How Good is the Xiegu G90 ATU? - Let's Find Out
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- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2024
- Just how good is the internal ATU in the Xiegu G90?
I find out by just using a military whip antenna and seeing how many bands it will match and how many bands I can make a contact on. #XieguG90 #HamRadio #AmateurRadio
As a new ham you’re inspiring me to just get out and try stuff!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
This is why I think Xiegu should sell a standalone ATU. Say what you will about their radios but the ATU does an amazing job. I bet they would sell quite well
K0KLB seems to be able to tune anything, from ladders, shovels, corn stalks and water! Must be good 😉
Thanks for the video Walt. Interesting results when trying to make QSOs.
I hope I can get you in the log whilst you are in Poland 👍
@@m1sdh Yesterday, by mistake (forgot to attach the vertical element to the unun) my G90 tuned 100' of RG8 coax. I didn't believe it either.
@@Bdub1952 did you make a contact before realizing it?
@@hamwithoutaplan Nope, although the tuner matched the coax, there were no signals in any band so I figured something was up, hi, hi.
So I did an antenna setup for a small group. One of the participants brought the G90. As a joke we attached a wire to a metal frame picnic table. Tuned it and made a NVIS NC to TN. Wouldn’t recommend it but it was a fun experiment! Why my 7300 only does 3:1 is beyond me! The trade off of wide tune and large waterfall and awesome filters is a trade off. I do a lot of QRP portable. So not having to lug a tuner makes the trade off justified! Thanks for the video!
Wow....that thing is awesome. Neat show Walt. Looking forward to hearing/seeing you from Poland.
Yea, I tuned a Turnup with my G-90 and talked to France on 10 meters from Idaho....lol The G-90 has an amazing tuner. Makes me wonder why some other manufacturers could not do better than the 3 to 1 tuners we find in them. On 20, I'm betting the SWR was through the roof, but the tuner saved the radio. Love my G-90 ! Thanks Walt, another great video.
thats pretty impressive, were you using an external amp? what kind of antenna were you using?
@johnkeo358 no external amp just the 20 watt transceiver and it’s built in tuner. Antenna was a folding military ManPack whip I had on a magnetic mount on top of the suv
@COASTALWAVESWIRES nice, I was thinking of picking up G90 in a month or so, I have the TX500 but it doesn't have an internal tuner. I'll have to consider that antenna as well!
another great video walt. Love my G90 combined with the military whip and a slidewinder.
Great show Walt! I just picked-up a G90 for on-the-road operations, partly due to your videos, your enjoyment and general satisfaction with the rig. It hasn't disappointed! Also, I believe the "-oddity" folks are still running a pretty good deal on the G90 combo/package w/CE-19 data interface & fan/stand, if you're still looking for another unit. 👍Have a great trip and I'm still looking forward to our first QSO. 👍📻⚡Cheers & 73 buddy! Tom - WA7FLY
Interesting radio. We used to use whips this length with auto atus at the base for mobile communication in Africa. That whip is longer than most 40m dedicated antennas like the ham sticks so it would probably work on 80m.
I operated a Kenwood 440 AT for years. I was totally hooked on the Antenna Tuner. Looks like I need to order this rig for my 77 birthday in 4 days!
This is a great little radio
Great work. I'm spoiled with my 891 at 100w, but this makes me want to dig out my G90. Safe travels.
A great way round show this little radios ability. I used my own on Friday, with the slidewinder. Managed a p2p UK - USA, 3,300 mile.
Walt, I've been watching your channel for some time now and I love it. I also have a G90 and wanted to comment about the fantastic ATU. On a number of occasions I have used it with the same manpack antenna you have, as well as other antennas. I have made plenty of contacts, including DX from Europe and South America, using nothing more than 15 feet of 14 gauge stranded wire, 3 feet off the ground. I've been licensed since 1996 and have owned and operated a plethora of ham gear. The only ATU's I've used that has that kind of wide range has been the Icom AH-4 and the G90. It, quite literally, will tune up a coat hanger! Keep making the great videos! 73's. Vince, KF4LVC.
Nice. I've also tried using my military whip (which I think is the same one that you have) on 12m.
I found it to be resonant at around 25.5mhz but when I measured the SWR on 12m it was around 1.5, which is perfectly usable.
