I appreciate the comparison, Walt! I am planning on getting a G90 this summer. Cheaper and with the antenna tuner made the decision easier for me! Right now I am running a (tr)uSDX which is nice, but I don't have a tuner, and it is only 5 bands. I did just buy a tuner--waiting on delivery--, the Antuner At-100M. Temporary Offline had a nice review of it. Safe travels, Walt!
Great video. Fair and reasonable comparison, Walt. I bought a G90 from MFJ back when they were a distributor. Sent it to Rob Sherwood NC0B unopened (only way he reviews rigs) for his tests on the G90. When Rob sent it back, one of my portable ops team members (N5DU) bought it from me, again unopened by me. Mike has used it with me on portable adventures with my FT-891 and EFHWs I built for each of us. His exclamation is that the G90's very robust ATU almost never actuates but when he does need it to, it's a killer feature. Mike actually puts the G90 on his beside table at night for FT8 work...has about 75 DXCC entities confirmed over some 18 months, all with the G90. I do use "his" G90 at times and it's a great value-based radio. Bought and later sold my X5105 after a year or so administering the Facebook X5105 group. As I've said here before, looking forward to my FX-4CR in the June shipment. Thanks again for your excellent video adventures! 73 de K4FMH
Thanks Walt for your "Words of Wisdom" on these two radios. 👍 I do not currently own the FX4CR but have had the G90 for a little over a year. I like doing POTA and the G90 is perfect for that. I have a number of HF radios, but I must admit the G90 is my favorite. Still very interested in the FX4CR I have one of my rigs for sale and I will probably use the proceeds from that for the FX4CR. Keep up the great work, I check You Tube every day to see if you have anything new. I really appreciate your videos on your antenna builds. 73 and God Bless
Great video Walt. Nice to see a sensible & balanced comparison which hasn't been dramatised to be a "battle of two radios - which one will win!" Thanks for sharing.
Yes, so tired of the "Radio Pimps" that have become so common on youtube. I refuse to even click on them anymore. I'd love to comment on some of them, but commenting only helps those channels get better results with the youtube algo. A channel like Walt's, that shows people how to make great antennas on the cheap not only creates more interest, I think it advances the hobby.
Walt, I know this video is a bit dated, but I recently bought the G90 since I wanted to experiement with a low power SDR radio but after buying it I had seconds thoughts. This video really made me feel better about buying it. While I do have an FT-891 and have used it portable, carrying extra things with it such as an antenna tuner with cables was a bit cumbersome. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of QRM so any portable I do requires me to go to the local park with less noise so I'm really looking forward to gettinbg out with this radio and my Wolf River Coil or even with the Rybakova antenna you demonstated a few months ago. Thanks Walt, keep the videos coming.
Thank you for an honest comparison Walt. For me, the antenna tuner on the G90 makes it the choice. The other radio may be an interesting novelty but for POTA and SOTA especially, I would take the G90. Safe travels and have fun! 73.
I sold my G90 a few months ago and I've regretted it ever since. I am getting ready to buy another. I just bought the Yaesu FT-450D and that's an awesome radio as well. Great for taking camping and for POTA. As always Walt, great video.
Thanks Walt, excellent video! I'm waiting for the newer little FX-4L 5-watt rig to see the light of day, that looks like an interesting contender for a bug-out radio bag. 72, Jan de M7HNK
I love my G90. The tuner is unbelievable how it will tune nearly anything. The G90 is all the radio I need for what I do. I use it as my base rig with a G5RV junior. I use it for POTA eith the Sparkplug antenna and a Bioenno 3amp hour battery. The 3 amp hour batter gives me anout 6 hours of use for POTA. Love your videos, keep up the good work
I've been really impressed with both radios and what you have been able to accomplish with them. I really like the looks and form factor of the G90 though. One day I will have one. That said, I really like my 100w. You need to do more with the DX70 :)
Hi Walt, I got my FX-4CR about a month ago. I love the 20 watt extra punch for SSB. It’s really come thru for me. It has a built-in sound card and one line hookup for the computer. I can’t get it to work correctly on anything. I’ve copied the screenshot set up of others. But it’s been a no go for me. I miss psk31 and Feld Hellscheiber. Just can’t get it to work. On the other hand, I got a cheap android galaxy AO3 and it Bluetooth’s to the rig and back for ft8 contacts. Super easy. I made 27 six meter contacts with that wireless system this morning all over the country. Rig does get warm so I was changing out bags of frozen peas for it to sit on. It self logs on the android ft8 program until I’m ready to Wi-Fi it over to my laptop n3fjp log. That pops those contacts over to LoTW, eQSL, Club Log, and it would easily go to QRZ if I paid something or other. 73’s De n5vwn
I see my g90 as a big radio in a small container.....I haven't found anything I'd RATHER have but obviously others I'd LIKE to have.... Nice comparison rundown Walt!
