Xiegu G106 - My Thoughts and Test Results - Xiegu QRP Ham Radio

[@LivingByFire]

Radioddity has (at the time of this comment) the G106 and the De-19 bundled together for $280. I am looking forward to getting it in, updating the firmware, and start making contacts. As of this comment, the firmware is at 1.3, released on 5-3-23.

[@KC1UER]

I know this video is a couple years old, but I bought the G106 and DE-19 shortly after getting my technician license this year. I have been running it a CR8900 mobile antenna when doing POTA and on a homemade 10m dipole inside my house when working from home. It is excellent on FT8, and at first I was having lots of issue with SSB. Primarily low audio output. If you look at the handheld mic, there is no hole drilled in it. After drilling a hole over the area where the mic is on the inside, I have had excellent luck working DX SSB. My furthers FT8 contact is 7298 miles, and furthest SSB contact is 5008 miles.

[@HamRadio2]

Nice

[@seafarer26yacht]

Compared with QRP radios of years past, even a radio such as the G106 is a huge improvement. Seriously - the features and performance for the price compared with the old Emtech, OHR, MFJ-90XXs, Heathkits etc is light years ahead. My first rig was an HW-8 I built when I was in high school in the 1970's so I know what I'm talking about. Will I buy this? Well maybe. I have a DE-19 and XPA125B already so I have what this radio is missing. If I didn't would I? Probably still yes as it is small, physically bullet proof, and cheap. As the video guy said though, a G90 might be a better bet for not much more money.

[@johnsinclair3067]

Love my G90. IMO the best features to price hf radio on the market. But for a barebones budget system, I'd go with a (tru)SDX or an uBITX v6 for half the price of the G106.

[@ward5821]

love my 106, it is my GOTO radio for my home brew mag loop. I have made many contacts in that arrangement. A lot of mag loops out there have a built in SWR indicator, so that is not a problem about the lack of it being built in. It works great......

[@rich-kc3tbc286]

Thanks Jason for the review. Did you notice any birdies on the receiver without an antenna connected? From my experience with Xiegu, their radios receive internal tones due to little or no shielding in the RX section. The Xiegu X6100 had many birdies on all bands, I retuned it. The G90 had birdies too but far less in frequency and amplitude, sold that radio. Thanks again for the useful review. Rich KC3TBC

[@batica81]

After all reviewers are done, it would be fun to see a tear down video of this thing. Very interested in how it works on the inside.

[@DominicMazoch]

Digirig can work with right rig and cables on the G90. Clear soundcard install

[@WaynePatrick]

Great review. It does interest me now that it’s on sale for $60 off with the DE-19 for a $1. I’m going to try it.

[@joeframo3347]

Yeah Jason I'm interested in it something to go out the field with does it have an internal battery build in let me know Jason

[@Darkwoods77]

You should do a video on power output, and sound transmit quality. Not just CW . Not everyone is a CW buff. Some people just like making a contact or shooting the breeze.

[@kurttuttle1817]

Xiegu just released a new firm ware for the G90, after a long time, maybe the will update the firmware on the G106 sometime soon.. Also get rid of the paddle and get a straight key.

[@gravestonemyth]

Better still, learn cootie and be liberated from electronic keying. It makes it a lot easier to fire up a boat anchor and be proficient.

[@mikegassman3593]

Until there’s a new (and substantial) firmware update for the X6100, I would hesitate to look at any new radios from Xiegu.

[@HamRadio2]

Those are my thoughts too.

[@okierebel3278]

I have the G90 and love it. I'm not interested in the G106 at all.

[@HamAround23]

I picked up a x6100 a couple days ago when it went on flash sale for 575. Have only tried it once but seems like a great radio so far

[@45auto]

I'm flat broke so I get that not everyone can afford more expensive radios. I would still save up for a bit longer until I could get the G90. They were recently listed at $399 on Amazon.