I had it ground mounted with 4 radials cut for 1/4 wave on 20m & it performed very well.
I have said it before. I love the G90. That internal tuner will tune nearly any antenna. Great demo Walt.
Great video Walt, just goes to show what smaller radios can do.
I just got the qcx mini, and worked the uk on 20m cw 5w, go the little guy hi.
Great test walt. Cool to also see you don’t need to work someone who is near s9 to make a contact with 20w and the xiegu
walt great video . i love my ic703 plus . also away from the obx hi hi de wb8e / navy duck 63 yrs ago
Nice video there Walt! Similar experiences operating from my RV over at Fort Sill. Similar antenna setup with the coil mounted on the RV ladder. Not very resonant at 20 to 80, but I have a few contacts there too.
73s,
AG4KN - John
The tuner is incredibly good. I've actually (accidentally) tuned a coax feedline with no antenna switched onto it.
hahaha I believe that!
Great test to see what the G90 can do! It's good to know it can work several bands with a simple whip. While it might not be ideal, it's a great option for a backup for poor weather. 73
Thanks for the experiment. I just ordered the G90, should have it by Tuesday this week. Great Video post !
Thank you! You will love that G90!
How do you like it so far? Going to get one in the first
@@mcdonald1743 I do like it. I've been able to answer and make contacts as far as Halifax, Nova Scotia from Southwest Oklahoma on just that 20 Watts. That Antenna Tuner is very robust! I believe I'm going to keep it and possibly turn it into a L/R Manpack Radio.
Hey Walt, kinda New to this stuff and find your videos awesome
Thanks Shawn KB1GIY.
Hi Walt, thanks for the Xiegu G90 videos you have done. I passed my UK ham foundation licence this week (10 watt max) and thinking of buying the G90 as my first full HF rig and your reviews have convinced me to go ahead. I have an existing half wave 10/11 metres vertical and watching this video has convinced me that the G90 ATU should make short work of tuning that at least to 20 & (hopefully) 40 metres and give me some contacts even at 10 Watts. Great videos keep up the good work. 73's Martin
Thanks Martin and congrats on getting your foundation licence my friend! Yes that G90 will tune that for sure, it will probably be really good on 20 meters as it will be a quarterwave there. Hope to get you in the log soon! 73, Walt K4OGO
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Walt, Thanks for the reply. Had the same thought about 20 metres. 73's Martin
Beautiful radio thank you for sharing it I'm buying one❤
So glad I decided to get the G90. This was a gread video. Can't wait for my radio to get here.
Thanks! You’re going to love that radio!
I saw a fellow a while back use a c.b. Wilson mag mount and the Xiegu G-90 tuned right in. I always enjoy your experiments.
73 Walt KO4HPC. :)
I use the manpack antenna too, I've seen that chameleon makes an extension that collapses but I just use a hustler mo-3 extention (54in, 4.5ft, 135cm) with the 285cm man pack giving it 420cm/14ft I then use a center load adjustable coil or just leave it at 14ft and use the tuner the rest of the way.
the 285cm IIRC is from the 30-76mhz PRC radios the military used so 53mhz is the middle.
In love your videos
I am going to pick up a G-90
Thanks! You will love that radio
Have a good trip Walt! 73
Great video Walt, I have the G90 and love mine also. 73 w8rlp Roger. Stay safe on your travels
Thanks Roger!
73, Walt K4OGO
It is REALLY good. It’s my goto for portable ops now.
I really need to break out my G90, update the firmware and use it… Nice work Walt! 73!
I’m taking mine out tomorrow on a sota thanks to Walt’s inspiration. Time to brush the dust off it
I used mine for POTA today with a WRC. So amazing for 20 watts. 1.1 on 20 meters. Cheers! KC1PSK
Wow Walt, I had no idea that the G90 has basically a long-wire ranged antenna tuner like an Icom AH4. I wonder how it might do on a loop antenna (say 45 foot on a side delta loop or 33 foot on a side square loop or for that matter how would it do on a speaker wire dipole with just a binding post feed at the radio. I may have to buy one of those G90s now.....my main worry is reliability and ability to get one repaired. I have seen some very attractive pricing on used G90s recently. Love your channel.
