Xiegu G90 Power Test: Separating Facts from Fiction!

In this video, we conduct an in-depth power test of the Xiegu G90 transceiver to determine if it lives up to the hype in terms of power performance. Watch as we analyze the power output of this popular radio and see if it is worth the praise it has been receiving. If you are considering investing in the Xiegu G90, this comprehensive power test will provide you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision. Stay tuned to find out if the Xiegu G90 is truly worth the hype! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more radio-related content!
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[@hazer72]

G90 feels like one of those must have radios like the 5R's

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s why I’m on my second 👍

[@walteredwards544]

I broke my old G-90, time to buy another one! This baby can BARK🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎯

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Walter, thanks for watching 👍

[@norrinradd8952]

Great test, thanks for sharing the results. I have a few 100 watt rigs that are older than the G90 and I have to say the G90 is a juice sipper compared to them at the same output power. Also, intentional or not, you kinda debunked all the people on the internet that claimed you really need to run it at max voltage to get max power. I've heard that repeatedly. Ok, sure it was slightly higher on most bands at 16.5, but seriously maybe a smidge? Good job ya hairy animal.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Norrin, glad you liked the video. What I have come to realize is that most internet know-it-alls simply parrot something they heard in an attempt to sound smart.

[@KO4VNX]

This was a really good test! But now I want to buy this rig!!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching, much appreciated 👍

[@mortimersnerd801]

... have one of the original and "heavier" G90's and I immediatly took the back off and installed Power Poles...it's not too hard. Biggest single problem with the G90 is they used a cheap mechanical encoder instead of an optical encoder. Mine wore out and with much trepidation, took the head apart and I replaced it.... all is good now, but don't be putting one of those heavy after-market aluminum knobs on so it spins up and down the band faster or you'll be replacing the encoder sooner rather than later. How does the G90 perform? ...powered with a 50ah LiFePO4 battery and with a simple and near invisible $50 homebrew EFHW; I worked Slovenia from the West Coast, second call, .....my next contact was a 5X8 from Chile. Folks...You don't need to spend $20,000 on a $$ 1kw linear then a, beam, rotor and tower in order to make a radio work... Richard VA7AA/XE1

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Richard, sounds like you’re handy with the tools. I have a 50Ah that I will be using with this one as well 👍

[@mortimersnerd801]

@@TheSmokinApe Fortunately the encoder is a fairly big part on the board, kinda like an old pot...just snip the pins off at the top, this gets rid of the old encoder, then useing dry-wick you can suck the remainder of pins off the board and clean out the pin holes...just be slow and careful...and don't be using a 250 watt Weller.. I used a DC 12V 50 or 60 watt iron with a pointy tip. The 50ah has the best price point (mine is now $169.. TimeUSB).. lotsa reserve, you could probably run a G90 or FT891 on it for several days, yet it is highly portable... only 11lbs... I use an old 250 watt solar panel (it was given to me) and a Renogy Rover MPPT solar controller/charger to charge mine.

[@philiptomarchio9098]

Wow excellently done and presented. You put another pin in my just order the thing column

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it Philip, thanks for watching 👍

[@BrianRamseysg01]

Would have liked it at what us Battery users use ie. 12.4v But for me I thank you for the work you have done it makes sense that on avg 12.4v is the best ;) 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Maybe I’ll do a battery one. Thanks for the feedback and for watching Brian 👍

[@bayoubees9447]

My G90 is 3+ yrs old. Great portable radio, thousands of POTA contacts. Easy to carry, easy to use, I guess next time I spot on the POTA page I'll have to add >20 watts and a wire! My battery is a 20ah LiPo - haven't killed it yet 12.9v. Great video, thanks. KI5IMV

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha, thanks for watching Bees 👍

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Good work, Ape. Bear in mind: the Nissei meter is most likely a 10% meter (e.g., Bird is a 5% reliability). So a bandwidth of the meter’s rated reliability superimposed over your meter readings might be a good strategy. Just a thought from a former statistics professor, 😂

[@RogerWilco486]

Exactly

[@TheSmokinApe]

Totally agree Frank, but fear not… I have plans for a more accurate meter.

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Keep in mind that Bird 43 is only a 5% meter…just like the Drake W-4 Wattmeter. It’s just that when they’re close like your (amazing) measurements, it might be good to recognize the reliability of the meter. Joe Smith, of NanoVNA fame, has a KZbin video on a version of this meter (which I also have, OEM’d to MFJ. You do some great stuff on bench measurements and explain them well.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Joe Smith has a fantastic channel, love his stuff. I picked up the LP-100A which I’ll be using in the future 👍

[@TheGmr140]

Nice testing, keeping it real 😊😊

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks TG140, appreciate you watching 👍

[@seanwaltz-gh3kw]

Great test. I just ordered my G90 should be here Friday and I hope it has the power poles on it. Thanks Ape

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome man, congrats on the new radio 👍

[@seanwaltz-gh3kw]

Thanks Ape. What kind of power supply do you recommend

[@TheSmokinApe]

You are going to want 10A minimum, check out the astrons.

[@davidgrey943]

I think G90 runni g at 19watts is not a lot to quibble about the 19watts may actually help prolong the lives of the output Mosfets/ output transistors. I am not sure what the use in the output configuration. Even if it was 18 watts I would have still brought the G90 which I am a onwer of and very pleased with howit performs.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’m on my second. Not the best radio but it’s great for 400$

[@johnhess351]

The thing is, as I understand it, there is other power in the radio's emission besides desirable rf, so the net effect is useful transmit power is somewhat less since the meter is counting ALL the power. The meter is unable to differentiate between all the usable and worthless output. It is like there are erratic or mis-shaped components of the signal like a carrier or DC offset type of things that shunt to ground. We would need a more expert technician than me to explain it properly. One would have to calculate the loss or use an oscilloscope to pick out the spurious streams and calculate their rms and subtract. I would guess 10 to 15% less usable power than what the meter shows and in addition to other normal system losses.