The FX4-CR looks like a fine little radio to go afield with. Three years ago, I bought a G90 as a newly minted General. Over 6,900 QSOs in the logbook later It's still my only HF rig. I've shopped for other rigs for 3 years, and just can't justify replacing it. Some of my club members laughed when I put a homebrew 40m dipole in the attic and went on the air with it. They ain't laughing any more, :)
I just got my FX-4CR a few days ago and have had a G90 for almost 3 years. Two things you didn't mention about the FX-4CR that impress me are: 1) the incredible color display, and 2) the 48KHz spectrum width versus the 25KHz with the G90. Even with a small 2" display, the colors literally jump off the screen at you. Also, the enhanced spectrum width is going to be appreciated in contests. Most QRP contesters are "hunt-and-pounce" operators who cannot hold a frequency with low power so bounce around looking for signals. The wider spectrum makes this a little easier. I do like my G90, too, but it's "dead" right now and, at 80 years old with fat fingers and limited EE skills, I cannot find anyone in the US who will work on it. If someone knows a repair person, please let me know. Jack, W8TEE
Thanks Walt, I've owned a G90 for 2 years and haven't gotten outdoors with it yet. It would have been my 1st HF rig but I got a 891 first. Since I loved the G 90 I also got one shortly after the Yaesu cuz it went on sale. I'm planning more portable stuff this summer and I am now trying to learn all the functions b 4 I get too far away from home, ha ha. Just put up 41 feet of wire in the yard and I'm seeing the need for the built in tuner. Hoping for some free time and an open band to test in the yard. 73, brother. KC1MTM
The G90 is just an incredible radio. As you said, the built in tuner is just astonishing. My only hate for it is that digital modes (my main operating mode) took me a long time to get working. I don't have a justification to buy the other. I have a IC 7100 now (needed an all band radio) but the G90 is my portable HF rig for phone operations. If it could all-band including 6m, 2m, and 70cm, then it'd be almost perfect.
Excellent comparison Walt. I was interested in the FX-4CR until I saw the price. Not that the FX-4CR is not worth the money, it is. I think it's what you want if you want a very compact, 20 watt radio to hump up mountains with and only use resonate antennas. That's not me. I love my G-90 and agree that the tuner and SWR analyzation the G-90 offers, makes it my go to for portable use. The G-90 is the best value in HF radio today. I also don't do a lot of digital. I much prefer phone. Digital is one of those love- hate things. It is excellent for weak signal, lousy bands (like today) and SHTF, but for general operations, digital is like texting, which I hate. Digi Rig, tablet and some cords vs. a tuner, I'll take the Digi Rig. I'd rather put more $$$ into new and improving antennas. The antenna makes or breaks your ability to make contacts. I think you have shown the new ham just how easy it is to construct and put up a wide variety of antennas, and that's a great thing. Antenna building is really fun and the results can amaze. 73 Walt, be safe !
thanks for the comparison. My G90 was my first HF radio and will never let it go. BUT don't get me wrong, the FX-4CR appears to be very cool. There are times I get bored/frustrated with my IC-705 and go back to my G90. It's perfect for me.
Thank you for your honesty, although there are 3 great features the g90 has you forgot the cw decoder. But as I say thank you for your time making this video.
I set my 991a on 20 watts to see if I can tell much difference from 100 watts. If after awhile at 20 watts i feel it's enough I'll get the g90. I really want it.
Both of them have their place. For a 'single radio solution', the G90 would get the nod for me, but if I were looking to get a second radio specifically for lightweight portable ops, that FX-4CR would definitely be on the short list.
Hi Walt I’m one of those guys… Last night I was mucking around with various power settings on the Yaesu ft857 to see the difference between 10w Elecraft KX2 and 20w FX-4Cr surprisingly little. But massive difference to 4w (tr)uSDX The real question is: “What’s the audio RX comparison between the G90 and FX-4Cr front end?” They’re poles apart as radios go - the weight alone tells that story but I’d be much more interested in the front end audio of the FX-4Cr and a previous generation radio like the Icom 7100
Thanks for the review Walt. I figured you were leaning that way, but it helps with the comparison. Though the size of that FX-4CR is a great selling point! kd9van
Thanks for watching! I really like both radios but had to give an honest assessment on the two because I’m constantly asked which is better. 73 my friend!
