Xiegu X6200 Birdies? Let's Find Out

[@thomasflorence6233]

Xiegu seems to slowly learn from past mistakes. Thanks for keeping their feet to the fire.

[@temporarilyoffline]

We find the R&D, I post the vids for their QA team. It takes a planet!

[@crazycats100]

Thank you for the video. Not that I am planning to buy it. Just curious. What I would like to know are: R1CBU firmware works or not Armbian works or not CPU is faster than X6100's or not Bluetooth audio finally works or not If you are planning to show these, I will wait patiently.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Most of them, yeah. Stay tuned!

[@victorcharlie7491]

I like birdies, i feed them sourdough bread somtimes, great work man tnx.

[@haramanggapuja]

Me too! My wife does nature photography (her use of the spectrum) but I’m the one who cleans & stocks the feeders.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I save that good sourdough for ME!

[@kd5aj]

Haha 😄

[@joeblow8593]

What is the receive current on it and can it do psk

[@nickattain]

Birdies on the 6200 will probably be at different frequencies with a new design. I saw a large number on the 6100 so I returned it. Would be great to do a scan on each band for the 6200. Thanks for the review!

[@temporarilyoffline]

You bet!

[@zvpunry1971]

The scanning method is also the only correct one, setting the vfo to small steps and spin the knob slowly. Many birdies are the mixing products of the LO with other internal frequencies and so they move up and down depending on the VFO setting. Apropos birdies, there is also a giant bird in the X6100 -> the LO itself. If there is an antenna connected, it leaks out of the antenna port and you can receive it with other nearby radios. If I tuned my X6100 to 7050 kHz and another radio to 7051 kHz LSB then I could hear a 1 kHz tone (just an example from memory, try a bit).

[@metatechnologist]

@@zvpunry1971I think it's a problem with the LO being synthesized with a DDS. They are generally quite noisy if not done right!

[@MrChongWang1]

Thank you for doing this review. Nice to see the birdies have apparently been cleaned up.

[@temporarilyoffline]

You bet

[@slappomatthew]

wow that noise on the 6100 is unacceptable. glad the new one is better.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right!

[@kb1qzh]

Has there been anything on the expansion port yet?

[@temporarilyoffline]

What expansion port? I show in the first video its a lie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4S8k6SwbJyoarc

[@kb1qzh]

@@temporarilyoffline damn. I searched for the manual and found it on the passion radio site (France distributor). The port is mentioned in the panel description page so I was trying to keep hope alive.

[@ukfan-0146]

I recently got rid of my 6100 with the hope the 6200 was going to replace it. Looks like I'm getting a 705

[@temporarilyoffline]

The 705 is a nicer rig, adds 2/70, loses the tuner. They are both a lot of fun though

[@stevethibodeauxn4sfc257]

Thanks for the update, TO. Great video and like the lack of birdies.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Steve!

[@OralRoyse]

Does it heat up as bad?

[@temporarilyoffline]

It gets pretty warm, but my X6100 stopped getting hot after one of the recent firmware updates .

[@OralRoyse]

@@temporarilyoffline which one

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@OralRoyse I don't know specifically - I am on the one right before WFView was added, so maybe 1 or 2 back. I ordered up some heat sinks to make a video and got out my temperature probe to show the "before" segment of the video and I couldn't make the radio overheat. Maybe something broke inside of my rig... or maybe they fixed the way the SDR works... the firmwares are free, so give it a shot.

[@Sky1]

Should have sent the rig to me to review. I would have made a few contact with it so people could see how it works at least

[@temporarilyoffline]

Oh, you're one of those. I'll send it to you next. What is your channel name?

[@Jhonny1988]

WFM??? Thanks!

[@mdblack98]

I'm seeing a significant difference on the S Meter between the two rigs. Was the RF gain the same on both rigs? For an AM station in Livingston TX.... KETX 1440 kHz

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks, I'll see how close that AM station is to me

[@fidgeekouts5881]

Is it worth $250 in features/quality?

