Can we hack the X6200?

[@W6IWN_Radio]

Steve dives deeper than anyone! Great work, I'm looking forward to more.

[@temporarilyoffline]

More to come!

[@w1rcp]

He’s Scuba Steve! Let’s dive deeper! -Robbie

[@crazycats100]

Thanks for the very informative video. So they reused X6100 internal & had a nerve to charge a lot more... Removable battery FM broadcasting & Airband RX Working Bluetooth (?) Fake Expansion slot Receive only FT8 Reduced power Are these enough to the added price? I now know whether I would buy this or not.

[@temporarilyoffline]

The only feature left is the DDC/DUC... we'll see.

[@thomasflorence6233]

Slick, thanks Steve

[@temporarilyoffline]

And so it begins... again!

[@dienadel30]

I'm curious did you try to boot the R1CBU firmware flash ? See how far they went to make it look like a new radio rather than a X6100 with a better case and removable battery..

[@temporarilyoffline]

Not yet. It will most likely work because the things that changed are supposed to be "downstream" of what/where the R1CBU firmware does.

[@anymouse6202]

Thanks

[@temporarilyoffline]

You're welcome!

[@gtretroworld]

So Steve apart from the slightly different look and the better screen i we thinking this is using the same board as the 6100?

[@temporarilyoffline]

That's my guess without opening the radio up and seeing it eyes on, yeah. I'll tear it open soon enough.

[@PaulGriffith]

Your next project should be to create a qrp 10 meter transceiver from an Raspberry Pi

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its on the list - the Pi has a pin on the GPIO that can do radio TX... need an amplifier and a filter and BAM!

[@Wayne-Pr]

So will the power be able to be brought up to 10 Watts I wonder?.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Stay tuned, its not as bad as you think!

[@SheepdogPreparedness]

Haven't seen anyone speak on it yet, but does the 6200 have bluetooth audio?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its on the list of things to check!

[@Siskiyous6]

Nice Steve

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks LC!

[@JoseAlves-1960]

Hi, thank you for the reviews that you are doing for us! I order allready from Radioddity since 1st day. Did you try route audio from $X6200's bluethooth to an external bluethooth speaker?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Not yet

[@Subgunman]

I am surprised that no one has cracked the code to find the password line and change it something more secure.

[@temporarilyoffline]

`passwd` at the command line and its changed... but you'd have to do it at every firmware update.

[@alvinnorris6523]

I can’t wait to get my 6200

[@temporarilyoffline]

#metoo

[@cdburgess75]

Thank you!! Very cool. I have been working with Linux since 1999. We pronounce listening daemon (day-mon) :)

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've been working linux since 1994, after installing slackware 1.0 from floppies on my 386. We call it deemon or daymon and people don't worry much about it. Same with saying Leenux or LINE-ix.

[@bobd1594]

Steve, what Bluetooth keyboards will work.?

[@mlhogan1]

Have you done any JS8Call or HF Vara with it yet?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I just got FT8 working, but band conditions haven't been good enough to make a video about it. So far it works pretty good from a "proof of concept tho"

[@cmritchie04]

I would like to know if my new Jeep wrangler radio can be hacked/Customized? would like to take out the SirusXM module and replace it with a Dual band dual watch with DMR radio+ APRS? The radios are were the rear view mirror is mounted you can see this by looking at the stereo antennas are mounted. The antennas are mounted on the windshield. would like to take out the AT&T 4G mesh as well. Note other vehicle manufactures have android devices basically a computer, controlling the stereo.

[@temporarilyoffline]

It looks like its possible, but I'm not a car-stereo guy.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

Still waiting to see what the expansion slot brings. Maybe someone should pop it open to see what potential it has. 🤔

[@temporarilyoffline]

What expansion slot? (There isn't one, just a cover)

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

@@temporarilyoffline you burst my bubble. There is nothing behind the cover? Oh, well.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@LeeMcc_KI5YPR I was pretty disappointed as well. I was looking for V/U transverter!

