The Coolest Field Radio You've Never Heard Of - SGC SG-2020

[@uslines]

Had two 2020 rigs. I liked them very much. Never had an operational problem. More than effective early DSP. Built like a brick. Travelled well in my Pelican case during international travel. When the original founder passed away, the problems began.

[@rttakezo2000]

Stumbles upon a piece of unobtanium for 280USD?!? You should have bought a lottery ticket that day....

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I won't tell you about the deal I got on the matching tuner when I was walking down the very next aisle at Dayton...OK yes I will...the MAC-200 matching tuner for $55. And it works! Might have used up all my luck with those two.

[@patrickbuick5459]

​@@OutdoorsOnTheAirIf you weren't QRP, the SG500 would have been the trifecta.

[@quantum-SDR]

There's a 5inch Spectrum add-on for the SG-2020 now, a video is in the Quantum SDR KZbin page

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Awesome, thank you for the tip!

[@johnnyv.223]

You definitely HAVEN'T lost your mind. The very first radio I bought after obtaining my General license was the SGC SG-2020. I fell in love with it, and it's been my favorite radio to operate ever since then. Unlike you, I paid full price for it and its Power Supply at the HRO in Denver, Colorado. I'm not sure how much I paid at that time(over 30 years ago), but it's a great radio, and I don't care about that now. I'm thankful for their help in choosing my first radio, and I'm glad that they did so. I wish there was a new, resurrected SGC company. They had some higher-powered mobile radio equipment, a 150 watt radio and a 600 watt amplifier, and antennas for mobile use. They even had diagrams for setting up a sailboat with their equipment. Good folks. I sent it in to them to add their new ADSP, since I had bought the rig before they offered it.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Good move with the ADSP, that feature is amazing.

[@Тольяттинец-н6ъ]

I love my Yeasu FT-891 and one of my favorite features on it is the ability to scan the bands by pressing the buttons on the mic.

[@o2bnov0307]

Tracy, fantastic walk-through of the SG-2020, and it was fun to watch your in action with the radio. TNX de David AE4LH

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, David!

[@EricThompsonN6SPP]

Some of us have heard of this radio..hi.. I purchased an SGC-2020 new from HRO in Oakland, CA around 1998 for ~ $550 and used it in the field off and on for about a year. After performing the internal MW mod, and making a small operational cheat-sheet, I found the navigation and operation from MW thru 10m straight forward. The radio was built like a tank. This was one of the first portable sub-100 watt pa units to offer ~15-20 watts output for a 5-6dB gain over a qrp rig. I had two issues with the radio. One was the loud "popping' sound from the speaker while tuning thru or selecting a band, regardless of if shift/pass band or bw adjustments. Second, the audio output from the built-in speaker was fairly poor and sounded a bit pinched. I eventually traded it for a nice 144MHz and a few bucks.. 73,n6spp

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

That radio is an interesting one. I wouldn't mind having one for a portable radio. Despite its shortcomings, it looks like a nice little rig.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Sure is!

[@kf7bws]

I have an SGC SG-2020 I purchased it from an SK estate (a friend WA0DIM) and I have never used it. This video has given me some ambition to get out and use it.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Go have some fun!

[@eduardopower5254]

Hello Tracy, thabks for giving us such a delightful video about this small war tank. Im still looking for a good one to grab it. Thanks 👍🏼 73

[@mikepope6966]

Lost your mind? Heck no. I’ve been a fan since it’s debut. I’ve seen a few at Hamfests, I should have inquired. Thanks so much for the Grand Tour.

[@mortimersnerd801]

...nice evaluation Tracy.... worked my bro on his sailboat way down to near Nuka Hiva (French Polynesia) with an SGC radio, VE0MWA... they made good stuff... My current 'qrp' radio which isnt really QRP (20 watts) a Xeigu G90 into an EFHW serves me well... Richard VA7AA

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Richard, thank you for your comment. Those SGC's were impressive. Have fun with your G90!

