Let's check out the Xiegu G106 by taking it on a POTA activation!

[@ChrisSchroth]

Congratulations on 10k subscribers. Haven't watched your videos in a while and suddenly the 10k barrier is broken (I am sure it wasn't sudden for you). Thanks for another interesting video and sharing your experiences. 73 from the UK de M0VKP

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you, Christoph! Actually, it was my mother that has been tracking my subscribership. :) I would have never known I hit the 10K mark. Thank you, OM! de K4SWL/M0CYI

[@dwallich56]

Ah, the switch up. I listen to all of your videos, Thomas, to practice my CW skills, but I am pleased to say that I was 100% copy on your opening SSB contacts. TU & 73 Dave, N8LBF🙂

[@WaynePatrick]

Love your videos. You make it look easy.

[@pcfreak1992]

The lack of a power/SWR meter is an instant deal-breaker for me. I'm sure it has a SWR bridge built-in for the ALC, so at least a "high SWR" indicator would have been appreciated.

[@PIasmaZombie]

doesn't it reduce the TX pwr when the SWR is high ? that can be a help to adjust the antenna for minimum swr.

[@Relayer1974]

mmmm new Thomas and hot coffee. It's going to be a good day.

[@HamRadioQso]

just ordered this setup to today then found ur video. im ready for qrp

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Have fun! :)

[@HamRadioQso]

@@ThomasK4SWL update. So I got this setup and have made contacts all over the world. France Germany. Australia,Fiji and so on and so on. Field day was fantastic!! I started at 2 am that Sunday morning. Feeding the antenna with 7/8 hardline and made over 200 contacts on phone. No the setup isn’t for everyone. But if your into QRO like I am. You will love it!!

[@joeblow8593]

Thanks for the video too and also congrats on 10K subs. I'm trying to figure why I would want this radio since I already have radios that do QRP. I'm glad to see it's working good for you and it does look like Xiegu sorted out the defects since Mike's original video. If anyone is interested in the radio, keep checking R&L I have seen these on sale there for as low as $289.

[@ve2zdx]

You’re making this radio look good! 73

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

It is good. I keep mine in the car with CW key and mike, 20m SOTA EFHW, and a car power adapter with extension and it's lived under the driver's seat for 3 years ready whenever I get the opportunity. Everything fits into a lunch box, a compact practical, simple but effective bit of kit.

[@adam-g7crq]

Hi Thomas, thanks for the video, I think if your an absolute beginner into portable QRP radio and just wanted to test the water to see what it's like this radio is ok as long as they know it's not going to be a top performing radio, what made the video for me is how well that antenna performs with help from band conditions as well, haven't found a retailer in the UK for the MC-750 yet, hopeful for that to change soon.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hi, Adam, Knowing you live in the UK, I would just emphasize the importance of building or buying a good BCI filter for the G106. Cheers, Thomas

[@johndeeregreen4592]

Sheesh, those pile-ups. Reminds me of living in DM29 for 20 years and when I would catch a 6 meter opening. 73, de NV6R

[@DonzLockz]

Glad they are fixing that radio. I think it had many issues and bugs. Fixing the transmit cleanliness was priority. Cheers for the video and update on the radio.🍻🤠

[@n4jaw]

There you go exposing us to a new key. That Begali Traveler looks like it may get a lot of miles on it in my hands. 👐

[@w1rcp]

Jim…thou shalt not purchase another key thus sayeth the Lord.

[@n4jaw]

@@w1rcp 🤣 I plead the 5th!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's a gorgeous key, Jim. The perfect one to jump off the wagon and grab. :) Ha ha!

[@sockeatinggolden8316]

I've enjoyed your videos for a while. Still slowly learning CW. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it. Glad to finally catch you on the SSB side of the band! Your audio was great! QSB aside it was very clear and loud. I would've never guessed you were on a G106 73 - W8SEG

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Excellent! Very good to know! Thank you for that feedback and for hunting me! And CW? You've got this!