[@eem3iii]

Wondering if I should buy a G90 vs spending a lot for a Yaesu. Hope G90 quality controls are getting better. Great info Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s a tough call, thanks for watching 👍

[@BigJohnsHamShack]

Another banger! Appreciate you.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks BJHS 🍻

[@johnnorth9355]

Great test .Gotta love the G90.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out John 👍

[@DC3AFA]

Another interesting fact: current is fare away from the 6 Amps, Xiegu is showing in their datasheet

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hmmm…. Maybe I’ll do a video on that 👍

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Great test , thanks !

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks RBD 👍

[@revbikerbigd8664]

@@TheSmokinApe I own 2 G90 radios, one for mobile uses and other in the shack ! Best bang for the buck, both bought second hand under $400 each !

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice 👍

[@Dadluvspi]

Just got my first G90. It arrived today from Las Vegas. It is the other model with the built in heat sink on the bottom. You got me wondering if it is the same other than the chassis and power connector

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’m wondering too 🤔 thanks for watching bro 👍

[@robertmeyer4744]

love the charts at the end ! nice touch ! I was wondering how voltage would affect output . Many run G 90 on a LiFePO4 battery . most stay around 13-13.2V throughout most of discharge . 10.5 V is around the BMS cut off . I see no problem running LFP battery for POTA/SOTA with the G 90. I do not have a G 90 at this time ,But I do hear a lot of them on the air. Popaler POTA radio. With a End Fed Half wave . The Poseidon is a great antenna to go with the G 90. 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@robertmeyer4744 hey Robert, your point about the LiFePO4 is the exact reason I did this test, and yes I’m planning to run it with the Poseidon 👍

[@bassangler73]

Thanks Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey BA, thanks for watching bro 👍

[@digitalradiohacker]

Ugh... I really wanted to get a G90, but I just couldn't bring myself to pay several hundred bucks for a Chinese radio. In the end, I got a 2nd hand Kenwood TK-90 commercial mobile HF set. It has the same front panel size as a mobile radio, but the body is a bit longer. 100W in a backpack is no joke, but my poor old SLABs are taking a beating, and they're too damn heavy. One day, when I'm rich and famous, I'll have to grab a G90 and some Li-ion batteries.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey DRH, those slabs are heavy too! Thanks for watching 👍

[@DonzLockz]

Good testing from a primate.😊 ... unexpectedly good results, too. G90 FTW! ;)

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Don 👍

[@Thump2030]

Good video

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out Thump 👍

[@gregsmith1116]

Thanks Ape! I have a G90. I enjoy it for fun and FT8. Never thought testing its power out! Thanks again!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching Greg 👍

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Good testing and data. 1 question. Is that voltage rating for "under load"? Basically can you bump up your power supply to 17 since the g90 would see it as 16.5 when you xmit?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I looked in the manual and it didn’t say. So to be honest, I have no idea 😂

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

@@TheSmokinApe one way to find out :)

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@AndyAAzeroAM I suppose you are correct 🤔

[@JimmyLittles-o3b]

I have g90 how do i get modulation meter to work thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Jimmy, what do you mean by modulation meter?

[@JimmyLittles-o3b]

@@TheSmokinApe when i key the mic no modulation swing on radio meter.i know tadio is getting out

[@TheSmokinApe]

What mode? If you are doing AM or FM you should see a carrier and then if you speak you will see sidebands. If you are USB / LSB you won't see anything until you speak.

[@KS0JD]

I wish my G-90 had power poles for power input. 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s a huge upgrade

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

So is it worth the grab

[@TheSmokinApe]

It puts out what it says

[@W6IWN_Radio]

Great test 👌! I ❤️ my G90. Ape2024!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, glad you liked it 👍

[@jomf8929]

She goo. Say it. Say her name. She goo! She goo ! Ten years living in china. I speak Chinese. It’s She goo.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I thought that’s what I said 👀

[@shanejackson1973]

Hey Ape, is there any possible way to add power pole connectors to the back of a normal G 90? 0:02

[@TheSmokinApe]

Here’s what I did for the first g90: Xiegu G90 - Power Cable Upgrade - TheSmokinApe kzbin.info/www/bejne/apfCeXt7rbtpY5Y

[@shanejackson1973]

@@TheSmokinApe Many thanks, Ape!

[@timel64]

I thought the G90 had issues overheating? I have older one with heat sink bottom & sides.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I never had that problem with my first one 👍

[@norrinradd8952]

I realize this is anecdotal, but I've never had overheating problems with my original G90. Also anecdotal, but I did hear from a first run G90 owner that had one shut down on him while operating due to overheating. The culprit was running full power FT8, outside during the summer in Texas. Worked fine when he hooked it back up inside the house. My only gripe with the G90 is the tiny screen hurts my old eyes and I'm not paying for the GSOC. If I found a good deal, I would totally buy a second.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@norrinradd8952 I actually traded my first one and have been wanting to replace it ever since

[@timel64]

@@TheSmokinApe I have yet to connect the mike. I 've had it over a year. RX only

[@TheSmokinApe]

Time to get after it 👍

[@75ohmHAM]

It's not lighter, you just got stronger

[@TheSmokinApe]

I supposed that’s a possibility 🤔