you made contacts!
Well, just had a 57 signal to France from West Virginia. Wow, what a radio!!!
Wow is right... I'm in WV
I couldn't agree more Joe. I've been having a blast with this radio. Got the CE-19 today and the cooling fan stand. They compliment the radio nicely and the stand is just awesome. Xiegu is going to do great with this outfit.
Great video! My G90 arrived yesterday. Will be using a MFJ-1778 G5RV Wire Antenna 80-10 Meters 102’ with it.
That screen is definitely small, I’m probably going to get a magnifying screen to put in front of it.
I also like that it decodes CW into text since I don’t know morse code, at least will be able to see what people are sending.
I’ll probably end up buying one of those CW keyboard units in a month or so... N5BYB
Hi Eric,
Appreciate taking time out of your holiday to make this video. 73 WB3BJU
Yah man. Tomorrow, I AM GOING JETSKIING ALLLLLL DAY!!! HAHAHA
Hello Eric your g90 is awesome it's a beautiful radio wow I'm very impressed very very impressed
Nice radio, nice review thank you, Happy holiday
Nice Review, Now this is a Good starter radio that I need.
Thanks
the X90 is an amazing little radio !
OMG, 13:45... Josh from HRCC told us about "The Beacon."
Anywho, the Xiegu G90 looks pretty solid for it's price tag. I can't wait to use one! - KF0QNM
I think there are better options out there. This one is good, but dated.
Check out the sBItx V3
Nice, thanks for the great intro! I got my G90 delivered to my main QTH but unfortunately due to the lockdown I can't get there right now (I rent another place, too). Really looking forward to using it soon!
screen so small but that's fine for a portable operations. thanks for showing this radio off
I really liked the form factor of the 108g, but they discontinued it before I could get one. I'm glad to see this radio is basically an updated version and affordable. Will have to sneak some $$ from the boss lady and get one soon. 73....KE0OEW Mike :-)
Great informative video. Well done. I like the idea that the radio can do 20 watts. It makes for a great QRP as well as a low power portable radio. 20 watts is only 1 S unit down from what a 100 watt radio would give. I never run 100 watts portable. It just draws way too much current from the battery.
Thanks for posting this video.
Barry, KU3X/QRP
more of these please, that looks great and affordable. thanks
Great Review. After seeing
this and some of the reviews on this XIEGU G90, did something I probably should not have since I already have so many radios already. but this one seems to have found a niche the other ones don’t fill. I ordered one of those xiegu G90s which are on sale for $450 and I put it on the credit card Which is a quasi-QRP radio that can go up to 20 Watts but can be turned down to just a few watts if you want to save battery power. However, I like the fact that, if I have too for an emergency or just want to, I can still push it back up to the 20 Watts. It is smallish and easy to carry around. I’m getting a 60 foot wire from Chameleon that I can just throw out over some tree limbs or whatever and with a lithium ion battery and my fold up solar panels I can do cw just about anywhere I am. The reason I wanted this one is because it also very easily decodes CW. No I do not want to depend on that but in an emergency If I am kind of nervous and not copying my CW like I would like then it is nice to have that little addition. It also has an internal Antenna tuner they say is so good it could probably tune up a head of lettuce. I like that in case somehow I left my antenna behind, lost my antenna, or heaven for bid damaged the antenna that I’m carrying and have to come up with a makeshift one. Especially since It also has a great SWR graph that can help along with the internal antenna tuner if you have to build a new antenna on the quick. I think this little Xiegu G90 is going to be the cats meow if I just want to grab a bag and go quickly
Excellent review. Perfect timing based on yesterdays net discussion with k6uda. It looks like an affordable inexpensive Porsche to me.
I have been playing with mine for a couple of weeks now, just waiting on a new battery to go /P. The RX audio is fantastic!
Would you say this would be a good cheap maritime mobile rig as I'm looking for one?
@@amateurtech736 I am more than happy with mine, getting good reports so far. It's a good mobile rig, just add a battery and antenna.
Very glad to hear this..... I just ordered mine today....
KC4TVZ are a legend. A Voice beacon.
ROFL when i seen that part on the video i started cracking up..
CQ 10 10 CQ 10 10 that what he was calling a couple of years ago ;) 73 from The Netherlands ;) (PD2NLX)
Nice little radio!
I think for those of us with shallow pockets, these radios are great. It's good to see the Chinese factories upping their game, and building on the experience of the earlier radios quickly. Audio sounds very good, and I like the DSP filtering features. Great video Eric. 73.
Mexico City from West Virginia, 20watts, 55 signal. Not bad!
The RX on these is something special. I've thought this since I saw the first video.
Xiegu are producing an external 5 inch screen for the G90. Not sure on the release date. Fred VE3FAL is in regular contact with Xiegu as is Wayne 2E0BVJ.
