Xiegu X6100 Follow up, They Fixed it! And Review
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- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- Last week I went hands on with the Xiegu X6100. It was an early production model and had some issues. Today I have a final retail production unit (The one shipping to buyers) and I can say, almost all my issues have been resolved.
You can find the X6100 here: radioddity.refr.cc/hoshnasi
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0:00 Intro
0:95 What is working and what is not?
2:55 Power draw test (Charging off)
4:25 Power output test on batteries
5:55 "Apps" menu working
8:15 Voice Memo recording and playback
11:15 CW Relay QSK
13:40 Sound quality
14:00 Mic control issues
17:25 Power drain on receive & Backlight control
20:05 My thoughts, should you buy it? 
Наука
Note: some report that the selected USB port for CAT control can work with the lower number port or the higher. Try both until one works.
I will not buy a 705 on purpose just to piss off Icom and to have the 6100 sell more than the 705. The 705 price tag is just completely stupid expensive.
for me it will stay on the store shelf as I would rather buy the 6100 just because of the price.
It's good to see they are making improvements. Thank you for the video Josh!
Great Video mine arriving today in the mail cant wait. Like a kid excited !! Thanks
Excellent review.
Nice set of vids so far Josh - I have a 705 and a 6100 - they both have functions I will never use. For the functions I use - they both do the same job. Everyone has different needs and operating styles - understanding what you need and use is the first step in deciding what to buy.
so basically Mat you're better of with the X6100 ?
@@on6uufrank sort of - the 705 is a shack in a box and covers all bands I would use - the 6100 is HF/50 and so I would need one of my HT as well to complete the station. I am still deciding my final kit list - but probably the 705 will stay in the shack and the 6100 will go outside - as I generally use the MPAS 2 the internal tuner in the 6100 means I don't have to lug another bit of kit and more interconnect wires - I also use a EFHW when I have space/trees - I am still to do the total current draw testing on both setups to determine if the external/internal tuner makes any real difference. Until they update the firmware and get some of the other bits working and tidy up the apparent quality control, I would probably not recommend this to (1) very picky users (2) inexperienced users (3) new hams - but the price point is very good when things like wifi/bluetooth are fixed
Great video, Hope mine gets here tomorrow❗️
Nice video clip to watch, keep it up, thank you :)
Thanks Josh. I have the G90 and just ordered the X6100 yesterday. I couldn't see spending twice the money for a 705 but lose the AT. Buying one separately just further ups the cost of the 705 package.
My main concern with all these Chicom radios is the potential built in "back door". Given they are the leading chipset manufacturers. They could really do a number on us during a moment of initial aggression.
Thank you for the video as always great content . Just wanted to post a comment on the missing WiFi Bluetooth. I reached out to support at Radioddity and this is what I received.
Hey Tony,
Glad you finally received the radio. Please allow me to explain clearly to you about the missing function.
The vendor tested that these two features were available during mass prototype testing, but inevitably there was a lag when making multiple connections, so we left them open in the first batch of radios for now.
However, we expect to update the stable version of the firmware in January to make these two features available, so sorry for the wait.
Cheers,
Jackie
Radioddity Support Team
I Guess its worth the wait. Thought I would share.
And that is the difference between buying an undeveloped "beta radio" like the X6100 and the ICOM 705. Yes, you spend more money on the ICOM, but it covers all bands, the WIFI actually works and it has the best interface in the business. It depends how patient you want to be waiting for the Xiegu to get it's 10th firmware update in order to get all the previously advertised features.
Amazing presentation. Thanks
It looks great for the money. I think other radios in it's "class," like most radios made by the big radio manufacturers are ridiculously overpriced, and I love seeing less expensive competition. It's a shame it doesn't have 2m and 70cm. I'd love having an affordable single radio that I can chuck in a bag and walk or drive to the park with do everything from 20m data modes to 2m SSB.
Compared to 20 years ago, the prices are insanely cheap for the level of quality and capability. You can enter the hobby on any budget and nobody else will know what you spent by listening.
