The antenna analyzer in the X5105 is very convenient
The antenna analyzer in the X5105 is very convenient.? Especially when you're using an antenna
mounted directly on the radio, such as my GRA-1899 (or the extremely similar MFJ-1899).
I checked the sweep widths of the analyzer today, on 20 and 4 meters.? Here are the results.
40 Meters, with VFO set at 7.150 mHz:
7.043 - 7.257 mHz??? 0.214 mHz sweep width
6.615 - 7.685 mHz??? 1.070 mHz sweep width
6.080 - 8.220 mHz??? 2.400 mHz sweep width
20 Meters with VFO set at 14.200 mHz:
14.093 - 14.307 mHz??? 0.214 mHz sweep width
13.665 - 14.735 mHz??? 1.070 mHz sweep width
13.130 - 15.270 mHz??? 2.400 mHz sweep width
When I enter the Analyzer mode, the sweep seems to start in "Continuous" mode, and pressing "MODE"
once switches it to single sweep.? Pressing PTT starts the next sweep.? Changing sweep width didn't
change the single/continuous mode.
I found that I must exit Analyzer mode to change band, and the multifunction buttons don't change function when the band changes then, so it takes just a quick press of the SWR button to check the next band.
I wonder if the "Band Scan" mode uses the same sweep widths - maybe someone else on here would like to test and report the results.
[This is with an X5105 with version 3.0 firmware.]
--
Doug, K8RFT
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Can someone explain how to configure and tune the X5105 to decode PSK? I am at wits end!
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Re: Connecting a ground or counterpoise to the X5105
I should also mention how wonderful the X5105's built-in SWR (antenna analyzer) function is!
I do also have an MFJ-259 antenna analyzer, and also a NanoVNA-F, that I can take along outside for antenna and counterpoise tests.? But it's so nice not to actually need those!
But that suggests to me a feature I hope would be in the next/new version of the X5105 (that's supposed to be on the way already).? I micro-SD card slot, for saving memory contents and screen shots.? Saving the screen would be nice for the antenna analyzer records.? Saving plottable, digital data might be even better.
Meanwhile, taking a shot of the screen with my cellphone camera helps, but isn't too easy because of the outdoor lighting and reflections on/from the screen.
--
Doug, K8RFT
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Re: Connecting a ground or counterpoise to the X5105
Counterpoise tests - elevated 3 ft. vs. on ground
17 foot counterpoise wire, radio on TV tray table about 28 inches high.
Counterpoise wire connected to DC charging jack 'outside' negative terminal.
Two fiberglass driveway marker poles, with a small wire hook at the top, about 3 ft. above ground.
One pole about 9 feet from radio, 2nd pole 17 feet away.
Tests with full length counterpoise, and with wire doubled back to closer pole.? So counterpoise lengths measured about 9 ft. and 17 ft.
Tested with GRA-1899 antenna, on 20 and 40 meters.
20 Meter tests, resonance and SWR:
9 ft, elevated -??? 17 ft elevated
13.720 mHz, 1.2:1??? 13.730, 1.0:1
9 ft, on ground??? ??? 17 ft, on ground
13.680 mHz, 1.3??? ??? 15.200 mHz, 3.6:1
40 meters:
9 ft, elevated??? ??? 17 ft, elevated
7.200 mHz, 1.0:1??? 7.200 mHz, 1.0:1
9 ft, on ground??? ??? 17 ft, on ground
7.080 mHz, 1.0:1??? 7.080 mHz, 1.0:1
In summary, I found much, much less variation between elevated and on ground counterpoise than I had expected from lots of research on-line and in books and magazines. At least on 40 meters.
Testing was done in my yard, with fairly dry, sandy soil with minimal grass and in an area of relatively low ground conductivity (as mapped by the FCC).
Now, a few days too late, I realize that I should have also measured with the counterpoise disconnected!? However, when I've 'informally' checked other times, the difference between with and without counterpoise was large.? It was often hard to find any resonance at all.
I've gotten off to a slow start on another project, too - an end-fed half wave antenna.? That will be in a new subject thread, when there's anything to report.? So far, it's just winding a matching transformer.? Next may be finding a simple way to get the far end of the wire up into a tree, in a way that's simple to get it back down again.? I've used the slingshot method, and also a 'pistol crossbow', to get wires over tree branches.? The portable EFHW wire needs to be easily retrievable, though.
