Prototype VS. Production Model - Xiegu X6200

I finally have a shipping model. What's different?
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[@PaulGriffith]

Once upon a time you had to wait for the tubes to warm up, now we're waiting for the radio to boot up. I guess that's progress.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly!

[@WRXMSK]

Well, meanwhile you could go and update the firmwares in your teapot and iron :)

[@jameyevans29]

Thanks for the video! I would go with the 705 at this price.

[@temporarilyoffline]

hard to go wrong there.

[@KA4UPW]

Nice little radio, the price point is a bit sketchy, so im not compelled to upgrade to the latest.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I hear that a lot from people. I don't disagree.

[@W6IWN_Radio]

Thanks for the update, Steve! 👍

[@temporarilyoffline]

You bet

[@dreupen]

No, there should not be any questions regarding upgrading from a X6100 to a x6200. Only if the money is burning a hole in your pocket. In other words, it's a dum move. The real questions is what should one buy now, a X6100 at $550 or a X6200 at $800. This perspective is hard to give when one gets a free radio. My problem with the X6200 is that at $800, it makes smart sense to consider a good real workhorses: FT-710($1000), IC-7300($1100), FT-991A($1150). But at half the price the X6100 also looks like a smart choice. On the other hand, one could always justify any radio purchase (to the honey) by stating that "at least I don't have a drinking to drug problem!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Once I get a free radio, I'll let you know if my opinion changes. TANSTAAFL I'd probably go with the FT-710, I can easily justify the $200 more.

[@socallars3748]

I bought my X6100 for $325, as b-stock from a neighbor who is a dealer. (Connect Systems) At that price I'm REALLY happy with it. Had I paid full-tilt, I likely wouldn't be as happy. It's lots of fun though, which to my mind is the most important thing. It's all about fun, and as with most fun things, "smart sense" isn't always in the equation. 73.

[@kd5aj]

​@temporarilyoffline im really happy with my ft710, I think xiegu should have done a 20 watt version, that would have made it a world beater! I did love the tuner in the x6100 however.

[@dreupen]

I just did another price check on the FT-710. I now see that Yaesu has a "FT-710 FIELD" version (no external speaker only internal) and there is a $200 Yaesu Rebate program going on until June 30! With rebate the R and L "FT-710FIELD" is going for $880. WoW! the X6200 for $800 or the FT-710 FIELD for an extra $80! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

[@markw.4679]

Does the R1CBU Firmware work on the x6200? 🤔 TYVM for updates!!! 🖖

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'd imagine it "half-works" - the SDR core is different in this radio.

[@N4GW]

Great update

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@pvdk]

Hi Steve, could it be your swr and power meter is in average mode (slower peak reading), I have a meter that does bout average and peak. In SSB average will show a average power output that stays almost the same while speaking. When set to peak mode instantly the max power is shown. 74 Phil ON4VP

[@temporarilyoffline]

This meter doesn't have a mode setting like that. Previous radio test have "shot up" to expected power immediately and then possibly slowly started to lose power as you continue to key down. (As expected when adding heat or losing battery voltage). I'll try and make another video comparing to another radio that acts normal

[@mikesmithg0rfd356]

thank you TO

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thank you too!

[@JoseAlves-1960]

Hi, do you think it is possible to open TX frequency in the same way like X6100?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly the same way!

[@JoseAlves-1960]

@@temporarilyoffline Thank you for your reply, but F-TX ( in red color ) show on the left top corner of the screen, but it doesn't work...! The folder contains a log file where register date and time when we change the Full TX from "disable" to "enable". Maybe you ( Linux expert 🙂) can find what we are missing... Thank you. 73's!

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@JoseAlves-1960 I see now, yeah... It's broken for sure. I'll dig a little deeper.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Park within 5 miles of a high-powered AM radio station. See if the front end gets hammered.