With all due respect most radios made by the big companies are equal in price to a flagship phone a decent laptop computer or a nice big TV. But will outlive all of the above. Your phone is obsolete every two to four years your laptop is obsolete in maybe five the TV give you the TV and I think I'm out some new technology but your radio your radio you can keep years is people still running around with Yaesu ft-817 and ft-859d they stopped making both of those
What a Icom 7300 does for the price is crazy. A grand and you will have it 20 years from now. That's my point. The cell phone you will not. My Anytone dual band is awesome at a hundred bucks. It's a great time to be a ham.
Check out the QR-20 from Radioddity. 160-70cm sdr, qrp.
@@recoblade1465 that obsolete thingy you are talking about is mostly with Apple, because they want people to buy their phones every year.
Ive had my Android Nexus 5 since it came out and still use it daily as a work phone, and my newest 2022 phone as a personal phone. Just saying 😉
I really wanted to love the 6100. I bought it just over 6 mo ago. Tried to get it to do ft8 (I followed the instructions and other RUclipsrs) with no luck -- no transmit signal.
Then a few weeks later the receiver simply stopped working.
Now when I plug in the power supply to operate, nothing happens.
I'm so discouraged. I'm thinking of just sending it back to Radioditty and telling them just to keep it.
I can't afford an Icom 705.
Great video, glad they’re working on improvements! What is that paddle you used for the CW demo? Reminds me of the TeNeKe, would be cool to have actual paddles.
It is a Palm paddle, they've gone out of business, superb paddle, shame they stopped
As with the G90, the mic has a rubber membrane covering the microphone element. This makes the voice sound muffled. Take the mic apart and then punch/drill a hole in the membrane and the mic will work much better. I also packed the mic housing with dense foam to eliminate any potential resonant effects.
Interesting, I have never received any reports of my voice being muffled on my G90!
While I know this video is 1 year old, You mentioned the swr scan being too wide, Not sure if you noticed but the same SWR meter that shows up during transmit will also swing to give you a lkittle more detail on what the swr is during the scan.
I love my X6100, Keep the videos coming Josh !
When you were testing the X6100, did you experience any problems with the vol/sql/rfg control?
Curious to know your opinion of the display while outside and in direct sunlight? My opinion with regard to the 10:1 SWR range, it’s welcomed. Such a scale is helpful when using various lengths of wire in a remote location, and to see just how far off the mathematical guesstimate is without bringing additional equipment. For more precise readings into the tenths place, the NanoVNA works well.
Thanks for covering this radio. I’m sure many will not be disappointed in their investment, or lack of further interest, because of your candid review.
I’m about to box this up and ship it, but I’ll take it outside and snap a picture in full sunlight.
The 705 does well in direct sunlight as it seems to get brighter. But I’ll do a side by side and share it. 👍
Interesting on the swr. When. In the field with a resonant antenna I’d rather had more range on 3:1 space. Higher is fine, but give me more granularity down low to avoid needing more gear in the field.
Was it the remote battery for your camera that was dead? Always love the bloopers at the end!
Yep
great because I can save the money for the IC 705 if the 6100 also does its job 😉
Josh, this is Max with AMCON,we're having an EXPO 2/18-20/22 in Perry, Ga. Come see us.
I just got one. It doesn't have VHF, UHF, DStar. And it's nearly 1/3 the cost of the ic 705. Vers. 116 FW was just released Nov. 2nd.
Hello.
Have you tried how it receives and transmits on AM and FM?
I just received the equipment and I have opened it for the CB27 band and when I use FM they receive me well but I receive with a lot of distortion and in AM they neither receive me well nor do I receive well.
I love Esraradio but it does very strange things.
Thank you.
Actually looks like a very good radio. It has only one fault, the gazillion gazillion menu settings and the sub, sub sub menu levels. I guess the KISS principle goes out the windows as time marches on, but we still have the venerable G90.
When recording the voice message the audio on the meter in the recording app looked a bit low - but when tx'ing it, the power meter maxed out - suggesting that the audio had been automatically compressed before being sent. Is there compressed mic audio when tx'ing normally? Would be nice with some voice mic level tests. The tuner on the G90 is supposed to be pretty good, is the same tuner in this one?
Ohhhh. Good eye. I never found a mic compressor, but it is definitely possible with an SDR.
Wish they would make a VHF and UHF version of this!
I'll agree on that
I wonder if the 45W MX-P50M Amp w/c is compatible with FT-817 and Elecraft KX2 be paired with X6100. Thank you!