I have had a G90 for a couple of years. It's a great radio, and it is hard to beat the internal tuner. It's my "go-to" HF transceiver, especially as I don't like to operate exclusively from my Ham shack. I ordered a FX-4CR a couple of months ago. It arrived today, and I am looking forward to getting up and running on that little rig. I was attracted to the FC because of the size and portability. Will let you know how it works with the different antennas I've acquired over the last few years. 73 BKD KI5KET
Agree on all points, I also own both. One thing to notice though. FX4-CR will only transmit 10W on digital modes. Travelling with FX4-CR is easier, but if your antennas require tuner, you're back to square one. Honestly, biggest advantage of FX4-CR is the built in soundcard. That works like charm and reduces the cable mess... Tnx and 73 de Kari HL5/OH6GPB
the G90 was my first "field" radio. Still have it. I use the X6100 right now, as I just got it about a month ago. But, I am going camping this weekend in RI, and am taking the g90 simply because I havent used it in a long, long time. and kind of miss it, to be honest.
Another AWESOME video Walt. After much research and deliberation I set my sights on the G90 and your video/opinion confirmed it. Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
I own both radios, and I 100% agree with your assessment. The G90 is an awesome radio for the money. It's also better on CW, which I operate on a ton. The FX-4CR shines, like you said, when you're going deep into the woods or up to a summit and want a full featured rig that can put out decent power and won't weight you down. There is no "perfect" radio. They all have strengths and weaknesses. I just think it's hard to beat the G90 for what it costs and what you get.
I've got a FX-4C and a G90. I'll be taking both of them to Belgium with me when I move in August. The reason is that I can use the G90 at home with a 40m OCF dipole, exploiting its excellent tuner, and I can use the FX-4C for SOTA with a resonant antenna. They both have use cases. I'd eventually like to get a QRP shack-in-a-box like the IC-705, but that radio is heavy (2.4lb) and expensive compared to the FX-4C, so it's not a big priority right now. I started out doing SOTA with the G90 and eventually found it a bit too heavy to carry on +3000 ft ascents.
Yep, the G90 is my go to "Shack-in-the-box"; but I still use my vintage SGC SG-2020 (non-DSP version). Just used it to drive an amp for Museum Ships, and it still works great! I figured I (a human museum piece) would use another museum piece to work the museum ships. Still having fun here! 73s Walt and show us you home QTH shack when you get back home. DE AG4KN - John
@@mindshelfproi gotta 991a because I wanted it all. Im thinking about the g90 for the field. Im a little concerned about just 20 watts. I hardly use vhf uhf since I upgraded to general.
Great vid. For the FX-4CR, digital modes, does it handle consistent use at full power, or do you find that you have to dial it back to 50% (or more) in order to prevent overheating? I don't have a G90, but I've read in numerous places that it needs the outboard fan assembly for digi modes. Thanks!!
Hi Tim, I’ve only used it for SSB so far and to be honest it gets hot. I’d be concerned using it a full power for a prolonged time on digi modes. 73, Walt K4OGO
Enjoyed your review/comments. That little FX-4CR is really impressive but from watching numerous videos on youtube about both radios, I have to agree with you, the G90 gives you the biggest bang for the buck. Barry, KU3X
How's the G90 for SOTA, size/weight wise compared to the FX-4CR? For POTA I don't really care as I've been known to take my FT-710 on occasion, but I can't tell just how much harder it would be to hike up a mountain with a G90 instead of a FX-4CR. Background: I had a FX-4CR which I sold like a fool, and I cannot for the life of me buy another one. Hiking season is starting and I'm portable-less, so looking at options. While I had the FX-4CR, adjusting the telescoping antenna I used was very time consuming due to no ATU.. I'm sure with a different setup I would have wasted less time, but as it was I spent a minimum of 50% of my time just trying to get the antenna right, with an external analyzer as well. This was while traveling internationally and doing POTA.. wasting so much time on the antenna was definitely not fun. The main reason I'm considering giving the G90 a try is for the ATU, and of course because I don't have a portable radio at all right now for SOTA - I'd rather hike with ANYTHING than nothing at all. One thing that I *REALLY* liked about the FX-4CR was the phone quality, I got many great signal and voice quality reports; my understanding from doing research is that the G90 is not as good in this regard.
LOVE my G90. Used it over a year as Technician on 10 meters, and now as General on other bands. The FX-4CR is arriving today and I'm looking forward to see it work.
