The Xiegu G90 VS. KN990 (The Meme Radio) Ham Radio Showdown

In the left corner, a crowd favorite economy ham radio, the Xiegu G90. On the right, newcomer and favorite of the casual gamer, the KN990!
NEWS
Jerry KG6HQD Update
-Dennis AD6DM Podcast: anchor.fm/ad6dm/episodes/Jerr...
-Meal Train to help show support for Jerry & family: www.mealtrain.com/trains/wkq8...
-KG6HQD Jerry's KZbin: / @kg6hqdjerrysota
SHOW NOTES
Radio Gear Featured (includes Affiliate Links)
-Xiegu G90: radioddity.refr.cc/hoshnasi​ (Includes $15 discount coupon for through April 21, 2021)
-Xiegu G90 Manual: www.connectsystems.com/produc...
-KN-990: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AMiXwC
-KN-990 Manual: www.zhiqiangtech.com/kn/kn990/...
In this throwdown we will do the following:
- Audio quality (multiple modes and filters)
- User Interface & Menu Controls
- Physical construction & IO
- Enhanced options (Decoding, DSP)
- Ease of digital mode control
- Known issues
- WILD CARD!
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Current Shack Config (includes affiliate links)
ICOM 7300: amzn.to/2PKBpmZ
SteppIR 3E Yagi: consumer.steppir.com/shop/hor...
ICOM 2730a: amzn.to/2JqrASg​
MFJ-4230DMP: mfjenterprises.com/products/m...
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[@stridermt2k]

I personally had a brain tumor removed recently and it isn't easy. Still in treatment. My best to anyone working through this. Mine was directly on my speech center so I'm the king of FT8 while I heal up! LOL

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Glad you’re on the mend!

[@grahamjackson1591]

My gran had a stroke. I couldnt believe how soft her hands were

[@gahvno]

I have a g90 and I've been very successful decoding CW all over the place with it and not always with a strong signal. It's really important to get that zero beat light flashing, but once you get it down it works like a charm. I'm also in SoCal.

[@frankpeck1448]

Great program...Thank You! KI6CMR, N. Kentucky.

[@Marmot689]

Congratulations on your award. Keep up the channel. Because of you this old analog guy has gotten interested in the new digital formats. This is what ham radio is all about, learning from each other no matter how long someone has been licensed. N0SKT.

[@BikerBytes]

I have the G90, pretty happy with it 👍

[@GG-vx7gi]

Was randomly searching audible for "ham radio" and found your podcast. Enjoyed your KZbin channel awhile, and now tuning in on audible during my boorrrrring drive time

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Awesome!! Thanks for watching and listening!

[@TheBluntNinja]

Jump into the discord! Tons of people helping out.

[@RobinP556]

I was way late on the livestream, but Tetris on a radio....I’m sold.

[@Dusty_Ham]

"I don't know where to blow on a 990" - Josh 2021 Great video by the way, I was out doing my first contest here in ZL when the stream was live so I wasn't able to watch. I'm torn on which radio is better still. Gotta go with the G90 I think though.

[@6.5mm_is_the_best_mm]

Just went and took all three elements and passed! Can't wait for my call sign.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Congrats!!!

[@johnalcock88]

Going for General this Thursday. Got Tech 2 weeks ago.

[@stridermt2k]

CONGRATS!!

[@6.5mm_is_the_best_mm]

@@johnalcock88 good luck!

[@ClayHutchins]

Let's try this again. I realized my entire comments didn't come through, for whatever reason. Here is the full context of what I wanted to share. I want to take this opportunity to thank you, and a couple others who I will post on their channel the same sentitments, for your content and encouragement of this hobby. Ever since I was a young kid, I have always had a fascination with amateur radio. Many years have since passed, and here I am in 2021, turned 50 (2/10) and finally took the leap to obtain a Technician’s license (3/4). Then yesterday (4/10), I passed the General’s exam. These achievements were made possible because I found your channel in 2020. After watching a great deal of your content, my interest in the hobby was restored. You gave me courage to go after my licensing. In conclusion, simply thank you for all your do for this hobby and I wish you and yours all the continued success and enjoyment.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Absolutely Clay! Thanks for watching and I’m glad they helped!