Steve, I've had my G90 (purchased new) for three years and never had a single problem. Worked a VK from Idaho with 20w on an OCFD and I don't know who was more surprised, me or the VK ham. Go for it!
Have a good flight 👍
Thanks for the video Walt.. The G90 is a great radio with a awesome tuner.. Thanks for the demo.. k0klb
Very good test! I have the G90, but it is still in the box waiting for me to get antennas checked. They're home built and were not protected from winter weather.
Thanks for watching!
That's pretty impressive honestly. I still want a G90. I stumbled on a DX70 at a great price shortly after watching your video on the one you have, but there is just something about the G90.
KC3UVF
Will be listening on 10m for ya... Safe Travels to Poland...
The G90 ATU is fantastic! On my 6BTV, 80m is not resonant, the guys that put it up for me did not know that the 80m stinger needs 4-6 inches removed. A friend's antenna analyzer says the resonant point is 3.321 Mhz. I just got an LDG Z-100 that is a few years old to use with my 706MKII. It will not tune any part of 80m. The G90 tunes the entire band! Note that a newer LDG tuner might do better.
Hi walt i have the same setup i use the wolf river coil with the manpack u should try that works great more flexibility... great video 6y5ho 73.
Thanks Walt.
Just got my G90! I don't have a good antenna yet. But, I have two 102 inch CB whip antennas that I'm going to try and cobble together to make a 10 meter dipole to play with!
I recall in the 70s military radios with AATUs that could tune any wire across the HF band.
They were strange motor driven beasts with lots of long-tail pairs measuring phase differences.
Ok now you’re going to have me looking at surplus military radios hahaha
From Texas to Panama on only 20 watts on the Xiegu G-90 with a home-brew 40 meter inverted V hanging from my lovely Heritage Live Oaks..
wouaw ! good job
Thank you!
I once tuned my G90 without coax or antenna. The noise flor was fantastic.
This video answered by questions about the ATU of my soon to be deployed new G90 perfectly. It should have no trouble with the ARRL EFHW 40-10 I just built. Do wish I was conveniently close to the coast. Still I might just get my arse out the house to head to Santa Cruz-Aptos. What the heck was that antenna you used??
Your G90 will kick butt with the EFHW, I’ve taken my G90 over to Europe several times and have used it with a couple different 40-10 EFHW antennas and had great results. The antenna in this video is a folding military Man Pack whip antenna. I think they are available on Amazon.
I love my G90.It's perfect for POTA activations
At the OBX ? We where just at Kitty Hawk. Beautiful place. I brought my yaesu with the hope of some beach radio but the weather was pretty rough. - John KD2ODE
Hi John, I’m currently in Poland. Sorry the weather was rough. I’ll be there next month! 73, Walt K4OGO
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES OBX is a beautiful place to be - from north of duck all the way down . My 2nd QTH - where I get to if I have the weekend off - is tuckerton NJ where I have a vertical collapsible monopole from I think Diamond . It starts some 15 feet above ground and about 20 feet from salt water. It’s a great listener and I’m hoping soon to transmit on it.
I had a shakespear super big stick 2010 5/8 wave ocf coaxial sleeved vertical dipole and tuned it on 160 m and had a qso with abt ten watts out put with hugh k8kyu down in florida ,i was in michigan that surprised me
That’s cool!
I have the xiegu 4band hf antenna that I’m having an issue tuning and the g90 tunes it no problem.
How to not fall in love with this 20W gem.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. What aftermarket tuning knob are you using? It looks like it works much better than the stock knob.
Thanks! This is the knob:
www.amazon.com/lovermusic-32x13MM-Sandblasting-Control-Tuning/dp/B07CLXVCDM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IxvO76BTzsDvqjQQN3-D6JyzxDp9mzTvehz6UOjNFrKUP5-UdehWjFSWn-ziaPs3jW7FTjbcqszJqbg2Led5E7r7c__WuA--e5SbEYS18TwMsODcLg182MGSdiNJb5fDy6no_9ActaWcGBIHBP7GYWoexvNsCMkq-AwvV_W145d4bvjdElTa4MMdb1jcK-WttCT2Dj_i7VN52VIJBlDDcw.d6FRjh17U5f4TZSmcvtpvbozQ82djlIJkL71dv9Fy1w&dib_tag=se&keywords=g90+tuning+knob&qid=1720878976&sr=8-1
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thank you!