[@temporarilyoffline]

If you don't have a 6100, probably. It's hard to justify if you already have a 6100.

[@protektwar]

cancelled my x6200 order will be available end of July(possible, as it was already posponed twice)... bought an ic-705 instead...

[@temporarilyoffline]

If you've got 705 money, that's a wise decision!

[@DainUnicorn]

I didn’t see anything like the birdies I have on my 6100. 14.070MHz is the birdie on my 6100 I’m most familiar with and I didn’t see you look that low on 20m. Good stuff.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've been on 14.074 all day and didn't see it... doesn't mean another one won't have it... but I didn't see it.

[@hamradiobasics]

This is great news Steve ! Thank you for sharing !

[@temporarilyoffline]

You Bet, Hope all's well Bill!

[@brettk5bez754]

thanks for sharing this. Hopefully Xiegu is getting it figured out.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I hope so too

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

Great video TO. Congrats on hitting 25k subs. Keep the videos coming.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Jimmy! Appreciate it!

[@jonaswalther9245]

Hi If you are not purchased by Xiegu you can show what features Bluetooth has (if it even works). If WiFi works this time and what you can do in the connection in this case. Is there a working CW decoder? Does Transmitt work in FT8 ?? 73 de SM0XPJ, Jonas

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hello Jonas, I'm not "purchased by Xiegu". I have received nothing of value in exchange for any of my Xiegu videos.

[@jonaswalther9245]

@@temporarilyoffline Good to hear :-) It would be interesting to know what BT and Wifi can handle. It is primarily BT to be interested in finding out. Can it run CAT, RX / TX audio? 73 SM0XPJ, Jonas

[@KA4UPW]

Dont know why your 6100 didnt get birdys as they are bad, the 6200 seems to still have them, remember a slight change in buss freq will move them (hopefully out of band) but dont expext to see them in the same place

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm just lucky

[@d3w4yn3]

I am loving these 6200 videos, but I can't spring for one just yet. Do you think the 6100s will drop in price with the new rig out? Or maybe the 6100s will hit the used market at lower prices?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm sure the 6100 price will go down. Used market will be great on those soon.

[@mostlypostie1]

Steve, thanks for testing that for us - I really appreciate you testing 28.490 for us here in VK! Internal mic quality tests in all modes next? 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

Coming up!

[@JohnDoubledee55]

Is the $15 off the 6200 still available? I just clicked on the link, but the associated page does not bring up the 6200 just the main page.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes, that's the way the link works unfortunately

[@JohnDoubledee55]

@@temporarilyoffline then, how does one get the discount? Is there a code to use? I didn't know about this radio until I saw your KZbin video about it. Looks like a great option for me.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@JohnDoubledee55 it's all automatic and if you're relatively up to date on your computer, it should just show up for anything you put in the cart over $60

[@JohnDoubledee55]

@@temporarilyoffline Ok, thanks! :)

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

Congrats an getting this radio video up first!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Chris!

[@TinyTJ04]

Thanks for this video. I was really curious about the birdies with this radio. I'll interested to see how this radio continues to check out

[@temporarilyoffline]

You're welcome

[@JJ-el8li]

Interesting... Either they added filtering (unlikely), or changed the component layout, or added shielding (also unlikely), or changed the bus frequency to reduce the birdies. Running R1CBU firmware on the 6100 is almost as clean as the 6200. I assume it is because of a OS setting. Someday I will look into the code and see what is different.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I think it's an SDR change. But not sure yet.

[@kellingc]

AM broadcast? WCCO still around?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good question! I'd need to know where the tower is.

[@kellingc]

@temporarilyoffline A quick search says it is in Coon Rapids. I thought it might on top of the IDF Building. I guess not.

[@seancuthbert4587]

Birdies are quite common with "Cheep" radios! .I have the X6100 as a compromise between something that can be hacked as well as a functional radio. When I do get a birdie I use the notch filter to tune it out so no big deal.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right, it's more fun to hack on this radio.