[@kurtzFPV]

I just connect my g90 to the computer and hdsdr at home and have a 27" sdr display with CAT control. The small built in screen is fine for portable.

[@jorgevergarasalas]

You see the watherfall in monitor?

[@kurtzFPV]

@@jorgevergarasalas Yes, and it works really well. You do need a stereo input on your sound card. Check out zs1sci dot com. He shows in detail how to do it. There are also documents on the G90 group io and G90 Facebook group showing how. They also recommend sound cards if yours doesn't have stereo in.

[@turkeyslayer63]

G-90 10watts from Colorado to Ireland on SSB and got a Happy St. PATRICKS Day from an Irishman so cool also a 53 signal from him, that afternoon 10 watts to Japan andi think the guy in Japan was more excited than I was on 10 watts fun times.

[@terrelllemoine1343]

Is there a setting that you can set so when you turn the power on the KN-990 back on it will hold the frequency that you where on when it was turn off?

[@PatAutrey]

I’m hoping to create a 2 m Multi element vertical dipole To use as a base station antenna at home I would like for all of the elements to be in phase so that they all radiate at the same time I just don’t know how to create the wiring harness to attach it all to get it to work correctly Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated

[@ignusa749]

an idea!! what they need to do on these little radios is to place a video driver setup so it can be hdmi connected to a LARGE screen. and even better yet to a LARGE touch screen! question how does this stack up on am rx to a late model kenwood ham rig?? looking for a good long range swl radio.

[@osculant]

COMM on the G90 is used for updating the base firmware, not audio, FYI.

[@michaelfuchs1467]

The G90 is SUPERB doing digital!

[@benhawke7231]

What's extremely nice about the g90 kit disconnect at resistor that circle underneath the shell and you can talk on any frequency you want to. Where is the other one, it's a little harder to hack.

[@cobrasvt347]

Amazing. That's pretty much all the games I still play. Now I can ham and play games at the same time. Can't wait till they get the bugs worked out. I currently run an emulator of various sorts and either the PS3 or 4 controller which I now have the touchpad working on the PS4 controller. ✌️

[@mobiltec]

Technician studying for general here. Can someone tell me what FT8 is used for? Why would someone want their computer to say hi to another computer and thats it? I don't get it.

[@Screamingtut]

Hey Josh, are you losing your USB connections on your system when you keep hearing the windows dings? I have been losing my external USB hub every so often too. I think it's on the most recent Windows 10 upgrade.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yep that seems to be what is happening

[@HarishKottayam]

I am considering buying one of these models XIEGU X6100, Q900 HF VHF UHF SDR Ham Radio All Mode Transceiver, and KN-990 SDR for setting up my first RIG. Please suggest the best one among these which I can go ahead with. Thank you,

[@psychodad11]

Two questions, Has anyone messed with the amp for both? The kn990 amp is much cheaper, is that because it is a piece of junk that will have the FCC knocking at my door? Or are they both of decent quality with clean signals? Second question: It seems the g90 software is actively upgraded regularly, is the kn990 software being upgraded regularly as well? Btw, thanks for the videos and keep up the good work! I really enjoy them. Thanks. N2SCD

[@5stargunsandgear]

G90 or kn990 for voice which one do you prefer

[@josephroblesjr.8944]

I really wish that videos like this also showed how to power them. I know you need a power supply for it but is it included? Do you need to buy one?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Just assume power supplies are never included.

[@jwhardig]

Your son is probably shaking his head saying 'dad is in there talking to himself again ' lol. Looks like good radios but I still say life's to short for QRP. Great show. De N9NJN Jeff in Effingham Illinois.