I love my G90. Was playing with it hill topping today. K3DMM
I think i got you in my log this morning
Watched this video to see if the antenna I used in Iraq and Afghanistan would work with the G90 I just got, which this was perfect for haha. I noticed that you live in my area. I wanted to ask you where would be the coolest place to get my license? I know I can google where but I wanted to see if you had any recommendations.
Check out the Chesapeake club:
w4car.org
I’m a member and it’s a great club. We have regular testing. Take a look at the calendar on the website. 73! Walt K4OGO
Nice video, I have always wondered how good this tuner was. Would have been a bit more informative if you used an antenna analyzer on each frequency to determine how high the SWR was beyond the 4:1 limit of the scope. It will do a 4:1 mismatch, but would it do 10:1 or 7:1? Thanks for the video.
I'm sure it would.
Walt, were did you get the BIG VFO knob?
I have one and I think it will tune anything!
Yes it will!
I know this is an older video, but, I just got a used G90. So far, I like it to a point, but of course the bands have been uuuugly lately, so I haven't really gotten it to shine. I'm also having a lot of trouble getting it to play nicely with my digirig and Windows to do FT8.
I'm hoping to have better bands soon to see what I can do with it on SSB!
Hook up a Comet HFJ-350M Toy box to it. That combination let's the G-90 bark! I've hit Los Angeles and Nova Scotia among others from my QTH in Georgia
Walt..Hi! Love the channel.
Regarding the G90 ATU It is simply excellent.
At the silly-money the Big Three charge for their TCVRS in comparison to the price of either the G90 or X6100 (I have both) there is simply pound for pound no better value.
PS. Copied your quick method of throwing a half wave 20 M out the window RB network into Russia over in 1000 miles. Again appreciate your advice.
Shaun G0IDS England.
Thanks for the kind words Shaun! 73
would ike to see your setup!
Great video Walt! I just got a Super Antenna for the G90 I've had for a few weeks. I'm having a hard time transmitting out I think (KN31). I was able to QSO someone in St Petersberg, FL.... once! I can receive signals from far and wide (Europe, South America, Canada, Los Angeles, Texas), but my meter looks nothing like yours does when I key up the mic on 10meters. I'm not sure if its a propagation/wattage issue, radio transmitter issue or microphone issue. I'm a total noob with this thing. Any suggestions to try would be welcomed!
Hi Chris, I hope this isn't a dumb answer but do you have the wattage turned up to 20 watts? (third button from the bottom on right, click until you see watts then adjust).
No it’s not dumb, thanks for responding. I tried originally at 10 and 20watts, cause I was originally using a qrpguys UnUnTenna when I noticed the weak signal out on the meter when transmitting. Last night I made a video to record the weak transmit on the signal meter. Also I plugged in a set of headphones to the g90 and noticed that when I was transmitting I sounded like a drunk robot under water! I needed to practically yell into the mic very close to the hole. Not thrilled with this mic right now! Let me see if I can figure out how to post the video. I also put an email into radioddity to see about swapping a mic out
It's very good.
Yes it is!
Kevin , K0KLB is fun to watch. Dang... I'm thinking I need to buy a G90... need to check my bank account.
It's a great little radio. Yes Kevin is awesome!
I connected to a stop sign near my house and my G90 tuned it on 40 20 And 10……..I think it would tune roadkill.
with the possum tail up, the four legs would be ground plane.
AT-271/u great antenna!
Hi Walt, quick question is the speaker wire antenna you demonstrated on 20 m is it all band? Working on general now, love all your info. Kf4lgy
I believe the speaker wire antenna you’re talking about is a quarterwave vertical and is just a monoband 20 meter antenna.
