Fred dear I started out listening to shortwave as a kid then in late 70's its all we had back then, got into CB in 77 then in 79 I joined the RAF and did radio communications working on stuff up to 100KW, when I came out in the late 80's I missed all the radio stuff so got back into CB which by then was crap so back to shortwave, then someone said why did you never get your ticket (ham licence) so I went to do it but by then it was now 3 exams, I did all 3 in quick succession and became a RSGB licenced trainer passing on all the info I gained over many years, so getting the point go get your Ham licence, seriously best thing I did in years it used to be a very stuck up old boys club and the reason I held off for so long, but now its a wide range of people in the hobby, plenty of new youngsters coming in and plenty more of us girls too 😁
Fred in the Shed ! I thought you were an Amateur Radio Operator... I was surprised by you telling us this... But it does not take away from your content.... Thank You
Really nicely done Fred! This one is not for me, but I can certainly appreciate it's functionality. Enjoyed your video and look forward to the next one! 73's!
Very in depth article of this new product. There are many amateur transceivers that are excellent versatile receivers. The plus is they are user friendly. Thanks for your shortwave in site!
I bought an FT-710 as a SW receiver mostly for the outstanding sensitivity and waterfall display. It was on deep sale, and it doesn't have the aggravating delay in the squelch as you scroll though the typical modern SW receiver. Not very portable though.
I own the previous model the X6100 and it has the same issue with the speaker in my opinion. Very tinny sounding and not enjoyable to listen to anything other than single side band on. I haven't done surgery on it to replace the speaker or try to determine why.... Thank you for the review Fred! I appreciate the time and effort it takes to give reviews like this.
Very nice radio and excellent video as always. I always enjoy the in depth reviews. The radio is a little rich for my blood, being a single family income earner, but when I am able I'll be adding an SDR of some sorts, most likely the Raddy RF919 or Raddy RF757.
You will be a welcome addition to ham radio. The technician license or the UK equivalent isn’t too much to study for, especially with your appreciation of radio.
Nice wee radio Fred connected to a Bose Sound Link Mini speaker this unit would be perfect for shortwave listeners. Great review buddy thanks for sharing this with us all Sir 👍Tom.
I’m with Mike Stokes on this one. One of the strange fruits that SDR has borne is that as radios have gained more and more functions CB and other bands are slowly merging into the general category of just “radio” . I joined in from being a WiFi expert.
Long time no chat on 305 (LT588), must catch up some time. Am now a licensed hammy so this review was very interesting. It's a popular portable transceiver which I've not used but have considered as it pops into the rucksack nicely. With a good antenna and on high ground it gets out really well. Nice review ....... talk soon I hope ......... Phill
Well Fred i really enjoyed your review of the x6200. I myself am not a ham yet i enjoy the no mute options of this radio. Once again thanks. RON Z. W3090swl.
Hello, awesome video, and thank you, Fred. I agree with you 100% for the price it should be a touch screen. Hopefully, they will send you one radio to convert. i would really like to see it work on 10 and 11 meters. 73s
I had this radio for almost exactly 4 days - then I sent it back. It is - as far as I can tell - a really great radio. However, the features that I value in an SWL radio (which is how I intended to use it) are so highly technical, or hidden, or otherwise labelled, that it was completely impractical FOR ME. But that does not change the fact that for many HAMs the radio itself is a little treasure.
Yeah, good one Fred👍 Great review. Impressive radio the Xiegu X6200. I agree 100%. Display needs looking into. You have an opportunity here, for a build project. Lets research and build our own External Speaker. Looks like you are pretty good with the mdf there.
Nice review fred being limited to receive only it seems to suffer from the normal non expensive qrp radios being noisy with the background noise ie no antenna plugged in but then its not icom or yaesu price .. would also be much better if the output was 20w not the 8w...but looks quite a nice non expensive portable radio ... certainly a starter radio . Best wishes mac
They are a very capable transceiver especially if you’re wanting to get into QRP and early introduction to SDR functionality bearing in mind a comparable icom is over £1000 new and the Yaesu variant isn’t released yet but presume that will be over £1000 without the optional extras. Keep doing your stuff Fred even us hams enjoy your reviews 73
I don’t like to use squelch when I’m scanning hf. I like to have the hissing noise there because I mostly like trying to pick out weak signals. That’s what DXing is all about, is trying to hear that one rare station you might never hear from again.
