QRP is frustrating even with a resonant antenna, but for some reason I like the hard work, especially in pile ups. When you break in it's very satisfying. Thanks for the video, Walt! Peace!
An honest review Walt. Morten uses a boot to boost his power. I made Brazil from the UK on 20m last week on 5w. I turned the G90 down just to have a bit of fun. Was blown away when he came back to me. 73
A few days ago I worked S51DX, Janez in Slovenia from Georgia on mine using 5 watts and a Gabil vertical. Only took about 5-10 calls. It’s not too hard it just takes patience. It’s a perfect radio for operating Summits on the Air
Oh I won’t, I’ve made some great 5W contacts over the years. This radio just seems like it could have been designed to be a 10W radio under its battery and that frustrates me lol. All the best and 73
Hello! Thank you for the positive and interesting video. To be more confident in using QRP, I suggest using resonant antennas rather than using a tuner.
The QRP adventure begins: My X6100 arrives today. I’ve got a small external battery coming, too, so I can use 10w. But thanks for the great video. I know what I’m getting myself into. 😳
@@COASTALWAVESWIRESYeah, I got the little Xiegu one with the radio. My hearing isn’t what it used to be so I figured it was a good idea to get it. And I picked a little 4 ah battery to go with it. Hope to get out in a couple days and see how it does.
I agree this is great QRP with a few big issues. My # 1 complaint is the receiver audio being slow to level up after I unkey TX. I miss a lot of callsign prefixes. QRP 5 watts is tough but I knew that when purchasing the rig, and I agree 20 Whiskeys would be the sweet spot! Thanks again for the content Walt!
Walt 5 Watts - 4497 miles is fantastic DX , a bigger internal battery , and as you said 20 Watts would be a game changer . I have a G90 the downside of that radio is its size , and it has a small screen , and no internal battery .
You realize that your "trying something different" is actually your same-old same-old... Great channel. Great video. Don't stop changing everything. :)
The nice thing about the alternate firmware, is that it's not really a "mod" in the usual sense... You boot R1CBU Oleg's firmware off an SD card, and to revert, you just reboot without the SD card... Very clean, low risk operation. I really like Oleg's fw on this radio!
Hi Walt very recognisable. I have both g90 and x6100 and it's a huge difference as you experienced as well. X6100 with 20w would indeed be a killer for many other QRP rigs out there. But I do like your passion to keep on trying 😂
I have been using the Xiegu G90 on my trip to Italy and i am never been disappointed. I was tempted to get a 6100 but i don't think will bring anything more to the table
Hi Walt. I have a pile of Xiegu gear, the X5105, the G90, the G106 and a new X6200. I had a G1M in the past. The X6100/X6200 get very warm at 5 watts, and IMHO, there is not enough radiative surface to run 20 watts. The 20 power level is ideal, I have to agree on that point. And, the straight whip is a limiting factor, too... I try to go with more antenna and less power. I hve a 40 meter EFHW with an add-on 80 meter loading coil. I also have multiple magnetic loops from a 2-turn rectangular loop for 3 MHz to 8 MHz down to a loop made from aluminum bar stock that's a hexagon that's 11 1/2" corner to corner and covers 17 MHz to 60 MHz. Nothing on 160 meters yet, but working on that! My primary support is a 10 meter telescoping mast, and I have a drive-on mast "foot". All fitting in a sub-compact Scion, heh... CU on the air! 73, Keith, WB2VUO in Amherst, NY
There is always the option to put the external battery on it and double your wattage to 10. That is what I do and I had a park activated and up to 62 QSOs in an hour and a half this past weekend.
The first 20 minutes of my activation was at 5 watts. I had forgot to turn up the power after I plugged in the battery. The alternate interface is nice but it takes some getting used to.
I am glad that you still like this radio. I did not have good results with the same radio. I have since traded the radio for another one. Good luck! 0:01
Good to see you out there Walt. Even my qcx 5w cw is hard going some days on 20m, so I just got my first ever amplifier in 38 years, the micro pa50, plug and go, 3w in, 50w out, makes a difference, and I like the qcx, but some days I only get qrz ? all day hi. 73.
