Beginner’s Guide: Xiegu G106 Unboxing, Setup, & Successful POTA Activation!

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Күн бұрын

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@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

qrper.com/2024/11/xiegu-g106-from-unboxing-to-your-first-pota-activation-beginner-friendly-video/?swcfpc=1 Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.

@geoffeg Ай бұрын

Hah, I'm the second QSO of the activation. Not sure why I called you Mark. Thanks for activating and thanks for including everything in this video and not editing it!

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Ha ha! No worries. Many people call me Tim, so Mark was a nice change. :)

@socallars3748 Ай бұрын

@@ThomasK4SWL That's a great attitude to have, Bruce. 😁

@McPilot_W3DDS Ай бұрын

Hi Thomas. For the Powerpoles I assemble the black and red housings and the insert the red and black leads in at the same time. It avoids having to work with limited wire ends. Great video as always. Mike W3DDS

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Oh, that's a great tip. Thank you!

@ChrisV_WP4PUV Ай бұрын

Thank you. I did not send a question but am of the bunch who are trying to get their first HF radio and ran into the other G106 videos. Helpful video!

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks!

@terrymccrarey Ай бұрын

Thank You for the video! I think it is a great beginner and POTA radio. Keep in mind how much it cost as compared to other brands or even higher end models of Xeigu. For the most part also is the fact that this radio is very small in size and would be great in an emergency and working solar power. In this day and age when conflicts are many, this radio would be great to pull out after a tornado or conflict and a end fed wire antenna. I bought a Mini Automatic Antenna Tuner that has a built in battery. The combo of this radio and the Tuner $65 which has a SWR and Power meter built into the tuner, makes the whole system very effective and fun and small. I like the system so well I bought a 106 and auto tuner for my girlfriend for Christmas. She just got her license I believe this radio is exactly what she needs to have fun with and is not complicated like other brands and Xiegu models. I have had my radio on the bench and checked its output purity and power and receive signal input level and found it was every bit as good as more expensive radio models. I am totally happy with mine! I have the DE-19 and can't wait to try out FT-8 also. I don't always believe all the C*R*A*P that Trolls have to say bad about items they don't like or work for!

@loufigueroa304 Ай бұрын

Another great video. You were able to show the power of CW when you did the cross mode comms. The gentleman had a great 599 by ear signal (CW) and dropped to a 33 when using SSB. Good job my friend. 72

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Yes, and honestly, I love those cross-mode contacts. :)

@josephdanielsmith6179 Ай бұрын

Just got my G106, thanks for the great video.

@KC2BKM Ай бұрын

For new viewers the really unusual thing about this video is that he usually spends the first 10 minutes telling us he only has 10 minutes to do an activation....Ha! couldnt resist. Happy Thankgiving!

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

🤣Thanks for keeping it on the level!

@jaym1301 28 күн бұрын

I watched your other G106 POTA video but I couldn't undertand a word. I don't speak CW (yet.) Glad to see this one shows what the G106 can do in SSB mode because I'm thinking of buying one as a back-up, emergency and portable HF radio. Re: some of the low signal strength reports, it's the "Readability: 5" that counts! And I noticed there was no need to bore a hole in the mic housing over the internal microphone. Reviews of my Alinco DR-735T dual-bander said the same thing about the mic but my audio reports all say I sound crisp and clear with no muffling so no mod was needed. Re: AGC adjustment, I don't think there is in FW 1.3. Maybe it will come in a later revision? But to my (old) eyes the G106 is a lovely little radio. Currently just $199 on Radioddity, bundled with a beginner's VHF/UHF ebook. I personally wouldn't recommend a QRP radio as a new ham's first HF rig especially if they don't have room for a great antenna at their QTH. Calling CQ and never getting answered and never being heard can lead to frustration both with HF and with the hobby. I would recommend that they save up and buy a used 100W radio, also that they join a club and use the radios in the club's shack in the meantime until they've honed their techniques and are more confident with making contacts. Maybe a club member will even loan them a radio or sell them one at a great price. Someone's selling a Yaesu FT-100 shack-in-a-box on QRZ dor $485 right now, so fairly affordable used 100W rigs still exist on the marketplace. I think QRP rigs should come later when they start thinking about doing POTA/SOTA and also want to have a SHTF emergency rig. By then they should know what they're getting into, using only 5 watts or so of power, and it'll be fun rather than frustrating. An antenna analyser is a must if you're going to build your own antennas or when you tune a commercially-made one, so I would strongly suggest that a new ham buy a NanoVNA. My favorite is the NanoVNA-F from DeepElec in China because, among other things like a 4.1 inch screen, it has presets for all of the ham bands, but with a wide bandspread between the start and stop frequencies any NanoVNA's Smith chart will let you see what frequency or frequencies the antenna's resonant on, which will tell you if you need to cut a little wire off or splice in some more to make it work where you want it to. (I am not affiliated with DeepElec, I just like their NanoVNA after having had one of the smaller black and gold V2 ones. I find the F easier to use.) Also, just a niggle: QRZ means "Who's calling me?" and since you're the one doing the calling, nobody's calling you. :) (Look at me, a mere general licensed for just 16 months Elmering an amateur extra in the US about Q codes, heehee!) Thanks for the great video, I really really enjoyed watching it! 73 and Merry Christmas, de DV7GDL.

