Xiegu G90 - NOT for beginners? 

I get your point. But the G90 ticks so many boxes if you are looking for portable operations: 20W with very reasonable power consumption, internal tuner, price... So it's worthwhile to learn how to operate it properly. A lot of YT-content out there is teaching this (yours included, at least for CW). Maybe you do one for SSB as well. No other rig will offer such a good packet (at least for the time being). Xiegu X5105 and 6100: max. 10W, IC-705: max. 10W, no internal tuner (tuner included about 3 times the price). KX2: max. 10W, (almost) impossible to get (at least in Europe). Ft-891: no internal tuner, power consumption about double (even when in receive or at 20W), but can do up to 100W, granted. I'm pretty much a beginner, but couldn't have done better, and I would encourage everyone, who is looking for portable operations, to get the G90.

I only got my licence last summer (having waited 51 years since passing the exam!). My finances aren't that great and I wanted to get on air for only about £500 ($600), including a PSU and antenna (for which I've got hardly any space anyway). I watched a LOT of RU-vid videos and settled on a Xiegu G90, plus a Nevada PSU and an home-made indoor dipole. Having watched PLENTY of videos about it first (and then THOROUGHLY reading through the manual before even taking it out its box), I found the G90 remarkably intuitive to use. From here in the UK, I can regularly work transatlantic SSB QSOs on 10, 12, 15, 17 & 20 metres, using nothing more than two pieces of wire (as a sort of linear-loaded half wave 20 metre dipole) taped to my bedroom walls for my antenna. Even on 40 metres, I've worked a station in Kazakhstan, nearly 3000 miles away across land. (I've recently added a 53 foot long-wire antenna, which has made using 40 metres easier and allowed me to use 80 metres for European QSOs too). I'm mystified as to why you should find the G90 any noisier than other transceivers. Despite living in the middle of a large 1980s housing development, my noise floor is only around S0 to S1 on 10, 12, 15 & 17 metres and around S1 to S2 most of the time on other bands. I leave the AGC turned off and, up until the most recent firmware was installed, I found the filters extremely easy to use. (You don't seem to have that firmware on your G90, I notice, BTW). I have to admit though that the filters are now rather trickier to work with than they used to be, although I suspect that a fix will be found for the problem when the next firmware is released. I reckon that the G90 is an EXCELLENT beginner's transceiver, in that It's fairly easy to use straight out of the box but is advanced enough to allow users to make further progression with it as they go along. In my opinion, anyone who simply wants a radio that they can turn on and use, without any effort whatsoever, should just stick to CB! 73, Chris, M0JZD

I have to say, I don't agree. I'm not a new ham but the G90 is the first HF radio I have ever owned and I continue ro be impressed by it even after owning and using it for about 18 months now.

Newer ham here. The G90, is my first radio and the only radio I own. I don't find it hard to use but do find what you said to be true. You do have to constantly adjust the RF, and AF settings. However, with the latest firmware update the AGC has been improved. Since the update, I keep it set to AGC-S, for SSB. My only issue is I wish it would have some level of DNR.

It is like any new equipment. It takes time to learn how it works to then adjust it to how you prefer. It is a great little radio. Work it well and it performs well.

With all due respect, you're absolutely wrong dear OM. When i first started in 2017 I spent so much money on what was dubbed a "beginner" setup. It was a Yaesu FT-450D, an LDG automatic atu and power supply (which was overkill for my power restrictions). I got through many different antennas which would tentatively tune. It all cost me well over £1000. Fast forward six years, i got a G90 which does all of the above (with a rudimentary power supply), is far simpler to operate with limited to no technical knowledge, has a waterfall and the ATU can tune a wet noodle. All for less than half the price. It is an ideal radio for beginners. Just because to need to get to know the unit a bit before getting the most out of it you would discredit it for newbies? That could apply to ALL radios. Just read the manual!

Aloha Are LB3SA, I will say that this is the first time that I disagree with your assumption about this rig not for beginners and that is because of your “Quiet CW” video. It’s probably one of the best rigs for beginners to learn HF on and there is a lot to learn with any HF rigs on the market today. I respect your opinion but this is more of a reason you need to do a follow video to your Quiet CW video for doing just SSB and different probable antennas. I joke around that the G90 will Tune A Fish and I’m sure that the late John Lennon would agree with me, you really can Tuna Fish. 🤙🏻 It is Hams like you that goes the extra mile to make this sport or hobby that much more enjoyable. 🤙🏻 I will stress this point again, you really do need to make more YT videos on the G90! What these new Hams need to know is that the G90 is an excellent rig to learn and/or make mistakes on before spending a ton of $$$ on rigs that are not to kind to beginners when mistakes are made and the G90 is unique when it comes to learning HF from a raw format. I understand that Xeigu will be coming out with the G120x, a 120 watt “All Modes” version of the G90 to use for POTA/SOTA activations, especially since the big name manufacturers seem to have a ton of wax in their ears and have no idea what a Q tip is for. 😢 Thanks again for the Quiet CW video, I learned so much from that video but one for SSB is desperately needed. Mahalos! ❤

I bought the g90 before i received my license in other words it was my first ever radio, easy to use. I do have a ic 718 now but still love using the g90 in the field.