Helluva try Walt! 5 watts is just plain tough unless conditions are just right. I love QRP too. Most of my activating is done in the Mojave Desert on SOTA peaks where its quiet. Still tough but have never missed getting the activation done. Take care. 73
Your one of the few RU-vidrs that is working with the X6100, it's fantastic to see someone use it and hear their opinion. I've been playing around with the idea of buying one for a while now since i sold my X5105 last year to a new ham. Thank you for the video and look forward to more, 73 de W8MJL.
Walt love your Videos, I have the same radio and I always go with 10 watts and the best output is outside the metropolitan areas, the noise is too much for the rig. I have a love and hate relationship with it. If I am going to the woods , OK , but if I am RVing it a no go, take the FT 891. Thanks for the down to earth practical videos. 73's de KC6RZW
Ok, you convinced me. Just picked up a 2-month old x6100 with the plastic seal still on the front. Should be here Saturday. I also got the FX-4CR after watching your videos, Walt. Please do not buy a Hilberling! Lol😢
Crazy that Xiegu could have such a winning design and fail to finish it off with some simple upgrades ? It's almost like they do not want the orders ? Ah well I guess the G90 reigns supreme for now in their range. (If they want some advice they could always post me one for some free consultancy 🙂). Actually for qrp a better internal speaker would be my first step (I have a mini guitar amp with a 3" speaker that sounds amazing so I am sure they could squeeze something better in?). The less non-essential clutter to carry around portable the better. Also ironing out the software bugs and get G90 style ATU performance would seem sensible ? Anyway great work sitting on the dock of the bay (hey isn't that a song !).
It will be interesting to see what Xiegu comes out with next. If they could just take the best of this radio and the G90 and morph them together I think they would have the ultimate winner of a portable radio.
Hi Walt. Like you I think the 20w would be great in this radio. Also drop the battery and put a better speaker in it. I love the format of this radio. 73😊
I think I see the cause of the difficulty in making QSOs.....you forgot to turn on the "salt water amplifier" or maybe worse yet the salt water amp blew its finals......lol. Great video Walt. Keep them coming.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES excellent. It's the most satisfying (and most addictive) of all the modes. Jump on the air as soon as you think you're ready, nearly all operators will adjust to your speed. Those that don't aren't worth talking to anyway 😁
Nice work. I like the design of the X6100, but I’m not at QRP levels yet. The G90 & FX-4CR (first video with it is up) have 20W, which is comfortable for me atm. 73!
Yes, make it 20 Watts!!!!!! I have not purchased this radio because, while I love QRP, I need a radio that gets through (the G90). I once accidentally had my G90 at 1 Watt and made contact wit Simon HamJazz up in Canada (from Northern California). However, QRP can be frustrating and you really need to have absolutely optimal conditions, etc., to work 5 Watts. The 6100 has everything I want, except the Watts and Battery life. As with chess, ham radio is a game of concessions...73...Hugh...KN6KNB
Great video....thank you for being honest. 5w is 5w...we can present dB calculations and rationalize that it is only "1 s-unit difference" compared to 20w , but I don't think that accurately represents the difference. We often do the same thing with higher power....I can say from my experience that 300W vs 100w is a HUGE improvement in communication reliability. QRP is fun at times, but we need to be realistic and not pretend that QRP is "almost as good" as 20w or 50-100w.
Cool beans k4ogo de kc2wvb. I too love QRP. I took a hiatus from ham radio for 10 years, but recently placed an inverted V in 40 meters in service and pulled out my HF Signals kit QRP rigs. I likely can hit you easily on QRP and when I fire up the radios I will look for your call sign. Yep, being QRP when the monster stations are calling CQ can be very frustrating and is partly why I placed my kit in storage for a decade. After all, all the credit goes to Kenwood when 100 watt plus equipment is used.
If yaesu isnt developing a 20watt/built in atu rig, complete with usb-c and 18650's, similar to the 6100 or 705........anyone listening???? Great video as always, keep em' coming, 73.