[@tadekboruta328]

To each his own. For me nothing beats building your own radio, than making contacts with it. Which is way harder to do with QRO than QRP. And the difference between 20W vs 100W is 1S unit. 5W vs 100W is 2S units. QRP is cheaper and allows way more leeway for experimentation. Cheers.

[@sidorenkosidorenko8766]

Can I use it for decoding sepura st9000?

[@kennethlapham9054]

I really like the kn 990 its reminiscent of the expert electronics mb1 the Chinese knock off of it.I had a g90 for a few months I didn't really care for it ,but I'm old 51years old 26 years of ham radio .thanks for the showdown

[@Gw0wvl]

RCA jack's have been used in many high end radios for many years , Kenwood, ICOM , Yaesu , All have and still use RCA jack's , So it's not really a quirky thing at all .

[@xjohn1970]

KN990 looks pretty cool , I like it. the G90 has a cool expansion option. I hope they put that Xiegu GSOC with all its features on the the front of the Xiegu G90 and sell it as one unit, or redesign it t be like that in the coming year. the KN990 for the win

[@peterbradbury784]

Heard g4 station in the UK the other day using a G90 and a kite antenna !!!

[@andrewstewart8695]

Just curious what antenna are you using on your radio. I am going to be a budget operator. To me the 990 sounds better.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’m using a very expensive antenna.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’d recommend building a dipole as a first antenna.

[@kc9cuk]

g90 needs a voice keyer, such a letdown and an essential feature for me. Thanks for the videos!

[@zeiin2022]

good job👍👍

[@georgeluthy6512]

What antenna is being used?

[@ignusa749]

hey what were you using for the antenna on the test?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Likely my Steppir

[@klb2005ao]

Thanks for the good review !!! de 4Z5KR 73!!!

[@siffler1234]

kn-990 is nice for a Chinese radio, but i think the g9 has the edge for practicality, the built in atu clinches the deal, hanks for your video josh, de m1dls homebrew ham

[@masterthee]

This radios 100watt amp is much more affordable and available vs the xiegu!!

[@digitaldreamer5481]

After watching this video, Josh, I am so relieved that I bought the Xeigu G90 from bd7-maple🇨🇦 on ebay for $425 with all the extras!

[@mdwestlund1]

Josh can u take it down to general portion so all can participate.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Take what down?

[@SynSauce]

Dude I just spent 5-10 minutes trying to figure out which one of my USB devices was dropping out and killing my audio lmao.

[@One-Eyed-Willly]

The price for this and all the accessories come about to the same as a Icom 7300. I am a Technician so I don't have enough knowlage to make comparisons.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You don’t need all the accessories really. You do not need the GSOC.

[@One-Eyed-Willly]

I sould have added that I am leageally blind. The little screen that comes on with the xiegu is little. So, bigger screens that have a dark back ground it great and if it has voice is a plus. Great vidios and I have spent money watching them.@@HamRadioCrashCourse

[@shockycbs]

I would happily clean your car and help with the water heater for the KN990, I would just have to find my way from IL to Cali

[@JacobNewmen]

KN990 is 24 bit DSP radio?

[@JoseGutierrezGarciaEA3EZD]

You have to tune in to the KN990 well.

[@cmarchi128]

SO whats up with Jerry. Hope he is well.

[@stevenreid7165]

I'm crazy about my radio's and I talk around the world

[@ukm6yik69]

G90 all day long for me :)

[@tortoiseoverland]

Damn I missed the Chameleon

[@richarde735]

how’s Jerry doing?

[@robc3863]

The KN does cost nearly 50% so maybe a bit hard on the Xiegu

[@CalebSkurdal]

That KN-990 looks nice.... the CW on the G90 sounds better though. NX6T is doing a JA contest. I think I choose a 990 or actually an IC705. 73 AD7U

[@ivanpoddubnyy3421]

ic-7300 !

[@Brianflys]

If this was NES Crash Course for video games I'd vote for the KN990. But this is that ham radio stuff, ya know... So the stable G90 with antenna tuner and analyzer is the clear winner, IMO. Of course I have one, so completely unbiased... 😉

[@masterthee]

But the amp is so expensive to get 100w...think there is a way to use the kn990s?