--
Doug, K8RFT
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Re: Connecting a ground or counterpoise to the X5105
Any follow-up?
Dave KK7SS
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Memory program for X-5105
Has anyone discovered a software program that lets you import memory channels for the 5105? Something like RT Systems or Chirp?
If so what settings in the 5105 and software did you need to make it work?
Brian
K0FBS
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Brian
K0FBS
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Re: Antennas for portable or Pedestrian Mobile operation
I did have a counterpoise. I should specify that all my work with the 1899 was with a Yeasu FT-817. I have not actually tried it with the 5105. I suppose their could have been something unique to or a bad component ?in the 817 that caused the problems with the 1899.?
I will actually use it with the 5105 in the next couple of days and see what happens.?
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On Sep 23, 2020, at 10:30 PM, DougVL <K8RFTradio@...> wrote:
?On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 04:31 PM, Brian wrote:
I found the MFJ-1899 completely unworkable on most bands.? Maybe I had a bad one.? Also it is significantly heavier than the individual band telescopic antennas.? I also wanted to be ale to use the X5105 as a HF HT.? So I bought a 20 & 40 single band telescopic.? They work better than the 1899, but not as well as a wire antenna.
Did you have anything for a counterpoise with the -1899?? When I tried some testing last week, having about 9 feet of wire connected to the BNC outer part made a BIG difference - better than with 17 feet.? The (insulated) wire was just lying on the ground. ? -- Doug, K8RFT
--
Brian
K0FBS
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Hi Yvon,
I use firmware V3.0.0 Build 8.
I can send messages with XFC key on the microphone.
For CW messages you have to be in CW mode. To send the messages in RTTY, PSK31, PSK63, PSK125 you must be in LSB, USB, FM or AM mode.
You hear the audio of the message from the internal speaker.
73,? Dick? DL1CLM
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Re: Antennas for portable or Pedestrian Mobile operation
On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 04:31 PM, Brian wrote:
I found the MFJ-1899 completely unworkable on most bands.? Maybe I had a bad one.? Also it is significantly heavier than the individual band telescopic antennas.? I also wanted to be ale to use the X5105 as a HF HT.? So I bought a 20 & 40 single band telescopic.? They work better than the 1899, but not as well as a wire antenna.
Did you have anything for a counterpoise with the -1899?? When I tried some testing last week, having about 9 feet of wire connected to the BNC outer part made a BIG difference - better than with 17 feet.? The (insulated) wire was just lying on the ground. ? -- Doug, K8RFT
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On Fri, Aug 28, 2020 at 05:13 PM, Rock Dubois wrote:
I must miss something but what?
Somewhere I saw a note that said to press PTT to send the selected CW message.? But it did not say which firmware version was in use. It might be worth a quick try, and should be easy to test. ? Some more searching turned up this - "If the radio is in CW mode, the PTT button on the microphone will produce a CW note. This means the PTT button can be used as a straight key. " ?? So, maybe just pressing the key normally sends the message, so pressing PTT might send it too. -- Doug, K8RFT
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Re: Connecting a ground or counterpoise to the X5105
Doug,
Thanks for that discovery and explanation. Let us know how the driveway markers work.?
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On Sep 20, 2020, at 7:14 PM, DougVL <K8RFTradio@...> wrote:
?I was interested in Connecting? a ground or counterpoise to my X5105 when outside trying my portable antenna (The GRA-1899).? Particularly when using the radio handheld.? Having some wire as a counterpoise makes a big difference, at least in the SWR.? I still need to test with a field strength meter ( not something I normally have with me).
I saw a couple of ways on Youtube that others have used, but there's a simpler way too.? It just needs a 5.5 x 2.5 mm. connector, the same as the battery charger uses.? I checked with an ohmmeter, and the charger negative terminal is connected to radio ground.? Luckily, I already happened to have one of those connectors in my "junk box" from years ago.? I soldered a piece of thin, quite flexible wire to the outer terminal of the connector, and that's all it takes.
I had another connector that looked just the same, but it turned out to have the more common 2.1 mm center connector.? So I couldn't use that one, even as a spare.? For other cheapskate scroungers like me, it might be possible to find a suitable connector on an AC power adapter for tablets, larger phones, or other battery operated devices.? Many kinds of electrical gadgets use these coaxial power connectors, and thrift shops often have plenty of the chargers.? A connector could be 'recycled' from one of those.? Unfortunately, we'd probably need to take along the radio to test them for the correct size.? (Unless a 2.5 mm. drill bit happens to be available!)
