My G90 has done 110 activations and over 7000 QSOs and I love it. About 90%/10% CW/SSB with an EFHW or WRC. I don't have a fan on it, but would if I were to do FT8. I just keep it elevated in the front to allow airflow, and try to avoid setting it up in direct sun. No problems so far! KC5F
Retired on a fixed income and a budget. The G-90 fit that bill and the performance exceeds the price point. Would I prefer to buy American? Yes. Can I afford American? Not unless i go back to work.
With my G-90, I've hit Russia with a chameleon F-Loop from my QTH in Georgia. I've also reached southern Chile, St. Helena, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan with my MFJ EFHW LP antenna from my apartment so it definitely works. And that was before this Solar Cycle began to take off
The G90 has been my POTA radio for the past year, in my opinion it’s a great portable HF radio. I’ve used homemade stereo wire dipoles, efhw, ham sticks, and a wolf river coil mega mini, all work great with this radio. 20w and 10w not much difference, I’m on the east coast and I can easily hit California and Spain. KO4LLB
I don't know how Xiegu had the forsight to anticipate the exponential growth in SOTA and POTA creating world-wide demand for small portable HF radios, but they have definitely nailed that market! KZ9V
I had a G90 that I took on POTA activations, but it was not as practical for field use like my IC 705 was. I have a Xiegu X6100 now, and it's been on a dozen activations, and works great. It's only 10 watts, but like you mention in your video the secret is the antenna. I use a EFHW and it's resonant on 40, 20, 15, 17 and 10 meters using the spark plug EFHW.
@@RaiderDonnie great question. For backpack POTA/SOTA activations, the advantage of the X6100 is a built in ATU if using random wire antennas. The IC 705 is an awesome field radio, but I don't need DStar, UHF/VHF and if I would need a ATU, it's another wire and external ATU to lug around.
@@BikingHikingRadio I appreciate the information! I really wanted the 705 just because I was afraid the 6100 was going to be quirky and not have great audio quality on rx/tx. I think I will take your advice and go with the 6100. Hope to catch you on the air soon! De KC3EZP
@@RaiderDonnie no problem. I think 90% of the x6100 owners are very satisfied with the radio. It's the others who are the most vocal about any issues, which for me are minor. When I first got it in December, you couldn't transmit CW from memory slots. That was fixed in the next release and haven't had any complaints since. Look for you on the air!
I just received my BEAUTIFUL antenna today, and love your channel. This video is helpful for me, its on sale and about to make the purchase! It is 200.00 less listed at HRO than the price referenced in this video. Thank you for your videos!!!!
Check out TH-cam for Kevin K0KLB a farmer amateur radio operator from Iowa that uses a G90 from 1 to 5 watts. He uses very unusual antennas like silos, grain augers and dumpsters as antennas and makes solid contacts across the US and Canada. He just posted a POTA activation using a ladder and later a MFJ-1979 whip antenna.
@@8vRocco I was hoping to catch him on 40 but the same thing, I live too close to him. I am in SW MN. I need to tune into an internet SDR to see if I can catch him.
G90 great little radio. Don’t need a great antenna because the tuner is amazing. I do run with a SOTA Beams 20/40 which is resonant. Fun subject guy’s. KD2LMR
I have amazing success with a Hamstick and my G90…when I call CQ POTA. If I’m hunting at home or while I’m activating, competing with a pile of hunters that are running power, it’s marginally adequate- you might get lucky and get an activator that just started calling CQ, or their pile-up dwindled.
I really like my G90. I did a POTA activation with an EFHW and activated with park to park QSOs alone. I got the stand that xiegu makes and with that running I can do FT8 without any temp issues. For what I paid, I'm very happy. That being said, my next radio will need to have an auto notch filter and digital noise reduction (2 features lacking in the G90).
The feature that I miss most on my G-90 is pre-stored voice and CW messaging. For POTA activations and occasional contesting a few frequently used pre-stored messages would be tremendously helpful. KZ9V
I have G90 for a half year right now. Nice little radio with many functionalities, tuner works great. The signal spectrum is not perfect as the filters are rather soft. When you use an amplifier ( 200W in my case ) the waterfall on the recipient side is going to reveal the filters inefficiency.
The Xiegu (RADIODDITY) cooling fan (G90-H1) for the G90 does work great. There is a tiny sensor pad on the fan unit that "senses" the G90 Heat and the fan speeds up if needed. This cooling unit also has "legs" that tilt the G90 up at an angle. As far as I can see, the fan produces no EMI/RFI when operating. I added a small lamp cord switch to the Anderson power feed line of the Fan ON/OFF so I can turn it on or off easily to conserve battery power in the field. In my experience, the G90 does not get HOT when just listening. Art W1SWL
The G90 is fine for POTA. When I was re-licensed in 2020 I started with a G90. The problem with the G90 is support. It it breaks there isn't a lot you can do for it. It will cost more to fix it than it cost to buy the radio.