Nice video. I've been following this radio since the first blurbs and have to say that, going by previous experience with Xiegu products, I am not about to set myself up to be a beta tester again. Twice was four times too many. So I'll wait 'til all the bugs are gone and the firmware is sufficiently tested and refined. Sweet looking radio but I'll stick with my Yaesu FT891 and the Xiegu X5105 for a while yet longer. 73 de W8IJN
That is probably not a bad call. 👍
Same. I really like this radio. It's very interesting. But I will be waiting until those first few firmware updates get released and see how it goes.
in the manual, it says to download the CH342 driver for the life of me I can't find a CH 342 driver and suggestions or am I missing something
Poor man's IC-705? I guess someone needs to decide feature-wise whether having an internal tuner or vhf/uhf capability is more important. That's assuming that while the receivers may differ in performance, either is acceptable in most situations.
Good to see a follow up where most of the features actually work now.
I honestly believe that ALL radios by default as standard should ALWAYS have 2m and 70cm capabilities. Many QRP's either have it or dont, which to (ME) is stupid.
Its really easy to get a resonant antenna for less price than an antenna tuner.
Please, what would be a good portable antenna for this radio?
Those were some weird sounds. Unique I think! Sounds like you were doing a little song. It was nice. De K1MAZ
It's a cool looking radio, and a compact HF radio def has it's appeal. I'm not spending $1500 for the 705 though. ;)
I 100% agree with you...!! You are NOT the only one that think that way..... If the 705 was priced JUST like the 6100, Icom would sell a lot more.
But I guess they forgot how business works. Meaning the object of a business selling products Is "" to get the product into as many people's hands as possible "".
I can almost be 100% right when I say that about 60%+ of the people are not buying a 705, just because of the price. Thats 60% of the population that the company is missing out on.
Thats 60% of items unsold "as a business".
For me..... Just to stick it to the man as they say. I would purposely purchase the 6100, just so the 6100 would sell more than the 705. 😂
I saw a slightly used Icom 7300 at a small hamfest for $400.
@@techguy9023 wow!
Is this an SDR like the 705? How selective is it?
If it takes some sales away from the 705 and then the 705 price drops we will have even more options. The quality of the 705 is beyond question but then so is the price.
a few hams have stated this radio runs on the hot side, up to 120 degrees F. for such low power seems excessively high. Did they fix this? It sounds reminiscent of the early days of the Icom IC-7000. They run hotter than hell and my fried itself quickly. It has run fine since it was refurbished.
All these radios they are called SDRs radios but after few firmwares they stop follows up like they did to the g90, is a sdr they have to open the source programming so we can improve and experiments with it!.
Two questions first does it do VHF and UHF or dose just do HF And second would you consider this to be a good beginner radio
Can you change the colour choices for the soft key fonts and backgrounds Josh? Red script on green background - literally cannot read it at all (like 8% of males I am R/G colour blind!). It's a common problem in Ppt presentations too :) Otherwise it seems to be slowly getting there.
how does it compare to the RADIODDITY QR20
The manual to the radio says the upper end of the 80/75m band is 3.9 MHz and 40m band is 7.2 MHz. Is this true? In the USA we can go up to 3.999 and 7.2999. However, I noticed everyone giving a review of the radio avoid these upper ranges but never mention it.
Bluetooth and wifi - as the radio is entirely in a steel box, it is in a faraday cage- that includes the wifi antennas! - - I'm still trying to figure out how to enter frequ's from the mic buttons, though - the radio just jumps around the bands!
The 6100 is going to need a wifi antenna too. 🤣
I am not much of a Ham guy (but am interested in getting into it eventually in the next year or so), but that said, the Micro SD card sticking out is the better of 2 evils. With the edge on the unit sticking out the way it does, it gives adequate protection. I own a little gpd pocket laptop & the SD slot on it is mounted so the card snaps in flush. If you're not the type of person to keep a little length on your finger nails, getting a micro SD mounted flush out pretty much requires using a tool (simple pocket knife will do but still). All to say, if the product is designed in such a way that the SD slot can stick out & be protected, it's probably the best design given alternatives.
P.S.