I started testing my counterpoise last week, while waiting in doctor's office parking lot while my wife was at her appointment.? I bought a spool of 28 gauge, silicone covered wire (from Amazon) and it is quite light, thin and flexible.? I started with a 17 foot piece, checking SWR on 20 and 40 meters.? I was surprised to find that folding the wire in half, to make it about 9 feet long, made it work better!? It was lying on the blacktop, not elevated.?
I've seen tests showing that elevated radials are much more efficient than those on or in the ground, so next I'll be trying it about 3 feet up.? Also, many "experts" say that tuned radials, like 1/4 wave, are not actually quarter-wave resonant when in contact with the ground anyway.? They might 'measure' as 1/4 wave if they're made the right physical length, but I have not seen that possibility addressed in any books, magazine articles or web pages (yet).? I have seen it stated that radials on/in the ground are more efficient at 1/10 wavelength than at 1/4, though.
I have seen it suggested to use fiberglass driveway marker poles for holding elevated radials in the field.? So I picked up a pair at Menards last week, and today i fastened a small hook at the top of each.? That should hold the radial wire about 3 feet high.
--
Doug, K8RFT
--
Brian
K0FBS
|
Connecting a ground or counterpoise to the X5105
I was interested in Connecting? a ground or counterpoise to my X5105 when outside trying my portable antenna (The GRA-1899).? Particularly when using the radio handheld.? Having some wire as a counterpoise makes a big difference, at least in the SWR.? I still need to test with a field strength meter ( not something I normally have with me).
I saw a couple of ways on Youtube that others have used, but there's a simpler way too.? It just needs a 5.5 x 2.5 mm. connector, the same as the battery charger uses.? I checked with an ohmmeter, and the charger negative terminal is connected to radio ground.? Luckily, I already happened to have one of those connectors in my "junk box" from years ago.? I soldered a piece of thin, quite flexible wire to the outer terminal of the connector, and that's all it takes.
I had another connector that looked just the same, but it turned out to have the more common 2.1 mm center connector.? So I couldn't use that one, even as a spare.? For other cheapskate scroungers like me, it might be possible to find a suitable connector on an AC power adapter for tablets, larger phones, or other battery operated devices.? Many kinds of electrical gadgets use these coaxial power connectors, and thrift shops often have plenty of the chargers.? A connector could be 'recycled' from one of those.? Unfortunately, we'd probably need to take along the radio to test them for the correct size.? (Unless a 2.5 mm. drill bit happens to be available!)
I started testing my counterpoise last week, while waiting in doctor's office parking lot while my wife was at her appointment.? I bought a spool of 28 gauge, silicone covered wire (from Amazon) and it is quite light, thin and flexible.? I started with a 17 foot piece, checking SWR on 20 and 40 meters.? I was surprised to find that folding the wire in half, to make it about 9 feet long, made it work better!? It was lying on the blacktop, not elevated.?
I've seen tests showing that elevated radials are much more efficient than those on or in the ground, so next I'll be trying it about 3 feet up.? Also, many "experts" say that tuned radials, like 1/4 wave, are not actually quarter-wave resonant when in contact with the ground anyway.? They might 'measure' as 1/4 wave if they're made the right physical length, but I have not seen that possibility addressed in any books, magazine articles or web pages (yet).? I have seen it stated that radials on/in the ground are more efficient at 1/10 wavelength than at 1/4, though.
I have seen it suggested to use fiberglass driveway marker poles for holding elevated radials in the field.? So I picked up a pair at Menards last week, and today i fastened a small hook at the top of each.? That should hold the radial wire about 3 feet high.
--
Doug, K8RFT
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USB CIV interface temperature
Hi, I started using the included CI-V interface with the blue USB connector to connect my X5105 to my laptop. It works fine, I communicate via Omni-Rig with my logging program Log4OM. In Omni-Rig you choose IC-7000 because this CI-V protocol is used in the X5105. What strikes me is that the blue USB connection gets pretty warm 43.2¡ã Celsius ( 110¡ã F ). I have multiple USB CI-V interfaces for Icom devices and they don't get warm. Does anyone have experience with this, otherwise I have to report this as an issue to Radioddity.  73,? Dick
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Hi Brian, ? I am not aware that they have different firmware versions based on countries. At Radioddity download page the latest is v3.0.0 build 7 and at xiegu.eu the latest is v3.0.0 build 8 ? ?
