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Should I really buy one?
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Volker Kerkhoff
First a bit of context about me:?
- Currently living in a flat/appartment 1st floor. Small balcony, neigbors and HOA are all about "keeping the aesthetics of the building" Spanish law would (after some administrative procedures) allow me to install an antenna on the roof, whether the neighbours like it or not, but I don?t want to go this way, as I know I will only live here for a year, maybe two, and getting the antenna authorized by the spanish equivalent to FCC or OFCOM could take me 6-8 months.? So, we have good weather 80% of the year, after all this is southern Spain (Sevilla, to be specific)? I also have a disability - basically my left leg is dead from the knee down. I can walk, but only short stretches and without much weight So I'm currently looking for a portable / POTA setup. On the antenna I have quite a specific idea, it's very likely going to be a JPC-7 or JPC-12. However I am struggling with a radio to go with it.? The X6100 is at the limit of the budget I am able to afford, and also what I'd like to spend. It has the features I want, seems light enough to throw in a backpack with my antenna, a very light laptop and head out and either work from the huge park opposite my house or do some light POTA around the area. 1 1/2 - 2 hours at at time is fine for me in terms of battery life, as my laptop won't run much longer without external power either.? I like the idea of the radio being completely self-contained including an internal battery. I had a G90 in the past which I sold because I thought I wouldn't be doing radio in a long time, but then the interest in the hobby came back. I was quite happy with it, with all its quirks, but I'm not considering buying one, because of the requirement for external power and because it's quite heavy.? I will probably buy in 2-3 months. I know, of course the X6100 isn't an IC-705 or an Elecraft rig. I intend to work mostly digital modes, so I'm also considering other options like QRPlabs SDX, (tr)uSDX to curtail my budget. However, if/when I move to a more antenna-friendly place, I also like the idea that I can slap the XP125 PA on it with a simple cable and go QRO.? So, i want an overall recommedation on the value for money and the actual and real quality of the X6100, because reading the reviews there are too many issues with self-generated IF "birdies" and intermodulation from nearby AM stations, though I hope that the 50kW transmitter 25 Km away from my home won't be an issue. Given my acquisition timeframe, I am also wondering if the upcoming X6200 isn't an option as well.? Does this radio really drives as many people nuts with its quirks and (supposed) issues or is it the usual internet phenomenon? and bias that happy users aren't heard on forums and discussion groups? I mean, there is always the risk of getting a lemon, but I want a realistic view of whether the issues with this radio are wildly exaggerated, and maybe an insight into the ratio of radios actually sold vs. real "lemons" Thanks in advance,? Volker, EA7KLK |
开云体育Hi Volker ? If you run the X6100 on battery you won’t see any of the heat related issues but you are limited to 5w output ? The single USB connection for sound and CAT is great and the only cable you need, BUT make sure you use as short a cable as possible and put a few clip on ferrites on it ? I use a X6100 with a magmount on the car and go sit in parks when I can a couple of times a year and get UK to US and EU with 5 watts, just choose the quitter bands and I tend to work FT4 as less congested and more chance of making QRP QSO’s ? If you run it from shack power supply you will see the heat issues as stock, ?I run mine at 11v with some heatsinks on the rear and it still runs warm but not hot ? Also keep an eye, an X6200 is close, several ham stores are starting to get information out about it, seems to fix a few of the issues of the X6100 ? enjoy ? Peter M0PWX ? ? ? |
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I recently purchased the X6100 and have no complaints. ?Not only am I satisfied, I'm impressed. ?(Disclaimer: I've had it less than a week.)
