I just got one of these over the weekend and I love it. I'm using it as my main radio at the moment while my Yaseu is in the shop. I put up a half wave 40 meter inverted V, and nobody would have guessed that I was running a QRP radio if I didn't tell them.
Those trees at Tuskegee National Forest are beautiful. I love that you snagged that radio despite its reputation. Seems to me it works pretty good! Especially for beach days. AGC is still a novel idea to me if I’m headphones-in a number of my rigs obliterate my ears once a strong single comes in. For the price it does the job. 73 and great activation!
I agree, TNF has some awesome pines. The G106 definitely works! And for the price, I’d say it works really good. Fun little radio to play around with. Definitely not replacing my beloved 705 😂 73 my friend!
Nice contacts! Nice to see the G-106 in action. It's exactly what I'd expect for a $200 radio. I love tinkering with the underdog radios and milking them for all I can get out of them so, I may end up with one myself. 73!
How you can pull someone call letters out of a pile is a gift! I don't know how you do it! Congrats, DE NN2X CU on the Bands Aaron (Another great Video)
I bought one about 6 months ago because I didn't want to haul around a kx3 and was looking for an all mode, inexpensive, robust flip phone of a radio. I haven't been disappointed in the 106. As you pointed out, it's small and has a protective metal (steel) case. I find that the case is a great purchase for my magnetic based palm key. I like the bright display, readable in strong sun, loud audio and simple controls. It works great on FT8. After watching the Waters- Stanton review which showed power out of 10- 1# W, I verified that mine has the same power out Also the output apparently doesn't fold back power when the antenna is moderately mis matched, say around 2:1. It's now my field radio. Thanks for yoynice video.
It’s a good one! I think if more people took them out and used them on the air rather than comparing them to $1500 radios on a desk… there would be a lot more positive feedback on the G106 online. :) 73 & enjoy!
Hi Aaron, your videos are really interesting and really well done. I enjoy watching them. Fantastic how you master the CW. You have my absolute respect. I wish you and your family all the best and much success in your hobby. Greetings from Switzerland, Ferry HB9FEV.
I’ve got one. It’s small, simple, low coat, and easy to use. No color LCD to drain the battery. It’s a good rig for use with an AlexLoop. I’d recommend it to someone who’s new to portable CW and on a budget.
Always great videos, I have used a G106 for over a year when QRP and love it. I also have the X6100 but usually use the G106 in spite of having no Tuner.
Thanks for the video Aaron, I took a punt on a even smaller usdx + a while ago. Shocking on SSB (although I'm mainly a CW OP also) CW its quite good NB works well the BW filter isn't too bad either. Anyway thanks for the video I've always been curious on the G106 I might get one to leave in the car for when I go out portable in our parks in VK Cheers and 73
Nice little radio for the money! It is perfect for those times you want to go portable but don't want to take your more expensive equipment. Another tool in the toolbox. 73, Patrick KF4LMZ
Mornin and thanks Aaron - i was lookin at that lil sucker when my G90 calved (which Jim fixed for me - 2 extremely small resistors on the key jack were toast ) and is on its way back to me - anyway i contemplated one of these as opposed to a QCX series radio - i think ill save up for one just because thanks take care 73 dit dit
Great test Aaron, you put it to work and it sounded just like a normal portable radio with a couple issues. My KX3 can overload on AGC and have a crap speaker too and that radio is no worse you just have to be aware and ready with the volume control. Does my head in watching your CW with Dash on the thumb I like dots on my thumb which can be useful if you want to use a bug key. Good work regards Ian vk5cz ..
I agree! It does everything that it’s supposed to do. Not a bad little radio. I know I key weird 😂 I can key the other way, it just doesn’t feel natural. 73!
Heard you this morning while I was mobile on 20. You had a little pile up so I waited. Next thing I knew you were QRT. Missed my chance. I’ll catch one of these days. I’m usually mobile in the morning times and have to send and drive. W3DSW
Yeah, I’ve made some good contacts on mine. 10 minutes max to setup and start calling. Mad CW skills.. Mine is pretty aweful but I still keep at it. 73
New to ham, and learning the code now to be able to activate some of the local parks on the CW mode. But am curious as to what do you do in regards to you logging? Do you log each qso at the time using your phone or after getting home do you log them and then upload the adrift file to the website? Thinking of using one of the scaled back logging apps for just my POTA activations when I get to that point to make it easier to upload quickly.
