Xiegu distributor, Radioddity, has now publicly announced a product page for the new Xiegu G106.
No pricing/availability mentioned, but we do learn a few more details from their page.
Features:
- The Xiegu G106 is a 5W SDR transceiver using 16bit-CODEC sampling
- SSB, CW, AM modes are supported along with wide FM reception (for the FM broadcast band)
- General coverage receiver
- Three selectable CW bandwidths
- Digital modes when connected to a computer with the Xiegu DE-19 interface
Specifications
- Receiver frequency range: 0.55~30MHz and 88~108MHz (WFM)
- Transmitting frequency:
- 3.5~3.9MHz
- 7.0~7.2MHz [I assume this is incorrect]
- 10.1~10.15MHz
- 14.0~14.35MHz
- 18.068~18.168MHz
- 21.0~21.45MHz
- 24.89~24.99MHz
- 28.0~29.7MHz
- Receiver sensitivity:
- CW: 0.25uV @10dB S/N
- SSB: 0.5uV @10dB S/N
- AM: 10uV @10dB S/N
- Frequency stability: ±1.5ppm within 30min after power on @25°C: 1ppm/hour
- Transmitting power: ≥5W @13.8V DC
- Transmitting spurious suppression: ≥50dB
- Audio output power: 0.3W
- Operating voltage: 9~15V DC
- Standby current: 0.37A @Max
- Transmitting current: 2.8A @Max
- Dimensions: 120*40*135 (mm)
- Weight: about 720g (only host)
Radioddity notes: “The shoulder strap [above] is for display only. Final equipped accessories not decided yet.”
My G106 takeaways?
Based on Xiegu’s previous offerings, I would have to assume the G106 could be in production within a few months (supply chains/C-19 pending). It’ll likely be released with basic firmware and updated with time. It’ll be price competitive for sure.
I would hope that perhaps they’ve worked on the audio characteristics and noise floor of the G106. Previous Xiegu products have mediocre audio characteristics and a higher noise floor than my other transceivers. Let’s also hope the front end is more robust than the X6100.
At 0.37 Amps, current drain in standby/receive is a tad on the high side for late model QRP portable radios. Still, quite respectable for a field radio.
It doesn’t appear the G106 has an internal tuner, nor an internal battery unless they’ve simply omitted this from the features list.
It also doesn’t mention CW and/or voice message memory keying which I consider to be so valuable for park and summit activators. If history is an indicator, I suppose they could add this later in firmware updates.
Also, the Radioddity announcement mentions that the G106 covers “[t]ransmission and reception of all amateur frequency bands within 3.8~29.7MHz.” Yet in the specifications, they fail to list the 60M band and the 40M band is noted as 7-7.2 MHz. I assume the 40M band range is simply a typo–I can’t imagine it would actually stop at 7.2 MHz. I also imagine they may have simply omitted the 60M band channels. RX seems to dip as low as 0.5 MHz, thus covering most of the mediumwave broadcast band.
Truth is, these are early days for the G106 and we may learn that it has more features than listed here on Radioddity’s page.
If it does indeed lack an internal ATU and/or internal battery, I assume the price point would be well below that of the X5105 and X6100; my (complete and total) guess would be somewhere between $300-400 US.
I’ll post more info about the G106 as we learn more. I’ll also try to update and correct this post if I learned some of these details are incorrect.
This appears to be the next generation G1M. I use the G1m for POTA activations and it works fine. The build feels a little flimsy though. Weak knobs and buttons. The speaker is difficult to hear clearly and not very loud. I hope they correct those issues and increase the sturdiness
Michael
W3DDS
Thanks for that info Thomas! Looks very interesting.
Alas, if only Radioddity would ship to Canada…. Lol
73,
Brent VA3YG
Why buy the G106 for $400 (if is the price) when can get G90 for $425. G106 sounds like a rig that would compete with the G90 and X6100.
I would hope Xiegu would be thinking toward a direct sampling DSP rig, not just come out with more of the same.
I guess I am confused, why???
I am honestly really excited about this (only for nostalgia). My first HF radio was a Xiegu X108G that has since died on me. This looks like a spiritual successor of it and a mix of the G1M.
An interesting radio although, without a tuner or battery, this would need to be placed in the £250 to £280 price range to make any sort of impact. The 40m band spec is set to the UK limits of 7.000 to 7.200 MHz which will more than likely be extended for the US market. No 60m is a mistake in my opinion, although that’s been common across the Xiegu range. Even when included, they often get the band limits wrong.
As for the receive current draw, as you say, it seems a bit on the high side for a QRP rig in 2022…..
Xiegu should consult with somebody who actually uses radios /p before making their next rig. I vote they pay Thomas to spec their next radio, although it would probably end up with a custom Tom Bihn carry pouch…. ?
We should do our due diligence when looking at xiegu.Hope they will include all the amateur bands and have an internal tuner
Charlie
Purely from a form factor, the look of this thing is growing on me.
I love the fact that both the mic and headphone jack are on the front face… ideal for using while its in a pack or pouch.
-p / ve3omi
I got rid of my g90 because of the menus. I hope they do a better job with this rig
Missing an internal sound card as well! That’s something I highly value when trying to keep my QRP rigs small and tidy – nothing better than using a Surface tablet with a single USB cable to the radio.
I’ll admit that when I first got info about the G106 and they specifically mentioned digi modes in the features, I assumed it had a built-in sound card. I do feel like that would have been a real asset to this radio.
Looks OK,
I really wish they would come out with a VHF UHF all mode rig however.
Even better if it includes 6m and 4m (or 1.25m instead of 4n for the region 2 market)
But 2m and 70cm would be enough….
I don’t see a phone socket, anywhere…
Its on the bottom of the microphone…..!