There may in fact be birdies popping up somewhere, if you look for them, but in my use so far (mostly the 20m and 40m bands), I haven't noticed any. ?It's hard to quantify the effectiveness/performance of one radio vs. another in use due to ever-changing propagation and conditions, but I can say that though my new X6100 has half the wattage of my Xiegu G90, I've added three new countries and three new US states to my log in the short time I've been using the new radio. I think the two Xiegu radios I have offer an unbeatable value and I' be perfectly happy to have either of them as my only unit. -- Bob KD2TTM PS- I've already made contacts from my home in NY, USA, to Spain, Italy, Chile and Venezuela with my new X6100. |
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Hello Volker I'll try to address your concerns in order. Apartment:? I live in a third floor apartment and I have a Diamond BB7V vertical which I can retract and put away when not in use as it clamps to my balcony railing.? I have a Chameleon F-Loop-3.0 which I mount on a cheap camera lighting tripod next to my radio desk when inside or next to me at POTA outings.? I also own both the Chelegance MC-750 and JPC-12 for which I purchased their tripod accessory.? I highly recommend all of these antennas for your situation with the following caveat, If you choose the JPC-12 it will be frustrating to INITIALLY set up on each band unless you have or can borrow an antenna analyzer (I use a cheap NANO-VNA). Once you have your initial adjustments for each band then you can refer to your notes and setup on each band is a breeze and will only take a few minutes with this antenna.? All of these choices will work well for both an apartment or POTA environment. Weather:? I only use my antennas during good weather.? During bad weather or when I'm not in a mood to transmit, I use an MLA-30 indoor amplified loop for receiving only. The X6100 is particularly suitable for POTA as well as a compact home station which can be put away when not in use.? We all complain about its issues (I'm included) but apart from a few battery/loss of transmit issues, for the most part the issues are pretty minor.? It is essentially, despite its quirks, a fully functional radio and I've had mine for over two years now with no problems.? If you should have an issue, Raddiodity is where I would buy it from, I've heard nothing but good about them when it comes to warranty replacements.? I also own an X5105 and an IC-705 and I love them all and I've no intention to sell any of them. X6200:? I'm already in love with this radio just based on what little I've seen and heard about it and I already want to buy one... But I will not buy it until it has been out for some time (probably a year) due to what I know of Radiodity's habit of releasing new models before they are fully developed.? I'm confident that while it will probably address some or all of the issues that we have all complained about in the group concerning the X6100, it is also highly likely to have its own "newerer" and "betterer" quirks so I will wait until I'm sure all is ok with it. Overall I believe that you will be very happy with the X6100.? I hope this helps.? 72's de WO?L, Lisa-out :-) On Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 3:36?PM Volker Kerkhoff <volker@...> wrote: First a bit of context about me:? |
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Hi Volker, What I have here in Mallorca is a 7 meter fishing rod, that I stick out of the balcony, and a HWEF (QRP guys type) which is capable of doing 10 watts.. On receive here (FT8) I can hear Australia.. So with the X6100 this setup should? not be any issue..? I guess you can do the same in Sevilla stick it out, and when done remove it..? ? 73, ? Dick PD0DF ? |
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I am relatively inexperienced. ?I enjoy learning theory. ?The only HF rig I have is the X6100: low cost, internal battery, internal speaker, internal microphone, a good internal antenna tuner—lots of other features, that work for me—it is an all-in-one unit, and highly portable. ?I have only used SSB; digital formats do not currently interest me, as I have zero desire to drag around a laptop and an external battery. ?I use random wire antennas, and I have a portable/walking whip antenna (of dubious quality). ?The battery not flashing when charging and the battery indicator not going from green, to yellow, to red bothered me at first; I got over it. ?For the money spent, I am pleased with its overall performance.
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开云体育You are lost the wonderfull mode: CW!Of you learn CW (2 months) and you test it, your life will change, possible you forget phone mode. ???? Saludos. Diego. EA1CN
El 4 feb 2024, a las 14:05, John - KZ4AX <beastwrk@...> escribió:
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TNX, Dido. EA1CN? |
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Volker :
The X6100 makes a perfectly usable portable radio. It has some "warts", but IMHO it works well enough for casual portable operating with a compact antenna. I have made hundreds of CW POTA contacts with mine and I find that when running the alternative R1CBU firmware, it is actually quite an enjoyable radio to use for this purpose. I have also used it with a computer to make some FT4/FT8 contacts and it works well. It is quite ruggedly build and is nicely finished so physically it has a quality feel to it.? Yes there are a few birdies but I have never really found them to be a big problem. There can be a problem with receiver overload from AM BC but this has only been an issue for me when operating the lower bands (80m) at home with a full-sized broadband antenna (80m EFHW). For portable operations with a compact narrow-band vertical such as the JPC-12, you shouldn't have any issues.? I built one of the AM BC filter kits that are available and I bring that along with me just in case.? As someone else suggested, I think that buying from Radioddity is your best bet as they have the best customer service.? If anything goes wrong within the warranty period then they will take care of you. Buying from them should protect you if you end up with a "Lemon" as they will replace it. Outside of the warranty period, unfortunately it doesn't look like it is easy to get repairs done by Xiegu so that is part of the risk.?? There is no such thing as a perfect radio, at least not that I have encountered, and although you get what you pay for, I still think that the X6100 offers good value for the money, at least in the short term.?It remains to be seen how well these radios will hold up to the test of time.? Cheers Michael VE3WMB? |
