Xiegu G90 - Super quiet CW (and SSB) rig

I was at first disappointed with the noisy receiver, but only until I did some tweaks and CW settings that made a world of a difference to me. Hoping my explanations weren't too confusing.
Antenna used: End fed EFHW-8010-LP by MyAntennas
Filmed with iPhone 14 Pro
Audio recorded with DJI Mic
73,
de LB3SA

[@DonaldPotter_ReadingZone]

Thanks for the review and detailed information on tweaking the radio for CW. I am an old Extra Class operator (NG5W), who has been off the air for several years. I taught Amateur Radio classes for a Texas' school district for 7 years. My first cw/ssb was a Heathkit HW 101 that I built in 1978. I switched to a Kenwood 440AT. This looks like a good rig for getting back on the air.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

Thank you so much for this video! I just bought this radio. I am 100% deaf in my left ear! This will help me tremendously!!! Much appreciated!

[@whippersnappercc]

I have a G90 that has been collecting dust since I bought some fancier rigs, but I was always amazed at what this little thing could do. You have inspired me to put it back into the rotation! The antenna tuner is amazing. It took me awhile to figure out the ACG and RF gain control on my own, so I am sure this video will help somebody. The manual that comes with the radio is useless. 73 KD7LX

[@kennethausten]

Thanks for this. I have owned one for about 6 months. Brilliant radio. Also got it for CW and had to make adjustments. So far had few qsos. Mainly for portable use, but the weather has been poor. Now decided to install it into a corner of my lounge with a separate antenna to get some used out of it. Manual found confusing, but ytube provided the answers at the time. It's very simple once you know like all things.. But I forget if not used often. Tested on data modes with good results. Annoyingly, all those I know with these rigs only use it for FT8 when portable. What a waste I feel. Years ago psk or RTTY was my main stay with CW and had many good qsos on the keys. We actually talked Hi. Then fT8 appeared and my life was turned upside down. Glad plenty of CW exists. De gw4gja

[@brian.7966]

you get what you pay for, you buy cheap it is cheap.

[@reynardgreenewood261]

THANK YOU !!! for this great tutorial ! I am an old Ham with hearing problems, just now learning CW . I am about to purchase a G90 and believe that it's fine tuning you have demonstrated will allow me to work CW better . 73 a Tennessee Ham .

[@mspicela]

Thanks for the video! I took a break from ham radio shortly after I got mine. I wasn't sure how appropriate it would be or not as I re-figure out CW. Your video gives me confidence around the settings and that it is a suitable rig for this purpose. Without the experience in CW, I didn't have anything to compare it to. Thanks again! 73s

[@digitaldreamer5481]

I finally found this video again that I watched at the beginning of this year in preparation to my 15 day trip to Washington DC. I subbed & Liked at that time but didn’t leave a comment until today. To me, this is the best video that I’ve found about the G90 even though their is some other great videos but not like your video as far as details. I don’t do CW yet but I ❤ doing HF on SSB in USB/LSB only. I use two different vertical telescopic antennas, one @ 18.6 feet for all HF bands and one @ 2.5 meters for 10,11 and 12 meters mounted on a coil with a ground spike and 4 ground radials cut from two 15’ 22ga awg wire and two 15’ 18ga awg wires connected to the ground spike using Anderson PL connectors for operating @ one watt only. RF Gain is probably the most important function on this radio. When band conditions are good, I set it to 30% and when band conditions are bad or not favorable, I set at 78% @ 4 watts thanks to this video. My G90 works best @ 13.2v because the G90 requires 2.63 amps whether you are operating at 1 watt or 20, it’s still operates at 2.63 amps. I hope this is enough details for your trip to Iceland, which I was stationed at in the US Marine Corps for a time during the Cold War. This set up is perfect in the fact that I can fit everything including battery w/ 60w folding solar panel, which on a sunny day, I don’t really need a battery except for long QSO’s but for just listening in for intelligence gathering, the solar panel is all that is needed here in Hawaii. It really does work that well. I watched this video again today and learned a few more things that I missed the first time earlier this year. I’ve owned my G90 about 3 1/2 years now and did the MARS mod for 11 meters, which is active no matter what the band conditions are at the time including during Geomagnetic storms also. I saw a buddy of mine use the Chameleon MPAS without any ground radials two years ago when the HF bands were horrible and he made like 5 contacts around country so easy but when I saw how much $$$ that antenna was, like $699 not counting shipping & tax to Hawaii, I got on eBay, bought all the parts I needed under $80 and only cried once.😂 I would like to request that you do a follow up video for SSB only to see how you might change the settings on the G90 and also for difference portable antennas. FEP Labs and Chuck from Ham Radio Adventures made me an awesome 9:1 end fed random wire antenna that didn’t need any tuning at all, SWR 1.0 right out of the small shipping box it came in. I ❤ it! I have a few trips I’m planning for 2024 including Phuket, Thailand to surprise the YL, which is very easy to get a Thai call sign online for 300 Baht. I look forward to more of your videos about the G90, I want to learn all that I can about this rig. Aloha and 73- WH6DWF🇺🇸