Welcome to the hobby and excellent on learning CW! It’s very rewarding and fun. For logging, I log on paper while I’m activating. Once I get home, I type the log into a program called “Fast Log Entry” by DF3CB because it’s super fast for data entry. I then export the log file and upload it to QRZ, LOTW, and POTA. That’s just the way I like to do it. There are also several good portable logging apps like Ham2K Portable Logger and HamRS that are good for logging while activating. I’ve tried many ways and landed on the way I do it now, it’s just a matter of personal preference. 73!
I've never seen an AGC take that amount of time to kick in. Matter of fact the process is so fast as to be transparent with any other rig I've used. It's a software radio and you'd think that problem could be fixed with an update. Making the most of a design flaw, why not think of it as an alarm for when you get drowsy. With the volume set for regular listening, the first few notes will make sure you are awake.
Agreed, the AGC is my one real complaint about the radio. I’ll have to check what the QSK breakin speed is set to. Probably 150ms? I can’t remember off the top of my head. 73!
At least one of us has gotten used to it! hihi Actually, sending the new one is starting to finally become automatic. Interestingly, I have observed that a lot of folks bust the N for a K. I've taken to trying to put a bigger space in between the N and 4, which seems to help. That AGC/volume step changing thing on the G106 is strange (as in, BAD). I use headphones or earbuds most of the time in the field and I think my eardrums would be broken after one activation...
Although he is sending good cw, he is not actually keying iambicly, he is keying as though it is a single lever paddle. I can't get past the fact that he is using a nine to sixteen Volt radio on five Volts. I would have never thought that it would never fire up on Five Volts. Ron W4BIN
Good observation on my single paddle keying style! I wish someone would make a portable single paddle that I liked. As far as voltage, it’s 12 volts. USB C Power Delivery (PD) is a protocol that uses USB C, but has variable voltage output. In this case, I’m using a cable that triggers the battery to deliver 12V exactly. It’s super convenient for QRP rigs. 73!
@@AndrewMurphy8383 so true brother. Although miracles do happen. One time I forgot to disconnect my antenna when turning off the radio and some lady 35 yards away got pregnant. She sued me for child support. It's just ridiculous!
@@w4arb I knew it! I keep thinking you live in KY - yes, Alabama definitely has beaches. My former boss lives in Orange Beach. Heard you yesterday morning at 7 & 14 meters. Not good enough yet to QSO.
Indeed, "thank you" in Mandarin is xie xie, pronounced sh(e)ay sh(e)ay, meaning just a bit of hard "e" in there, but it really depends on where you are in China (according to my listening for differences while traveling over there...). So, I aways assumed that it was pronounced very similar to how your daughter says it. Even shay-goo would be closer than "Zy-goo". I think Aaron should try to make a video interviewing the CEO of Xiegu where the only purpose of the interview is to have him pronounce the name. Big clicks on that one! ha...
I just got one of these over the weekend and I love it. I'm using it as my main radio at the moment while my Yaseu is in the shop. I put up a half wave 40 meter inverted V, and nobody would have guessed that I was running a QRP radio if I didn't tell them.
QRP does the job! Glad to hear it’s working out well for you. 73!
Those trees at Tuskegee National Forest are beautiful. I love that you snagged that radio despite its reputation. Seems to me it works pretty good! Especially for beach days. AGC is still a novel idea to me if I’m headphones-in a number of my rigs obliterate my ears once a strong single comes in. For the price it does the job. 73 and great activation!
I agree, TNF has some awesome pines. The G106 definitely works! And for the price, I’d say it works really good. Fun little radio to play around with. Definitely not replacing my beloved 705 😂 73 my friend!
Agc is not really needed does it makes life easy yes needed maybe
@w4arb I am looking at getting the g106. What is the voltage need to power it
@@w4arbthose are souther pines different than pine
I’m not sure off of the top of my head. It should be listed in the specs on any retailer’s page that sells it. 73!
Nice contacts! Nice to see the G-106 in action. It's exactly what I'd expect for a $200 radio. I love tinkering with the underdog radios and milking them for all I can get out of them so, I may end up with one myself. 73!
Agreed! It’s fun to play with and does exactly what it’s supposed to. Certainly not fancy, but it makes contacts! 73
How you can pull someone call letters out of a pile is a gift! I don't know how you do it! Congrats, DE NN2X CU on the Bands Aaron (Another great Video)
Thank you! Practice and luck 😂 73
I agree!