[@alvinnorris6523]

Enjoying the reviews, I’m patiently waiting for my 6200. Today I received my radioddity carrying case. I’m on the early list, but still not till mid June.

[@temporarilyoffline]

mid-June isn't that far away!

[@davidm.wilson3736]

Hi Steve, great video series on the new x-6200. This look like it’s a big improvement. Time will tell. Be safe david😊

[@temporarilyoffline]

Time will tell for sure!

[@brettgazdzinski9477]

6100 was on a different frequency , 50.180 ????

[@temporarilyoffline]

Depending on where you were in the video, yep.

[@k6usy]

Along with including 2m/70cm there is a reason why the 705 is so expensive. You get what you pay for with these less expensive radios.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly!

[@BobN.WB1EVU]

That signal around 50.120 is there everywhere on every 6 meter radio I've ever used. Not sure what it is. Good comparison though.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Bob! I don't really hear anything, but I see "dirt" on the waterfall.

[@timothymaimone8611]

Hello Steve, you could put the radio in scan mode, scanning all the amateur bands with the nice dummy load and video record the results. Then playback the video @ 1.5x speed and make note of the potential birdies. And then do a manual sweep of the noted potential birdies. Most importantly, I hope Xiegu has better tech support for this new radio. 73 de KD6UYK (Tim).

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good idea - did Xiegu have tech support on their older radios?

[@timothymaimone8611]

@@temporarilyoffline … because you asked the question, it sounds like you know the answer. My answer is probably that you had to contact the supplier Radiodity for US support. Since I never bought a Xiegu product, I could not accurately say they had tech support. But my statement of hoping they have better support means (better than before) even if no support. I’ll never forget the time 30+ years ago I visited the Yaesu service center in Cerritos, CA and needed a battery pack for my FT-411 (2m HT). They were closed at least 30 months past the closing time, but a technician unlocked the front door and was able to allow me to make a parts purchase. Awesome experience! 73 de KD6UYK (Tim).

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@timothymaimone8611 I've never had the need to interact with Xiegu tech support, but nobody has ever sang their praises. I have heard on many many occasions that Radiodity and ML&S (retailers) have given wonderful support for Xiegu products and those customers were very happy. I've owned 5 Xiegu products and they've been pretty solid... and I push them pretty hard as well. They aren't "great", but I'm also not paying "great" prices for them in most cases. I'm happy Xiegu exists, even if only to remind the big three they need to keep innovating. They seem to be behind.

[@pvdk]

Hi Steve, this pre-production model seems to have boot up issues? It takes a while against the 6100? 73 Phil ON4VP

[@temporarilyoffline]

"issues" is a strong word. It's a PC in a radio, so it takes a bit to startup. My 6100 has it's boot quirks also.

[@f4exb06]

Nice video it seems going to DDC/DUC technology improves things a lot concerning birdies and ghost signals probably due to direct conversion technology bypassing any LO chain. Could be interesting to compare the cleanness of Tx as well.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Its in the works, thanks for watching!

[@kd5aj]

The birdies in my x6100 was the reason i traded mine in... for other equipment. I wouldn't buy an x6200 if you paid me.. REgardless, good Job steve!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

I don't blame you! Thanks for watching!

[@metatechnologist]

My big problem why I don't want a Xiegu is that I'd feel like I was funding the PRC!

[@brian.7966]

you get what you pay for,

[@kd5aj]

@@brian.7966 lessons learned... now running an FT710!🤣

[@uglyness4825]

Bought 4 x6100s for work. Damn they are bad. Even running off an external battery. Lucky enough could find a clean part and do the work. Definitely stopped me from buying one personally. I'd still be gun shy on buying one of these personally.

[@Dusty_Ham]

Good to see they are improving things. The noise on that 6100 is horrendous!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Sure is!

[@Severris]

Seeing you have issues getting it to start up is all I needed to see. I'll pass. Even on your first video it took a while to start.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yeah, The power button is always flakey because of what they are doing with a linux PC baked into a radio.