Ham radio has always been my favorite hobby. Twenty plus years ago, I finally got to sit the exam, passed it, got my tech, then something like ten years later, I sat for my general exam, and have been in the hobby ever since. It is a shame that you don’t think you have to do it too because there’s just way too much out there for you to not participate. I participate most nights on the freewheelers net at 3916 kHz even if I’m just a listen only station using webSDR. I still enjoy it either way.
It cost similar money to the amazing Yaesu FT 710. The Field version with cash back currently come in a little over £800. The Xiegu bargain is probably the G90 that does most of the same, does need a separate battery, 20 Watts and half the price. Nice review though, the receiver is alway 90% of any review.
Hi Fred with your knowledge you would walk the foundation exam and could then make good use of all your equipment worth thinking about my daughter did the foundation & intermediate at 10 years of age .
While this radio is fine. I think that if your looking for a great receiver by buying a Ham radio the MCHF clone called the RS- 918 is an outstanding rig. I bought mine for $380 a year ago & consider it the best receiver I have had which includes an expensive Kenwood HF transceiver. The Xiegu on the other hand is roughly $800 & while never having used one I doubt that the receiver beats the RS 918, but you have to remember the antenna is 50% of the reception ability.
One very important considerations when buying ANY SDR based radio to use as receive only is IS it fully compatible with apps like SDR## SDRConsole etc. and various digital decoding programs, with all functionality working. Thats the beauty of SDRPlay Airspy Elad range (and other) Im a HUGE Elad fanboi! Others can be used (Ie icom 8600) by some applications using 3rd party additions or even extra hardware and may not offer all the functions and abilities - you could get trapped So do your research before you spend as always.
WELL, I HAVE THE X6100 AND THE INTERNAL SPEAKER IS NOT VERY GOOD. PURCHASED THE Xiegu GY03 EXTERNAL SPEAKER AND THAT REALY MAKES A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE Xiegu X6200.
Personally I can not buy a radio for just listening. I like to talk. Like you fred I am not a ham radio operator. I love talking on USB, LSB, FM, AM on the frequencies I can.
UPDATE, after watching the video now 32mins in , i like it, but been a CB station, would have to get 11m open, Price, well this year bought 2 USB radios, so 585€ , waiting to buy one more, so as a total budget for the year on radio items, its not that bad price, 56CT004
I'd wish Rob Sherwood would get a hold of this radio. If it's anything like the G90, the somewhat mediocre (dynamic range, one of the few phase-noisy SDRs) radio underneath the (kinda incomplete) 705 knockoff looks may not be worth whopping 2/3 of the price for a 705.
@@Treadstone21-h6i mate he probably is not licensed what so ever! Id say 80% of the chatter in Portsmouth is unlicensed! You have companies using ham for their coms down south! I was listening to a delivery company yesterday lol it seems to be the wild west down here! I've not no idea why ofcom doesn't do something about it?????
![Delco High Performance Radio Receiver! [Repair]](/img/1.gif)
Fred dear I started out listening to shortwave as a kid then in late 70's its all we had back then, got into CB in 77 then in 79 I joined the RAF and did radio communications working on stuff up to 100KW, when I came out in the late 80's I missed all the radio stuff so got back into CB which by then was crap so back to shortwave, then someone said why did you never get your ticket (ham licence) so I went to do it but by then it was now 3 exams, I did all 3 in quick succession and became a RSGB licenced trainer passing on all the info I gained over many years, so getting the point go get your Ham licence, seriously best thing I did in years it used to be a very stuck up old boys club and the reason I held off for so long, but now its a wide range of people in the hobby, plenty of new youngsters coming in and plenty more of us girls too 😁
Fred in the Shed ! I thought you were an Amateur Radio Operator... I was surprised by you telling us this... But it does not take away from your content.... Thank You
It's the quality of your reviews that matter, not whether you are a ham or not. Keep up the good work.
The more the better my friend! Great video as always!
Thanks Lewis. Hope your well bud.
Always interested in your reviews. Watching from the Philippines and need to explore the options for receiving in this area of the world.
Really nicely done Fred!
This one is not for me, but I can certainly appreciate it's functionality.
Enjoyed your video and look forward to the next one! 73's!
I appreciate it that you get why someone might want this just for SWL.
Very in depth article of this new product. There are many amateur transceivers that are excellent versatile receivers. The plus is they are user friendly. Thanks for your shortwave in site!
I bought an FT-710 as a SW receiver mostly for the outstanding sensitivity and waterfall display. It was on deep sale, and it doesn't have the aggravating delay in the squelch as you scroll though the typical modern SW receiver. Not very portable though.
