Pull Double Duty with your QRP Ham Radio| Xiegu XPA125B Review

See the Amp here: www.mfjenterpr...
XCE-19 Data Port: www.mfjenterpr...
Can The Xiegu XPA125B Amplifier compete with the king of QRP amps? We'll look at both the Elecraft KXPA100 and this Xiegu to see what you get with each and how much it'll cost you. Watch this video before you buy a QRP Amplifier.

[@Fireguy-]

Love the intro.

[@kenthufford743]

WORKS GREAT WITH THE ICOM 705. No special cables or boxes needed. I connected the PTT amp line from the ICOM 705 to my XIEGU XPA125B amp. With 1 watt out of the 705, I get 105 watts out of the 125B. I then connected the PTT amp line from the 705 to my ELECRAFT KPA1500 amp. With 10 watts out of the 705, I get around 400 watts out on most bands. I used an old 3.5mm Stereo cable with a white and red RCA plugs on the other end as my Keying cable. Just plug in the 3.5mm plug to the SEND/ALC jack of the 705, and the WHITE RCA jack into the PTT jack of the KPA1500 and it keys. The RED RCA plug is ALC, which I am not using. (However your colors may vary). I took a old mouse, and cut off the 6pinDIN cable and took the ground and PTT lines for the XPA125B and put on a RCA JACK. (did the ALC also, but not using it) KQ4KK

[@ricklett1688]

Give MFJ a week and they'll print their name on it.

[@ryankc9oza118]

Good video. Could see where It'd let guys use their portable radios as a base station and have station 100 watts power without having to buy another base rig

[@davidsradioroom9678]

I almost ignored this video, but I am glad I didn't. It was a very professional piece of work, and was informative, too!

[@1polonium210]

Good review, as usual. I bought the 125B amplifier last week. It was delivered Friday, and I will give it a first run today (Monday) with my X5105 and G90.

[@forgetyourlife]

You can get a new 100 watt Yaesu ft-891 for 479-529 depending on sales. Why bother?

[@blackopmanners]

You could use the QRP radio for SOTA POTA, and then use it in the shack at a full 100w with the amp. These radios have built in filters, CW decoder, antenna tuner, swr meter, etc. It's up to the buyer to weight features, cost, and reputation.

[@forgetyourlife]

Ryan Sachs having 2 radios is better than one and an amp. Take t he QRP for the trail and have the 100 watter with filters for the shack. Seems like a no brainer. Of course it’s up to the buyer but hopefully they are well informed.

[@K6UDA]

There's plenty of guys out there that bought a KX2 Kx3 used for $800 to 1K. they can't afford to buy a $1500 amp to go along with it. This is an alternative. P.S. I've owned an 891 and I'd never lug it up the side of a mountain.

[@forgetyourlife]

K6UDA i never said to carry a 891 up the mountain. I said for 500 you could buy one instead of just an amp.

[@rkaag99]

@@forgetyourlife hell, throw in an MFJ-939 auto-tuner for $170 and you're still ahead of the game... and the 891 can do 5w too if it must

[@K7TDM_Tyler]

Great Video! It was good to meet you over at the Sac Hamfest... I realized after meeting you that I didn't tell you my name.. Haha.. Keep those videos coming!! -Tyler

[@Surge1045]

Cool intro!! Very cinematic!

[@Echo_Hotel]

Got the XPA125B yesterday. I had the ATU working. It was at 3A standby. But today it’s at 0A and the PA doesn’t work. Should have tried the PA yesterday but a storm came in fast. Everything was discounted btw.

[@doc2462]

Good discussion of complexity of cables for the amplifier. Is it possible to use the combination with digital modes since the output on the radio typically used is now connected (indirectly) to the amplifier?

[@demizer1968]

Holy Crap the new intro is amazing!

[@k2wo1]

Nice review Bob. Looks like a nice amp. Do you know whether it offers full break-in on CW like theKXPA100? In any case, nice video as always. Thanks for taking the time to share it. 73 George K2WO.

[@K6UDA]

I'm not a CW op and didn't test that.

[@vicmiller7191]

Liked the video and i agree that little junction block would be a pain in the neck. Same with the choice of connectors they went with on that cable. I can see that getting busted quickly or worst losing it...thanks for sharing...Vic

[@incaroads001]

What does "favoring the whiskey calls" mean? There's a significance about the letter W that I don't get.

[@o00scorpion00o]

I have the FT-891 and X5105, the FT-891 is a lot cheaper than X5105 + amp. The X5105 fits in a Tecsun PL-660 Pouch and is a great little portable radio with an excellent internal battery and great for taking on a plane with a EFHW, it also has a Tuner. The FT-891 receiver is a lot better and doesn't over load with strong signals. The FT-891 NB works, it does nothing on the X5105. The FT-891 noise reduction is amazing and really helps to pull a weak signal out of the mud, I even prefer the FT-891 Audio over the IC-7300, the FT-891 is a quieter receiver and DNR is much better. FT-891 can run 5 Watts , 50 Watts or 100 Watts.

[@M70ACARRY]

I use this amp with my ELAD. I use no breakout box, just autosense. Nice amp with with range.

[@Captcasper7]

Would love to know how you connected it

[@oncydium]

I really like and appreciate that you are showing and demonstrating such a wide variety of equipment (base/mobile/HT, QRO and QRP) across a wide range of budgets, brands and price points. It is very helpful and interesting (at least to me!) seeing what's out there. 73 DE KC9MAQ

[@K6UDA]

Thanks.

[@greenolive1278]

What power supply do you use to power the amp and radio? I’m considering a similar setup .

[@K6UDA]

I use a little switching power supply or a battery.

[@johnpeterson7264]

Great video. Intro is impressive !! I am wondering how then xiegu compares to the RM Italy 100 watt amp (no ATU) in terms of signal quality.

[@K6UDA]

I've never played with the italy so I have no clue.

[@kc3egecharles195]

Great intro. Very good job as usual. 73's

[@CaroleMinxBlanton]

How's that PG&E outtage??

[@K6UDA]

No outage today

[@michaelvk6mmb901]

Another great video Bob,...ps this is my Second channel which I have just started....give me time and Ill have ham vids too...maybe

[@loctite222ms]

Yeah on just RF power and cost the Xiegu wins. The Hardrock with all the trimmings is about the same price. 50 vs. 100 watts is less than an S unit. The Hardrock takes less current (advantage for mobile and portable) and is a U.S. product with U.S. support. Hardrock apparently has a good track record. Xiegu, it might be too early to tell yet. Then again, you have to build the Hardrock. That C-19 thing looks Iike something cobbled together and not a finished product.

[@johnryan5781]

Great video....but the intro has to go...tooooooo long

[@Paul-Howell-M3EYG]

Apparently it's pronounced Zee Goo. 😎

[@nofxslc]

Me: Why is he reviewing some crappy, no name, Chinese, eBay POS... Bob: “MFJ was nice enough to send me one of these things”

[@K6UDA]

Because it works, and there's a market for less expensive equipment out there.

[@nofxslc]

K6UDA I certainly understand and appreciate that. I just wish KZbinrs were more clear when content is sponsored or advertised. I would suggest opening with the disclaimer or statement that this was a free item from MFJ. I have nothing against the video, just appreciate when content creators are clear and honest about this kind of stuff.

[@K6UDA]

@@nofxslc If I were sponsored, I'd put up a this video is sponsored by " insert company". MFJ like a lot of companies send me review items with the understanding that I'm doing an honest review. Far from sponsored.