[@HamRadio2]

Yeah the Prime Day deal was good

[@stickmenwithrayguns]

@2:47 - First time I heard "DC to Daylight" used moderately correct was in development of radar absorbing coatings back in the 80's, which at that point involved combining +100 layers of various dielectric materials and thickness in order to form a "wide-band" mismatch covering frequencies up in the TeraHertz range. 😎 This means that the "DC-2-Daylight" -slurr only makes sense for engineers working for company's like Terma or Raytheon. 😉 As for the creator of this channel goes: Please refer to frequencies between 30KHz - 30MHz as "HF". 👍 ( This will probably also be the correct acronym to use for anyone who wants to pass the Ham Radio Technician exam. )

[@HamRadio2]

HF is 3-30MHz. Below 3khz to 3MF is MF, I believe

[@stickmenwithrayguns]

@@HamRadio2 ULF , VLF and MF actually. My point was merely to use these normal ITU designations, since saying "DC-2-Daylight" is off by a factor "~25 million". 🙂

[@ERICtheLATE]

if the battery depletes on a 49.860 walkie talkie, is it only goung to rx/tx on the stfu band?

[@stickmenwithrayguns]

@@ERICtheLATE I had one of these but then a wheel fell off and it stopped working. 🙃

[@walteredwards544]

I'm interested and I have a G-90. This is something I can take with me very easily to listen to short wave, WFM and even make some NVIS contacts. It looks like it could be a very compact and simple set-up.

[@norrinradd8952]

I like the idea of this radio. Small, lightweight, covers all of HF, probably better than tin cans and a string for SOTA. It appears to be "good enough" for digital and CW. But for that price, it should come with a nice carry case and a bunch of cables and adapters. If nothing else, If they redesigned the case to accommodate a lithium battery, I think 320 would be a good deal. As it is, I'll wait for 250 on sale.

[@MrScotchpie]

I'll be sticking with my X6100 and FT818. Two good radios that seem to be better than this, though of course cost more too. But you get what you pay for.

[@mssippijim]

I just got one. I noticed some of the things that are missing on first impression. After using it a few days, it is growing on me. Simple doesn’t necessarily mean bad. I think some of the very early reviews of it should be taken down, as the major flaws have been addressed and are no longer legitimate or valid. Also, no offense, but a quick scan of the manual prior to reviewing would clear up questions such as the one about changing frequency digits. Simply hold down the band button for the desired direction to change it. Would I like the more traditional press on the tuning dial? Yes, but once you get used to this method, it’s not a problem. Wish it had a tuner, but overall, I’m pretty happy with it. I also own the G90 and like it very well, btw.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Jason, I think the modular connector on the mic is an RJ22. You and your family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@joeframo3347]

Yeah I like the size of it Jason I like you could just throw it in your your backpack does it have an internal battery if not I'm not interested 😭

[@HamRadio2]

No it doesn't

[@SCzxjk]

What's the receiver like ?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm thinking pretty much the same thing.

[@HamRadio2]

In an earlier comment someone mentioned new firmware for the G90 after a very long time. Maybe there is hope for the x6100.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@HamRadio2 I'm hearing November '22... I'm not holding my breath. G90 Just came out 10/14/22

[@HamRadio2]

@@temporarilyoffline Well that is good though, imo. The G90 is older than the x6100 so if they are finally releasing new firmware, there might still be some hope...

[@TheArtofEngineering]

It’s a radio…❤I love them all…..but this radio is special…. It has been born with less “personality” and is the mentally disabled version of an Icom 7300….. Now to be serious….. I think the G90 is bang for buck …. But this rig is a 🍋. Onya for taking up CW …it is awesome for QRP ….. 5 watts goes a long way! 73 de VK2AOE.

[@joeframo3347]

What do you think Jason on this

[@HamRadio2]

I didn't think much of it

[@jamesdublin8338]

It looks like the external speaker port might be on the front left side in the little cutout, not sure though.

[@pasjeihobby]

Good review.

[@HamRadio2]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@craigdavidson2977]

Looks like Radioddity now has a discount bundle for both the radio and the expansion box for $280

[@geoff37s38]

If you are going to review a radio then at least spend a little time to learn the basic functions. I have had this little radio for a few weeks and am very happy with it. I have been a Ham for over 40 years and own many radios from Kenwood, Yaesu and Icom. I also have a Xeigu G90 and a G1M. The G106 is a basic sturdy little budget QRP radio. It fits my need for a simple to use QRP portable to use in a motorhome. The latest firmware adds AM TX, mic gain, TX power level and improved SSB audio. It is not perfect, but what is? If you are looking for a 100W base station then this is obviously not for you. This is a fun little radio that seems to have attracted some unfair criticism. I agree that much of the cheap Chinese equipment is junk, but this radio is not.