I own the previous model the X6100 and it has the same issue with the speaker in my opinion. Very tinny sounding and not enjoyable to listen to anything other than single side band on. I haven't done surgery on it to replace the speaker or try to determine why.... Thank you for the review Fred! I appreciate the time and effort it takes to give reviews like this.
Very nice radio and excellent video as always. I always enjoy the in depth reviews. The radio is a little rich for my blood, being a single family income earner, but when I am able I'll be adding an SDR of some sorts, most likely the Raddy RF919 or Raddy RF757.
You will be a welcome addition to ham radio. The technician license or the UK equivalent isn’t too much to study for, especially with your appreciation of radio.
Thanks bud.
Nice wee radio Fred connected to a Bose Sound Link Mini speaker this unit would be perfect for shortwave listeners. Great review buddy thanks for sharing this with us all Sir 👍Tom.
I’m with Mike Stokes on this one. One of the strange fruits that SDR has borne is that as radios have gained more and more functions CB and other bands are slowly merging into the general category of just “radio” . I joined in from being a WiFi expert.
Yes I too..got involved from the older gsm systems telephone stuff from the 90s....we are like a big family
Long time no chat on 305 (LT588), must catch up some time. Am now a licensed hammy so this review was very interesting. It's a popular portable transceiver which I've not used but have considered as it pops into the rucksack nicely. With a good antenna and on high ground it gets out really well. Nice review ....... talk soon I hope ......... Phill
Hi Phil 588. Hope your well. Myself with Dan 4428 and Richard are on 305 most days around 5pm. be nice to hear from you. Take care bud.
Well Fred i really enjoyed your review of the x6200. I myself am not a ham yet i enjoy the no mute options of this radio. Once again thanks. RON Z. W3090swl.
Hello, awesome video, and thank you, Fred. I agree with you 100% for the price it should be a touch screen. Hopefully, they will send you one radio to convert. i would really like to see it work on 10 and 11 meters. 73s
Hope so.
I had this radio for almost exactly 4 days - then I sent it back.
It is - as far as I can tell - a really great radio.
However, the features that I value in an SWL radio (which is how I intended to use it) are so highly technical, or hidden, or otherwise labelled, that it was completely impractical FOR ME.
But that does not change the fact that for many HAMs the radio itself is a little treasure.
Yes its a great QRP ham radio.
Yeah, good one Fred👍
Great review. Impressive radio the Xiegu X6200.
I agree 100%. Display needs looking into.
You have an opportunity here, for a build project. Lets research and build our own External Speaker. Looks like you are pretty good with the mdf there.
You have got a cracking bit of kit there Fred
Well that was an interesting take on this Radio, really enjoyed that Fred. Thanks.
Nice review fred being limited to receive only it seems to suffer from the normal non expensive qrp radios being noisy with the background noise ie no antenna plugged in but then its not icom or yaesu price .. would also be much better if the output was 20w not the 8w...but looks quite a nice non expensive portable radio ... certainly a starter radio .
Best wishes mac
Frid in the shed your RUclips videos are awesome my friend
They are a very capable transceiver especially if you’re wanting to get into QRP and early introduction to SDR functionality bearing in mind a comparable icom is over £1000 new and the Yaesu variant isn’t released yet but presume that will be over £1000 without the optional extras.
Keep doing your stuff Fred even us hams enjoy your reviews
73
Thanks.
I don’t like to use squelch when I’m scanning hf. I like to have the hissing noise there because I mostly like trying to pick out weak signals. That’s what DXing is all about, is trying to hear that one rare station you might never hear from again.
Agree.
Hi Fred, why don't you write the exam and become a Ham Radio operator, you seem to really love the radio hobby? A really nice transceiver, I like it!
And the knowledge he already has would cover most of the foundation requirements.
Not much point really in being a "radio ham" these days when you can go on the internet and talk to most, in most places though I'll admit not all!
Ham radio has always been my favorite hobby. Twenty plus years ago, I finally got to sit the exam, passed it, got my tech, then something like ten years later, I sat for my general exam, and have been in the hobby ever since. It is a shame that you don’t think you have to do it too because there’s just way too much out there for you to not participate. I participate most nights on the freewheelers net at 3916 kHz even if I’m just a listen only station using webSDR. I still enjoy it either way.
Great video Fred
It cost similar money to the amazing Yaesu FT 710. The Field version with cash back currently come in a little over £800. The Xiegu bargain is probably the G90 that does most of the same, does need a separate battery, 20 Watts and half the price. Nice review though, the receiver is alway 90% of any review.