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Van: [email protected] Namens Brian Verzonden: vrijdag 11 september 2020 18:50 Aan: [email protected]Onderwerp: Re: [X5105-Users] Great Rig ? Hi Dick, Welcome to the adventure that is the X5105. This is what it feels like to be a ham pioneer. ?? The date does not sound right to me for the latest firmware but maybe I am wrong.? A good question is does Xeigu have different firmware based on your country? ?Anyone know? ?
On Sep 11, 2020, at 10:44 AM, Dick DL1CLM <dl1clm@...> wrote:
?Hi,
I am also a new member. Ive owned my X5105 for week or 3 now.
I checked my firmware version and it says V3.0.0, Nov 26 2019, 16:18:50.
Is that the latest build, called V3.0.0 build 008?
I checked Xiegu downloads and found the newest firmware. The filedate says: X5105_App_V3.00_build008.xgf? date: 26 Nov. 2019
reason to ask is because Rick K9ETE is reporting Firmware 3.0.7
73,? Dick? DL1CLM
--
Brian
K0FBS
|
Thanks for the info Dick. Your message had me questioning my sanity and eyesight so I went back to the download folder on my computer for the X5105 to recheck the version I actually loaded into my rig. It is indeed 3.0.0 build 007. I double checked the Xiegu site and it appears as if the downloads go from 006 to 008 as you have stated. What happened to 007? Was it removed for some reason? A mystery to me.
Anyway I have no known issues with the radio at this time so until I discover a problem I will stick with what I have.
Thanks again for the info and hope to see you on the air sometime.
73,
Rick
On Friday, September 11, 2020 Dick DL1CLM <[email protected]> wrote:Thanks Rick,
You can find the latest firmware on
this is the Build 8 of V3.0.0, they made a few bugfixes:
1.bug fix:DSP FILTER state could not be saved in band stack
2.bug fix:The rig sometimes lock up in TX status when using internal battery
3.Press built-in PTT botton to send message when working with DIGI Mode;
?? Press it again to force stopping message sending
I bought my X5105 at Radioddity and am very satisfied. The price is very favorable $ 599 (€ 510 ) including interface CE-19 and all connection cords.
It was shipped from the warehouse in Berlin, so no hassle with customs. The service from Radioddity is very good.
73 Dick? DL1CLM
|
Thanks Rick,
You can find the latest firmware on
this is the Build 8 of V3.0.0, they made a few bugfixes:
1.bug fix:DSP FILTER state could not be saved in band stack
2.bug fix:The rig sometimes lock up in TX status when using internal battery
3.Press built-in PTT botton to send message when working with DIGI Mode;
?? Press it again to force stopping message sending
I bought my X5105 at Radioddity and am very satisfied. The price is very favorable $ 599 (€ 510 ) including interface CE-19 and all connection cords.
It was shipped from the warehouse in Berlin, so no hassle with customs. The service from Radioddity is very good.
73 Dick? DL1CLM
|
Hello Dick and Brian.
I may have led you astray with my post. The version I used came from Xiegu's web site and was 3.0.0 build 7. At the time it was the latest on thier site, however updates change frequently with Xiegu and its possible there is another newer version now available. I was having an issue with the CW portion of my rig with build 6 causing a very strange CW note when monitored on a seperate reciever. Build 7 fixed the problem for me.
Im sorry if I confused you in any way and hope I didnt cause any harm.
Best 73s from
K9ETE
On Friday, September 11, 2020 Brian <[email protected]> wrote:Hi Dick,
Welcome to the adventure that is the X5105. This is what it feels like to be a ham pioneer. ??
The date does not sound right to me for the latest firmware but maybe I am wrong.?
A good question is does Xeigu have different firmware based on your country? ?Anyone know? On Sep 11, 2020, at 10:44 AM, Dick DL1CLM <dl1clm@...> wrote:
?Hi,
I am also a new member. Ive owned my X5105 for week or 3 now.
I checked my firmware version and it says V3.0.0, Nov 26 2019, 16:18:50.