[@HamRadio2]

If you look at Xiegu's last 3 offerings, and the lack of consistency, follow-thru and support they offer for their previous models, you would understand where I, and others who criticize this radio, are coming from. My main point is that the radio lacks anything new. It is a step backwards from their previous several models where they seemed to be adding more and more features and options with each model. Then they turn around and offer this lack-luster radio with no extra features and a lack of basic functions. The pre-production models had lots of issues, but this production model seemed to work just fine. However, for less than $100 more, you can get the G90 which is tried-and-true and has stood the test of time.

[@DD-gd3fr]

G90 is their highlight radio.the rest of them should have not been released yet until they work the bugs out.

[@briantalley8415]

I like the idea and the price, but not the execution. We all like to think Xiegu will produce firmware updates that will add features and remove bugs, but they are so painfully slow to come out with updates that I won't consider them anymore. (I think within the last 48 hours or so they actually released 1.79beta firmware for the G90. How long has that been in the works??) I really like my G90 and I'll stick with it, but higher-end manufacturers are where I'm looking now for future purchases.

[@mostlypostie1]

This radio confuses me also. I don't think it's bad, but I just don't think it will appeal to as many people as it could. I also own an X6100. I LOVE that radio, but Xiegu need to keep the firmware updates coming. It could be the most popular QRP rig ever, if they just kept updating the FW! The possibilities are almost endless, with it's Linux OS.

[@bryanpuckett3023]

It's going to be a good paper weight!

[@alvinnorris6523]

Not interested. I have the g90 and the 6100 I also had the 5105. I set up the g90 in go box for pota. I have more radios than I have sense. I have never regreted buying them. I have used the g90 more for portable than icom 705 mostly for the extra wattage and antenna tuner.

[@ctr8785]

Does anyone know how to unlock the transmission to 27mhz?

[@JR-bt5dy]

Seems like it's being compared unfairly for the price.

[@Ed.T]

"... if I looked in the manual." It might have been more informative if you did.

[@twohandsandaradio]

You asked for thoughts and I'll have to be politically correct before coffee. This is the replacement for the G1M. That was the bottom feeder of the radio world that started all this Xiegu mediocrity. Hell it's buttons were crooked yet everyone falls into line with that statement of "well for the price it's not all bad" or "sure it's not a good radio but look at the price". This is the next G1M. Maybe this is where people stop saying "well for the price it's not all bad" and finally say no to this Chinese junk. If we keep saying all these tired old lines and wasting money on this junk... pretty soon this is all we'll have to choose from. Hope I didn't trigger anyone. Now for some coffee.

[@HamRadio2]

I always thought the X108G was the replacement for the X1M. The G106 is much larger than the X1M I had for a short while.

[@walteredwards544]

Press in the vfo knob. Might do it

[@robertabbott7770]

I think that the missing features of this radio make it very unappealing . Yes it is cheap but as is said in the comments below you can get better options for only a little more money the G90 .

[@KU9L]

The Xiegu G106 radio seems lackluster to me, can't get excited about it. I want something I can take to POTA or SOTA and feel proud without worrying about why I can't plug in headphones to overcome windy or rainy conditions in a tent, etc.

[@joeblow8593]

No interest in it, but thanks for reviewing it anyway.

[@barryzoll9772]

Thanks for your honest assessment. Always enjoy your videos and humor. 😊

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for watching!

[@charlieoscar09]

Come on......its a flop

[@placeholder-065]

I don't buy Chinese any more. (at least not consciously) Gust ON6KE

[@glennblum6410]

SMALL FORM FACTORED RADIO.

[@NatesRandomVideo]

No interest whatsoever.

[@josephukedaddy0548]

Is there anyway to contact UFO's with HAM radio? Ha ha just kidding....... No, but seriously, can you?

[@ChatGPT1111]

Sure if they both use what would be ancient technology to them and speak english, which is not very likely.

[@vicmiller7191]

Quite frankly the radios outward apperance is not appealing to me, and that would be the 1st reason for me to move on to select something else. And not even think about trying the rig out. Thanks for the revue and keep up the great content. Vic de KE8JWE