[@mk12pickle]

Its a great little radio, I have used it many times out of the show room of the radio shop that was selling these. They were offered as a rig to replace the Spillsbury bush radio. It really is a tough and good bush radio, we loaded up all kinds of things with it. Tough!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@barrykery1175]

Great video, as usual. I learned a lot about the radio. I remember when that radio came to the market. I wanted one but, for me, it was not a good time to get one. It's still a neat little radio. We need more radios in the 20 watt class. It's an idea power level for portable. 20 watts is only 1 S unit down from an S9 signal report and you save so much on current drain from you battery. Barry, KU3X

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Barry! Always nice to hear from you.

[@philipoulton7730]

Total Gem. I started searching ebay mid-way through the video. Thanks Tracy.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment!

[@k9eihamradio]

I bought one of these SGC SG-2020 radios back in the summer for portable operations and POTA. Funky non menu functions but a great cw rig!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for video Tracy. I do remember these being advertised in UK radio magazines years ago. The rx audio in the video sounds very nice and clear. I suppose many commercial rigs have limited appeal to hams because commercial users will not be using them like hams do - most commercial users probably just want a rig with a few channels that can be quickly selected and they tend to be more rugged than ham sets.

[@mu0chn]

I wanted a qrp plus, but it was more than I could afford. I didn't know that it became the 2020. You got a great buy there.

[@jeffschall2062]

Sgc equipment is great, i also like the ten-tec stuff like sgc is second to none.

[@VE3FAL1Fred]

I owned the QRP Plus as well as an SG-2020. But the 2020 had to go in for repairs multiple times. It was a great unit but had it's share of issues when in its infancy. Their tuners were by far some of the best. 73 Fred VE3FAL

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Sorry to hear about that, Fred! Thank you for sharing your experience. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@DK5ONV]

👀 Hey UF, happy Thursday into Th'Bay ON 🙋‍♂

[@kweeks10045]

That's an unheard of price for a 2020. They were way ahead of their time and in huge demand. It can do Automatic Link Establishment too.

[@frasermderry]

Thanks for the comprehensive review of the SG-2020. Now I REALLY want to find one. Although I do have rigs with panadapters, I also enjoy using "older" rigs, FT-817/8nd, IC-706MKIIG, and others. Hope to catch you on the airwaves sometime soon. Best, Marc (N1QGM)

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

looks like a cool litle radio!

[@richfischer2705]

I have one myself and have had high expectations and indeed find this a very cool little radio. However, mine has a malady of insufficient carrier null begetting reports of 'carrier' during transmit. I spent hours trying to run down the cause for this. Best I can tell the BFO is not shielded enough to avoid getting into the IF stages. Otherwise I made some nice mobile QSOs with Ham Sticks. I did have reports of 'chirping' in my CW keying. I found a slight voltage drop within the main circuit board durig key-down in the CW mode. It is now relegated to after retirement second attempts to fix the lack of carrier nulling.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Sorry to hear about your woes! Aside from a non-functioning RF Output meter, mine works well. Maybe you've got one of the earlier versions?

[@Thunderontheroad]

A BMW with a pan adapter or a diesel tank that runs forever I’ll take the tank. Thanks for the amazing review. I will keep my eye out for one now.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you and good luck!

[@Gw0wvl]

I've heard of them , They were advertised in most of the UK radio mags of that time .

[@AG4KN]

Thanks for the episode, Tracy! Make sure you incorporate that SG-200 vintage radio coupler into the 2020's operation. I have a sg-200 as well, however, I have been using my 2020 with lighter, smaller "packable", tuners, I also have incorporated a Rig Blaster Advantage for use on digital modes (using the Kenwood IC Round) to connect to the 2020. Sort of teaches an old 2020 new digital tricks! Just remember to wait the warm-up time before you x-mit. PS no need to do over 12 watts while on digital... careful the finals.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Good digital tips! Thank you for your comment.

