You won't believe what Xiegu X6100 did during POTA activation!

In this video, we take you out on a low power Parks on the Air (POTA) activation using the Xiegu X6100 QRP radio. The X6100 is a compact, lightweight, and portable radio that packs a punch with its low power capabilities.
With the X6100's low power output of only 10 watts, we must rely on our antenna and operating skills to make successful contacts.
You'll see me making contacts with other amateur radio operators from across the country, despite the challenges of low power and noisy band conditions.
The Xiegu X6100 is an excellent choice for portable operations, as it is compact and can run on battery power for extended periods. With its user-friendly interface and reliable performance, it's a great choice for those looking to get into low power radio operations like POTA.
Join us on this low power POTA activation and see for yourself the capabilities of the Xiegu X6100 QRP radio. Subscribe to our channel for more amateur radio content and tips.
#pota #qrp #xiegu
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All opinions presented in this video are my personal opinions and should not be construed as an endorsement of any manufacturer, distributor, product, or service. No prior business relationship exists between the manufacturer or distributor of any product or service featured in this video and myself unless specifically stated in the video. All information in this video is provided as-is and I make no representations as to the accuracy of the information. Before purchasing any product or service featured in this video, please do your own research regarding the manufacturer or distributor of any product or service. Not all products or services featured in this video may be appropriate for all localities, please check your local laws and regulations regarding the use of any product or service featured in this video.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

If you have any questions, drop them in the comments.

[@stewartrv]

I have a X6100 too, as far as I know, unless you were using external power (I didn't see a cable) you were only using 5W weren't you? Also curious what antenna you were using, I don't think you mentioned. I use an EFHW or a speaker wire dipole antenna.

[@coreysheckler4777]

I reached Rome, Italy on that X6100 10w. That radio does the job.

[@k4adz]

Nice display of what it can do... I love that table of the back gate, neat!

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I like the radio and the features for the price. If you are interested, I have shifted the more in depth amateur radio and electronics projects over to a new YT channel. KZbin.com/@graymanpota

[@flipster7285]

Great to see more low powered radios out and about! My furthest, lowest power qso was 280miles on 1W using a g90 turned down and a linked dipole 11feet off the ground at the center. Was on 40m.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I picked up QRP Labs new QMX kit this weekend at Dayton. I am looking forward to getting it built. Now I just need to learn Morse code. Thanks for watching.

[@RonGoote]

Thank you for the video. I'm thinking of buying that radio for doing POTA on my bike rides.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Thank you for watching. I have made some good contacts with the radio on 10 watts. If you are looking for more detailed amateur radio content, I have started up a new KZbin channel dedicated to amateur radio and electronic projects. youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@jjsemperfi]

I’m torn between the 6100 and the 90. I live in Eastern Idaho and my goal is to operate POTA / SOTA as much as possible. The G90’s low power consumption and price is so tempting but that tiny screen just kills me. I wish the 6100 was 20 watts on an external power source. I’d say it would be darn near perfect for my use case. Great video, thanks for showing this off.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I like the x-6100. It is a fun radio to play with using both the factory firmware and the 3rd party firmware that people have developed. If you are interested in more amateur radio and electronics, I have spun off a second YT channel to cover those topics in more detail and keep the basic POTA videos as just outdoor content on this channel. www.youtube.com/@GraymanPOTA

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Hi, I was wondering what you decided to do. I went for the G90 and although the screen is small I have got used to it and love being able to jump to 20 watts if I need to. Particularly if I'm portable with the whips.

[@jjsemperfi]

@@alannorthdevonuk763 I went with the G90 as well. Been a really fun little rig.

[@BigRed1500LC]

Hi Tim, Alan from Washington, IN. Dont know if you realized this but the X6100 is only 5 watts running on the internal battery. Its 10 watts if connected to an external voltage source. Good activation and congratulations. 73 KG9PN

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I am aware of the different power levels based on the power source. I was powering it from a dedicated 30 amp circuit that I have in the back of the Bronco that I used to power my radios. Thanks for watching.

