An Honest Review | Xiegu G90 Review | My Xiegu G90 annoyances

I finally wanted to do my own review of the Xiegu G90 radio. I couldn't find any honest, daily driver radio reviews, and I today I didn't sugar coat it.
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Music:
Knowpe - Noir Et Blanc Vie
MydNyte - Noir Et Blanc Vie
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Rig:
Xiegu G90 20 watt HF (500kHz - 30Mhz) Radio
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Follow me on Instagram: / k4nfp
Also, check out Storm Shelters On the Air (SSOTA): www.jbdigisol.com/ssota
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[@CliffFoxKU4GW]

This has to be, by far, the very worst review I have ever viewed on a amateur radio of all the reviews I've ever watched on KZbin! First of all you should have read the manual to know how to operate the radio before doing a review, I know there are several times you said I don't know, oh well, about how to work a function or feature on the radio. Secondly, you made me sit here and watch, lacking 12 seconds, a full half hour before you ever turned it on and then to top it all off you said you didn't even have a antenna up yet to test it. Do you own a dummy load? If you said anything about having one I missed it because I stopped watching the moment you said you didn't have an antenna installed yet. What the heck are you doing trying to review a radio you don't even know how to work nor have any way of testing? What a waste of people's time! Geez!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thank you for such a kind hearted review :)

[@Ratvid1]

He definitely needs to look up the word "unbiased". This was not an unbiased professional review.

[@Radar1328]

I agree, this is one of the worst reviews that I have seen on KZbin. Start by reading the operating manual. Next, practice using the radio before you turn on the camera. It shouldn't take over 30 minutes of talking before turning on the radio. Finally, get your act together before you waste the viewers time and your time doing a poor review.

[@Radar1328]

Right you are.

[@83redgrass]

Agree 2000%. What a maroon......

[@TheSmokinApe]

G90 fan checking in 👍

[@josephcoberly6495]

I talked to South Africa with 20 Watts. No problem. This rig is awesome!! No cons here. K8BOW.

[@skideric]

Great,EXTREME Closeup Review of the Screen & Controls. Can actually see all on the screen clearly. Got one of these coming.Thanks!

[@justincampbell680]

G90 has proven to me to be a solid radio for voice for four years.eunning the 100 watt amp and a tarheel antenna. No complaints. Screens small but livable. Not much options. Unless u buy a yaesu 710 now and put it mobile. Facts.

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Just got a whole setup with 100 watt amp,35 watt power supply second hand for $625 Saved $700.00

[@libertyrex994]

Great review. Thanks.

[@cwqrpportable]

Thanks for taking the time to make this review, I know appreciate some of the things I learned about this neat little txcvr. 73 de Brent

[@PopeyeKF4LBG]

Very enjoyable review...

[@DutchmanRadio]

Cool video!

[@wrhysg61]

42 mins of my life I can never get back

[@hamradiocq]

Dude you making me want to buy one!

[@justincampbell680]

Had one for 4 years In my mobile.not a bad mobile radio.

[@pasixty6510]

CAT Control is working on the G90. Here‘s a short howto: radio must be switched on before you plug the com/cat cable into the data socket on the left hand side of the front unit (otherwise the radio waits for a fimware update). Look for the new com-port showing up in device manager (MS-Windows, no information on other OS available to me yet). As the G90 isn’t genuinely supported by software like eg. WSJT-X, you must use FLRIG as an interface. Here‘s how to do that: In FLRIG choose your rig. If the X90 is not in the list, choose an ICOM rig. The manual of the G90 claims compatibility with the IC7000. A friend of mine chose the IC756, what worked. In FLrig enter the com-port you found in the device manager and set it to 19200 BAUD (the G90 manual says 15200, but that doesn‘t work), further settings: 1stopbit, PTTviaCAT, CI-V Adresse 0x5C. That’s it. You can start your radio software now (eg. WSJX-T) and choose FLRig as your radio. FLRig does the interfacing and CATcontrols, tuning etc. Here‘s a link to a video (in German) The CAT demo starts at about the 6th minute. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2PdpX-AltiUqtk GREAT VIDEO. Good luck for the future. I subscribed. 73 from Germany!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

I've used CAT control and it does work. But it's not complete. Even in the manual it says, "C-IV Instruction set isn't fully implemented yet, so not all functions will work with CAT control"

[@beeorganic]

Shoots... I was looking for a dishonest review.

[@kojindan]

Just booked to get my licence next month and this radio has been on my short list for my first ever ham radio so found this while researching. Nice coverage of the radio overall, nice vid in general too.

[@K6ARK]

Sweet! A new ham radio channel. Nice work on the review, you earned the 👍 from me. Subscribed as well because I look forward to more! Keep up the good work.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thanks! Means a lot to hear feedback like this!

[@K6ARK]

@@K4NFPRadioelectronics no problem! You'll find the hams with KZbin channels - much like the rest of the ham community - are very supportive of each other. Welcome!

[@hamradiocq]

Great video, thanks. I'd love to see how good the CW Decoder is.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

I'm going to make that a separate video, since when I first got it, I couldn't find any videos on how to use the CW decoder. I didn't want it to be buried in this video where people can't find it.