[@WillShattuck]

The G90 was my first radio. I was eager for a 7300 and got one. Now I have a radio dedicated doe portable use. Woo hoo! Thanks for these tips. I still am learning how to use the filters. I just got my radio and General last June 2022.

[@georgebodley8068]

Nice rig

[@paulgarcia1566]

Thanks for the setup tips. I have a G90 and Im starting to learn CW and this demo is very helpful. Enjoy your trip.

[@techstuffandmore]

Thanks!

[@jamescollier3]

Hi. Just got my license, well .. just acting on my new license lol. Can I reach Europe from MD USA on 10m using CW? looking for my first rig. thanksKC3TDE

[@softstart100]

Thanks for a excellent tutorial on the G90. I will be implementing these changes in the morning .

[@tf7274]

I went back and forth between my 940S, 430S and the Xiegu during a QSO. Without running compression on any of the rigs, the G90 won the audio battle. I will take the reciever audio on a 940s any day. Love the waterfall on the Xiegu.

[@Grannyrides]

Just got my G90 and found this video very helpful. I hope you'll make more. Thanks from N3SC.

[@shadowlab9543]

fantastic video !!! best demonstration iv found on they proper adjustment of filters exc.

[@jasonbrambach6957]

I rarely hear CW Ops talk about how crucial good spacing is between words but hearing those that jamb the letters in a sentence all together is quickly nonsensical not too mention how hard your brain strains to decode. Glad you emphasize this point because bad habits are so difficult to unlearn and repair. Also, good advice for those of us who never had an Elmer(s) to demonstrate the various ways to adjust audio. I didn't know that "fast" or no AGC was better for CW. Many thanks!

[@MARRANCA2]

What's even worse are fools that use a bug...and send absolutely garbage for code with atrocious letter formation. In the old days, they were proud of the way they made them sound unique. But it is what it is: poorly sent CW. If I call CQ and a bug op returns, I ignore and move on. I won't gratify their choice to send rubbish.

[@southernexposure123]

lol I've seen people respond to comments and replies who type with no capital letters, no commas, no periods, etc no spaces between words and failing to make complete sentences. Some CW OPs do the same thing. I like to be able to copy whoever I hear, but often I have to just move on to someone else. In my prime I could copy 35 WPM conversational CW. Now I'm down to 10 WPM because I was off the key for 10 or 15 years. These days I hear OPs sending at a character rate of maybe 30 WPM. And IF they leave good spacing between letters I can copy half what they say until I miss a character and focus too much on trying to discipher that letter. Oh well. Maybe it'll come back to me.