Seems to tune what ever I Chuck at it. Only had it 6 months, hardly used as no decent weather for portable. I run it up just to stay familiar with it on CW. Thinking of installing it secretly into my lounge to get more use of it. Do have two shacks. Outdoor shack is too cold and indoor is a bespoke hidden mini shack with all one needs for vhf uhf and HF. Lack of space. So lounge install later on with a separate antenna to get more use of of it. It's a joy to use. I build a lot of gear, but I could not come up with a multiband that was compact without buying a Kit or complete SDR. A kit takes out the fun For me as I prefer to design my own. So I decided I had enough of construction at my age, eyes not as good. G90 it was. I bought it hastily,as I was worried with future Chinese supply reliability as China is suffering badly. Got it at a good price here in UK . A dedicated importer of Chinese radio gear was the saviour. Ordered on line. Dispatched next day and received following day. Less than 3 days. Not bad. Thanks for video and your experience of it. De gw4gja
Thanks for watching!
I've been looking at the ManPack as an option to pair with my Wolf River Coil for mobile use. Do you keep it up while driving? I'm a little worried about the bend at highway speeds and the sections coming apart. But hey, if you're happy with it I'm certain I would be too!! 73 de KC9VUQ
I do not keep it up while driving. I would be careful with trying that. 73, Walt
Its a shame that to this day icoms and yaesu come without a decent tuner while xiegu has this amazing tuner in most of their products.
I agree
Mine tumed the mfj-2010 ocfd to 17 which is not that suprising. Plan on mobile work with JPC12 vert ant.
I was looking at an IC-7300 but might settle for this in the meantime
I'm a new Ham, and got the G90 today. When you use the SWR Scanner to check it and there is a high SWR would that damage radio?
Hi and welcome to the hobby. High SWR will damage a radio but the G90 has a threshold setting that will protect the radio from that. With the G90 this is really never an issue as it pretty much tunes anything. Just hold down that “ATU” button and let off when you hear it start clicking and let the radio tune the antenna for the frequency you’re on.
Interesting test. Performance is very questionable on the lower frequencies, but this is an ATU test, not antenna test. Bottom line, pretty good tuner.
Barry
Hi Walt! I'm new in the ham radio world. I have a silly question. The ATU can help improving the radio reception? I bought one of those usdx radios, and used it with an EFHW antenna. It works great on 20m, but for 40m doesn't work too well, reception and transmission Its very awful :/ I'm considering buying a xiegu G90, because it has more power and an internal ATU. Do you think the G90 can help getting around with the 40m band?
Yes absolutely, the G90 is a much better radio than the uSDX and the ATU will allow you to perfectly tune the antenna and get you a good match and great SWR. It will be a big improvement especially on 40 meters.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks Walt!
Any meaningful differences between the tuners on the xeigu models?
Not really, they all are very good and I haven't notice one being any better than the other.
What is going on inside the radio/ATU that produces the noise when tuning the antenna? Thanks (from a non-ham).
It’s the internal processor switching relays that switch in and out different inductance and capacitance values to match the transmitter impedance to the mismatched antenna impedance.
@@truckinguy92 Thanks--I thought it had to do something with relays, etc.
👍👍👍
Thanks for watching!
When you're using your G90 for POTA, are you grounding the radio? If using in your shack, same question, are you grounding the radio?
I do have a ground in my home QTH shack but I do not ground the radio when I'm portable.
You can get a G1M from Poland at a great price from Aliexpress. Or a G90.
What antenna was that?
a.co/d/2RrpocR
Is your radio unlocked for 27 mhz?
It'll tune just about anything.
come on.... tune the hanger hahaha
Hahahahaha
You missed out top band ? My G90 tunes top band on a CB ant ! It is of course rubbish , but it will tune it .
What is that like that shows up
I don’t understand your question
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES sorry when you were tuning there was a line that showed up on the screen
I just wish that Icom or dare I say Yaesu could come out with gear like this at this price point. I refuse to buy this cheap Chinese stuff as tempting as it is. It’s because of these companies that the likes of Kenwood is leaving the amateur radio market. There’s no brand loyalty any longer.
As usual Walt another great and informative video.
I own one and it would tune a dead cow.
For a cheap radio, it punches far above its price point
It can't tune my two times ten meter wire on 160. It does tune this on 80 to 10. But: Reports are best on 40. Tuning doesn't mean good radiation.
Dl9nbx
Yes, that’s why I said it would tune 40 and 80 on my antenna but I would never make a contact
Wow. That feels like cheating compared to a lot of rigs.
Very good
Thank you
Great review. Hi hi. Nice qso’s. KB9JXU