Xiegu G106 Ham Radio Review - 'It's Just OK'

The G106 seems like a radio that is just about worth what they are charging for it. When considering the cost of HF radios today, the G106 isn't expensive and doesn't provide a ton of features. It just works OK.

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[TonyHoldenEsquire]

I watched the other review, I think I learned more about the reviewer than the radio. I'm interested in the G106 as a relatively cheap QRP rig to keep in the car with an EFHW, that I can set up on the spur of the moment without any planning. I think your review has been objective and informed, I also think there's a place for the G106.

[DonzLockz]

I need a HF radio but I think my minimum would be a G90. Apart from no headphone jack, the fragility of the radio just scares me off completely. It's a no from me but I appreciate your demo and honest thoughts Josh.🍻🤓

[Dusty_Ham]

I'm sure this radio is for someone, just not me. I'll be picking up a G90 soon. It just has a few features that are nicer for just a little bit more money.

[temporarilyoffline]

I think "Is just ok" is the right thought for this radio... esp compared to something in its class like a (tr)uSDX. I'd steer people towards the G90, or even the 5105 over this radio.

[daniell]

I love Mike K8MRD's title slides. He has this magical way of getting his point across with maximum subtlety

[kennethherring]

Josh, great review. For someone getting into QRP and having limited funds to do so, this would be good radio to start with.

[KBOTY]

How does it hold up to a 168 grain hollow point boat tail .308 bullet traveling at 2700 fps?

[RynardMooreVstar]

I've recently resumed my quest for my general ticket and as with my tech ticket -- I needed a fairly inexpensive radio both as a learning tool as well as a starter rig. In doing so I wanted to keep my costs to within about a $400 to $700 range. I looked at both the G106 as well as the G90 and in the end, I wound up with a G90. In the few days of just going through the G90's feature set -- it is a good bang for cheap bucks radio. Also it appears to be solidly built radio which I will definitely hold onto as my radio stable continues to grow.

[WHJBill]

Save your money and for another $130 you can get a field proven 20 watt radio ... the G90.

[joeframo]

Hey Josh I love the compact size of that thank you for sharing it brother 👍👍👍👍👍

[mewrongwayKOCXF]

Mike has trouble turning a radio on! 😂😂

[DaveWOOD]

I was wondering something, Josh. Does the CE-19 work with this radio (or visa-versa, the “DE” on the G90). That sound interface is cool, but do I really need both?

[heavymetalham]

I would fork out the extra cash to get the G90. Just my opinion. Btw I own a G90.

[MrScotchpie]

Thanks for this. I've been looking at the G106 but as I don't really need another QRP rig, I think I'll stick with my workhorse 818.

[phildurall]

Thanks for the coverage Josh! It is not as bad as I once thought. 73 - KF6IF

[jzenick]

It seems those torroids cold be secured with a bit of hot glue on each one. I have seen this done on electronics

How is the receive on this radio, compared to the G90 or the FT818?

[ibrahimalhmoudi]

hi. thank you for you all videos and reviews.
can you do a review on VR-N7500. I trust you al the only one who can give us a trusted review. thanks

[nm]

I am still intrigued by this radio at the price point it's almost like a kit radio that you just paid the extra for on ebay and they built it for ya.

[fnfb]

To the detractors of the G-106 who consider this transceiver as a bad radio I will respond with factual elements: I have a G-106 and I made a CW contact in QRP from France with New Zealand this summer. ZL2IFB received me 459... My traffic conditions were not exceptional: G-106 + G5RV with 5W but neither were Gary's: Only 100W with a 2 x 2 element antenna

[kdmq]

Thank you for a IMPARTIAL review. BTW, SPL is for "Split". The terminology in the manual is possibly a poor translation to English?
I personally am satisfied with my "little "Piece Of Crap" G106. It's light enough to take along on Hike-in activations. 73 DE WG8X