[@brianve7jyd943]

i love it - its A $300 radio its works - if u want the bells and whistles buy a $1000 one 73

[@haramanggapuja]

Nice. I just got mine out the mailbox today & am eager to give it a POTA trial. Seems like a decent enough "no threats carry-on" rig for CEPT travel/activations. Still getting used to it, but you're right: it needs a SWR/power meter. Still getting used to the rest of it, 'though I did manage a couple POTA hunt Qs with it this morning. Thanks for the video run thru. 73 de W8IJN (By the way: That Begali Traveler is the only way to go ;-) )

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Excellent, Nils. And, you're right, the Traveler is amazing!

[@lewistasso8866]

I am interested in getting a G106. Are those Anderson powerpoles you use to hook up your radio to the battery?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Yes. I put Anderson Powerpoles on all of my battery connections. By doing this, all of my radios are easy to pair with any of my batteries.

[@ai5dd]

Beautiful key, I'm looking at their small POTA key when I get some extra money :)

[@ThomasK4SWL]

If you end up going to Hamvention, just take a fist full of cash and hand it to Bruna at the Begali booth. You'll get one of their keys if you try them.

[@davewhite7679]

Neat little paddle and radio. I've loved my Xiegu G-90 for a couple of years now. I'm just curious why you send "72" at the end of each QSO instead of "73"? KZ9V

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Here you go: qrper.com/2022/07/why-i-send-72-instead-of-73/?swcfpc=1

[@N2AKJ]

I could of sworn we worked each other when you were at k-6856

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I've activated K-6856 a lot lately. I bet you're int he logs on a different activation!

[@gliderrider]

I’ve been hoping you would use this one. Very curious. I’m only 1 mile from a broadcast station but if I use a manual tuner it’s gone. It doesn’t do 160 except for receive. Wish it did 10 watts for ssb, but you did fine with it. In fact you did great with it! Still kind of an appealing rig. De n5vwn

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Thank you for that feedback!

[@radioactive8772]

Where did you get the cool vertical antenna? Thanks

[@ThomasK4SWL]

It's the Chelegance MC-750. They have them at DX Engineering if you're in the States.

[@douglassharafanowich8605]

Gospel Music bleed-through. I know the feeling! WFIF is about 1.5 miles from my QTH. 😉

[@theradiojunkie247]

Just purchased one of these...like your video demonstrating the rig...73 de K4MTW

[@Cedric_Harris]

I'm really thinking about getting this radio. It's either this or the G90. The G90 looks great, but this radio is so cheap, and it looks like it would be a fun challenge. I kind of want both 😄

[@ThomasK4SWL]

The G106 will certainly get the job done. And, yes, you could get both!

[@Cedric_Harris]

@@ThomasK4SWL I ended up getting the G-106. It's a surprisingly powerful radio for what it is. I power it with 14 volts and feed the audio through the ACC port. I've had contacts all over the world on digital and phone in the last week. Best $200 I ever spent on a radio!

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@Cedric_Harris Brilliant! Say...would you consider writing a field report about one of your G-106 activations for QRPer.com?

[@Cedric_Harris]

@@ThomasK4SWL I certainly will.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@Cedric_Harris Excellent! The more photos, the better. Just email a Word doc with photos in it to my callsign @qrper.com. :). No rush or anything, just when you have the time!

[@N2AKJ]

Tom did we work each other on the 31st I don't remember

[@ThomasK4SWL]

What's your call?