[@BigRed1500LC]

@@Overlanding4Fun couldn’t see that on the video! FB!

[@actioncollectibles5826]

Bring an external speaker for the x6100. It makes a whole lot of difference. Awesome POTA :)

[@alvarogaitan2529]

this sounds terrible speaker needs the replaced

[@Overlanding4Fun]

To me the speaker does not sound bad, but I am wearing hearing aids. I think the DSP in the hearing aids cleans up the audio for me.

[@langston548]

100 % improvement on the x-6100 receive audio 73 de KO4KKX

[@1polonium210]

I love my X6100!

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I concur. I have shifted my amateur radio content to a new KZbin channel so I dive more in to amateur radio and other electronics projects. youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@OM0ET]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much and 73! Paul, OM0ET

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Glad you enjoyed it. I have moved my ham radio content over to a dedicated channel. It can be found at youtube.com/@graymanpota.

[@WaynePatrick]

Great setup. I’m torn between the G90 and the X6100. I dug out my X108G and started using it.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I guess it depends on what your looking for. The G90 provides 20 watts of power, but it comes in a bigger footprint. The X6100 is smaller, with a larger screen, capable of 10 watts on an external power source or 5 watts with the internal 3000 mAh battery. I personally went with the X6100 because it is a computer with a transceiver built in. I normally run from the back of the Bronco with 100 watt radios, so size and weight were not a factor for me. If you are wanting higher power, 100 watts, by the time you add the optional 100 watt amp in, you are at $1000 to $1200 depending on which radio you choose. At that price, I would go with Icom IC 7300 ($999 with rebate) or the Yaesu FT 991A ($1259). Both are good radios, I have both. The 991A gives you VHF and UHF.

[@mcmichaeltube]

I've got both the G90 and X6100. I think the G90 performs better, but I find myself using the X6100 more because of the form factor, big display, light weight, and the ability to do digital modes with just a USB cable. The built in antenna sweep is great. It has a passable Digital Noise Reduction function. On the other hand, running 10 watts it gets crazy hot and you need to get a cheap, rechargeable external speaker because the internal speaker is simply awful. The tuner on both radios will tune a head of lettuce. It is running Linux under the hood and the community is doing some interesting stuff with that. Xeigu has pushed out a couple of firmware upgrades but that appears to have tailed off at this point. Hope that helps.

[@444DG]

Every time I try another radio I end up coming back to my G90, it performs great and never lets me down. My Yaesu FT-891 has only been used twice.

[@GarySchiltz]

Nice job Tim. Would you mind commenting on what band you were using? And what antenna? And also, you mentioned that you usually use 100 watt radios for POTA. Which ones do prefer? 73 de Gary W5PAZ

[@jess3779]

Nice video thanks for sharing Tim

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Glad you enjoyed it. If you are interested in amateur radio I have started a second channel that will dive deeper in to radio and other electronic projects KZbin.com/@graymanpota

[@chevnut712]

Nice video. Just a suggestion, but I'd like to also see what frequency you were on, and what antenna you used. I have 3 of the Xeigu models. Looking forward to activating more this summer. John WA2OUZ

[@EmilyDavisHeinlen]

Curious: Is the frequency important to the reach? Interested in why you asked to know it. Thanks!

[@EvanK2EJT]

​@@EmilyDavisHeinlenI suspect he's actually more interested in the band than the frequency

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Great job 73 from kb2uew

[@writermike2166]

Cool video. I live in Hancock county. Subscribed.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

thank you...

[@WG7D]

Looking into a X6100. Thanks for the demo. I subscribed to you! WG7D

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Thank you for subscribing.