[@alvinnorris6523]

My g90 audio is great with small ext speaker

[@johnwest7993]

I'm interested in digital radio, but not video game radio.

[@cappaculla]

Sorry but crashing Tetris is a deal breaker for me ;)

[@alvinnorris6523]

Poor Edison

[@zeiin2022]

nice👍👍 from indonesia

[@michaelfuchs1467]

My beloved G90 died on me three weeks ago after close to 24/7 service TX:ing COVID-19 reports over JS8... But this wasn't the reason - a faulty power cable PROBABLY was leaking V+ to the chassis in my transport bag. Now my retailer is trying to dodge warranty claim it seems... and I need to send it internationally to even having them 'look at it' and I can't afford anything right now due to health issues. 😢 G90 owners beware: accidental V+ to the chassie will PROBABLY burn the G90 - without hurting the fuse!! My power cable is exposing a millimeter of bare wire where it's crimped to the inline automotive fuse - the ONLY fault I have found and it's clearly poor manufacturing or material fault. If this is the cause, the overall engineering of the power bus is seriously dodgy... /Mike

[@fubolibs4218]

The chassis is most likely connected to ground point. The lug in the back. That might be connected to the 13.8v DC ground. If so you are lucky your battery didn’t burst in flames. The chassis should be tied to the ground point. So applying Voltage to that is a bad idea.

[@michaelfuchs1467]

@@fubolibs4218 "Most likely" isn't going to cut it here, seldom does in engineering. I know for a fact that there is a choke inside the G90, probably connected between chassie and GND in a way so that it will be toast if what I think happened here: a factory-faulty power cable came into contact with the G90 chassis. Problem is that we owners can't verify / check our G90's without losing warranty and that is REALLY bad practice. In all sensible EE, the chassis should be a GND point where a 'short' to it isn't going to do more damage than tripping the PS fuse. And by the way, LiFePo4 batteries does not burst into flames, neither do any of my other lithium chemistry packs since they're all short circuit / over current -protected in a correct way.

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

order another one swap boards send back you know if playing games just make sure serial numbers on chassis are what they expect to see if they even look or if their is even a serial number on it may no be china games no choice that how that works

[@ke8mattj]

That's an automatic no for me on the 990. With all the accurate NES emulators now-a-days on so many various platforms, including people porting Doom to even calculators, there's no reason for an NES emulator to crash like this.

[@samueljesse2179]

G90 is better Stronger portable reliable

[@alvinnorris6523]

I like size ofg90 for pota

[@PatAutrey]

You’re such a lucky guy to have kids I bet they miss their dad sometimes when you’re on the radio i’m sure your audience wouldn’t mind if you took a few seconds to say hi to your kids on the air And share a little affection

[@kazcat8096]

The rf amp for the kn990 is rubbish only 100w on the low bands power drops off badly on the high frqs

[@kazcat8096]

radio nope I dont buy rm rubbish I just stateing that the KN990 is not a good amp the fets in it loose power output fast above 7mhz I had one of them amps to boost my qrp radios but it is what it is

[@SoloPilot6]

7:25 before getting to what this video is supposedly about. Glad I didn't have to sit through this in real time.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s a show bud. I put up short for videos every week too.

[@rikuk3]

Don't worry about decoders, just persevere and learn Morse yourself...stop cheating ;)

[@speedbuggy16v]

LOL, this is not helping at all..............LOL, I love a lot of the things on the 990, but I really wish it had the tuner/antenna analyzer instead of the NES emulator, given that it worked better than the emulator, LOL. As an old fart that grew up with NES, you have no idea how much it pains me to say that....

[@mdwestlund1]

Im Wa6ols.

[@radiosnmore]

Nes emu. The f. Cool

[@izmazix2148]

Watch2End&Comment

[@RudixSA]

Biased.....

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

How so?

[@RudixSA]

👎👎