I have been interested in one of these radios. However I will wait until next year before buying the X6200.
Frid in the shed xiegu x-6200 ham transceiver is awesome my friend
Hi Fred with your knowledge you would walk the foundation exam and could then make good use of all your equipment worth thinking about my daughter did the foundation & intermediate at 10 years of age .
Hi Fred. Nice Radio, i would use a head set instead of the built in speaker.
Nice bit of kit
While this radio is fine. I think that if your looking for a great receiver by buying a Ham radio the MCHF clone called the RS- 918 is an outstanding rig. I bought mine for $380 a year ago & consider it the best receiver I have had which includes an expensive Kenwood HF transceiver.
The Xiegu on the other hand is roughly $800 & while never having used one I doubt that the receiver beats the RS 918, but you have to remember the antenna is 50% of the reception ability.
Frid in the shed I learn lot from you about bying cb radios and antennas for cb radios and power supplys for cb radios
Xiegu has built some decent radios.
One very important considerations when buying ANY SDR based radio to use as receive only is
IS it fully compatible with apps like SDR## SDRConsole etc. and various digital decoding programs, with all functionality working.
Thats the beauty of SDRPlay Airspy Elad range (and other) Im a HUGE Elad fanboi!
Others can be used (Ie icom 8600) by some applications using 3rd party additions or even extra hardware and may not offer all the functions and abilities - you could get trapped
So do your research before you spend as always.
Nice video. Funny, but if I was going to buy this, I'd prefer it not to have a touch-screen. Tuning knobs are always best! Cheers.
ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON !!!
Nice looking radio Fred, maybe a new addition for the shack 😀
I would like one but only widebanded.
WELL, I HAVE THE X6100 AND THE INTERNAL SPEAKER IS NOT VERY GOOD. PURCHASED THE Xiegu GY03 EXTERNAL SPEAKER AND THAT REALY MAKES A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE Xiegu X6200.
Frid in the shed iam thinking about getting the XHDATA D-608WB AM FM sw wx Bt mp3 weather Alert emergency portable receiver my friend
MW from the uk is finished as stations close down also BBC R4 on the LW is going as well
Sadly your not wrong.
Personally I can not buy a radio for just listening. I like to talk. Like you fred I am not a ham radio operator. I love talking on USB, LSB, FM, AM on the frequencies I can.
Yeah most people like to talk much more than listening to other people talking. Society in a nutshell.
Frid in the shed i wish you and your wife and kids and grandchildren 73s my friend
UPDATE, after watching the video now 32mins in , i like it, but been a CB station, would have to get 11m open, Price, well this year bought 2 USB radios, so 585€ , waiting to buy one more, so as a total budget for the year on radio items, its not that bad price,
56CT004
Right i am now sending round the radio police as you transmitted on 20m without a license to do so, when tuning the atu,
Good luck
Dave
LOL
Fred, do you have a multi functional knob 🙂 🙂 🙂
Price update for Finland, found 2 shops, about 750€
As long as you don't have to carry it on your back,is "TOO MUCH RADIO" a real thing? As in the case of "TOO MANY", I contend the correct answer is,no.
Indeed!
Frid in the shed my hobbies are painting pictures 🖼 and listening to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my Grms license my friend
Shame there are so many connections/switches on the sides as that set looks close to double DIN size for car fitment
2024 and no touch screen?!
I'd wish Rob Sherwood would get a hold of this radio. If it's anything like the G90, the somewhat mediocre (dynamic range, one of the few phase-noisy SDRs) radio underneath the (kinda incomplete) 705 knockoff looks may not be worth whopping 2/3 of the price for a 705.
If you use a dummy antenna/load is that considered transmission? If not, is that a way forward.
Frid in the shed your shold think about getting your ham license my friend
Alright Fred, why don't you do your Ham exam? its pretty easy and you can do it all from home now!
@@Treadstone21-h6i what is?
@@Treadstone21-h6i mate he probably is not licensed what so ever! Id say 80% of the chatter in Portsmouth is unlicensed! You have companies using ham for their coms down south! I was listening to a delivery company yesterday lol it seems to be the wild west down here! I've not no idea why ofcom doesn't do something about it?????
not a touch screen dude
Yeah shame.
For 200 Euros more you got a far more better radio, the Yaesu FT 710...
Shame it's not touchscreen!. Kills it for me.
You can talk on the CB band, can't you?
Not without a software mod.