For a very small portable radio, Xiegu packed an incredible amount of vital information into that small color display. I wish my FT-891 displayed even half of what my G-90 shows me... KZ9V
I kind of felt the same way when I bought my first Yaesu (Japanese) rig back in 1975. Here we are almost 50 years later, and the foreign supply chain disruptions have become real. We all wish there were more viable American made alternatives.
@@davewhite7679 put a cheap color screen on a cheap radio and Hams will flock to it. All these Chinese marketed all mode HF QRP radios have stand by current draw up to four times more than what a KX2 pulls on standby. These cheap rigs are QRP in output power only. Ok for a partial day with dragging a sizable battery. Multi day with no recharge not so good.
I own both, use both, and love both. They each have their advantages. The reasons some prefer the G-90 are - * The front panel display is WAY more useful. * The front panel controls are WAY more user friendly. * Great built-in antenna tuner (ATU). * Built-in SWR sweep feature. * The recieve mode current draw is only half of the FT-891. * It's $200 less expensive. * It's smaller, lighter, and easier to pack. KZ9V
I've worked stations today in the US and Canada from the UK during the ARRL Int Phone Contest with my G90 wound down to 10w on 40m, 15m and 10m, and that's through a fan dipole mounted indoors in my loft/attic. Anyone using a G90 with its full 20w outdoors on a POTA activation will have a blast and definitely make contacts! M7TDV
My G90 has done 110 activations and over 7000 QSOs and I love it. About 90%/10% CW/SSB with an EFHW or WRC. I don't have a fan on it, but would if I were to do FT8. I just keep it elevated in the front to allow airflow, and try to avoid setting it up in direct sun. No problems so far! KC5F
While resonant antennas are always best, the tuner on that thing is superb. It tunes up just about anything. Incredible bang for the buck.
I love my G90. Contacts from New Zealand, Australia, Russia, and Europe as well as Chile, All from WI. The antenna makes the radio.
Retired on a fixed income and a budget. The G-90 fit that bill and the performance exceeds the price point. Would I prefer to buy American? Yes. Can I afford American? Not unless i go back to work.
With my G-90, I've hit Russia with a chameleon F-Loop from my QTH in Georgia. I've also reached southern Chile, St. Helena, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan with my MFJ EFHW LP antenna from my apartment so it definitely works. And that was before this Solar Cycle began to take off
The G90 has been my POTA radio for the past year, in my opinion it’s a great portable HF radio. I’ve used homemade stereo wire dipoles, efhw, ham sticks, and a wolf river coil mega mini, all work great with this radio. 20w and 10w not much difference, I’m on the east coast and I can easily hit California and Spain. KO4LLB
I don't know how Xiegu had the forsight to anticipate the exponential growth in SOTA and POTA creating world-wide demand for small portable HF radios, but they have definitely nailed that market!
KZ9V
I had a G90 that I took on POTA activations, but it was not as practical for field use like my IC 705 was. I have a Xiegu X6100 now, and it's been on a dozen activations, and works great. It's only 10 watts, but like you mention in your video the secret is the antenna. I use a EFHW and it's resonant on 40, 20, 15, 17 and 10 meters using the spark plug EFHW.
How do you like your 6100 compared to the 705? I really want a 705 but will the 6100 be a better choice for backpacking activations for POTA and SOTA?
@@RaiderDonnie great question. For backpack POTA/SOTA activations, the advantage of the X6100 is a built in ATU if using random wire antennas. The IC 705 is an awesome field radio, but I don't need DStar, UHF/VHF and if I would need a ATU, it's another wire and external ATU to lug around.
@@BikingHikingRadio I appreciate the information! I really wanted the 705 just because I was afraid the 6100 was going to be quirky and not have great audio quality on rx/tx. I think I will take your advice and go with the 6100. Hope to catch you on the air soon! De KC3EZP
@@RaiderDonnie no problem. I think 90% of the x6100 owners are very satisfied with the radio. It's the others who are the most vocal about any issues, which for me are minor. When I first got it in December, you couldn't transmit CW from memory slots. That was fixed in the next release and haven't had any complaints since. Look for you on the air!
I love my G-90, but if the new X6100 really does everything that they claim, that's probably my preference now.
KZ9V
I use a G90 and a FT891 for my POTA. Both are great. Thanks for your channel.
I just received my BEAUTIFUL antenna today, and love your channel. This video is helpful for me, its on sale and about to make the purchase! It is 200.00 less listed at HRO than the price referenced in this video. Thank you for your videos!!!!
I have had my eye on a G90. Thanks.
I've worked Europe with the G90 and a Super Antenna
Check out TH-cam for Kevin K0KLB a farmer amateur radio operator from Iowa that uses a G90 from 1 to 5 watts. He uses very unusual antennas like silos, grain augers and dumpsters as antennas and makes solid contacts across the US and Canada. He just posted a POTA activation using a ladder and later a MFJ-1979 whip antenna.
His stuff is great. I'm surprised I still haven't heard him and I live about an hour or so from Kevin.
@@8vRocco I was hoping to catch him on 40 but the same thing, I live too close to him. I am in SW MN. I need to tune into an internet SDR to see if I can catch him.