Is it possible to output the display to a monitor? Or an App on a PC/Tablet? A newbie here trying to learn. Thanks
Thank you for another great review! Best regards to you and your subscribers on this Memorial Day. 73 de KC9MAQ in Illinois
Triple 👍. I just got mine and pl an to take to the beach house in a couple of weeks and give it a try with my stilli in the box Wolf Coil.
This is my objective also....
Aloha Eric, I just ordered one from eBay because MFJ thinks they are too good to ship $500 radios plus another $100 in accessories to Honolulu, Hawaii. Maybe MFJ thinks they have more $$$ than the Chinese and don’t need to drive over to the Post Office these days. I rather put Americans to work but if MFJ is simply too damn lazy to work for a living, they don’t need my money no how!
I’m a damn patriot and sucks dealing with a leftest thinking company that couldn’t find
Hawaii on a map even with a free luau and all they can eat!
Thanks Eric for the awesome review and maybe I’ll get the free grid square map to boot too!
SEMPER FI
ALWAYS FAITHFUL
Press and hold the multi function knob down, select FTT scale and you can adjust that panadapter line down for a more normal look.
Thanks for review!
Can the G90 be used to tune home brew antennas?
Definitely tunes home brews!!
Love this guy👍👍great review
Good video. Fum Thanks I think I need one of these. I'm not sure why but .... It's Ham radio.
I Like the American and Japanese Ham Radios,
Gets good. Device turned on: 6:48
Thank you Sir for another great quality video. I must say Eric I'm studying my for my Ham license, because watching videos like yours others. It inspires me get on radio not just 11m. All the best from London. 73 26CT2997 😁🤘
Just ordered a G90 a few hours ago.
Got my G90 yesterday, and it's a fantastic little radio!
Eric,
What antenna did you use for this test? How about testing the general coverage radio part of this rig. It covers AM too. If it’s a “starter” rig for a new ham and functions well in the general coverage realm it would expose the Newbie to the other signals out there. Most of us old timers started out with general coverage radios and stumbled into ham radio by listening so this might be a good starter radio for the radio newbie/ham to be.
Dave K8WPE
His antenna is amazing I bet.
Really BadAim that’s what she said
I only have my technician's license. Studying for generals.
Good first radio to get just to listen? With an end fed antenna?
A NEW HF radio that can be bought for LESS than a USED HF radio???? Just can't wait!!!
Fascinating radio. Who says you need more than 20 watts to make contacts. Lol
@HamRadioConcepts, you, Josh (Ham Radio Crash Course) and Robert (Robert Nagy) have me sold on adding this radio to my 'inventory.' It has everything I'd like (waterfall; spectrum scope; SWR/antenna analyzer; ATU) in a small, affordable package. Add a power supply and an MFJ -2104 antenna system and my go kit will be well on its way. And I might be able to fit is all into the Apache 3800 case I already have instead of springing for a Road Case USA 6U unit. GOSH, I love this hobby!!
Great video
Great video, thank you
How is this radio for a noob…? Too busy or pretty user friendly…? I’d like to use this in a backcountry setup… thx
Great video.Is there any frequency drift on the radio?
Sounds good. Thanks for the video. 73
I was sitting here watching the video and I heard ALPHA GOLF 5 ZULU! And I was like hey thats Larry in Purvis! Hahah Another fine MS ham. Thanks for the review. I've been looking at these rigs for POTA/Camping or short trips. - K5OP
Question : If your tuning , on say the khz digit and hit nine will it roll the digit to the right up another number?
At 9:26 Filter Bandwidth adjustment is for RX only or TX/RX?
Eric are all of the buttons supposed to be illuminated, especially on the right hand side?
Hey men like your videos i got a ?? I got my eyes on g90 any idea in antenna for this radio because as i know antenna tunner on it its ok
A TUNNER is a TUNER here where I live because we have No Idea what a TUNNER is. LOL {:>)
Nice work if you can get it!.
Hey Eric, Xeigu just released a firmware update as of Nov. 3. I wonder if you have some time to take a look at it for improvements and feature updates. I'm really interested in this radio and contemplating asking Santa this year. Regular firmware updates is important to me. Thanks for your time. 73, John - NO0I
Hello From France Can you tell me how much cost this one , on your démo , and if we got the B L U blank
Looks like it might make a decent mobile HF setup. Though for that use, an FT-891 is only $100 more.
With the G90 you also get an ATU and antenna analyzer. If you are going man portable, that is extra stuff you don't have to carry. I actually own both the G90 and the FT 891. They both have their advantages/disadvantages.
Very good video, I too just ordered one. My XYL does know. HI
Hi Eric, fine review as usual, i always enjoy your videos :)
Just some nitpick stuff: at 11:15 and 11:47 (on 20m), i saw the SWR meter showing a higher level then back to normal, is this your antenna or the rig itself? 73, Chris ha7wx
a prety good solution for car mount !! thanks for this radio review !! sv2mke
I want one. Why did I stumble across this? I can't really afford it right now. But I want one. LOL
Update: Ok, I ordered one from MFJ. Hope I like it. Nice that I could buy one from a well known American company. :-)
When you're talking about the radio it would be nice to also have some power measurements, does the radio really give 20Watts eg. Great talk about the radio, tnx
If that radio had a Kenwood or yasue. Or icom sticker on it it would be three times the price that radio is a steal for the money
If you were new to Amateur radio and you where going to buy either X 5105 or X G90. What would you pick and why. Also I want one that I can go to parks etc... to setup.