[@brianfields4479]

Cw spacing is the only thing I do correctly, it makes rx much easier for others. Zl3xdj

[@davidrosenblum2178]

Just picked up this rig and I appreciate your insight and advice! 73, WX4U

[@Utahforrest]

I only operate Cw and I’m looking for a quiet receiver for my garage where I just put a dipole in my attic. I wanted an inexpensive rig with exceptional CW receive. Watching you manipulate these settings is similar to what I’ve done with some other rigs. For the price and offering you’ve convinced me to snag a G90! SUBBED & Cheers de KI7QCF

[@HamShazam23]

The last 3 minutes of your video is what I was looking for: How to drive the rig to pull in and clean up an incoming signal. My g90 is on the way currently. I just subscribed to your channel. Thanks and 73

[@michaelpage4199]

Great review and help on the settings. This radio is on my wish list. Thanks

[@pasixty6510]

Good video, thnx! I also love the G90. The same experience occurs operating SSB, I get the best results with AGC turned off and controlling RF-Gain manually. Everything is getting a bit loud then and can‘t be lowered to a comfortable level with the AF-Gain-Knob. But headphones with level control units help.

[@KD5XB]

Nice video! Although I don't have a Xiegu G90, most of the techniques shown here can be used with the rig I DO have, a 20-year old Icom 706 Mk2G. As the video was playing, I tried several of them and it's a great help. Thank you! 7 3 EARL / KD5XB DM84 E E

[@collodionpositive554]

Excellent video. Hope you enjoyed Iceland. Went last year on a photography expedition, no radio. The G90 will be my first HF radio, and although I only did a bit of CW at the club, it’s something that really appeals to me and hope to learn. Subscribed ❤

[@rbh1151]

I too find it to be an amazing little radio. I run a non-resonant wire with 9:1 unun or hamstick dipoles. This baby will tune up anything I think. I checked into a 75M ssb net in Idaho from Seattle on 5 watts, tuning a 20M hamstick dipole on 3.975 mHz. The antenna was only 8 feet above the earth. 73, N7RLV

[@jamesrobertson9597]

Excellent, this video should be required for anyone who has a G90 : )

[@mrkopecky]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve got to get into CW, now.

[@nate43data]

Thank you for the video. Very helpful.

[@KO4DFJRadio]

Great video! Just what I needed. I’m a new CW Op/ham and usually fall in on radio as is. So I adjust to the radio setting out the box. I wish I had an Elmer who can sit next to me whilst setting up my G90. I’m a lone wolf here in an area space of Hams never mind CW operators. I hope to make a QSO with sometime! 72 MM7BFL

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Very handy tips! Nicely done! 73.

[@duncanchaboudy4187]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@Gronicle1]

Thanks for the info. I just got a G90.

[@writermike2166]

Thank you for the very informative video. I’m learning CW currently & want to get in to HF…Eventually, I’d like to do CW QRP exclusively. I know it’s more challenging but just want to take it step at a time. I’m thinking G90 might be great radio for me to get for this!

[@donalfinn4205]

Brilliant vid. Going to do some experimenting tomorrow! Subbed.☘️👍

[@ChanYC8829]

Excellent video n operation in4

[@dienadel30]

Great tips now I just need to learn CW :)

[@CoveiraoPS3]

Hello! You just answered one thing I’ve always wondered, which is how this rig does cw. Cw is important to me too and I know that people who own this radio are normally happy, but no one talks about cw

[@kq6up]

It is like the old tube radios with a BFO. The AGC is disabled when you turn on the BFO, so you have to ride the RF gain instead of the volume.

[@bntravelin2]

EXCELLENT review and instructions. in June of this year we were in Iceland for 4 days , I stick kick myself for not taking a radio with me. 73 ne7ts

[@trig6712]

Very Interesting many thanks GM4NNC

[@NgakpaW]

Thank you. Yesterday I tried to use my G 90, but got put off by the high noise level. So now I have some techniques to use. Great resource.

[@rst5nn]

Try to disable AGC and decrease RF Gain to 10%. This signifially decreases noise level.

[@jacklondon2056]

Nice video! Tnx de EU8AF 73!