[@socallars3748]

I've got an AM station a few miles away, my X6100 definitely gets swamped by its signal. I built a K9DB BCI filter kit which completely resolved the problem, best $20 I ever spent on radio gear. But yeah, I'd like to see if the 6200 handles it any better.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Great idea... just have to find one.

[@temporarilyoffline]

That BCI filter is great. I did 2 videos on it, a test with the NanoVNA: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3eYmpeil9OmmtU and a build vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHuXh5mIosiAp8U

[@socallars3748]

@@temporarilyoffline Yep, I watched one of them. I ruggedized my filter with another layer of heatshrink, this fibrous mesh stuff with heat activated glue inside. It's a little brick now, you could pound in nails with it.

[@BigJohnsHamShack]

I don’t know. I am not sure that the x6100 is not still the best deal. Need to make up my mind though. 😂

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its a tough call at this point.

[@hamradiohack]

That dual knob is a hard no. Watching you trying to adjust the knob. I dont see how this is better than x6100 and this looks all plastic too. Pa is unstable. This radio cannot be trusted 😢

[@temporarilyoffline]

Xiegu gonna Xiegu, eh?

[@JohnSmith-xi2oq]

Need head to head with a 705. Who cares on the prototype, you wouldnt get one anyway.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h568aayjnbR_eqc - and more to come.

[@MentalWhiplash]

Being picky....but sound of a 70''s kid's toy Hasbro buttons is cringy

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its kinda like the mechanical keyboard fascination these kids today have. I prefer the quieter laptop style keyboards.

[@DeLorean58]

I am really leaning towards one of these or a x6100 unless I find a heck of a deal on a used 705. Being a budget constrained ham, every penny counts.

[@temporarilyoffline]

The 705 would be the better "all in one" value, the X61/200 could be more fun depending on your definition of fun!

[@DeLorean58]

@@temporarilyoffline My first radio was a UVK5 that I currently and running IJV mod on and may do the HF mod too. I like to tinker, so that is why I lean towards the Xiegu radios, plus I can spend 700ish on the 6200, and have money left to get a bunch of antenna and coax before I would equal the price of a 705.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@DeLorean58 I think you have a similar definition of fun to me. The X6x00 series of radios can offer a lot of hacking potential, but Xiegu hasn't released the "keys" as much as they should. Would be great if they made the whole build tree a little more transparent and provided an SDK for devs to work with. We'd see a lot faster update cycle (like we did with R1CBU firmware) if Xiegu released it.

[@bobcatskrieman3384]

You can’t knock the G90…. No hacking but small screen. I”d prefer the G90. It looked like you struggled with the 6200 little dials, is there Bluetooth? Good video TO

[@temporarilyoffline]

@bobcatskrieman3384 the dials are speed sensitive. At slow speed it takes two clicks to move one mark. Something you'd probably get used to.

[@Keith_WB2VUO]

I ordered a new X6200 on Monday. Just curious how long it took for yours to arrive. Also, as I watch you checking the response time for key-down full power, I can't help but wonder if the delay is in the rig, or in the wattmeter display. Years ago, I had a dual-display wattmeter with a bar graph peak display and a 3-digit numeric digital display. The numeric display always lagged behind the peak bar graph display. It would be interesting to compare with an analog meter in line with your MFJ, even a relative display like an inexpensive analog SWR bridge... De WB2VUO in Amherst, NY

[@temporarilyoffline]

Mine came in a couple of days, Radioddity was very good about shipping update notifications. I'm going to do another video where I show the meter comparison on a non-x6200 to illustrate the speed a bit better. Too many videos to make!

[@user-gp1wh7so9z]

Hello! Semiconductors don’t work like that. I think some component heats up and changes its properties and characteristics, so the power “floats”... If this component has low strength, we will soon find out :) 73!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right!

[@503Nick]

Still no expansion slot for a 2m transverter. That was the only reason I was interested in this radio. Great video 🤙 keep up the good work

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Nick! I find it weird that the expansion slot is missing - probably on the wish list, but couldn't make it to production... That's the problem with teasing out "news" to us 5+ months ago.