[@matthewlee2686]

How well does it function on AM?

[@don_n5skt]

Good point on the tuning. I had not even thought of that. Good video.

[@okhamradio]

Good device 👍

[@TXLorenzo]

CAT control is simple. I use the ICOM 7100 settings for the software controls. Use the accessory port for audio and feed it through an inline sound card. I use the G90 for every digital mode.

[@josephcoberly6495]

By the way, I sent a 58 signal and that was from West Virginia. Very pleased!!

[@michaelfuchs1467]

Congrats to the best G90 review I've seen so far! Having owned transceivers costing more than 10x the price of my G90, this is now my favorite transceiver - pretty much because of the points you made in this video. I'm a tinkerer / programmer with a keen interest in outdoors activities, military and emergency communication - not a 'HAM' / contester / to ugly guy to meet people... I just want to stress, for potential buyers watching this video, that it's the ATU tuning which is lacking in the CAT commands - not VFO tuning. It can easily be misinterpreted when watching the first half of this video. Other than that; excellent and bone honest review that doesn't ooze of 'sponsorship' which usually bugs the crap out of me when watching the usual talking heads on KZbin. Also, I really love your little Pico-Paddle clone. I need one of those! 73!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thanks for the kind words! I agree, it's a really great transceiver!

[@tonywalker2372]

It now, with firmware 1.75 has (experimental) FM. and, it does seem to work well.

[@justincampbell680]

Will say probably the only Chinese radio company that tries to come through with a decent radio. That's not stealing people's money.

[@robmccarthy1018]

I own a G90 and am overall pleased with it. Re your review. Good effort but I found it too 'jumpy' to watch it all. (which I did). For the next review, keep the camera still, don't fiddle with the knobs all the time, Read the manual fully before the review and have the rig operating for much of the review. Just stick to one feature at a time and don't sidetrack so much. It was too long for the amount of info. Keep at it and take it easier next time. 😀

[@DavidSmith-vl5fi]

Great video of your telephone 🤔

[@justincampbell680]

I don't like Chinese stuff but they did make a radio for once.

[@onebreathnation2068]

Can this radio be programmed for encryption and frequency hopping?

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

No, it cannot, as well as that being illegal on amateur frequencies....

[@HamRadio2]

That hand-mic is an Icom-style mic. The IC-7000 and ID-5100 have almost the same mics.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Yea, I think I remember hearing that somewhere. Thanks for the comment!

[@HamRadio2]

@@K4NFPRadioelectronics Great review!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

@@HamRadio2 Thank's a lot!

[@williamnigh5979]

Few cons. Scratch the paint?

[@EarthlyVibes]

Thanks for the honest review! Mine comes in about a week, which is just in time for WFD 2021. Keep up the great work and your channel will grow.. please do a video on your keyer.

[@paulaubuchon2336]

Who is one where is factory or service for the Xiego G90? Paul. K1YOU

[@K5ATA]

Nice review. I’m sharing your channel out, let’s see if we can get you growing!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thanks a lot!

[@stefann.2844]

Great Video. Is there any freeDv mode? 73‘, Stefan

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Sadly, it doesn't do any encoding of any digital modes. That is a shame, because I believe the processor could definitely handle it.

[@Tonylovesjazz]

Can you please boost your recording volume. I'm at 100 and audio is still low. Thanks and Best Regards.

[@Tonylovesjazz]

Forgot to mention a very informative review. Thanks.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this video and your thoughts. However an Honest review of your review, Pro: eventually you got around to turning it on but as others have mentioned you said I don’t way to much. Hopefully you will improve your performance will improve as gain experience and prepare yourself before recording. Also like other viewers I stopped watching early.

[@VirtualLunacy]

I got 20 minutes in and you still hadn't turned it on so I backed out, sorry

[@83redgrass]

Sorry but not sorry.....

[@robrarker]

I read your comment 10 seconds in, then I backed out

[@marcreynolds7948]

Note your chips are not ESD protected in that pink foam. Anti static pink foam is safe in that it won't generate a static field, for example if you rub two against each other. The foam does not, however, provide any ESD protection against static fields in that it is not conductive: Your chips leads are all basically floating so a nearby field could induce a charge potential on the chips leads. You need the black carbon impregnated foam to store chips as safe from ESD. Likewise for plastic bags. The pink antistatic bags won't generate a static field so they would be safe to store mechanical widgets that are not susceptible to ESD in a bin next to a bin of ESD susceptible components. For example, these bagged widgets would be safe to store in a bin in close proximity to a bin of chips. The chips for safe ESD storage should be plugged into black carbon foam or stored in metalized plastic ESD bags. BTW, I just ordered a G90.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thank's for sharing that! I really didn't know that! I have been keeping them in an anti-static container, before I shot this video, I was playing around with some circuitry, so those were just sitting out.

[@louisseaman8455]

This is a neat little radio, and I'm sold on all the functions that weren't available back in the 1980s when I got into radio even if they're a bit annoying to use on this platform...do you know were I can see a review and opinions about the receiver sensitivity, SSB center frequency stability, and linearity across the bands; or can you do that?