This is pedantic and doesn't really matter, but Compact Flash is a different, older standard. Cf cards are about 1"x1". What you are working w/ here is micro SD.
No biggy. I'm sure 99.9% of ppl got the gist, but if anyone is confused about which storage media to get for use w/ this unit, it's Micro SD cards. (&that's good b/c compact flash cards are obsolete so now bring a premium. Micro SD is dirt cheap comparably, especially per Mb).
Thanks for the video Josh. As far as a rig copying/decoding CW the absolute best rig I have found is the QRP-Labs QCX and QCX-mini. They can easily out do my KX2 and KX3 radios. Give them a try if you haven't already. Very capable rigs for the price.....
Tim - K5DEZ
I might have to go ahead and buy one of those. I've been waiting for 3 years for the QSX to come out.
@@WobblieSkellie the QSX wait continues……
I’ve been waiting too.
Awww. He has a Signal Corp challenge coin!
Nice..................
What about the birdies aka self generated noise? Not sure why the noise isn't mentioned not sure but those birdies are bad and when using a radio with rf gain up or the pre Amp the birdies are so significant. I don't think those birdies will be fixed because they would have fixed them already. I noticed the birdies using the radio in the first 5 minutes of use. Tune to 07.091.640 pre am up rf gain up tune around and listen to the noise. It's the radio itself and it's really bad.
Looks like a cool rig, but come on Yaesu show us what you have!
Interesting question here: I understand that this particular radio is factory intended for the HF and 6M bands. But it is an SDR. So, what I am curious about is if anyone has made a successful jailbreak and added the North American 2m and 70cm bands?? Or can it be done??
No, it likely cannot be done per the PA that would be output frequency ranges.
I'm not sure if you still have the X6100 in hand, but I would love to see a pairing of it with the XPA125b. You need a "L4001" cable from Xiegu or Radioddity, but it would be nice to see how well it works. Thanks for getting this review update out quickly. (I've got one on order from the second pre-sale)
I pulled up the info on the L4001. There is no connector on the 6100 for it. So I assume it needs the ce-19?
Also, that cable is not produced yet.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse looks like it is now.
Thanks Josh. I'd like to know if the radio gets hot after using it a while in transmit, especially with digital modes where there is higher duty cycle. Also what is the screen visibility in sunlight? Is there enough visibility out in daylight to turn off the backlight and save some battery power? What is the actual weight of the radio and how does it compare to some of the others you have displayed. The antenna analyzer function is disappointing from what I saw in your demonstration. I would hope there is a way to narrow the bandwidth and increase the chart resolution.
Has anyone had issues with their transmit ssb audio being described as narrow and tinny? Also the inbuilt mic apparently sounds really bad, almost distorted .
There is no adjustment for mic tone or bandwidth, just mic gain.
Anyone had these issues and was able to fix them ?
how do i get into radio program,i have not got the soft ware,thank's
It depends on the radio. Download the right application for the model.
Interesting, you have firmware version "App Ver 1.1" and I have "App v1.1.0" They are the same "number", but... not...
Lol. You’re right. That is odd. I think your got yours through HRO? This one is from Radioddity.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse yeah, this is the HRO unit, the RO unit is still on the way
Are there CW memories?
Sure wish they would repackage the G90 so it would have the larger display.
Nice review Josh. Thanks! 73 de K1JHS
X5105 still has lots of firmware bugs, but Xiegu doesn't care about radios that were sold 1 year ago
Quite right. Xiegu finish the X5105 with better firmware please. Pi55ing off your early adopters is not smart business sense in an enthusiasts market.
This is very typical of Chinese corporations these days. I've seen it over and over in the audio world. My rule of thumb is if it doesn't do it out of the box assume it never will.
@@matthewdavies2057 I think the 5105 may never be finished and support will end. Just my guess from comments made on different forums.
please include the upload date next to the view count. :)
If the manufacturer would make this radio more affordable. That would be great. You can buy a 100 watt rig for about the same price. Maybe a little more . Some hams ( like myself) are on a very tight budget and would be more open to spending to buy it if the price were less.
I was really tempted to get a 7300 at a hamfest for $400. Hard to pass on those prices. One guy was giving away a 40 ft tower but you had to take it down. Fair enough but I didn’t need either one.