I bought one about 6 months ago because I didn't want to haul around a kx3 and was looking for an all mode, inexpensive, robust flip phone of a radio. I haven't been disappointed in the 106. As you pointed out, it's small and has a protective metal (steel) case. I find that the case is a great purchase for my magnetic based palm key. I like the bright display, readable in strong sun, loud audio and simple controls. It works great on FT8. After watching the Waters- Stanton review which showed power out of 10- 1# W, I verified that mine has the same power out Also the output apparently doesn't fold back power when the antenna is moderately mis matched, say around 2:1. It's now my field radio. Thanks for yoynice video.
It’s a good one! I think if more people took them out and used them on the air rather than comparing them to $1500 radios on a desk… there would be a lot more positive feedback on the G106 online. :) 73 & enjoy!
Hi Aaron, your videos are really interesting and really well done. I enjoy watching them. Fantastic how you master the CW. You have my absolute respect. I wish you and your family all the best and much success in your hobby. Greetings from Switzerland, Ferry HB9FEV.
Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate you watching. 73
I’ve got one. It’s small, simple, low coat, and easy to use. No color LCD to drain the battery. It’s a good rig for use with an AlexLoop. I’d recommend it to someone who’s new to portable CW and on a budget.
I agree with you! Great little radio for what it is. It doesn’t advertise to be anything it’s not. I’ll have to try it with my AlexLoop soon. 73!
Another great video Aaron and thanks for the demo of the G106. Makes me feel better about my purchase lol
Thank you sir! Take it out & have fun, it makes the contacts happen! 73
@@w4arb I will be using it this Sunday "Flight of the Bumble Bee"
Always great videos, I have used a G106 for over a year when QRP and love it. I also have the X6100 but usually use the G106 in spite of having no Tuner.
It does the job quite well! There’s something endearing about its simplicity. 73!
Making it look easy my friend.
Hah! Keeping it simple & makin QSOs, that’s what it’s about for me! 73
This video made me a subscriber!
Thank you for watching & subscribing! 73
Thanks for the video Aaron, I took a punt on a even smaller usdx + a while ago. Shocking on SSB (although I'm mainly a CW OP also) CW its quite good NB works well the BW filter isn't too bad either. Anyway thanks for the video I've always been curious on the G106 I might get one to leave in the car for when I go out portable in our parks in VK Cheers and 73
It’s a neat little radio and does what it’s supposed to do. 73!
Nice little radio for the money! It is perfect for those times you want to go portable but don't want to take your more expensive equipment. Another tool in the toolbox. 73, Patrick KF4LMZ
Absolutely. It’s great for what it is. 73 my friend & thanks for the contact!!
Mornin and thanks Aaron - i was lookin at that lil sucker when my G90 calved (which Jim fixed for me - 2 extremely small resistors on the key jack were toast ) and is on its way back to me - anyway i contemplated one of these as opposed to a QCX series radio - i think ill save up for one just because thanks take care 73 dit dit
For a cheap QRP radio, it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Fun to play with. 73 my friend!
@@w4arb thanks for ur thots 73
Great test Aaron, you put it to work and it sounded just like a normal portable radio with a couple issues. My KX3 can overload on AGC and have a crap speaker too and that radio is no worse you just have to be aware and ready with the volume control. Does my head in watching your CW with Dash on the thumb I like dots on my thumb which can be useful if you want to use a bug key. Good work regards Ian vk5cz ..
I agree! It does everything that it’s supposed to do. Not a bad little radio. I know I key weird 😂 I can key the other way, it just doesn’t feel natural. 73!
Heard you this morning while I was mobile on 20. You had a little pile up so I waited. Next thing I knew you were QRT. Missed my chance. I’ll catch one of these days. I’m usually mobile in the morning times and have to send and drive. W3DSW
Sorry about that! Hope to catch you next time. Throw a /M on the end, that always seems to catch my attention in a pileup :) 73!
Yeah, I’ve made some good contacts on mine. 10 minutes max to setup and start calling. Mad CW skills.. Mine is pretty aweful but I still keep at it. 73
It does what it’s supposed to do quite well! I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Thank you & 73!
Seems like the AGC is reacting slowly at the beginning, the CW keying is not that bad. For the price it works fairly well. Nice video
Yep, I agree! It’s honestly better than I expected given the price. Totally useable field rig.
New to ham, and learning the code now to be able to activate some of the local parks on the CW mode. But am curious as to what do you do in regards to you logging? Do you log each qso at the time using your phone or after getting home do you log them and then upload the adrift file to the website? Thinking of using one of the scaled back logging apps for just my POTA activations when I get to that point to make it easier to upload quickly.