For us newbies would it be possible to show the exact setting you use for your ssb contacts, i.e. noise blanker?, noise reduction?, filters setting?, other tricks. I've done quite a bit of FT8 with my X6100, but few ssb contacts because of 1) mike shyness and, 2) setting ignorance. Thanks for the videos.
I'll look into doing that, to be honest I haven't done too much with the settings on this radio other than setting the AGC to Slow and going with the factory settings that it came with. Key that mic and start making contacts!
Hey Neighbor! I love seeing videos of people I live next to. I've sat on that seawall myself, lovely area. When I finally get time to test out to general, I'm definitely looking into HF QRP as the sport of choice. Have you had any luck with that radio using digital modes?
Hey Walt! I have been using a G90 for a couple of years, and got a 6100 this week. I have been playing with it at home, and with a 40-10 efhw I have a couple of DX contacts, and have done well chasing pota from OR, NM, CT, NJ and others from WI. It is a different challenge vs 20w for sure. How does it do on the QRP net? I am considering pairing it with a micro PA50. It should kick some butt with it, I love the bigger screen, the improved noise reduction it has over the G90.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I got 9 countries over the weekend along with a bunch of pota with 10w on 10m. The noise reduction makes it less tiring to listen to for me. I agree that it would be perfect with the G90's 20w.
I ran 10W for a few hours, it was not happy. I ended up draining my battery and going on alternator power (14.0v). She (x6100) was TOASTY, need better thermals! I would love if it had 20W. My 10W QRP only gets me down south, never across the pond. 😢
Hi Walt. Is that 1:1 choke something you made or bought? Looking at the Chameleon RF choke but like the size of the one you use. Thanks again for your videos. 73 W6SDK
If you run 5W you need full size no compromise antennas. That whip at 5.2m with two elevated radials on 20m… and shorten it to a 1/4wave on 17 rather than use the tuner on 17m makes a lot of difference. See Peter VK3YE’s you tube channel
After carefully reviewing your videos about 6100, I am completely certain that I will not proceed with the upgrade . I am sugesting an equation that is guaranteed to bring you substantial satisfaction: consider selling the 6100😊 have fun with your G90 20w🌎make a difference.
Walt, honest answer please: which one you find to be better, x5105 or this one? I sold my x5105 already (working perfectly and owner is happy), but when I bought it the 6100 had just released and I went for the 5105 because I was sure this one would be worse, on release at least. I went out with the 5105 when it was -35c, I expected the radio to die on me but it worked fine. Also I dropped it on the snow once 😂 73!
Honestly I like the X6100 slightly more than the X5105 because of that incredible SDR screen. That’s the only thing better about it than the X5105 but it’s a big deal.
Not sure if it’s seen in this one, but you’ve shown a choke that’s bullet shaped. Are these available somewhere? I think you may have mentioned that a fellow Ham makes them.
Yes it’s made by Tim N9SAB and he sells them on eBay: www.ebay.com/itm/164358440127?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TIbkpe2XS0m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IVyKb51XQj2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I think you just prove to yourself that 5W can get some good DX but after that its just frustrating! Another important point for the x6100, I bought one and love all the things you do however for me RX spurious on every band even without an antenna kills it for me and I returned it. How did you or anyone else experience this??
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I get that, the internal battery has no real battery capacity to support transmitting for any length of time, like you say that's the radios downfall the internal battery is only any good for rx only.use.
Why do people call "CQ N America" and "stateside only". I mean I'm sure you're all nice, but I never hear it the other way around "CQ Europe" or "UK only" or anything 😁 I use my X6100 on my boat with resonant ham sticks. I do ok with it, but it would be cool if it had a little more power and battery life.
QRP is 5w.. not 10.not 20. 🤣.. QRP is a finesse of patience and timing... i say "QRP Callsign QRP"... also contests days might as well give it up they won't play qrp on main bands.
hi Walt xiegu 5105 on tx is much better than 6100,i got 2 6100 but i send back to manufacturi,i did not like at all,after 10 minutes cqing its getting very hot.regards iz6bxv