No, you're not being picky, the SWR scan is a bit crazy, even 1 to 5 would be better
🎉
U get what u pay for so realistically u can't compare it so much to a 705, it's a great budget radio for the price .
Has anyone actually charged this radio to full and tested that the circuit actually turns off and not over charge battery's. I swear I've had mine charging 7 hours plus and light still blinking green . Instruction manual states once fully charges at 8.3 to 8.4 volts light should turn off and circuit disconnect. Thank you in advance would really like a confirmation please for now still Shi*** bricks scared to leave it charging . 73's W4KWS
Ohh. Good question. I will note I left it charging for like two days.
What are those cw paddles?
Pico paddle. They’re out of business.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse .that's extremely tragic
👍
that mic looks like the mics on my icom mobiles
If this was 10w on internal battery and 20w on external it would be much more enticing. Surprised they didn't make it 20 like the G90. Seems like they could have used a lot of the same components? I'm a new HAM so I'm sure it's much more complicated but I just don't understand HAM manufactures, they always make a radio that is 80-90% of what the market wants but always leaves something to be desired.
It would be twice the size.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse What about 5w on internal and 20w on external? Would that increase the size?
Yes, absolutely. The battery/power supply isn't the sizing factor, its the "finals" or Power Amplification stage in the radio that adds bulk and size.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Ah ok, I see. Thanks for the reply.
I believe Xiegu is heading in the right direction with this one. I'm still holding out hope for a G-90 upgrade to the same form factor as this one and maybe add WFM, 2m and 70c to it as well👍🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿😇🙋 Thank you so much for this review.
I agree with your comment there. Thanks.
2m and 70cm would be great. But I wonder if the hardware is compatible.
I'm not sold on this much functionality in a qrp radio. All the extra features drain at the battery more, dont seem necessary to me for field operations, and it has to add to price. I know its different strokes for different folks but for me, it's a lot of unneeded bells and whistles. Great for a base station but just a bit much for qrp imo
Seems like it’s just me that would not put this er radio in any league with the IC705. I can’t help thinking that though it has a tuner, it will be a shoddy, cheap tuner. I have seen a few of the videos for this and I find it ridiculous they have released it with only half the advertised features working? How did it get approval is what I’m thinking now. Great Video Josh we can’t agree on everything 73 de 2E0TWD
I’m not defending Xiegu here, but what half of the features are missing?
Mchf already exists, why clone
Bro i want to ask you that i have icom radio model is ic f121 i forget the reset password so guide me plz its a request
And sorry for mistake in english my english is weak
$15.00 discount didn`t work for me
LIKE #500!
FYI, You called the memory card a "CF" card multiple times. A CF (Compact Flash) card is a different format than a mini SD card. A CF card is much larger. My old Nikon D70s DSLR uses CF cards for it's memory, so I know the difference.
Maybe by the time I die they will have this radio worked out and ready for purchase, maybe.
I will keep my 9981a
I’m a little surprised a production unit will happily put 10w out of band to measure swr…
I am unsure it’s using 10 watts for swr. I should have testing that tbh.
Its about 1w on the sweep function with the g90
This is probably the worst ham radio channel on RUclips... for my bank account. I'm really digging this radio. I've been drooling over the elecraft radios for a while, but the cost was just a little out of reach. This radio is right in the sweet spot.
Xiegu is Russian for Shoigu... 😂
its far from ready :(
Was
Too bad the antenna port is out the side and not the back. Thats a show stopper for me..
Consider the g90 then.
EVEN IF you are on a dummy load, always give your call sign even IF you might not be transmitting any output power. the FCC requires that every time you transmit at the beginning, at the end, and dur8ing any LONG ongoing contacts. NEVER make noises of any kind into the mic, it's not only annoying, but it is also against FCC laws.
You use of capitalized words is kind of aggressive.
This is a sad ham
I would not trust them , the GSOC has some real issues and they have not offered a fix.
A warranty void sticker on a HAM radio? Seriously? They obviously don't understand their core market...or federal law prohibiting that type of anti right-to-repair BS
You send it back to China to be repaired. Void the warranty if opened according to some dealer ads I have seen.
For me the message is simple, buy an IC 705. Costs more yes, but the support is available if it goes wrong.