[@bullterriertransylvania]

Hi Tin, i heard from few people have the same issue of echo the you got in the report, It can be from your Monitor settings, it is to high or, as my experience, can be caused by the radio firmware. Actually I downgraded my Xiegu to the firmware 1.1.4 or 1.1.5 and its working with no issues.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Funny that you mentioned the monitor and potential audio feedback. I just found that yesterday as I turned the monitor up to hear the voice message playing when calling CQ. I got a face full of feedback when I keyed the MIC. I have started another KZbin channel to where I will dive deeper into amateur radio and electronics. youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@TheTommygear]

Great video.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Glad you enjoyed it. If you are interested, I have spun the radio content out to a separate channel youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@stevea3498]

Were you running an external battery? If not you were at 5w . I have the 6100 and have been having a blast, 4 activations so far and the pileups were crazy.. 73 VE1SK

[@m0aze611]

Thanks for posting, you guys really love your POTA👍🏻. 73 Mike

[@Overlanding4Fun]

POTA has taken off big time since the COVID pandemic. I am down with any activity that gets me out of the house. Thank you for watching.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing your story and video. I am considering getting a SDR Radio. Just renewed my ARRL membership and ordered the POTA book. What antenna did you use?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

In that video I was running the PackTenna 20/40 EFHW in a vertical orientation. If you are interested, I have moved more in depth ham radio and electronics content to a new KZbin channel. youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@thuff3207]

I enjoy QRP radio operations and it works well with full size antenna. Nice table for portable operations. Are you in the hills or Knobs in southern Indiana?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Yes I am! This video was recorded in the Morgan Monroe State Forest that span across both counties. I do not live to far from there, so it is my go to location for POTA.

[@joyhamradio]

Nice!

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Thanks for watch.

[@DH-zo5ds]

Hi Tim from New Zealand. what logging software do you run.? I have a touch screen ready to load up. Just got a X6100 to unpack also. thanks David

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Hey David. I bounce between HAMRS and N3FJP, but I have been playing around with SWLog. HAMRS provides the best interface for portable logging, but does not interface with the radio. I run N3FJP for digital modes since it interfaces with the radio. In the shack I run N3FJP. It is one you pay for, but it was, at the time, $50 USD for a lifetime of updates. Plus he has a module for just about every contest and event in amateur radio. If you are interested, I have spun the radio content out to a separate channel youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@obelustheodd]

Hello, What software to you use for logging the contacts on you PC?

[@MnACreations]

Awesome video.. I am thinking about getting this radio.. I am curious, what antenna where you using?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I was using the PackTenna 20/40 EFHW. I like it for its portability. In the video, I was using a 10 meter vertical mast, but I have also tossed one end in a tree and tied off the endpoint to my bumper. Thanks for watching.

[@rjanderson4207]

Thanks for the video, im planning on doing the same thing here soon. What antenna are you running and how do you have it set up? 73 de KD9HUR

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I am using a PackTenna 20/40 EFHW with just the 20m section deployed vertically. I have the end of the 20m section attached to a 10 m push up poll and the feed point at the bottom. Do you do a lot of POTA activations?

[@rjanderson4207]

@@Overlanding4Fun I havent done any POTA yet but I'm working on it and I have made a lot of FT8 contacts with the Trine Amateur Radio Clubs equipment (KD9SHK). I have heard great things about the packtenna HFHW. I'm currently using a K6ARK EFRW with an elmers FT-817 and im really enjoying it. Im going to get a X6100 with the 100W amp and I think its going to be a good radio for both POTA and normal base station work (with the amp) for a lot less money then 2 separate radio.

[@terencedubay]

I enjoyed the video I to would like to know what antenna you used?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I was using the PackTenna 20/40 EFHW with just the 20 meter segment running vertical. If you are interested, I have spun off the Amateur Radio content to a dedicated YT channel. youtube.com/@graymanpota

[@JuggernautJo]

What’s your antenna setup?

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Thanks for the video....Interesting work area. What vehicle, Bronco? Antenna?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

It is a Gen6 Bronco that I am working out of the back in. In this video I was using a Packtenna 20/40 EFHW running vertical attached to a 10 meter fiberglass pushup pole.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

@Overlanding4Fun Thanks...Your Bronco makes for a very nice location rig!

[@Overlanding4Fun]

@@michaeledmonds3027 thank you.

