If you’re interested in the new Xiegu X6100 QRP transceiver, I’d strongly encourage you to check out Josh’s latest view on the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel:
Click here to view on the HRCC YouTube Channel.
I’m very pleased to see that Xiegu has addressed some of the issues found in their pre-production model. Most encourgaing!
I look forward to checking out the X6100 soon and putting it through the paces in the field. Although I say this with some apprehension, the X6100 does look promising.
I know that Scott (KN3A) will have his X6100 soon and also will share his thoughts and field experience. [Update] Scott comments with some unfortunate news:
“Sadly, I received mine on Monday morning, and I had to return it to HRO last evening. Intermittent problems with transmit/receive on all bands except 40 meters. Did a couple of videos to document the issues before returning it last night. Hopefully it was just a fluke and there will be a replacement. There are a lot of things I liked about the radio in the short time I used it on Monday. It certainly does have potential.“]
Stay tuned!
Sadly, I received mine on Monday morning, and I had to return it to HRO last evening. Intermittent problems with transmit/receive on all bands except 40 meters. Did a couple of videos to document the issues before returning it last night. Hopefully it was just a fluke and there will be a replacement. There are a lot of things I liked about the radio in the short time I used it on Monday. It certainly does have potential.
73 Scott
KN3A
Oooh…sorry to hear that, Scott. Man oh man. That doesn’t bode well for QC. I hope the replacement works for you, buddy.
Thomas
Thanks for a quick update. I’ve decided to go with an Elecraft rather than a Chinese brand. Interesting to read others assessments of different brands. So thank you Thomas for your blog.
73
Wb8yxf
Can’t wait to receive mine but it makes me nervous that some of the said features such as Bluetooth and WiFi are not currently available. It’s sort of disappointing to be a beta tester when you pay full price for a product.
Waiting for my X6100 from Radioddity, I am in 2nd batch, said will be here by end of December.
As for going for KX2/3 vs X6100, yes the EleCraft is much better choice IMHO. KX2/3 is direct sampling DSP, X6100 old tech of IF DSP, but that is good also, tunable IF filters, a must for CW. Also KX2/3 has a history, a very good one.
I am getting X6100 for rugged QRP outdoor rig. I have IC705, great rig, but dont care to be lugging it into the wild, hi.
I had G90, sold only because did not use any more for had the IC705. G90 is excellent rig, get a lot for the money. Now seeing for $350. I think X6100 is G90 with $500 display unit. So should be good rig. We will see.
73, ron, n9ee/r
I am hoping that elecraft will launch a kx4 and that it will only cost me one kidney.
Stephen, I hope Elecraft relaunches the KX1 or do a KX1s.
For the HRCC video, Josh needs to buy a better wattmeter, maybe do the power measurement in CW with key down. I always have the impression he doesn’t know the radio’s he’s reviewing…
As for all others,
-KX2/3 will always be better.
-Having a G90 I also learned that having a waterfall is pretty nice to spot activity on the bands, the X6100’s screen is much bigger so it must be super to use the bandscope. Mind you that for having this with Elecraft you need to get deep into your pockets if you want spectral sight.
-someone is mentioning Beta tester, well sir, you’re right, early adopters in many cases are. I hope service will act quick if you need them.
-you get a superb radio for an interesting price, someone on the HRCC YT channel mentioned “they both have functions I will never use. For the functions I use – they both do the same job” so I guess he’s better of with the X6100.
-There is still the service element on which Xiegu doesn’t get good grades, if they work on that many will want their radio’s in the future.
-The X6100 and IC705 must indeed be a wake up call for Yaesu, when will they launch something like the X6100 or IC705 ??
72
Frank
Yeasu has the FT-991A which is a great radio, which I have owned one since November, 2021, the FT-818ND, which is also a great radio, and the FT-891, which is also a great radio.