XIEGU X6100 - SDR portable HF transceiver (review) 

Thanks, my man. Wonderful unboxing. I played this in 2X speed and it felt natural. Only three espressos, this morning

Just awesome and amazing. I'm blown away by this video you have done. God-bless you and your family 👪 ❤️

Mine arrived yesterday very please with it as well. I own several radios but this is the first QRP. So far I'm very impressed.

Internal soundcard already put this on my radar but I truly perked up when I saw the built-in SWR Scan... I'm surprised that's not an advertised feature we see in the new SDR offerings. Edit: now I've looked around and seen the Icom SDR rigs have SWR Scan, I'm honestly surprised that feature isn't pushed out more in advertisements.

Thanks, OM0ET, I've made a mental note to investigate this radio further. I believe for me it would make an inexpensive and incredibly functional alternative to non sdr modern base station rigs, whether they be new or old. Keep up the excellent work, interest and reviews.

Really enjoyed your review ! Just got mine X6100 so I can hardly wait to hook it up to that awesome antenna I received from you and give it a go !

Great video Paul. I've been looking at this radio for one year and I think I'll buy it soon for my first HF radio. Thanks for showing us the menu and upgrading etc. 🍻👍🤠

Best review ever on this rig! Good contacts indeed! Happy new year Paul!

By far the best review video for this radio online . This is what a review video should be, showing all details people want to see! thanks bro, happy new year and 73 De BG8AVS (China)

Thanks Paul for the great review on the 6100.Your loop seems to do a great job also.

Great review. That looks like a very nice radio. I'm excited to see what happens with the next few firmware updates. I have the Xiegu G90 which has been a fantastic radio. I have no doubt that the X6100 will be too. Thank you for the excellent review. 73 de WØFW

Best review so far of this rig. Thank you for your work and a happy new year to you and your family! Best 73 - LB6CI

This was a quality video Paul! Very nice, and thank's for that, and thank you for the contacts we have had before! The best from LB1NH from Oslo Norway :-)

Excellent thorough review! I just wish reviewers would get away from boring unboxing...

Amazing features for the price. I need one.

Thank you for another brilliant video and equipment review. I'm studying for my Technician license here in the US and always find your videos engaging and informative. I am curious to know what measures you can take to add higher frequency to your audio as OZ8CTH suggested?

KI5ELC (Lenn) here, Excellent informative review of the X6100 radio and functions. I currently bidding on one. Keep up the good service. Thank you, and be blessed.

Thanks for the fb review of the x6100. I'm a big fan of QRP owning Yaesu 817nd. For the most part I only use QRP and your review certainly is wetting my appetite for the Xeigu - never can have enough radios. Tnx agn. Rich

Congratulations for the explanations of X6100 SDR device transceiver. Your english is fluent and I got it everything from Brazil. A strong 73 from PS7SSF,

Thank you for the video...very interesting to see such radio "live"......top review! 73 Mike

great over view i am just getting back to qrp and this looks like the job 73s

Speaking as a G90 owner, Xiegu has really stepped up its documentation game as well.

The radio is not a bad recorder, very clear and melodic.

I really love your English because I'm understanding all you are speaking about. I slso love how you are telling about the divice with much love and very carefully indeed.Thanks a lot!73!

Thank you Sir for sharing your video. Happy New Year!

the case is just ordinary U channel for conduits etc. But handy to use to do that kinda stuff. I use the same stuff at work to make internal lighting units for bus, train, ambulances and lorries etc.

Excelente video, me dieron ganas de adquirir ese equipo, saludos 73.

Nice rig. Enjoy it! Happy New year!

Great review.So clear and to the point. Congrats.

Super, díky za recenzi

I was waiting for this review, among the existing videos your video is a diamond. Thank you! Happy New Year )) DE ER1IM GL 73 SK

Not sure about the internal mic on that radio, but the Xiegu handheld mics have the mic element covered by the silicone membrane keypad sheet. This makes your voice sound muffled. If you open the microphone assy and remove the keypad sheet you can drill a small hole thru the location that covers the mic. Note you can't just punch a hole with a needle because the membrane will simply close itself, although you might be able to carefully cut a hole as well using precision nippers. Now reassemble the microphone assy and you will get better audio reports. You can also pack the housing with pieces of dense foam to dampen any resonances.

espero, algún día, comprar una de estas máquinas... me encantan... pero la pandemia y dos años sin trabajar dejaron mi economía en default... solo puedo mirar videos y soñar con estrenar mi nueva licencia de RA en las bandas HF... Abrazos y muchos éxitos a quienes están leyendo este comentario... poco a poco avanzamos!!!