[@Wildlandfirefighting]

i think that is a really cool radio, I would love to have one, I remember SGC from back in the 90's, they used to advertise in all the magazines, thanks for the video 73's ZS1AEW

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hope you can find one! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@TinyTJ04]

That looks like a really neat radio. Im a fan of 20w rigs. I still wont sell my 897, and also own an 891 among others. I find that QRO isn't usually needed. Especially as an activator.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I agree 100% on not needing 100 watts! SGC even refers to this in the manual.

[@damian-g4lht]

Ive owned a few 2020’s & hands down it’s the punchiest rig out there for 20 watts, you can do a two component lift and add a Heil 4 element no one will believe you’re using 15/20 watts because of the VOGAD circuit, built like a tank, problem is LSB as the xtal starts to drift in some examples, on sunspot minimum with a LWIRE I worked ZL/VK from Toronto on the same evening, built like a tank, try and get one with ADSP2 fitted world of difference and it’s got a built in SWR circuit most don’t know about also get the rubber face guard & finally swap the pig tail out for a N type. 73. Best.

[@wa4aos]

SGC made some great stuff but it takes a little time to get use to. I have the SGC 2000 as my shop transceiver and it works great; the early DSP is a little funky. Shame SGC does not support these unis any longer.

[@GateKommand]

I always liked the look of the radio but alas never bought one. I was tempted as my first callsign was M3SGC lol!

[@k2cjbradio]

Built like a tank! Great little radio!

[@johnleonardelli_VE3IPS]

It's an interesting radio but mine was somewhat noisy. I kept my SG211 tuner. You got a good deal and lucked out on a well kept unit 3:28

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Nice to hear from you, John! I'm guessing the one you had wasn't their ADSP2. The noise reduction is very impressive for its era.

[@Swamp-Fox]

Love the SGC 2020! I would pick one up in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.

[@mikesmith-po8nd]

I knew a couple guys who bought these when they first came out. SGC had some good ideas, but unfortunately those ideas weren't implemented properly. Mostly just little things, but the biggest problem was drifting. They even sent them back to the factory and SGC couldn't fix it. They finally sold them. If yours works well consider yourself lucky.

[@Fraksional]

Thanks for your demos in multiple POTA locations. I like that SGC SG-2020 for ruggedness and fast memory selection tuning. There's a learning curve and two handedness to deal with; but, I too would trade a panadapter for the love and feel of rugged old gear. With POA activation what's so great about a waterfall? (I'm new to the hobby. Starting up with a Yaesu 891 found a place my go-to list.)

[@aa0na]

Looking good! Sounds like the radio works well for you.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Yes, it does!

[@AdamSWL]

Really nice review Tracy! I am lucky enough to have found a nice example which is probably one of the very few that made it here to VK. It is an older version with the SO239 mounted to the chassis and no DSP. Unfortunately the rubber VFO knob surround had perished along with the other two knobs, so they were replaced with modern equivalents albeit in black aluminium. It is a great little radio which still works very well and gives the full rated output on all bands. I will be keeping mine too, as I like the smaller all band portable rigs and it is very military looking as well as very rugged. If you can find one in good condition, then I recommend buying one as they are something different to the other manufacturers offerings even if the 2020 is getting rather long in the tooth.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@PawelSamoHa]

I had IC-7300, then FTDX-10, now sold and just got FT-891. So yes, I am fed up with all these waterfalls... If I would need one I will turn on my RSP1A SDR RX.

[@fredbos5997]

I have found an SG 2020, well it found me to be honest. I took it home and I will try it tonight. I will com back on it soon !

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great!

[@robertallbright]

Thanks Tracy for a very enjoyable review and demonstrating POTA activity 👍 73 Rob G3RCE

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, Rob! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

I wish sgc would come back. We need something rugged for people who carry their gear out in the field.