@ThomasK4SWL 28 күн бұрын

Thank you for the comments. Yes, indeed, I've sent notes to Xiegu asking them to tweak the AGC to help mitigate that audio surge in the presence of strong signals. I'm certain it can be addressed in firmware, but not sure if they'll put effort into it. Regarding QRZ? It's very much convention to use QRZ as, essentially, an abbreviated way of sending CQ when you have a pileup or steady stream of contacts running. It signals your hunters to cast their call out again. You'll hear this in contests as well and both in SSB and CW. In a sense, it's like asking, "Okay, who's calling me next?" :) Thank you for the kind comments and here's wishing you the very best!

@wilduc7302 Ай бұрын

Great reflection of your activity and as always solid and a pleasure to listen!

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Thank you!

@ralphmills7322 Ай бұрын

Thanks Thomas, I got a G90 that I use SSB portable. It was a pretty hot item pre-COVID. Don't hear much on YT anymore. I am waiting for SSB mode on Hans' QMX for my dream portable rig.

@pete6343 Ай бұрын

I have been using the G106 for more than a year and love it. I need a Magnifying glass because I have limited vision but use this one most of the time when QRP. I have the X6100 and the only reason I would go to it was to use the internal tuner. I use the Z-Match tuner with the G-106. Thanks for the video Tom. Pete, wa2jmg

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Thank you for the G106 feedback, Pete!

@lycoguy Ай бұрын

So THATS what a CW pileup sounds like.

@ChrisBeiting 21 күн бұрын

I’ve been considering a small qrp radio that does SSB, and not break the bank. I have the FT710 and would love something smallish to take on trips and just have instead of the big radio. The price is certainly right on this one.

@KG6UQA Ай бұрын

Thanks for another great video... like seeing you work ssb and cw qrp

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

It's my pleasure. Thanks for watching!

@Zach-K7FC Ай бұрын

That’s great work for 5w SSB. You almost need a disclaimer though, “your QRP voice experience may vary.” I know a lot of people have you in HamAlert and come looking when you’re on the air. Thanks for making the videos.

@dorvinion Ай бұрын

Kinda feel like its a matter of when it works it works and when it don't it don't. The few times I've tried SSB activations with 5w its worked out about as well as when I use CW. There's just a heck of a lot more SSB operators out there so even though your power is low, the pool of hunters is larger

@Zach-K7FC Ай бұрын

@ Good point. There are many variables that can influence the success of an activation. Propagation, time of day, and location are big ones.

@adam-g7crq Ай бұрын

Hi Thomas I remember the first video you did re the G106 and I'm glad you've done a revisit and I'm quite happy on how this radio performs for what it is and it's price I do like Xiegu radios even though I don't own one myself, for me I'm going to buy a Xiequ but not the 106 for just a bit more I think I'll aim for the Xiegu G90 it's got quite a bit more facilities than the G106, higher output built in tuner with a good tuning range and covers from top band to ten meters and is a radio that I could use out and about and at home, thanks for the update re the 106 cheers Adam G7CRQ.

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Thank you, Adam. Yes, the G90 is a solid choice for sure. It's the reason it's one of the most popular POTA rigs out there.

@KC1PSK Ай бұрын

I have this radio and love it.

@bonnetdedouche437 Ай бұрын

Great videos. Keep it real time and lots of antenna deployment please. Just needs more 'hund'! Next video avec Le Chien sil vous plait? 😊

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Oui! Hazel, that day, was back home hanging with my daughters. She's eager to get out soon to do some POTA doggin'!

@jamescoffey5225 Ай бұрын

In lieu of heat shrink, if not available, I have resorted to the use of small zip ties. Zip ties work well! Very informative video. Thanks and 72/73 de AE5ZX

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Great tip! Thanks!

@chuckrann6282 Ай бұрын

Looked at the manual… “Long press the mode button to turn off the preamp…. not recommended on lower HF bands”. Would that affect the loud volume you were referring to? Enjoyed it Thomas. Considering the G106 but would like to have a QRP with an SWR graph like the G 90. Thank you!,!

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Yes, typically with HF radios, a preamp is needed from 20 meters and us. Turning that off, might help knock down the sensitivity some, but I think the AGC would still be sluggish, causing that surge of audio gain. In the end, the AGC just needs to be tweaked.

@greg54444 Ай бұрын

Do you have any antenna instructions for a beginner.

@frasermderry Ай бұрын

Hi, Thomas. Another very interesting video, thanks. Just a comment about how I install Anderson Power Poles. I assemble the red and black shells together and crimp the connectors inserting the connectors into the shells. I feel that it causes less stress on the wire ends. Just my personal opinion. Thanks for everything you do for the hobby! Marc (N1QGM) Patreon Supporter

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

Hi, Marc and thank you for being a Patreon supporter! I really appreciate it! Yes, that is a brilliant suggestion and what I'll do next time. For some reason, that never dawned on me. :) Have an amazing weekend!

@dannybryant4440 Ай бұрын

How do you get all 150 ft of the throw line into your little bag?

@ThomasK4SWL Ай бұрын

This is the technique I use for all throwline (despite the thickness of the line): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ7Ho6Kpa72br7Msi=_yboehw6GpmI6Oq1 It's a very effective and quick way to store it in a bag without any tangles.