Great video, Paul, Happy new year greetings

Hi Paul your videos are great very interesting and in-depth, Can you please tell me what your 6meters is working like on FM, and the power levels as mine is distorted and lower power, Also what is your power level like on battery 5w ,on all bands, Do you have a lot of birdies on all bands with the antenna disconnected, I do so I am getting a replacement radio, Thanks Dave

Thank you for all informations 👌😉 Greetings from Luxembourg Serge 73

I NEVER pull the protective film off new radios, but in your instance it appears it was just slapped on.... Excellent review btw.; 👍

The foam rip off ..it's like asmr sound.. hahahah Big fun.. lovely radio though !! very good review!! Thank you OMØET Paul . maybe a good radio to start with ..after my exam in March 2023..i just can't wait 7351's

Ooh, I like! I have one on order, despatched as soon as the stock comes in! Thank you for the set-up info. 73 from m0hff

Very nice review of the all mode transceiver and very clear sound, thank you 73 from PE1PPE.

Pole, Congrats for your new transceiver, happy new year too. I am very much surprised to know that only 5 Watts can do such mericles. By da way I am from Islamabad Pakistan and unfortunately we do not have such preveledges as you people are enjoying there. Happy new year again and Regards! M Yaqoub Khan Islamabad Pakistan

I like it, very nice review.

Watching your videos with the X5105 made me buy that radio... now you're saying there's a better one?? ;-) Happy new year, Paul!

Thank you for this excellent vidéo and 73 51 from galapagos 68 in Switzerland near Geneva

Hi Paul, a nice review

Thank you very much for this vidéo. I think purchase this transceiver soon. It's a very good choose with my magloop antenna ! Best 73's F1JJM Laurent

Great review thanks from VK.

It's beautiful I like it better than the 705 icom 💕💕

Hi there, can this radio. Be used with a computer / laptop for digital modes, FT8 , Psk31 etc . Looks a very nice arp radio.

Great commercial for Xiegu.!!!

An honest review Paul reading some of the comments seems you can’t please everyone nice looking QRP radio I guess the software will be updated regularly 73s

How do you listen to AM medium wave on this device? Are these MW broadcast stations located between 50-54 megahertz on this device?

nice post, good info. Is the internal battery replaceable? Can the radio be run off a/c power if the battery is dead?

Great review. Very informative. You made is super easy for someone to follow the firmware upgrade. I like the way they designed it for upgrading. I'd like to get one but they still have some bugs to iron out in the radio before I make my move. The last issue I saw that bothered me was, the CW memory keyer did not function. Or did they finally fix that? Thanks for posting the great review. Barry, KU3X

Hi, thanks for the video. I’m interested how well the receiver works between 500khz to 1600khz?

Really appreciate it👍

Very good video, thank you.

Thanks for such a great video!!! ... Personally I'm still kinda Hesitant about this new Transceivers... It looks good and it's portable... but for someone who likes DX'ing it's not convincing. Too much money for 5 wants.... (or 10 watts).... That's my opinion. Thanks again and HAPPY 2022 from KJ4BGW ! 73s!!!

Nice TRX Paul, wait for my antennas!

wow. good radio

If you purchase the X5105 and then the X6100 again, you can purchase the IC-705 for the total amount of gold. After using the X5105 for about a year, the tuning dial encoder broke down. I bought IC-705 because I can't trust this manufacturer anymore. Although the price is high, the frequency range is wide, and Icom is by far the best in quality.

Hello Paul! What you think about EH antenna? I, d like to see your experinent with this antenna!

Hello Paul, great video and amazing QRP radio. Wow! I am a 2 lander in USA. I got to get back on the bands since I have upgraded to General class. Question. Can you plug in Headphones? Did you construct your magnet loop antenna? Your explanation of all the features was also great. I’m going to look into this rig. Thanks again so much. 73s and stay safe. Old man Dave!

You've good QTH for S/N.

Nice TRX ! Your Magloop QSOs are so cool, i wish i can say this too, i need a bit more Power in my UBitX for the MagLoop at Balcony.. ok hope to see you 2. Video with the new Loop Antenna you have built, and run this with the nex Xiegu Paul i wish you all good to you for next Year 73 DD1FK

Two features could make any radio perfect: DSP filter and Automatic antenna tuner

Nice video. I'm interested in buying the X6100. Few questions I did not find in this video: 1/ Does you have the possibility to adjust RF gain ? 2/ Can you adjust the bandwidth of the filter? 3/ Has the X6100 have a EQ for TX and/or RX? Does it have a CW memory keyer? Thanks and 73 Phil ON4VP

Hi Paul, since the X6100 has Bluetooth, does it allow connection to Bluetooth headphones? It seems to have a great price point and features, for sure. Thanks again. 73’s , Dave

I'm really curious which you find yourself wanting to use now with a bit more time since the initial impressions. The x5105 seems Really well made and nice to use portable, but I feel the waterfall and 10w capability (with external power) of the x6100 would really come in handy. Asking because I am planning on taking my test very soon and looking for a first radio. My thinking is to go for one of these two radios with the idea of eventually purchasing the 100w amplifier.