Loads of bugs in these cheap Chinese radios and really doubt you will get firmware updates for more than six months before Xiego loose interest and move on to another new radio. Totally false economy buying these things.
Nah, there not over priced. There just not made by slave labor like this thing.
What isn’t over priced?
No clue, crap
I struggle to bring myself to support these Chinese company's that are bottom feeding to the point where they sell an end product that costs less than what USA, Japanese, German company pays for the raw parts. For every sale ICOM, Yaesu, etc lose to these - they lose a little motivation to play in the already small business of ham radio. At some point they will decide that ham radio is not worth the effort and then we are left with all the bottom feeders.
Focusing solely on price ensures that we will ONLY have cheap things - designed and built to a cost - in the future.
I disagree. There is a place for high end components, especially in radio electronics, but for hobbyists (the market at which products like this are designed to fit within) cutting costs by using lower end components makes sense and shouldn't be considered much of a threat to the higher end companies.
This may be presumptuous, but with HAM being a niche within another niche - hobby electronics generally, Chinese products like this aimed at a narrow segment of nonprofessionals toying around in spaces which were for a long time inaccessible to amateurs are the products representative of an almost identical trend that started about a decade ago in hobby electronics as a whole.
The mere existence of more competitors vying for the hobby market has done wonders for lowering the barriers to entry into hobby electronics. I can have a whole set of (lower quality, lower precision, but lower priced) lab instruments that meet a more limited set of needs for a dollar amount invested that, just a decade ago, would have bought me one or two used higher end instruments with a whole suite of capabilities I may never use as a hobbyist.
Radio ICs are (and will continue to require) a high degree of technical know how to produce. Chinese chip makers are just getting to a point where making such designs is feasible. They have applied the same strategy with these products which has been their bread and butter. That is to compete on price.
While perfect, strategically, for competing for markets which can tolerate an overall inferior product, such a strategy should not threaten the higher end players. That such "name brands" switched toward focusing on tighter tolerances, better fit & finish, customer support, quality control, etc years ago tells us they understand so as well. Those companies reinvest the extra capital/ margin commanded through their higher tier market positions into the kind of R&D necessary to maintain competitiveness in that segment. No one with a grasp on the modern high tech manufacturing industry would ever expect similar improvements from manufacturers which sacrifice all possible in pursuit of bottom cost. Any well informed stakeholder, be it investor or customer whose interests stretch out into/ beyond the medium term can clearly see the benefits offered by those higher end firms. Because such firms have catered their businesses to offer exactly those benefits for which such stakeholders pay their premiums to acquire.
Right now, Chinese industry is the best in the world at building to a price. Participants nominally in similar industries in other, more economically developed countries are the best in the world at building to meet a certain spec. We are all better off with both such dynamics.
@@williambrasky3891 Well said. I should also point out that everyone starts at the bottom and then makes their way to the top. For those who are interested in Innovation it's worth looking up Prof. Clayton Christensen's theory of Innovation. Am not suggesting that one day Chinese manufacturers will overtake the Japanese, i frankly don't know and really don't have the vision to make any such prediction. However, what's clear is that a lot of newbies who were on the fence with HAM radio are now able to enter the market thanks to entry level kit.....and as they progress through the ranks they pick up the more expensive gear as they see fit. That's how it's worked for me as well.... I own an FT891, IC 706 MKIIG and the G90. Each of the rigs has its place and while i like the FT891, IC706MKIIG i love the G90 too......horses for courses i would say!!!!
@@coderdojoAN Yea, the "Maker" culture in Shenzen is something I wish were able to be emulated elsewhere. Even if it's one or 2 sections of a couple cities, having anything close to the access to not just parts but the people and places that manufacture said parts would be huge. It's just a bunch of small teams working to create cool hardware. It's exactly what made the original hardware/ component innovations possible mid century onward. Competition only hurts those who don't want to spend profits should they need to compete. For the rest of us, it's mostly all positive.
I don't understand why anyone would purchase these newly released complex (Chinese) rigs that have had so many issues in the past. Well established Japanese brands, who have the resources and experience, have had issues...it baffles me!
Salty?
Why encourage fellow hams to buy Chinese radios?
Because it’s on the market and people want to know if it’s worth the money.