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John, I operate from a HOA controlled condo. The HOA has allowed me to put up a permanent 31' vertical w/ remote tune. I happen to live at the edge of a ravine which drops off 50-60' to the West. My station rig is an IC-7610. I use the X6100 for QRP & POTA activities. When operating at home, I find that, generally, the X6100 hears as well as the 7610. I set the filter at about 250 Hz. I make use of the messaging capabilities and they work well. I have owned X6100 since Aug of 23, use it for CW and have had no problems. I also own and use a KX2 and a SW-3B. Hope this helps. 73, Rick K8BMA? On Sun, Feb 4, 2024, 8:05 AM John - KZ4AX <beastwrk@...> wrote: I am relatively inexperienced.? I enjoy learning theory.? The only HF rig I have is the X6100: low cost, internal battery, internal speaker, internal microphone, a good internal antenna tuner—lots of other features, that work for me—it is an all-in-one unit, and highly portable.? I have only used SSB; digital formats do not currently interest me, as I have zero desire to drag around a laptop and an external battery.? I use random wire antennas, and I have a portable/walking whip antenna (of dubious quality).? The battery not flashing when charging and the battery indicator not going from green, to yellow, to red bothered me at first; I got over it.? For the money spent, I am pleased with its overall performance. |
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Volker,
Another happy owner here.? Keep in mind that the battery is only good for a couple hours depending on how you operate.? A homebrew, broadcast band filter cleaned up some problems at my home QTH and improved reception.? Easy, cheap addition if you don't want to buy a commercial one.? A little attention to charging the battery and turning charging off when operating from a 12 VDC power supply goes a long ways.? I use a 12 VDC voltage converter even when operating off of external LiFePO4 batteries and haven't had a heat issue.? No additional heatsinks or fans here, either. I also have QRPLabs QDX and QMX radios built from kits.? They're absolute works of art and I wouldn't trade them, but they're somewhat different beasts in my QRP/QRP+ world.? If I had to pick only one .... hmmm .... probably the QMX.? That's due to my operating preferences more than anything.? The X6100 has a lot of bells and whistles that the QRPLabs radios don't have.? The internal tuner, battery, and alternate firmware choices three examples. All that said, it does appear that lemons squeeze through Xiegu quality control occasionally. ?Dan ?N7SHM |
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Volker, I am sure the X6100 will work for you.? I had one of the original X6100 and it did have issues and eventually died and Radioddity replaced it and I see the replacement works better.? I think much of the initial issues have been resolved although there are some features, mostly digital or bluetooth type not solved.? But for CW and SSB I think you will find the rig works well.? Only issue you will see different from the G90 is the power output.? I would recommend an external 13V power source, battery or supply, to give you the full 10W from the X6100.? The G90 at 20W would be even better.? The one issue with the G90 is the small display.? The X6100 display is much larger and shows more, but this is more of a personal preference, depends on you eye site.? You having a G90 you know about this. As for an antenna I would recommend the JNCRADIO MC-750 PORTABLE HF GP ANTENNA.? It is an adjustable full 1/4wave for 20-6m and has a coil for 40m. See it at: I have a JRC-12 and am not that impressed.? Has tapped loading coil and I have not been able to get much from it. The X6100 and also G90 are about as complete QRP rigs you will find, they have about the all features one will find for the money.
On Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 01:28:26 PM EST, Rick Barnich <ka8bmagrps@...> wrote:
John, I operate from a HOA controlled condo. The HOA has allowed me to put up a permanent 31' vertical w/ remote tune. I happen to live at the edge of a ravine which drops off 50-60' to the West. My station rig is an IC-7610. I use the X6100 for QRP & POTA activities. When operating at home, I find that, generally, the X6100 hears as well as the 7610. I set the filter at about 250 Hz. I make use of the messaging capabilities and they work well. I have owned X6100 since Aug of 23, use it for CW and have had no problems. I also own and use a KX2 and a SW-3B. Hope this helps. 73, Rick K8BMA? On Sun, Feb 4, 2024, 8:05 AM John - KZ4AX <beastwrk@...> wrote: I am relatively inexperienced.? I enjoy learning theory.? The only HF rig I have is the X6100: low cost, internal battery, internal speaker, internal microphone, a good internal antenna tuner—lots of other features, that work for me—it is an all-in-one unit, and highly portable.? I have only used SSB; digital formats do not currently interest me, as I have zero desire to drag around a laptop and an external battery.? I use random wire antennas, and I have a portable/walking whip antenna (of dubious quality).? The battery not flashing when charging and the battery indicator not going from green, to yellow, to red bothered me at first; I got over it.? For the money spent, I am pleased with its overall performance. |
Peter M0PWX
Bob KD2TTM
Wil Emidy
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