[@Tamlin73]

Hi there, i have watched alot of your videos now, and i think you are the one to ask for help, i want to learn CW, and i love qrp...so.. i own a Yaesu ft 897d but thats no qrp radio, i also own a President Lincoln 2+ thats also not an qrp radio, and i have one off them Kenwood th 7e handhelds for 2m and 70cm, but i want a qrp for cw, i can get a xiegu G1m for cheap, but that one is kind of not my type of radio, but then i saw this one, but this one dident have fm, and not any CW decoder, i need one of them, i can see in this video that this modell of 106 now is upgraded, with Fm/Am and some other stuff, and if i get an external CW decoder, will it be a ok qrp radio? I did get one of them chinese usdx +v2 radios, and i am using it to learn CW it has a CW decoder, and maybe its the only part it do good haha, but it was cheap, but i need the perfect qrp radio that i want to take with me everywhere and use all the time. Qcx mini looks fine, but only one band. Not easy 😂 and im no milionaire. Best regards and 73 from Norway.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Hi, Jon, So I actually produced a very in-depth review of the G106 that's in this month's issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine: www.thespectrummonitor.com/may2023tsm.aspx It might help you make a decision. Eventually, this review will be posted on QRPer, but you can purchase the individual issue via TSM. I'm not actually familiar with CW decoders, but I think two of the best in-radio ones are via Elecraft products (pricey) and in QRP Labs QCX-Mini (very affordable, though mono band as you say). I don't know external decoders well enough to guide you, but perhaps someone else can chime in! Cheers, Thomas

[@Tamlin73]

@@ThomasK4SWL If i go for the qcx mini, what band is the best to have? I want a band that can be used 24/7 all year and with Cw. I like the 20 meter most i think, but im no licenced operator yet, so for now im stuck to listening and study Cw :) 11 meter is great in that way, i enjoy it very much. Thanks for the answer and tip.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

@@Tamlin73 That's a tough call. :) Much depends on what kind of antenna you can deploy and when you plan to operate. Of course, higher bands have shorter antennas than the lower bands. 20 meters is nice especially for working a bit of DX. It's a very useful band, but (depending on conditions) can completely close during the night. If you're mostly a daytime op, then 20 could be a good choice. It's not great for reliable contacts within Scandinavia, for example, as you'll skip right over your neighbors. 40M can offer superb late night and early morning DX opportunities, and more regional contacts (think most of the EU) during the day. 30M is a compromise between 40 and 20. :)

[@Tamlin73]

@@ThomasK4SWL Thank you again for the answer and good info :)

[@Mirko-td5ff]

What type of battery pack do you use?

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I primarily use a 3Ah Bioenno LiFePO4 battery with my QRP radios. I link to this specific battery will be in my field report (linked in the description).

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Interesting little radio. 73 KO4HPC.

[@seanfoley7097]

I pick up trash too I can't help it

[@rod0325]

Nice activation Thomas. 73s - Rodney, KO4ZFO

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

So im not the only one that still uses a paper log book! Nice video!

[@w1rcp]

KE8PTX - I like the Paca instead of papa. Good stuff.

[@w1rcp]

20:27 - 🫣

[@joeblow8593]

I see that Radioddity is selling these out for $235

[@tommycheshire5508]

A little skinny on user friendliness. Actually, it is a little skinny on features.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Indeed.

[@pjwbb]

What is your antenna？

[@ThomasK4SWL]

I have a link to it in the field report on QRPer.com. Check for the link in the video description. Thanks!

[@pinkunwizard]

I love your videos but thought were just a.little harsh on this little radio. It's a bare bones radio designed for people to test the waters, if people want all the bells and whistles then they will have to pay for them. As an entry level radio i think it is now just fine 73 from the UK, keep those videos coming.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

You might check out my actual in-depth review of the G106 on QRPer.com. This video was made shortly after Radiooddity sent it to me. I do feel it's a great value and offers more than the price would suggest. qrper.com/2023/06/an-in-depth-review-of-the-xiegu-g106-qrp-hf-transceiver/ Best & 72, Thomas (K4SWL / M0CYI)

[@bijuteriasarteestiloeelega919]

Congratulations for activating POTA this very brave qrp good 73 de PY3FBI Name Gilberto Qth Porto Alegre RS extreme south of Brasil. --... ...--

[@stevekujo7466]

Nice fist on. 73 Steve NN9J

[@terrygriffey4790]

GM - Tnx for another great video. You can tell you like that key! Great job sir! de kg5owb