[@DK5ONV]

Loved this SGC Line... especially the Antenna Coupler with a built in 4:1 Balun to run 300 or 450Ohm Ladder Feedline and the Line Out fr Single Wire Antennas. The SGC-220 in a cosmetically similar shape like yours goes in Europe for 400.- Bucks + another 250.- for the MAC-200 Antenna Coupler. I know this is way over priced but hat's how much Sellers are asking and getting for it. Hey I tell you what...YFUG never needs a PAN Adapter...I prefer a portable Refridegrator filled up with Beers instead. And something that keeps off the Yellow Jackets and Moskitos in the hot Summers. Tnx for the nice Video racy, happy Thursday & 73 de Your Friend Uncle Günter💯🙋‍♂

[@MikeN2MAK]

Looks like a cool and fun rig!

[@BillyBob-si2db]

I had a few QRP+ rigs even one that I bought USED but was NOS. I also had a few SG-2020, again my last one was mint, with box, sold it too. Regret selling both those rigs. The SG2020 was cool but really left a lot to be desired with RX.

[@GreyGhost-r4z]

Wish they still made it.

[@pauljongen5637]

Hello Tracy, thanks for video You made a good review of the radio and as i own one you are perfect right. 73 de PA4UL Paul

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Paul! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@neubert500]

Tracy, my Canadian brother! I HATE to see you struggle with such a feature deprived old radio! How about I give you $300 and take it off your hands so you can hunt a "better" rig? After all, the one you have is a right handed unit and you need a left handed one! Of course I am joking, always wanted to try one of those radios but finance and license class never allowed me to do so. Glad to see you enjoy it! Hope it always serves you well!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

That's a very kind offer you've made me, and it proves we certainly are brothers! Good point about the left-handedness 😂 Thanks for your message, i laughed out loud when I read it. 72!

[@amham48]

Great and unique review...subscribed!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you!

[@user-yc8hr2tm4u]

Remember the days when field radios filled two samsonite suitcases ??? And the antennas were tied about the sleep bags

[@n1zgi]

I bought one of the last ones at AES …..what a tank and depending on the band conditions, this thing can make contacts seem like they are in the next room ! The last time I took it out to exercise it though, either I have forgotten how to work the buttons and got it into a mode I can’t get out of, or it has developed the symptom of sounding like it is in LSB mode, when I should be in USB mode or vise/versa. Does anyone know who services these in the states so I can send her out for repair?….Thanks

[@robc3863]

Nice review, thanks. Did you every figure out how to get the scanner working? The manual isn't clear on how to set the start and end frequencies, would be nice to get it scanning 20m. The DSP noise blanking on my SG2020 which I bought in 2001 is fabulous, it uses the Analog Devices ADSP chipset, was ahead of it's time and works incredibly well (pre ADSP2 version).

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I haven't tried that yet but if I get it figured out, I'll try to remember to let you know!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

K7DYY DBA Index Labs still, manufacturing a legal limit solid state AM transmitter.

[@loveshisharley]

Great video! I’m curious about what program you used for logging on your tablet? I just joined POTA and SOTA. Thanks!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! HAMRS.

[@kisskriss2]

No! You haven't lost your mind! Or if you did, I lost mine too. I own one and I've fallen in love with it the second I made my first QSO. I picked it up about a year or so from a friend, but unfortunately it was not in a very working condition, however the price was veeeeery good. The guy who sold it did tell me all the problems it had and I gladly took it with a restoration in mind. So I did, and after two months I was on the air. Mine apparently outputs 20W on all bands, and about 40 on Pmax. Bottom line, I love it and I think it will never leave me. Chris, YO2BIP.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks for your comment, Chris!

[@triggertechie]

One of the G.O.A.T's of HF rigs. Find one and get it.

[@nr3rful]

almost bought one back in the day but didnt. still kicking myself,,,,by the way, as a radioman in the Coast Guard we use Shure microphones at the station.