G90 great little radio. Don’t need a great antenna because the tuner is amazing. I do run with a SOTA Beams 20/40 which is resonant. Fun subject guy’s. KD2LMR
I have amazing success with a Hamstick and my G90…when I call CQ POTA. If I’m hunting at home or while I’m activating, competing with a pile of hunters that are running power, it’s marginally adequate- you might get lucky and get an activator that just started calling CQ, or their pile-up dwindled.
I really like my G90. I did a POTA activation with an EFHW and activated with park to park QSOs alone. I got the stand that xiegu makes and with that running I can do FT8 without any temp issues. For what I paid, I'm very happy. That being said, my next radio will need to have an auto notch filter and digital noise reduction (2 features lacking in the G90).
The feature that I miss most on my G-90 is pre-stored voice and CW messaging. For POTA activations and occasional contesting a few frequently used pre-stored messages would be tremendously helpful.
KZ9V
Great video. Nice to hear some on SSB approve.
I have G90 for a half year right now. Nice little radio with many functionalities, tuner works great. The signal spectrum is not perfect as the filters are rather soft. When you use an amplifier ( 200W in my case ) the waterfall on the recipient side is going to reveal the filters inefficiency.
I have one, no extras. Based on your talk, maybe turn down the power to 10 and have that resonant antenna.
You'll be fine at 20 watts if you pay attention to the duty cycle of the radio. If it is getting hot, let it cool for a bit.
The Xiegu (RADIODDITY) cooling fan (G90-H1) for the G90 does work great. There is a tiny sensor pad on the fan unit that "senses" the G90 Heat and the fan speeds up if needed. This cooling unit also has "legs" that tilt the G90 up at an angle. As far as I can see, the fan produces no EMI/RFI when operating. I added a small lamp cord switch to the Anderson power feed line of the Fan ON/OFF so I can turn it on or off easily to conserve battery power in the field. In my experience, the G90 does not get HOT when just listening. Art W1SWL
It isn't easy sometimes but I have hunted successfully with my G90 several times.
Newbie here. What do you mean hunted?
@@anonymous_friend Hunted means you are at the other end (i.e. home) of an activator who is in a park making contacts.
G90’s tuner can literally tune a fence. I’ve done it!😎
Fence, rain gutter, trash can, anything.
I POTA hunt with my G90 all the time. It may take a little skill and persistence, but if I can hear them I can work them. I have a Hustler 6BTV here.
I've been spending more time working QRP and I've found that lower power levels really make you think about the efficiency of your antenna system.
Tnx for the video. Question: Do you need the cooling fan if you run CW? 73
The G90 is fine for POTA. When I was re-licensed in 2020 I started with a G90. The problem with the G90 is support. It it breaks there isn't a lot you can do for it. It will cost more to fix it than it cost to buy the radio.
Love my G90. Mag mount on the roof, mobile whip, and UK into Alaska. What's not to like?
I wish it has a bigger screen.
I have the first gen cooling fan - it will bite you as there is no guard to protect your fingers ! The display is pretty dang small de K8MH
Right, instead of a cooling fan maybe a magnifying screen.
For a very small portable radio, Xiegu packed an incredible amount of vital information into that small color display. I wish my FT-891 displayed even half of what my G-90 shows me...
KZ9V
I use my 5w G1M to activate when I can
My G,90 works great
In a dozen or so years, your choice for a Ham Radio will be limited Chinese stuff.
I kind of felt the same way when I bought my first Yaesu (Japanese) rig back in 1975. Here we are almost 50 years later, and the foreign supply chain disruptions have become real. We all wish there were more viable American made alternatives.
@@davewhite7679 put a cheap color screen on a cheap radio and Hams will flock to it. All these Chinese marketed all mode HF QRP radios have stand by current draw up to four times more than what a KX2 pulls on standby. These cheap rigs are QRP in output power only. Ok for a partial day with dragging a sizable battery. Multi day with no recharge not so good.
I can't speak for the KX2, but the stand-by current draw of the G-90 is only half of the popular FT-891.
@@davewhite7679 my KX2 receive draws about .14 to .15 amps. I think the G90 may draw between .4 to .5 amps
Ah, Xiegu G90, the Baofeng of HF. 😀
As always thank you for sharing.
73
VU3TBU
The FT-891 is $639. I don't understand why anyone would buy a G90.
I own both, use both, and love both. They each have their advantages. The reasons some prefer the G-90 are -
* The front panel display is WAY more useful.
* The front panel controls are WAY more user friendly.
* Great built-in antenna tuner (ATU).
* Built-in SWR sweep feature.
* The recieve mode current draw is only half of the FT-891.
* It's $200 less expensive.
* It's smaller, lighter, and easier to pack.
KZ9V
@@davewhite7679 Also, it's $200 less expensive.
Sigh... it's pronounced "she-eh gu".
I've worked stations today in the US and Canada from the UK during the ARRL Int Phone Contest with my G90 wound down to 10w on 40m, 15m and 10m, and that's through a fan dipole mounted indoors in my loft/attic. Anyone using a G90 with its full 20w outdoors on a POTA activation will have a blast and definitely make contacts! M7TDV