[@dienadel30]

Yeah something fishy going on there isn't the expansion slot a "feature" that is listed ?

[@gtretroworld]

Yes this is also very strange.

[@k2cjbradio]

Thinking the SWR/Power meter was averaging the signal. Rig looks cool! 73 de K2CJB

[@temporarilyoffline]

Definitely averaging the signal

[@DD5LP]

When you release the key the tx light goes off but the MFJ power meter is still showing power out when the radio is on receive. Do you have another power/swr meter you could try?

[@temporarilyoffline]

That's a 'feature' where the MFJ shows you the final power reading for a few seconds after you release. Its designed to do that.

[@jessgypin-ko5ds]

Shore power? You must own a boat or rv.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I do, check out my RV channel: KZbin.com/@livingforalivingrv

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

I've left mine charging for overnight - still blinky-blinky. Tried 2 batteries - no diff. Did you ever get your charging to finish?

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

Update - Radioddity support got back to me - they're looking into it.

[@DC6NS]

Yes, but it lasts veeeery long! Besides, the transceiver gets rather hot.

[@temporarilyoffline]

My battery did finish charging. Radioddity support is pretty good. They'll get you sorted.

[@vandela177]

$799 ? Hell no.. Who do they think they are Icom ?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yeah, I think its a bit steep... but I'm a cheapskate.

[@teideterrors]

Just missing his stupid idiosyncrasies, your the twin of " notarubicon! man I swear ... love the videos you make!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

I wouldn't say I was missing them...

[@CapeCodCNC]

Here we go again... got tracking info today....

[@temporarilyoffline]

Congrats!

[@thomasflorence6233]

I'm giving Xiegu a B+ for effort. Your analysis and testing will facilitate a product, worthy of the increased cost

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm hoping.

[@wb0zur]

I am waiting on mine!

[@wb0zur]

I got off of KZbin and checked my email and it is shipped from China!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Soon!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Sooner!

[@DC6NS]

Seems to me they fixed the charger-noise problem by lowering down the S-meter sensibility drastically😃

[@temporarilyoffline]

That'll teach us!

[@victorcharlie7491]

Do tell the Xiegu tale, "I like it"! Nice radios, tnx Man.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I like it too, it's fun.

[@markmanning5683]

Sooooo much for Xiegu radios. No Thanks.

[@temporarilyoffline]

They are interesting to play with for sure. In a pinch they get the job done. This price point is hard though.

[@w1rcp]

Steve, do you have an oscilloscope to see the output waveform when keying the rig? That would be interesting to see. I may take a look at my X6100 on a dummy load and see what happens.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I do. Just need some time to get there.

[@w1rcp]

Oh snap!!!! Can’t wait to see the 6200. I’ve been busy making a crap ton of other videos so I haven’t had time to play. Priorities. Videos, tower, sleep.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@w1rcp you have time for sleep?

[@w1rcp]

@@temporarilyofflineI’m going to live forever as much as I sleep. I have plenty of time right now because it’s summer. Teacher life.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@w1rcp "time off" right?

[@gtretroworld]

I am on the fence with this radio, it’s just not turning me on like i was expecting it to. Thanks for the video.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I feel that too. If I didn't have the X6100 or the history with it, this would be very exciting. I am not sure where this fits.

[@엄영수-e5x]

안녕하세요

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hello!

[@DonzLockz]

Thanks for the video Steve. Im not convinced yet that it is worthy. I need to see more videos on all it can do.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I keep looking for more videos, but I'm the only one making any ;-)

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

Another potentially expensive video. I wonder if the power drift is duet to increased charge mobility in the silicon of the final(s) as it warms. That would indicate that power is set by controlling drive, rather than any ALC type action. I'm spoiled for boot time by my KX3, but that doesn't include Linux.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right - its a "PC" vs a "radio" startup time.