Thank you for this great review. I've ordered the X6100 and now I'm looking for a good power supply for home usage. Which power supply did you use in the video? I'd prefer a universal power supply that doesn't only deliver 13,8 V but more a lab power supply with voltage (5-20V) and current limiter - which I can use for other purposes as well. Or should I use a special/dedicated power supply for the transceiver?

Thanks fro posting your content. I wish there were more radios to review besides the chinese radios.

It is possible use this transceiver for digital modes like FT8 ??

Good Paweł 73 and the best in 2022 in radio pozdrawiam z Polski 🇵🇱

I have one of these radios. It fails miserably when trying to fine tune in CW stations. The fine tuning digits on the far right side do not work. It is a severe disappointment. But I do hold hopes that a firmware upgrade Will be able to fix it. I can say one thing though it works perfectly with Ham Radio Deluxe

🔥👍

Quite impressive on this QRP Xceiver! It certainly has more features than the Elecraft KX3!! Wondering how the receiver parameters compare!

Got mine in February 2022 and the charger is 12V 1A (also in EU).

Hi Paul, Many thanks for the review of this new rig. How much dose this X6100 cost please Paul. As usual from you, yet another BRILLIANT & Very informative review indeed, as with all of your reviews on new equipment, including the details of how you make & produce your own products. As you may recognise my Callsign and name, you might notice that I follow you as much as I can with all of you live streams, & your normal informative videos. Keep up the good work Paul, & let's hope that 2022 will bring all of us some better times than than the last 3 years. I'm hoping to be able to work you on the radio at some time soon this year, assuming that I can get help with putting up an antenna that works properly. Being disabled restricts me from gettin highly efficient high power (100 Watts & above) capable Antennas installed on my own. Happy New Year Paul. 73, Ray, M0RAY, Locator JO01ii84

Thanks!!!

Dear Friend ... What kind of amplifier are you using ? And what is the antena you are using ? On the antena part, I see what looks to be a RX antena ... What is the TX antena ? Or does this antena works like a dipolo ?

Hi Paul. can you put a linear amp to that radio? cheers

I'm a radio newb. Looking for my first purchase. How does this compare to the popular G90 ? Thanks

I have the 5105. I think it works ok. You should use headphones or an external speaker because the very small internal one sounds horrible. I wanted to sell it till I tried a better speaker. I didn't want the 6100 because I have heard it is easily overloaded on receive. It mght be fine. I got a good deal on an open box unit anyway.

Great presentation of the XIEGU X6100 radio ! 73 de DF8??

TNX Paul for the informative video. What are the specs for the internal battery,? Operating time between charge, and how long to fully charge? 73

I think there is a mistake in the upgrade procedure ..... The file that must write on the SD card is not the .ZIP but the . IMG that is inside it when extrated.

Hi Pavol, Again a very nice and understandable Video! Happy New Year to you and your family 73 de Stefan DG4RBS

Nicely done. TU 73

Great video on the X6100. Will it do FT8?

Great detail video Paul, thanks! I wonder if you are selling your loop antennas and are able to delivery to Canada. Thanks in advance!

that is such a nice transceiver, one day ill be able to get one. i only have a UV5R but would love to one day have a home base set up. 3 kids makes it hard to save lol

Thanks for the Review. Did you still working with this trx.? I plan to buy one as Daly Driver how still its work after one jear ?

Updated my transceiver to version 1.1.2, downloaded from the Radioddity website. After the update, the waterfall stopped responding. I did a factory reset and updated to the previous version 1.1.0 but the waterfall did not come to life. Don't know what could be the reason? Thanks a lot..

Hello, very good video, a question is it released or can it be released in some way, for example, can it be transmitted outside the limits of the bands? thank you my friend 73

This is the best Audio I've heard yet on the 6100, maybe due to newer Firmware or due to your low noise location ? Not sure I would pay more for this than what I paid for my FT-891, great radio 5-100 watts. Cool radio though. Can it send psk 31 via keyboard ? that would be cool or do you need external program like FLDigi ? would be great to be able to send psk31, RTTY, Olivia via the radio without the need for a computer.

Very fine videi

Great review Paul. Have seen any issues with birdies?

Do you know how to deactivate Filter 1 for FT8 Operation? Filter 1 Limits the bandwidth to 2900 Hz which is to narrow for the complete FT8 Channel.

So many Issues with the radio that I went with an ICOM 703 PLUS because it’s a Proven performer and it just works as it was designed.Maybe they will eventually work all of the bugs out on the X6100 but as soon as they fix one they get another one.I don’t want any radio that needs constant upgrades.

Hallo,thanks for your fine videos.I wish a very good new year!! all the best DH7TB Hans