[@quantum-SDR]

We've developed a 3.2" spectrum set-top touch LCD unit with full DSP so the noise is removed and the spectrum doubled to 100khz and higher. Fully integrated into the G90 so the encoders can be protected from over-use. 73 Rob, GW8RDI

[@cw2gtc]

Please bring it to market for some of us! :-}

[@livelongandprosper70]

Great video 👍I have the Xiegu X6100, lovely little radio, i am just learning CW, not good enough yet for a proper QSO, but maybe sone day we will chat on the bands 73s 2M0LDT

[@FlurinKoenz]

Hi, thanks for the very helpful explanation! It would be very nice if you could make a similar video about running split mode and how to manage pileups, well more how to queue in a pileup. 73

[@ai5dd]

I love CW too, been a amateur radio operator since 2020, subscribed! 72/73 de AI5DD p.s. my favorite pitch is 640hz, I'll try 550hz it sounds warm and nice.

[@jamescollier3]

Hi. Just got my license, well .. just acting on my new license lol. Can I reach Europe from MD USA on 10m using CW? looking for my first rig. thanks KC3TDE

[@ai5dd]

@@jamescollier3 10 meters is great when it's open, you can get all over the world.

[@DO5DGH]

A very good video spoken with a symmatic voice. Actually the ideal voice for ESSB Audio ;-) 73 Georg - DO5DGH

[@DoktorAdolfHaupt]

DO-Bullshit wie immer

[@AlpineWarren]

So you need to set center frequency same as your tone? Or does that just make a nice match for the ear both send and receive?

[@RudixSA]

Interesting video, thanks! I think CW pitch is a personal thing, our hearing differs. For me 550hz is way too low it does not "pop" from the background noise especially at higher speeds with weak signals. I have been running 700hz for the last 30+ years so anything else feels wrong even to my now aging ears. I have also found that turning the AGC off is fine if you are replying to a station and you can set RF gain and volume to taste but when I am on the calling side of a pileup it is terrible, then the AGC fast option is the way to go with RF gain set just high enough to hear the weaker stations. I enjoyed the video, thanks! 73, Rudi de ZS6DX/ZS2M/ZS1BT/V51VE

[@robertbower9862]

I have only used my G90 for digitial so far. I realy enjoyed the video. Could you do a similar video for SSB?

[@TheMariepi3]

The receivers based on the MSi001 chip with HDSDR reception program achieve an extreme narrowness of the signal captured in CW, practically without noise. Logically, ideally, there should be no electrical noise in the environment and the antenna should be very directional and only capture a signal above the horizon.

[@fly1327]

I haven't been on HF since a kid, mostly working CW down in the Extra 25 kHz slices, especially on 40M, but am starting to think about it again. Radios have sure changed, mine a couple of Heathkits I built ;-)

[@j204ever5]

SSB: What about the so-called power spikes measured in SSB PEP. That is, with set 1W or 5W, what is the output power PEP measured?

[@o2bnov0307]

Debating between a used KX3 or a new G90. I’ll be looking forward to your motorcycle ride. I just subscribed! Did you create a cheat sheet for this radio? Setup settings for CW would be great. Setup for SSB would be nice. I usually operate CW QRP.

[@2E0ILFhamradio]

Does the magnet on the rig not effect it?

[@ijontichy6070]

Roger ! I prefers rf gain 1 to 20% maximum and audio filter 50 to 150 Hz and agc off vy 73! Matt SP3FYI Xiegu g 90 has an amazing receiver for the price !

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Has Xiegu fixed the CW key clicks problem, as identified by the ARRL?

[@LetsGoAmateurRadio]

I have owned 2of these. I never liked the way they sounded so I sold them. In the beginning of this video you mentioned adjusting the sound for SSB. Could you please explain how to make it quiet for SSB?

[@IncognitaLabs]

A very nice video my friend :-)

[@jamesmclaughlin-iq8fb]

I too use single lever CW key and found your information helpful. However, several software types exist. Which one are you using and have you tried others?