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

I will try to make a more in depth review in the future! Maybe once they come out with software release 2.0

[@WJ6FRadio]

Great video! Very well done. As a G90 user myself, I think your review is spot on! Keep up the great work! Subscribed!!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thanks for the kind words man!

[@marymiller2776]

Great review. ..

[@AA0Z]

Great review. Not a G90 fan but I can see you put some time and effort into it. Keep em coming!! We need more ham radio content creators!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thanks a lot! But join the dark side haha

[@danielson101]

tape measure?

[@justincampbell680]

The gsoc head added features but does suck. Not worth it. The g90 alone. Not a bad rig.

[@justincampbell680]

Think yaesu could build a rig like this for qrp or a mobile.

[@dougelick8397]

OH8STN has videos where he's running the G90 off a Raspberry Pi doing JS8Call, WSTJ-X and FL-Digi.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

I saw it! Pretty neat stuff. I use a microsoft surface pro instead of a raspberry pi

[@justincampbell680]

To get a hundred watts not hard run a tarheel antenna. Very good mobile.

[@josephcoberly6495]

Too particular, lol. Overcome and adapt. We never had any colors on my old superheterodyne. Just the backlight.

[@josephcoberly6495]

Watch Robert Nagy's video on the G90. You will know everything about this rig. Amazing!!

[@justincampbell680]

Bandwidth is cool.

[@leesops710]

I have the G90 it's in my go bag if they made it 100watt or even 50watt they would not be able to keep them in stock. Even on 20watt and CHAMELEON ANTENNA MPAS 2.0 Portable HF Antennas. I have talk all over the world but will get the Yaesu FT-891 / 73.

[@pasixty6510]

6:50 it‘s got FM now by itself. You just have to update the firmware to v.1.75.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Wait v1.75 adds FM?!

[@pasixty6510]

@@K4NFPRadioelectronics According to the release notes and what I saw on my G90's display, it does. They announce NBFM just as a test implementation. I didn't have an antenna connected when I did the update yesterday. So go for the first test of the new feature. I'm looking forward to see your video. 73!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

@@pasixty6510 wow im going to have to make a video on that new firmware! Maybe it will change some of the bugs i had!

[@ArmonMitchell]

music in background....perfection. Good review for novice

[@justincampbell680]

Show me a mobile yaesu or icom has. That have a tuner and active spectrum scope. Radio has good ears and audio out. Eating for the two big company's to build an hf Mobile with this radios options. Not yet.

[@justincampbell680]

Definitely not a bad qrp rig either. Tuner works great I think.

[@justincampbell680]

Good mobile.

[@AdamMelancon]

Great review! Keep up the good work! KD5QZG

[@ronjones503]

Great review. Just about ready to pull the trigger on one! KA9DRZ

[@justincampbell680]

The 710 is a full sdr think they are headed there..

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good work!

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Thanks Hoshnasi!

[@gaptastic]

I'm amazed Josh thought this was a good review ... i di not and I respect josh's opinions.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

@@gaptastic Let me correct your sentence :). "I am amazed Josh thought this was a good review. I did not have the same opinion, but I do respect Josh's opinions."

[@gaptastic]

@@K4NFPRadioelectronics ur a straight shooter, i thank you ... btw it really wasn't well thought out, c'mon

[@justincampbell680]

Run a bhi mobile speaker amplified ur good

[@rogerfethkenher3726]

This is fantastic video,,, I am going to this radio because of this video!!!!!

[@JackDemaree]

not very loud in the video.

[@justincampbell680]

Who wants that hanging off there dash?

[@robduncan599]

I am sorry , ' you don't have a ant ? But you are doing an honest review? If this was a first impressions video, maybe ok ? But am i missing something here , do you have an aerial or not ? Have you made contacts on this radio prior to this video ? I am not trying to be mean, but how is it possible to do a review on a radio with no aerial? Never mind a 'honest review ' . I was i bit disappointed, sorry to give you negative feedback.

[@axemanarbor]

He said he has made about 20 contacts . Assuming with an antenna

[@AECRADIO1]

CW key for me, is only good for steady carriers. I am not an H.F fan by a long shot, and the cost if this, is too much. Love the form factor, not the cost, not worth it.

[@K4NFPRadioelectronics]

Yea, if you're not much of an HF person, then I suggest getting something like a uBitx, they are cheap, but are pretty bear bones.

[@vu3mes]

Reviews should be done by people who have used the radio. At least you could have read the manual.

[@83redgrass]

Super agree. !! Wow. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@randallhash9283]

This may be a favorite radio for many but it was one of the worst transceiver I have owned…It’s display is very small and menus are confusing…I was as excited to sell it as I was the first day I purchased it…SHEW!

[@mayflynut]

Horrible review. Absolutely no focus.

[@axemanarbor]

Such a good review. I wish they were all like this . Im a newby and just setting up . Finding this is just what I need . No script was spot on btw

[@sulochanasatyan7228]

I am going for a G90 after my 817nd is qrt. Qrp is skill and patience not for appliance operators. 73 de vu3mes