[@daveslifeover65]

Great video Tracy. Hope to meet you some day. 73 ve3htb John aka Dave

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Dave! Looking forward to that. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@Team-fabulous]

I always fancied a 2020 but here in the UK their rarity means they still go for crazy money😮😮

[@KenTenTen]

Love your review. Wanna sell it? Hahaha That Shure 404 looks like it's a good fit, too.

[@thebnbaldwin]

The Barrett 4050 is today's replacement at a base price of about $4,000 USD!

[@dougs4944]

Maybe most of your visitors haven't heard of it, but older hams in U.S. have.

[@richardross3815]

Too bad they lost focus on the potential. I have one. Have lent it out a few times. Still works great. Only 20 watts but utterly simple layout. Reminds me of the old Atlas 180’s from early 70’s. Great solid state movie for it’s time. I still have a hump mount stand for an Atlas 180.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@billerfurth5247]

I had a couple of those and lever them. TNX for the post. Bill KZ3DX

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

Just bought one on eBay. Will keep it forever!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great score! Have fun with that little beast.

[@happyending486]

I love that SGC, your SGC for SSB always use PBT ?? .. 73 de YC2VOC

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I have not used the PBT yet, haven't had the need to. 73 from VE3TWM!

[@AG4KN]

The 2020 PBT is similar to the PBT on an IC-7200, or even a Xiegu G90; you can narrow the Pass Band to sharpen up the receive audio from your DX station. Sometimes its use is a necessary thing. 73s and have fun experimenting with this rig. DE AG4KN@@OutdoorsOnTheAir

[@AndrewPepper]

Always wanted a SGC202.

[@odolsularto1288]

I need a SGC 510 model radio schematic

[@cqdx1677]

İ have a SgC 2020 but i feel rx sensitivity is very low . any suggestion?! 😢

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

First, put another rig in place of the SG-2020 and see if you get similar results. If yes, there is something else at play (e.g. antenna system). If no, then it could be the rig. Also confirm the power supply is a good one and is providing what the rig needs. If the issue lies with the rig, check the So-239 as they have a tendency to be less than sturdy. Wiggle the coax to see if there is an intermittent connection. If all else fails, seek out the Groups.io SGC group and ask there. Some very knowledgeable hams who hang out there might be able to provide assistance. Good luck, but it's worth pursuing to get that rig working well!

[@va3ux]

Tracy - your QRZ/RAC email doesn't work. I'd like to get in touch. Great video as usual.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Phil! Looking forward to chatting with you.

[@DonzLockz]

Dang, I never heard of it till now but I want one. Lol

[@joeblow8593]

They are great radios, in fact I own two of them.

[@ncphotos]

Great video de W2CSI

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you very much!

[@stevepatterson2290]

nice radio did the job

[@vintagetransistorRadio.Radio.h]

Thanks for sharing

[@R2AUK]

nice radio ❤

[@JA-fy1bn]

I've had two and never should have sold either. Especially the latter DSP model. Quirks? Yes! Odd multi button controls? Yes! Only communication grade xmit and receive audio? Yes! Still! I'm sure I'll buy another.

[@Daisy-yq1gi]

Portable is the way!!

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I've heard of it. 😉

[@marlinpruett8343]

It an good Radio but I dont do ham IT like owning A gun should not need a License and at 81 to dam late

[@MrSparks54]

Of course I've heard of he SG-2020, I had one for years. That title screams click-bait. C'mon man, don't use titles like that.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

My content is of no value if few people see it. Titles, like the rest of my channel, are in a constant state of experimentation. Hope you can understand that.

[@dmsadigitalmediaservicesar2586]

Should have used two pop up legs. not one

[@eduardopower5254]

Hello Tracy, thabks for giving us such a delightful video about this small war tank. Im still looking for a good one to grab it. Thanks 👍🏼 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, Eduardo!