My suggestion for a new ham is neither one of those UNLESS you are going to be only POTA and portable parks etc. QRP is a challenge, (Low power)
If I had to pick one of the two with the intent of home and park use, I'd opt for the G90.
1- not as expensive
2- 20 watts out vs 5 watts
3- no built in battery to eventually replace
The only advantages of the x5105 are:
1- size
2- half as much current consumed on receive (0.3 vs 0.6 Amps)
3- FM transmit and receive
4- 6 meters
It’s basically a rtl sdr inside. Probably 150$ to build lol. Looks cool for backpacking
It is absolutely not a rtl sdr inside.
This is a great little radio, I got mine a few months ago and use it with a 8.4 AH zippy LiFeP04 from Hobbyking and it's a perfect match.
Audio and receiver is a lot better than the X5105, the X5105 is great for portability though.
The tuner is great, it tunes my 5 band MK III EFHW from hyendcompany.nl on 160 meters and it's 20 meters long !
The reported TX Audio isn't great but that can be fixed with replacing 2 Capacitors on the MIC PCB, search the xiegug90 group on groups.io.
Current 1.72 FW now shows ALC on transmit.
So than what’s the answer ? The xiegu with the cute but tiny display and 20 watts or a used ICOM 706mkii with older tech ... but 100 watts ?
If you want 20+ year old technology, get a 706. I see used ones going for more than a new FT-891, crazy. I see this one at MFJ for 450.00, not bad for what it is.
This has a built in tuner, and no need for additional mechanical filters since it's SDR. Give and take I guess on features I guess.
GeoS I tend to agree about the 891. For some reason it doesn’t seem to get super respect out there but I love mine and I think that it may be the best of the lot amongst small portable field friendly rigs. Just my $0.02.
@@johnpeterson7264 I have seriously considered a FT-891 for portable, and that's about all I'd use it for. I've owned the KX3, KX2, FT817, etc but now prefer a bit more power out, and since I'm not out hiking anymore, the larger sizes don't matter. I agree the 891 is probably best but there is something about this little rig that intrigues me, lol.
@@geod3589 I have both the FT 891 and the G90. The G90 is a great travel/SOTA rig and a lot less weight than a FT891 with antenna tuner, bigger battery, ect.... But, if you need that extra punch the FT 891 can deliver. I would love to see a FT 891 with the features of the G90 though. SDR is the future.
It's a good video, congratulations
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How long could the battery last?
Do you think it is better than the FT-817, except for the battery and the display?
This one doesn't have a battery.
It consumes around . 6 amp on receive. Your battery mileage may vary.
When is the G90 vs IC 705 comparison?
don't lie to us you didn't have any gas $$$$$$ for the jet ski because you bought ham radios LOL
I am new to this. If I buy one of these.. what kind of antenna/set up would i need to make these kind of distance contacts.
Hi Eric, Great video as usual. I bought one but my scope line is not YELLOW. I do have the latest firmware, is there a way to change the color? Also, what antenna did you use? MY recieves seems to be deaf. Could be conditions. I am using a 1/4 wave ground mounted vertical in the yard.
UNBOXING RANT! Love it! FT8 is great for a few hours, but then it's time to move on with life, and to escape a mode that is increasingly encroaching on adjacent modes - apparently without care.
I'm looking at this radio right now. Can't decide whether to buy it or not. Sounds clean on the other videos.
de Mike NG2F (Fenton is my pseudonym. I write books for a living)
p.s. Are you in Fort Myers? Your call sounds very familiar. I suppose I could just look it up. Duh. Thanks for the review!
Does it have an integrated sound card?
Nope
I contacted a ham on the air; he was using this model. His transmit audio was very poor and his signal was very wide. If this is typical I don't know they got FCC type acceptance. I know this was only one example but make sure you know what you are getting.
Hi , does this model support digital modes?Did you try connect to PC? Thank you for your videos
Is MFJ also a factory authorized repair center if there is a problem with the G90? If not who and where are they?
73
Paul K1YOU
Any rig control software or speech synth options upgrades in the works? Great little radio...I'm one of your visually impaired subscribers and with all the new radios coming out of China, few of the HF rigs have the kind of voice prompts or speech feedback like most of the dual band handhelds do. Even just frequency and S-meter voice output would make it pretty accessible.
You can use rig control. I use Ham Radio Deluxe with it just fine.
The manual says to turn off the tuner function when xmitting, does anyone know what the ramifications are of leaving the tuner function on??