Welcome to the hobby and excellent on learning CW! It’s very rewarding and fun. For logging, I log on paper while I’m activating. Once I get home, I type the log into a program called “Fast Log Entry” by DF3CB because it’s super fast for data entry. I then export the log file and upload it to QRZ, LOTW, and POTA. That’s just the way I like to do it. There are also several good portable logging apps like Ham2K Portable Logger and HamRS that are good for logging while activating. I’ve tried many ways and landed on the way I do it now, it’s just a matter of personal preference. 73!
Can you turn off the AGC and back off the RF gain?
Unfortunately, the AGC is fixed. No way to turn it off or adjust it. Really is my only complaint about the radio’s usability
What about the RF gain?
@tonystephen6312 There is NO RF gain control other than turning on off the Pre-Amp.Ron W4BIN
I've never seen an AGC take that amount of time to kick in. Matter of fact the process is so fast as to be transparent with any other rig I've used. It's a software radio and you'd think that problem could be fixed with an update. Making the most of a design flaw, why not think of it as an alarm for when you get drowsy. With the volume set for regular listening, the first few notes will make sure you are awake.
Hah!! That’s a good way to think of it. Agreed though, you’d think it would be an easy fix.
@@w4arb Xiegu is good about listening to feedback and then sending out updates with fixes. Maybe they will address this issue soon.
What was the name of the battery aging
It’s an Energy Cube, there’s a link directly to it in the video description. 73!
@@w4arb thanks aaron
Hi Aaron I just got a g106, the agc thing is very annoying. Wonder what QSK timeout you are using? 73 Steve MW0SAW
Agreed, the AGC is my one real complaint about the radio. I’ll have to check what the QSK breakin speed is set to. Probably 150ms? I can’t remember off the top of my head. 73!
Would be nice to know ur talking and what is said
I’m not sure I understand what you mean
At least one of us has gotten used to it! hihi Actually, sending the new one is starting to finally become automatic. Interestingly, I have observed that a lot of folks bust the N for a K. I've taken to trying to put a bigger space in between the N and 4, which seems to help. That AGC/volume step changing thing on the G106 is strange (as in, BAD). I use headphones or earbuds most of the time in the field and I think my eardrums would be broken after one activation...
I dig the new call! And yeah, that’s the only big complaint I have with the G106. It’s been fun to play with though. We will see how long I keep it 😂
Nice one Aaron
73 Rob G3RCE
TU & 73!
I like mine but if I had to give up all but one of my Xiegu I would keep my my g90
I can understand! The G90 is a very versatile radio. I had one a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.
Although he is sending good cw, he is not actually keying iambicly, he is keying as though it is a single lever paddle.
I can't get past the fact that he is using a nine to sixteen Volt radio on five Volts.
I would have never thought that it would never fire up on Five Volts. Ron W4BIN
Good observation on my single paddle keying style! I wish someone would make a portable single paddle that I liked. As far as voltage, it’s 12 volts. USB C Power Delivery (PD) is a protocol that uses USB C, but has variable voltage output. In this case, I’m using a cable that triggers the battery to deliver 12V exactly. It’s super convenient for QRP rigs. 73!
We won't mention any names here but it only has a bad reputation due to MIKIE and his one word vocabulary!!!
🫢
CRAP! And that's only cuz they didn't give him a roll of free M&P to go along with it!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You should turn the power off be for disconnect ant
It doesn’t hurt anything unless transmitting
@w4arb it not habit I would want to get in and I takes one time that you forgot
@@AndrewMurphy8383 so true brother. Although miracles do happen. One time I forgot to disconnect my antenna when turning off the radio and some lady 35 yards away got pregnant. She sued me for child support. It's just ridiculous!
You have beaches there in KY? I think you put the stain there on purpose for the girls to look at your guns.
😂 yep, that’s what it was for! I live in Alabama and we have a few beaches 73!
@@w4arb I knew it! I keep thinking you live in KY - yes, Alabama definitely has beaches. My former boss lives in Orange Beach. Heard you yesterday morning at 7 & 14 meters. Not good enough yet to QSO.
My daughter is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. She says XIEGU is pronounced “She-a-goo.”
Very interesting! I was quite far off from the correct pronunciation. Thanks for sharing!
Indeed, "thank you" in Mandarin is xie xie, pronounced sh(e)ay sh(e)ay, meaning just a bit of hard "e" in there, but it really depends on where you are in China (according to my listening for differences while traveling over there...). So, I aways assumed that it was pronounced very similar to how your daughter says it. Even shay-goo would be closer than "Zy-goo". I think Aaron should try to make a video interviewing the CEO of Xiegu where the only purpose of the interview is to have him pronounce the name. Big clicks on that one! ha...