I’ve had a ticket for 23 years. Only just got into hf radio , I think it’s perfect for beginners.

I understand what you are saying but it is a rather broad statement. If it weren't for the for the cheap entry point of the G90 many hams, myself included, would still be stuck with VHF and UHF handhelds dreaming of the time they could afford to get into HF. The G90 was my first HF rig, given to me only 4 months ago. Yes, it's possibly not as easy as other rigs, and yes, there is a bit of a learning curve, but I managed to work it out and now make contacts all around the world....and I am going on 70 years. I am sure that our younger hams who have more of an affinity to electronics than us Oldies born in the 1950's will work it out in less than half the time. Cheers, Phil ZL2VTH

I appreciate your thoughts. I wonder what you would consider to be a good radio for beginners?

@Techstuff I am taking my technician test very soon and thought the G90 was affordable and had all the things I needed. I planned on adding an amp to it later once I learned the radio. I hadn't heard anything about the radio that you mentioned. TY. In your opinion what would be a good begginer radio? Ive been pointed towards the IC 7300 often. I liked the G90 due to its price but also its form factor and weight. I can't see ever taking the 7300 out on a sota or pota. That being said those aren't my priorities. I really just want a radio I wont outgrow immediately and it will be my home device %99 of the time. Im willing to take weight and size if it gives me ease of use and clear audio. I wanted to hop on ten meters ASAP. Ive seen these CB radios that are only 10 meter but have SSB and about 60 watts. Maybe thats an option? Thanks again.

I completely disagree, the G90 has only a few settings where as a Icom 7300 or the like has so many adjustments that it will overwhelm most newbies. The G90 has just enough option settings to be useful but not overbearing. Many new ICOM 7300 users have bad audio because they don't know how to adjust the many settings and they don't get the full potential of the radio The G90 is easy for anyone to get the full potential of the radio. Yes it doesn't have audio processing but that can interfere if not adjusted right. The G90 is hard to get out of adjustment because it is so simple. 20 watts is the sweet spot between QRP and a 100 watt radio. 20 watts is only about 1 S unit lower than 100 watts so new operators wont get discouraged with not being heard. In my opinion the G90 is a perfect starter radio and a main radio for budget conscious or portable users. With plenty of accessories, parts, and user support combined with a 1.5 yr warranty you really can't go wrong.

One thing I suspect about the G90 is that it lacks reverse polarity protection. Reading the instructions carefully I got the impression from the several warnings about powering up with incorrect polarity from the power supply would damage the radio. Without a schematic of the radio's circuitry I would be very careful powering up with a new power supply cable the first time.

I get what is being said about trying without the AGC . I'm fairly new and this model is my first and only HF radio and after several months I have found that turning the AGC off which doesn't seem to be the done thing ,and adjusting the RF gain and , volume or preamp/attenuator for each QSO individually it sounds much quieter with clearer crisp audio . weaker signals are quiet but clearer .

So what rig would you suggest for a beginner?

I know several folks who purchased the G90 as their 1st HF radio. I don't think many people are as incompetent as you suggest.

G90 is an excellent radio for beginners, you have to learn any radio ! Be sides,lots of RU-vid videos on setup, settings and how to get started. I own two,one for pota and the shack !

What radio would you recommend for a beginner? My only requirement is that it has a waterfall display of some sort.

I completely disagree..your wrong

I own one. I’ve been a ham for many decades and I agree with you. Comes down to noise reduction skills for good performance. The G90 does not have a DSP noise reduction function so the operator needs to use the unit’s other capabilities. It can take alot time: rf gain, bandwidth adjustments, AGC selections, input power amplifier selections, and volume control. However, don’t be discouraged; it’s fun; it’s challenging sometimes. A quirky rig so enjoy. Bill

The G90 does not work on FM or AM very well otherwise it SUCKS on FM and AM sorry But it does work well on CW and SSB

*I disagree 100%* The G90 is perfect for a beginner or like myself an oldun. Any intelligent person will will read and understand the Operators Manual ! I'm on the air for 40+ years and when I bought my G90 the first thing I did was read the Owners/Operators manual. The G90 is simplicity itself to use and to get to grips with the menu system. I *highly recommend* the G90 not only for a beginner but for any aged operator. I use my G90 daily when mobile and find it great. 73

A negative review and without options serves no real purpose. This model may be the only one I or others can afford. You have not helped the community or the newbies coming to your channel. KQ4KNP

This was definitely unnecessary. Everyone will find out whatever is necessary to use this rig on every mode, just by reading the manual or viewing some RU-vid tutorial, including yours. What makes you think, you are smarter than all other hams?