[@wild-radio7373]

Thank you :) 👍

[@LWRC]

I'm not a fan of cheap Chinese ham gear but this looks like a real bang for the buck HF rig for $400.00US!!!

[@wildweasel6898]

I just bought the g90. Im a new ham and very interested in learning morse code. Thats why I bought the radio. I have two questions 1, how do you recommend learning CW? Should I listen to it at 5 wpm until I learn or just go 15 or higher and work through the insanity? Also can you recommend an affordable key? I saw some for like 20 bucks which would be great except IDK if that would hurt my ability to learn. Im not really sure how important a good key is. Im planning on going atraight key until I get to 15 wpm so I will have the skill even if I never use it again. Thanks I appreciate your video.

[@rst5nn]

Yes, The receiver is super quiet till you enable AGC. Xiegu G90 introduces to much harsh noise. Hope xiegu fix AGC software issues in future releases of firmware.

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Hi I'm super impressed with mine I also have the stand and Yaesu 710

[@DBMMMMM]

Did you also use it for QSO on your motorcycle?

[@Graphi59]

Hi, what is your cw key on table?

[@kriskoenig3544]

Hi, great advice. What key is that?

[@porkyfedwell]

What version of firmware are you using for this demonstration? I am on 1.79, which TOTALLY changed how to adjust the filters, among other things. (1.79 disabled the two Filter buttons).

[@calintenche4205]

I also have a G90 and initially I had the same impression, of a noisy receiver, then I discovered that with a few small adjustments you can enjoy CW. Very very useful this video for beginners and an extremely pleasant speaker... tnx! References to pitch, RF Gain, AGC... However, what firmware version do you have? I don't see any reference to version 1.79 which brings major changes compared to version 1.78 in terms of digital filters, respectively the combination of 2 BPFs, how do you play with them?

[@cw2gtc]

Just got mine 6 wks ago. They're now up to V.1.80

[@onceways]

I'm finding mine is very quiet if I just listen to simple Shortwave stations, do you know how to make it louder, and what filter setting would you use for SW listening? Thanks in advance.

[@patriot9455]

I have been very ill the past few months. My plan is to get out and take pictures, "play radio" and experiment with antenna settings. I have a Baofeng for local 2m/70cm use, but I am thinking about POTA with the Xiegu G90. This is going to be a rebirth of life for me.

[@JohnReynolds-ni5lv]

Hope you get well soon!

[@TheEnZoDevil]

Hi, wath firmware are you on the radio

[@rickmckee6698]

Push and hold the key button t activate the CW decoder!

[@istvanszabo3275]

Seriously! How much extra cost would 6 backlight LEDs mean? Why are the buttons transparent then?

[@sm6moj30]

Which morse key?

[@karlschulte9231]

CW guy as well. FISTS and SKCC. Have FT817 for picnic use or i would get this radio. Nice video OM. 73 Karl WA2KBZ.

[@Enclave127]

That's cool and you can do Morse code on that

[@AlvinMcManus]

Some of this is applicable to my use of the G90 which is only SSB at this time because I have no CW skills.

[@sleeve8651]

I cringed a little, when you stuck that magnet base on top of the radio ! Not ever knowing for sure, but I've often wondered, especially with very strong magnets, like the, " Rare Earth " type's, if the strong magnetic field could ever damage a chip, or cause other issues, when placing them in close proximity, one to the other ?

[@2E0LMI]

Great little radio. Beware though, I used mine a lot using similar methods (as I mostly used SSB) by keeping the AGC off and using the volume control and RF gain controls to pull in the weak signals, but after just over one year of use the encoders started to get flakey. It will not be long before they have to be replaced and being such a small radio that is going to be a fiddly job!

[@rentheseus]

Aren't the encoders software based? If so have you done a factory rest? Just thoughts..