[@robertmeyer4744]

interesting. some problems fixed. both power out put not steady. still no expansion slot ??? well lets heat the finals up on FT8 . do some tempura readings and the fan for the 6100 as well. would like to see how well the fan works. does the 6200 need a fan? lets find out on video. playing with new stuff is fun. do some harmonics testing as well. would like to see what a AM station does to receiver. we know the G90 wipes it out. may have to go for a long drive for that test. well you could key on on CB and see what it does to 20 meters. 73's

[@temporarilyoffline]

Fun First! For the current time, fun is all that matters - helps you learn/grow also.

[@MentalWhiplash]

As a plus it does look like switching from battery to shore power on the production unit doesn't add to the noise floor like the pre-production model...that's good news. EDIT: posted this before I saw you test it again...good to see

[@temporarilyoffline]

Those were the big things I was concerned about. Also, the prototype didn't work on FT8 and this production model does... just need better solar conditions and time to make the FT8 vid.

[@Hank_W6IR]

Check with Rob Sherwood, NC0B on how to do the receiver tests. That power out issue is questionable. Do you have another meter you could test with?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Plenty of meters. I'll do a video comparing the 6200 to another radio to better describe what I'm seeing. It kinda "matters" and it kinda doesn't - like the difference between 8w and 10w kinda "matters"

[@michaelpage4199]

Great review on the radio. I love the paddle Keyer what type is that. Looks neat and great for field work. Bet it’s a lot lighter than my old bencher hi hi

[@temporarilyoffline]

here you go: n6ara.com/product/n6ara-tinypaddle-jack-assembled/

[@joseneves2822]

Many thanks for the update 👍

[@temporarilyoffline]

No problem 👍

[@CQBlindHams]

Can it be hacked? Can you put Oleg's software in it?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Of course it can be hacked: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3PUpXmbicudaac I think the R1CBU firmware will half work - the SDR core is different on this radio.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Also, you just got a new subscriber!

[@KS0JD]

Interesting radio, still pricey. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

Not interesting enough to justify the price, eh?

[@WTx1971]

Upgrade to a 90!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

90 what?

[@hamradiopenpals]

Nice video!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks!

[@pawelstankiewicz5284]

Hi Steve, may I ask for two tests ? 1. Birdies test, specifically on higher frequencies bands. 2. Tuned frequency transfer via antenna to another TRX, while on RF. X6100 has this nasty effect, there's a bird on another radio at the frequency X6100 is tuned to.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I did a birdie test early on, was there some specific frequency you were interested in seeing? Since this has a new SDR core, the birdies are likely gone. For your second part, are you saying that if I tune the X6100 to 7.200, there will be a signal transmitted to a nearby radio even without PTT?

[@pawelstankiewicz5284]

@@temporarilyoffline Yes. I have my FTDx10 nearby and there's a S9 spike on the exact frequency X6100 is tuned in and the spike follows frequency change on X6100. No PTT pressed. And yes, on my X6100 6m band is unusable due to number of spikes.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@pawelstankiewicz5284 Did you see this one on the Birdies? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5rZdHVqhLqfm7c

[@pawelstankiewicz5284]

@@temporarilyoffline Yes, I saw that, but the tests were made on prototype. I'm just wondering if production is ok. Regarding 9S bird - I just discovered it get's transmitted outside X6100 when preamp is OFF. There's no bird if preamp is ON. Funny...

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@pawelstankiewicz5284 Oh I can see how that makes sense.

[@SldgeHammr]

So TO, how does this compare to the 705?

[@temporarilyoffline]

There really isn't a direct comparison, they both skew in different directions.

[@SldgeHammr]

@@temporarilyoffline can you share your viewpoint in that manner? As from my perspective, both the Icom 705 and the 6200 are portable QRP rigs and even share a similar form factor? I feel like a lot of people would compare the two together.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@SldgeHammr sure thing