[@timmturner]

​@@temporarilyofflinebillions of embedded devices are running Linux with no issues powering up or down, I'm not sure what you are saying?

[@ohenekojo2561]

​@@temporarilyoffline hmmm @Severris is right, Linux really isn't the issue.

[@Superacerc]

The 6100 does the same thing on occasion. It seems the radio circuit and Linux are sort of separate and sometimes one outruns the other drastically when powering down. With a long press it always resets everything. Never really had an issue with it.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@timmturner Its not "linux", but what Xiegu is doing with Linux - this isn't your typical embedded device - its a linux PC that boots up, then comments to an STM32 Microcontroller to do radio work from an app inside - don't think of this as "the best embedded device" in terms of linux, reliability and performance - its a jumbled together bunch of dev boards hacked into a working/fun radio toy.

[@overlandbihor]

Im wondering if x6200 firmware can be run on x6100? YO5ZL

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'll find out at the first firmware update

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

My questions are: How did they fix the birdies; and How can I do it to my 6100. Use your fox hunting skills to find an AM broadcast transmitter. Yeah, you can't do it with that tape measure 2m beam. (We're going to hold a 40m fox hunt in NH sometime this summer.)

[@temporarilyoffline]

I think they changed out the SDR core inside. So "magic" - if your 6100 is that bad, you can try to install the firmware from the 6200 on the 6100 - but I suspect it will not work and probably cause irrevocable damage - so "don't" :-)

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

@@temporarilyoffline I remember when birdies were a part of life for those of us who didn't want to spring for the S-line. I had a Knight kit R55A receiver (to go with my Knight T60 transmitter). I can deal with birdies.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@KeepEvery1Guessing right! We are so spoiled!

[@503Nick]

Very cool. Nice job

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@N4GW]

Please do one so we can hear it on SSB on real signals

[@temporarilyoffline]

On the books!

[@robertmeyer4744]

looking good so far. get the tina SA on it. harmonic test . going to be a lot of testing with that one. may have to go for a long drive to find AM station. The G 90 is bad with AM stations and need filter . like to see how well that does digital like WSPR and FT8 . maybe a night of FT8 poker ? this is going to be fun . 73's

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's always fun to play with a new radio!

[@robertmeyer4744]

@@temporarilyoffline

[@LuisPerez-xe6nu]

My X-6100 doesn’t exhibit birdies, but turkies…And it leaks out and causes interference to other nearby receivers.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've heard that!

[@DL1JH]

What would interest me is whether the FM modulation is better than the X6100. The FM modulation on the X6100 is horrible and unacceptable. Have you tested it already? 73 from Germany DL1JH

[@temporarilyoffline]

Not yet.

[@larserikhinrichsen1511]

what about WLOL ?.. ups. not there anymore. Have a nice day with rgds fm Denmark. ;-)

[@temporarilyoffline]

Greetings!

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Interesting radio.

[@temporarilyoffline]

That's all that matters in the end.

[@cliftonhead9665]

Not for me $800 radio that only pushes 8Watts or am I missing something

[@temporarilyoffline]

Not missing anything!

[@dreupen]

Well it would be a total shame if the "birdies" still existed. But is that enough for basically the same radio as the X6100 with less transmit power and a $255 higher price? That higher price puts the IC705 (13,500-800=$550) within range especially given the extra operating bands(2m + 70cm) and the better Icom quality & support. Or something a little less portable, the Yaesu FT-991A is only $350 more than the X6200. How can one get excited about the X6200?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I agree, it's a weird spot in the market... "Small" and "portable"= $$$

[@unclemikeyplays]

That tuner is SUPER quiet...where's all the WHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR?

[@temporarilyoffline]

It's there, but it is definitely quieter - nobody will haze you in field day for not running a resonant antenna anymore!

[@DD5LP]

That signal on 51.118 sounded to me like it could have been a beacon - although a long way up the band! WSPR perhaps? 73 Ed DD5LP.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good ear!