Is that the latest build, called V3.0.0 build 008?
I checked Xiegu downloads and found the newest firmware. The filedate says: X5105_App_V3.00_build008.xgf? date: 26 Nov. 2019
reason to ask is because Rick K9ETE is reporting Firmware 3.0.7
73,? Dick? DL1CLM
--
Brian
K0FBS
|
Steve,
I have had no experience with Pileupdx to know if yours was typical, however, I can say that a bad radio does slip out of the factory from time to time. Your not the first to describe some problems out of the box.
On the KX2, Elecraft has a backlog in components and you probably can¡¯t get one for quite a while longer.
Please share the website for cG Comms
Brian
K0FBS
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On Sep 11, 2020, at 12:22 PM, Steve Lord <stlord@...> wrote:
?Also a new member. Owned mine for a little under a month now.
As a newly qualified ham I ordered mine from PileupDX, had tons of problems with settings not working properly and problems tripping left right and centre. Eventually sorted them out, it appears that I had issues with gain, volume and ALC. Initially I opened a ticket with Pileupdx, they responded and I replied asking about returns on the 27th of August. I thought that as a new ham I might¡¯ve been better off with a KX2. They never replied, so I had to fix the issues the hard way. Needless to say I will not be buying from PileupDX again, nor recommending them to others.
However, XGG Comms have a fantastic data and audio cable that I can¡¯t recommend highly enough. Steve at XGG Comms was also incredibly helpful in general.
73, Steve M7XKP
On 11 Sep 2020, at 14:02, Dick DL1CLM <dl1clm@...> wrote:
Hi,
I am also a new member. Ive owned my X5105 for week or 3 now.
I checked my firmware version and it says V3.0.0, Nov 26 2019, 16:18:50.
Is that the latest build, called V3.0.0 build 008?
I checked Xiegu downloads and found the newest firmware. The filedate says: X5105_App_V3.00_build008.xgf date: 26 Nov. 2019
reason to ask is because Rick K9ETE is reporting Firmware 3.0.7
73, Dick DL1CLM
--
Brian
K0FBS
|
Also a new member. Owned mine for a little under a month now.
As a newly qualified ham I ordered mine from PileupDX, had tons of problems with settings not working properly and problems tripping left right and centre. Eventually sorted them out, it appears that I had issues with gain, volume and ALC. Initially I opened a ticket with Pileupdx, they responded and I replied asking about returns on the 27th of August. I thought that as a new ham I might¡¯ve been better off with a KX2. They never replied, so I had to fix the issues the hard way. Needless to say I will not be buying from PileupDX again, nor recommending them to others.
However, XGG Comms have a fantastic data and audio cable that I can¡¯t recommend highly enough. Steve at XGG Comms was also incredibly helpful in general.
73, Steve M7XKP
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 11 Sep 2020, at 14:02, Dick DL1CLM <dl1clm@...> wrote:
Hi,
I am also a new member. Ive owned my X5105 for week or 3 now.
I checked my firmware version and it says V3.0.0, Nov 26 2019, 16:18:50.
Is that the latest build, called V3.0.0 build 008?
I checked Xiegu downloads and found the newest firmware. The filedate says: X5105_App_V3.00_build008.xgf date: 26 Nov. 2019
reason to ask is because Rick K9ETE is reporting Firmware 3.0.7
73, Dick DL1CLM
|
Hi Dick,
Welcome to the adventure that is the X5105. This is what it feels like to be a ham pioneer. ??
The date does not sound right to me for the latest firmware but maybe I am wrong.?
A good question is does Xeigu have different firmware based on your country? ?Anyone know?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Sep 11, 2020, at 10:44 AM, Dick DL1CLM <dl1clm@...> wrote:
?Hi,
I am also a new member. Ive owned my X5105 for week or 3 now.
I checked my firmware version and it says V3.0.0, Nov 26 2019, 16:18:50.
Is that the latest build, called V3.0.0 build 008?
I checked Xiegu downloads and found the newest firmware. The filedate says: X5105_App_V3.00_build008.xgf? date: 26 Nov. 2019
reason to ask is because Rick K9ETE is reporting Firmware 3.0.7
73,? Dick? DL1CLM
--
Brian
K0FBS
|
Ken Talbott
David KK7SS
Brian Smith