Hi walt. Great head 2 head. Its good to get peoples options it helps others decision on buying a radio. My opinion is i dont think i will get one of these. I will probably meet you in the middle one day and buy a second hand X6100. Cat in hells chance i will ever afford a KX2 or KX3. Oh plus the ic705. I would never leave the house with one of them as would be too scared of dropping it. Good words on both radios, never had one or seen one but would agree with you on your findings. Motters M7TRS 73 👍🏽
Thanks for the comment my friend. I looked really hard at the X6100 but the thing that turns me off about that radio is that it is only 5 watts with it's internal battery. You have to use an external power source to get 10 watts. I think Xiegu got that wrong. It's looks like a beauty though. All the best and 73!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES morning Walt hope you have a good day. Yes I agree with you with max 5w on internal. How ever I use a ft817 on external as the internal battery isn't that great. So carrying an external battery is something I already factor in my pack. Like you with the G90. I guess I am a long way off yet to getting another radio. Great side by side review though.👍🏽😁 73
FX-4CR, another one nice little qrp transceiver with modern feature, but once more without ATU. Hope the next version will have one. Also, what´s the point making the radio very small but do not include a battery? At least it must have some kind og battery pack that clicks on or somehow really integrates with the radio.
Hi Walt, I like the SHNITPWR power supplies which you are using, looks great, small and lightweight! Saw on the internet that they can be purchased in different versions (3 A, 10 A, etc.). Which is your version (how many Amps?)? I think the G90 requires about 7 Amps for 20 Watts? Vy 73 de Mike DL1BJW
Hey Walt. Love your channel. You are always informative. One of the best things is you do try to sell me something. I understand that many YT’ers depend on the money as a primary income. I am a new technician and I am going to go for my general soon. With that said, I am thinking about buying a G90 because of all of the extra features. I was going to buy an antenna tuner and an antenna analyzer but the G90 has it all. I have watched many of your videos and seeing you make contacts all over the world on just 20 watts is amazing. I hope to follow in your footsteps. Thanks and keep up the good work! Richie KQ4LOQ
Thanks Richie! You will be very happy with a G90. It is absolutely my favorite radio. Good luck on the General, HF really gets better at that level. Hope to catch you on the air! 73, Walt
Thank you very much for your video. I plan to get the Xiego G90 real soon. I'm disabled and on a fixed income. The price is right and I like the built-in ATU and the SWR reader. I'm thinking of putting up a 29 ft random wire with a 9 to 1 LDG unun and hook it up to the G90. I have limited room, 12 ft x 12 ft. Do you think this will work? You have the best videos and explanations. Thank you again.
Thank you! Yes that will work very well. You will love this radio and that antenna setup with the G90 ATU will give you a good setup for 40 through 10 meters.
Thank you for the quick reply. I am also going to get a toroid core and wind the cable going into the radio about 6 turns to keep parasitic RF from going into the radio. Can't wait to do this.@@COASTALWAVESWIRES
Thank you very much for the positive confirmation on this G90. It sounds like a great-quality rig. I have to be careful about how much stress I put on myself. I have a defib. implanted in my chest and it isn't pleasant when the thing goes off. That sounds like the ideal rig for me. I just want to keep things simple and Walt does a great job of that. It looks like my next project is to learn CW proficiently Thank you again for that information. Hopefully, we will all meet each other on the airwaves soon. 73 KF4KSK Matt.@goinghomesomeday1
Well , Walt, after watching your several videos on the G90 marvel, I have purchased a used one which should arrive soon. I don’t know enough to ask about the software, i.e., which is better or not, but do want to keep the AM mode. I wonder if anyone has done a paper comparison if features and benefits of the various updates? I surely look forward to trying this jewel. I have a KX3 so it will be interesting to compare them. Hope I can catch you on a band or two. Thanks for all your efforts in these videos. Much appreciate them! 73 N4LWT
Thank you so much! I’ve never done a firmware update on my G90. If it works don’t fix it is my attitude. You will really enjoy that G90. Hope to catch you on the bands!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I agree with the maxim “if it ain’t broke, then leave it alone”. Good advice. The g90 I bought has the 177 firmware. I do not know how old the rig is or when the 177 came out. Really ready to get my hands on the rig😀
Great info Walt! The SOTA guys may like the smaller rig, especially the size and weight. I do think us Yaesu 891 hams like me can shed a few extra pounds with the G 90. With the use of a lighter radio and battery, that's several pounds. I'll have to check into that. We are headed towards the top of a solar cycle, really don't need much power when conditions are good. O' yea, throw in some saltwater and you gain all that power back. Good video. Steve - Ad4xt
The FX-4CR is brilliant. The G90 comes off as a bit rough around the edges. I've played with a G90 and that was my first impression. But....radios are like shoes and underwear...it boils down to personal preference. But, I am one spoiled ham! :)
Roger that, I’ve worked with the G90 constantly for 2 years. It’s earned my personal preference from experience. Hopefully the FX-4CR will be as great for me as well a couple years from now.