[@Hank_W6IR]

If they had shipped you a prototype 2 months ago that would have been one thing. But to ship a prototype when production must be coming off the line in order to meet their delivery schedule is inexcusable. As for the birdies on 6, go back and do that test again in ssb mode. I saw a number of spikes on the display as you tuned around.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good idea!

[@karlmadsen3179]

What's a birdie?

[@temporarilyoffline]

When your radio hears signals that aren't there - mixing products of an unclean receiver.

[@stephentrier5569]

A birdie is interference generated internally within the radio. I'm not sure why they are called birdies, but it might have to do with how they sound in SSB or Morse code mode. Trying to receive at a frequency near a birdie can be annoying or it might be bad enough to make reception impossible. Most radios have birdies. They are a natural consequence of the circuitry. Well-built radios have careful design and internal RF shielding to prevent birdies and keep any that remain from being objectionable.

[@KS0JD]

Interesting to see what the transmitter looks like as well. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good question!

[@saj2694]

So this is a prototype vs the production model so I think your test maybe premature.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I agree, makes it hard to say much.

[@SldgeHammr]

It’s like 6100 Rev 2 lol

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly!

[@tonyd6884]

nice test

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@harryhenderson594]

It will go great for the Baofeng crowd. Not ready for prime time Xiegu.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Maybe the G106 is the only ready for prime time tig they've made.

[@DominicMazoch]

I willkeep my Ic 703+

[@temporarilyoffline]

703 is a nice rig!

[@peter-vk3acz]

Any birdie on 28.490 won’t impress VK hams at all… it’s our ssb call frequency! Thanks for your testing. Cheers.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Very true

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Birdies?? You mean like parakeets or Canaries?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly!

[@MACE1-1]

Its another source of frustration from Chi-Nuh....

[@temporarilyoffline]

Indeed

[@jameswilkinson6678]

The Chinese have made exactly one good ham radio, and it’s actually a great ham radio: the Xiegu G90.

[@1958johndeere620]

If it were 200 bucks maybe. If I get China junk, I am not gonna pay much. I have many Beofang HT's but the price is right, and matches the quality. If I drop it in a mud puddle so be it. I actually ran one over with my excavator once, dam thing still works. LOL.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Excavator! Now that's fun!

[@radiofanuk]

Buy cheap buy twice. I’ve bought cheap stuff. They are ok but can’t beat quality

[@temporarilyoffline]

Wise!

[@vandela177]

no thanks, I have the 6100 and I don't like it at all

[@temporarilyoffline]

We've got a swap meet section on the TOADs discord (link in description) - get some of that investment back!

[@haramanggapuja]

My 6100 had more birdies & tuning artifacts than an aviary. Horrible radio. I counted at least 75 on the ham bands between 75/80m & 10m. Six meters was absolutely unusable. Out the door & gone. If the 6200 is what it appears to be, I might consider it, but for now I’ll run the trusty and considerably less birdie’d ‘5105 (which ain’t without its faults) & wait on the arrival of the KH1 ;-) Thanks for the run thru comparison. 73 de W8IJN

[@temporarilyoffline]

I want a KH1 for sure!

[@haramanggapuja]

@@temporarilyoffline you & me both, amigo. Now I just wait for delivery ;-)

[@BoSmith7045]

Does your wife hate you for buying a new radio? Or does she always bang around kitchen as soon as you set up to film something?😅

[@temporarilyoffline]

True love!

[@johnnorth9355]

Just goes to show how overpriced the 6100 is.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Agreed!

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

/Thanks very interesting can you log in to Lynux as usual

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'll find out of course.

[@adamap2796]

😂😂

[@temporarilyoffline]

😂😂

[@mindfulmunchkin1215]

If only it was 20 watts...

[@temporarilyoffline]

Right!

[@RoelandJansen]

As if that is noticeable..

[@Jimbo10250]

I don’t know why you guys promote these radios.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm not promoting it, just sharing. Think of it as saving you money so you don't have to be disappointed!

[@Jimbo10250]

@@temporarilyoffline ok