[@crazycats100]

@@temporarilyoffline Is that because what you have is a prototype? Radioddity X6200 page says "It has two external expansion component slots for additional applications and peripherals."

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@crazycats100 I now have a production unit and it's still a blocked port. I need to do a tear down and take a look inside to be perfectly sure, but if it is, it would "void" the warranty if add something... Maybe they mean the USB ports?

[@theroguetomato5362]

I wouldn't recommend doing this, but I have to wonder what would happen if you did an apt update and apt dist-upgrade? It would probably be a bad thing if it worked.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its not a debian based system, but I'd bet even that would break a lot of things.

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Why am I not surprised that you have already rooted this thing?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Well I already did all the heavy lifting on the x6100... Didn't take me weeks this time!

[@H3cJP]

is there a mobile radio that has this as a feature? like, not being a "hacky thing" but actually something they promote as a feature (and not being insecure because given its a feature, it would allow you to change the password through the screen or something like that... its so dangerous that all radios have the 22 port open with such a simple password!)

[@temporarilyoffline]

There are only 2 Linux radios out now and neither of them are mobiles.

[@DonzLockz]

Nice. Its ready for custom firmware now. :)

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yep. I'm imagining the STM32 side of the house (at least) has different code.

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

No surprises what about the expansion Slot ??

[@temporarilyoffline]

The cake is a lie. (There is no expansion slot, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4S8k6SwbJyoarc)

[@victorcharlie7491]

Great looking radio, tnx Man!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yeah, I think its great!

[@Dazdigo]

Could we add CB functionality with this?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Soon, but not yet

[@AricWilisch]

I'm curious, can the root password be changed? I would say I hope they are not doing anything serious with root that changing the password would impact things, but that might be to much to ask. For SSH, you can secure the ssh daemon so it would only accept connections from certain subnets or IP's. So I guess if you know what Xiegu is using SSH for and make sure those routes stay open, you could lock it down so having wifi enabled in the field would be less of a risk. This was fun to watch. I'm putting serious though into getting a x6200 even though it's not the greatest qrp radio out there.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I don't see why it couldn't be changed... every firmware update would put it back. I'm pretty sure that Xiegu isn't using SSH for anything. The X6000 series is a fun set of radios. Xiegu could have a winner with some good marketing and open ears. The radio hardware is much more sound than the "app" gives you feelings of. I have heard/seen problems, but overall, EVERY radio has problems, and some of the big brands have had BIG problems. If you like to hack away at linux, this is a fun platform.

[@timothymaimone8611]

Steve… awesome video that from your Linux background, you show quickly the hack ability of the radio. I’d rather watch a 8 minute video than a 30 minute video. 73 de KD6UYK (Tim).

[@temporarilyoffline]

I like the shorter ones also!

[@DD5LP]

Can you log in via serial Bluetooth or is the BT only audio still?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I still need to dig into Bluetooth. I'm hoping they watched my last video on Bluetooth.

[@WESDEANEMARTIN]

I found that I could FTP into the X6100 when it was connected to my wireless router. I wonder if that's possible with this?

[@temporarilyoffline]

FTP port is listening on this version, go for it!

[@OxOOCOFFEE]

How does /etc/apt/ sources look like? Can you install some de tools or you need to cross compile?

[@temporarilyoffline]

You can install some tools. When they have the first firmware release you'll be able to poke around with having to get a radio, it's just a Linux disk image. I would cross-compile just for speed.

[@palinurosec9154]

@@temporarilyoffline it's not debian, it is a buildroot assembled linux system with no package manager

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@palinurosec9154 agreed, I didn't say it was Debian

[@palinurosec9154]

doing the open TX mod doesn't actually enable PTT tx, i can still make the radio transmit when tuning, and sometimes when using a CW keyer as well, but in an unreliable way. is there any open TX mod that would actually work on the x6200? as a civil protection volunteer i need to be able to transmit on our NVIS frequency and finally leave my 991A at home another thing that i noticed is that the user interface indicates some sort of band plan, which can't be adjusted to my IARU region 1 where i live, and the whole feature is not even mentioned on their website. since the whole interface and its logic seem to be embedded into a single Qt binary, are there any onging attempts to reverse it?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes, the opentx config file option doesn't work yet and the QT app has been gone over with the X6100, so it's on the table and will likely start with the first firmware update from Xiegu... Which should be any day now.