[@2E0LMI]

@@rentheseus Factory reset didn't help sadly. The volume controller encoder has got so bad that I had to connect up an external speaker with a volume control on it. I am using a different radio for my main radio now, I'll try replacing the encoders at some point but will be a fiddly job with my poor eyesight.

[@techguy9023]

The 5105 sounds good with a decent speaker attached. The built in one is so small and sounds terrible. It just doesn't have room for anything bigger than a cell phone speaker.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

What about the CW decoder, for the rest of us flawed humanoids ?

[@user-tl5tt5yw3c]

For me it helps to use lower pitch Abt 400 hrts with qrq ops to copy cw ,

[@tommycheshire5508]

No adjustments for us slobs on SSB?

[@techguy9023]

My cheap bitx 40 kit is much better on receive than my Xiegu X5105. Of course it’s a simple analog receiver with a dds . Tx gets good reports but the noise level on rx is horrendous. Cw I can generally get by with. Ssb rx is very disappointing on the 5105. With the introduction of the new model I doubt there will be any new firmware but I hope I am wrong.

[@TridentMissileTech]

My first radio. I bought two because I liked it so much. Learned cw in about 6months. After 3 years I am holding at 32 wpm. Started at 15. Practiced with the decoder

[@TridentMissileTech]

@goinghomesomeday1 I have some recordings I listen to. 67 recordings that are at 28 wpm. I can copy at least that. If it is a typical Pota, sota or a contest I can copy much higher but if it is a rag chew it depends. The hard part is remembering the spelling in my head if I don’t recognize the patterns. I can’t write it at that speed so it all depends. I used a decoder to learn how to mainly learn how to send. I try not to use it to receive but sometimes will use it to reinforce my learning of the patterns.

[@TridentMissileTech]

@goinghomesomeday1 i use iambic paddles. Several different ones. I have a kent bolted down on a board that I put in my lap. Then I have a puttikeg Chinese paddle I have mounted on a 1 inch diameter dowel. I bolt a steel plate to the dowel and the key has a magnetic bottom that sticks to the plate

[@TridentMissileTech]

@goinghomesomeday1 it’s actually easier to go faster. I purposely slow myself down because I don’t want to get too far ahead of what I can copy.

[@jayj4142]

Where did you get that key please?

[@g4joe]

Its an Italian key . "Begali" very expensive.

[@haramanggapuja]

Sure, it's 'quiet' with no antenna hooked up until you turn on the AGC. Do that and the no-antenna noise comes up horribly. So tempted to sell mine.

[@forgetyourlife]

Where do those aftermarket handles come from?

[@votisb]

They come with the radio

[@forgetyourlife]

@@votisbonly if you buy from radio oddity I guess. They are not the stock metal ones most people get. Those look better though.

[@votisb]

@forgetyourlife apologies you are correct. This is the optional rails with the bail stand. They are made by Xiegu and most retailers stock them with the G90. They're around $30. The ones that come with the radio are metal though and I understand these are plastic.

[@macgyver5108]

Some folks just can't the sound of CW, no matter the tone it still Hz their head!

[@techguy9023]

700 hz cw works for me

[@jeffreypetchharrison4363]

yes being deaf 500 hz seems to be the best for me .. jeff..

[@billjobes1851]

What is that flashing yellow LED at top right on the face? Is it a peak incoming signal indicator? I find it really annoying. Can it be disabled? Thank you.

[@binder098]

I have a complaint. You should have more videos! And as aside, I can’t place your accent.

[@pabloestafez6830]

Don't think it's a great idea to put magnets on electronics......could possibly damage something

[@jed1947]

You picked a C90 over an FTDX-10 😆🤣😆🤣

[@xjohn1970]

The Ftdx10 is much more quieter and better

[@Bartok_J]

But much, much more expensive!

[@Tommy_Boy.]

Real nice video! Thanks for sharing your experience and techniques with this cool little xcvr. 👍📻⚡73, WA7FLY

[@phildurall7466]

You have earned the moniker "OM" Sir! Nice to see some old school know how being passed on. Tnx - 72 - KF6IF