Hey Walt , just got my g90. The manual says 5W on AM, but mine seems to be putting out 20? Anyway a nice rig to supplement the IC7300! (Still getting used to the buttons) VA3IRF
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I wasn't used to the radio yet, so was checking the SWR match (old school) with a combo SWR/Power meter, by keying up on AM. (I also wanted to get an idea of how accurate the internal SWR meter is) Loving that little rig so far! The only issue I have had is that when I turn on compression, it sems to over drive. Ever had that?
The G90 is a reliable, good, honest and durable radio from China. Not many rigs from there can compete with it not even those from Xiegu themselves. Thanks for your video!
Absolutely! I’ve always said they need to make the G100 which would be a 100 watt version of the G90. That thing would sell like hot cakes. 73, Walt K4OGO
I want the ruggedness and extra power of the G90 with the looks and portability of the x6100.The FX-4CR seems a strange design,although for true pocket portability i guess it could be a ace choice.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Yeah that extra couple of watts probably makes quite a large difference out in the field,have a Subscribe and thanks for the video.
I can't make up my mind. It seems FX-4CR is pretty heavy for portable operating radio, draws a lot of power idle for portable operating (over 230mA). I just can't see it as a portable SOTA hiking/outdoors radio. It needs heavy batteries with extra capacity and is not the lightest. In addition to that some potentially relay problems with CW and cracking sound. I am not sure... Another choice is tx500 but because of invasion on Ukraine I am holding up. 705 has too many whistles I don't need. G90 is definitely too heavy as well. Maybe QMX but these are hard to order as there's long queue.
You forgot to add two things. #1 With the G90 you are going to need the cooling fan with the anderson powerpole connector unless you are going to plug bare wire into the power supply because the funky non standard takiyama power connector that it has on the back. So add $70 to the price. #2 If you want to work digital modes with the G90 you are going to need the Xiegu DE-19 sound card. So add another $70. Even so I am still going to buy the G90. So many features for a mid range price. And most importantly unlike so many Chinese made radios GOOD Quality.
Having checked the price, I do like it, but it's more expensive than the other two, and for a couple hundred more I could get the Wolf 2 ddc/duc, (the new version with the ATU and 100w. Not really comparable to the others, but I think for my situation, I'd either get a G90, or spend the extra to get a Wolf2).
I appreciate the comparison and though that the Xiegu G90 was a clear winner at the price point you quoted in your video (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-baJ1hnpJIFg.html) of $100-125. Problem is, the price for the Xiegu G90 is around $500 (when I look today 2023-06-01). Is this video old? The comments appear to be only a day or two old, so I'm curious about this error in price? I'd love to be wrong if you can point to where to buy around the price point you mentioned :) Thanks for the review and highlighting these rigs!
You’re really comparing apples to peaches. Of course, the G90 has a built in tuner and the FX4 doesn’t because of their respective form factors. A fairer comparison would have been the FX4 against another QRP rig with a similar form factor and the G90 with another radio with a built in tuner, perhaps mcHF (or clone) with a built-in tuner.
The FX4CR would be worth it at $200. At the price point no way a new ham would buy that over a G90. The G90 is the radio new hams buy. The Icom7300 is what veteran hams buy. The FX4CR is what RU-vid channels buy.
Love my G90, but never use it. Why? It's case is made from thick steel unlike normal rigs. It weighs over 1.5 lbs more than the FX-4CR. As well, at 20 watts, it is folly to use a "tuned" antenna. Your receive is OK, but your transmit efficiency is terrible. Having a resonant antenna with gain is the way to be heard. I use Folded dipoles. Same footprint as a dipole, but with gain. Then there is digital. I've used the G90 with the C-19 adapter and analog cables, but it is very quirky and the levels are hard to get right. . Having plug and play USB (one cable) to do digital modes is a huge plus on the FX-4CR. And, the FX-4CR actually has a larger LCD display. You have to have 20/20 sight to see the G90 screen. They are very different radios. The micro-size of the FX-4CR is it's claim to fame. (And Yu is still adding features)