[@bobd1594]

Steve, Can we modify the 6200 to provide Bluetooth AUDIO out?

[@temporarilyoffline]

The hardware supports it with the right kernel drivers. We really need a crack-team to go in and create a better OS distro for this. There have been several good attempts, but its a mountain of work to climb as an "after work" project for sure.

[@TheLordMarshal]

Would love to see the X6200 running the R1CBU (or latest fork version) FT8 transmit, can this work?

[@temporarilyoffline]

It does not work, sorry.

[@TheLordMarshal]

@@temporarilyoffline Thanks for trying Steve, much appreciated. Hopefully someone might take on the challenge of doing a similar fork for the X6200 one day

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@TheLordMarshal Would be great to see - especially something more linux desktop oriented where we could adding a logging app or run FT8 natively (again)

[@Itsallpossible285]

Did you get the Icom 7100 working?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Not yet, been busy with this thing.

[@sylar5373]

Looking at the price for me in Australia, it’s $500 cheaper than the 705, I’d rather an Icom.

[@temporarilyoffline]

The icom is a better radio... And for twice the price, it better be! The xiegu is fun to tinker with though.

[@frostypb88]

can it play doom?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Of course!

[@vibys1]

Tempted to sell my ic705 for that, looks good

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's fun to tinker with for sure.

[@nehanichikahuak]

Hi, can the device be unlocked to go beyond 136MHz...?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Even with a "Full TX" mod, it won't PTT above 6m band. It's going to need additional hardware to go beyond 136Mhz TX (external transverter would work) and then also it will need a firmware update to allow TX above 6m.

[@1THE-COMFORT-ZONE1]

But can it play doom❤

[@temporarilyoffline]

Sure can

[@vonzigle]

Just received mine today (7/10/24)

[@temporarilyoffline]

Congrats - its a fun radio to play with!

[@Redbelly357]

Remember when Amateur radio was just radios?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Before my time! I've got a data modem for my commodore 64.

[@suburban404]

And when spark gap ruled.

[@ON3STG]

Hi TO is there an improvement besides the removable battery that would make it a good upgrade from a x6100? I don't see it yet...

[@temporarilyoffline]

This is a DDC/DUC radio core and I need to find a meaningful way to demonstrate that. Its the next evolution of SDR, right behind adaptive pre-distortion.

[@ON3STG]

@@temporarilyoffline maybe food for a new video. I think a lot of people are still wondering about the real benefit of the x6200 over the x6100.

[@Bill-HRT]

Nice. The saga continues. 73 de Bill

[@temporarilyoffline]

It took a tiny step forward, but necessary

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Well of coarse we can hack it!!!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Gonna be a cakewalk!

[@unclemikeyplays]

Can that root password be changed?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Sure can

[@Rusted_Link]

9:08 minutes... It was either easy or you are a quick quitter...

[@Rusted_Link]

and I know you're no quitter...

[@temporarilyoffline]

It was easy... nothing new, just getting the word out so people can start!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@Rusted_Link]

@@temporarilyoffline yeah, I watched after my comment LOL Keep up the good work.

[@Rusted_Link]

@@temporarilyoffline I have the 6100 and so far don't see a need for the 6200 because I'm more into phone more than other modes.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Hmmmm

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly!

[@stewartrv]

Hmm, I suppose you could connect a MMDVM via USB. Maybe also run Droidstar???

[@temporarilyoffline]

Oh yeah!

[@rl2109]

AWESOME video! I LOVE IT when you talk technical! 😊 73, across the band! - KN4KZT

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@mlhogan1]

Thanks

[@temporarilyoffline]

You're welcome!