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

Here are my thoughts and some preliminary test results with the Xiegu G106. It is a lack-luster radio, but I think they have fixed most of the bugs.

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Mail: 2150 W. Northwest Highway STE114-1163, Grapevine TX 76051
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[KCUER]

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.

[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.

[seafareryacht]

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.

[rich-kctbc]

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

[DominicMazoch]

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

[okierebel]

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

[Darkwoods]

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.

[kurttuttle]

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.

[mikegassman]

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

[HamAround]

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

[auto]

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.

[johnsinclair]

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.

[jamesdublin]

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

[walteredwards]

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.

[joeframo]

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

[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.

[bryanpuckett]

It's going to be a good paper weight!

[geoffs]

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.

[craigdavidson]

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

[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. )