[@anthonyglaser929]

Could you tell us a little about the antennae you are running in this video? thanks.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Thank you for watching the video. I released that video before I started a amateur radio focused KZbin channel so it was really focused more on getting outdoors and I was using POTA as the outdoor activity. In that video, I had the 20 meter segment of the PackTenna 20/40 EFHW mounted vertically on the PackTenna 10 meter portable mast. I had the feed point at the bottom with 25' of RG8X coax. I was also using the PackTenna common mode current RF choke inline right before the radio. If you are interested in more in depth videos on amateur radio and other electronics projects, my other KZbin channel is youtube.com/@GraymanPOTA

[@Francois_Dupont]

what was your antenna setup? here in Quebec there is almost nobody in a 500km radius so QRP is always a stretch. in most place in the US its easy to make contacts because there are millions of people all around!

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I was using a PackTenna 20/40 EFHW in a vertical configuration with a 10 meter fiberglass mast. Whether it is 10 watts or it is 100 watts, we are all dependent on favorable propagation. My first two contacts with that radio were to Italy and France when I was in Tennessee. Thank you for watching.

[@Francois_Dupont]

@@Overlanding4Fun alright thank you!

[@vannossc1]

What logging software are you using? I'm about to commit to one myself, looking for options. Nice activation!

[@vannossc1]

Disregard! Got it...

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I use HAMRS app for IOS. I think they also have a version for Android and Windows.

[@curtishustace]

What antenna did you deploy?! Did I miss that ? THX!

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Thank you for watching the video. I released that video before I started a amateur radio focused KZbin channel so it was really focused more on getting outdoors and I was using POTA as the outdoor activity. In that video, I had the 20 meter segment of the PackTenna 20/40 EFHW mounted vertically on the PackTenna 10 meter portable mast. I had the feed point at the bottom with 25' of RG8X coax. I was also using the PackTenna common mode current RF choke inline right before the radio. If you are interested in more in depth videos on amateur radio and other electronics projects, my other KZbin channel is youtube.com/@GraymanPOTA

[@eduardopower5254]

Hello there, so far do you like the 6100?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I like it. It is nice to run low power every once in a while. I had one issue with the radio that required me to send the radio back, but Radioddity took care of it without any issues. If you’re interested, I have started a ham radio dedicated KZbin channel, youtube.com/@graymanpota.

[@rodneyashcraft4440]

I wish I knew how to search the comments on my iPhone but I’m wondering what the computer is. Thanks in advance.

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I was using an iPad in that video for logging. I have a Lenovo Ideal Pad, a Windows 11 tablet, so I can run digital modes in the field. I have started a second KZbin channel that goes more in depth on amateurs radio and electronics projects in you are interested. It can be found at youtube.com/@GraymanPOTA

[@rodneyashcraft4440]

Great thanks!!

[@kenjones1303]

hi there what antenna were you using ?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

On this particular activation I was using the PackTenna 20/40 EFHW, but I have also been using the Chelegance JPC-12 in the field. I have spun up a second KZbin channel that focuses more on ham radio and other electronic project if you’re interested in more in-depth content. KZbin.com/@graymanpota

[@6483hmless]

What program are you using on the laptop

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I am using HAMRS for the logging. It is available for Windows, Mac, Android, IOS and a few others. hamrs.app/

[@bbwoodwork]

what antenna do you use?

[@Overlanding4Fun]

I have a handful of antennas that I use for portable operations. I was most likely using the Chellegence JPC12 in this video. It is an easy to deploy ground mounted vertical that i can pack in my luggage for flights. I have another YT channel that is more amateur radio focused if you are interested, youtube.com/@graymanpota.

[@ncphotos]

Great video! de W2CSI

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Glad you enjoyed it. Since that video was published, I have started a second KZbin channel that focuses on amateur radio and electronics projects. KZbin.com/@graymanpots

[@UASWL-fi8bd]

Thank you. 73 de UA3289SWL.

[@zanado11]

Nice Job 73 de W8RLP Roger

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Thank you for watching.

[@gliderrider]

I thought you handled that quite well, OM! de n5vwn