Many thanks to Greg who writes:
After seeing your YouTube channel, I decided to try my hand at POTA operations. There are at least three state parks on the POTA list nearby. I am trying to increase my CW speed, because CW would be a bit more efficient for operations.
[…]I have gotten an Xiegu X6100. The biggest reason was it is Linux based, which I am familiar. It is a nice size also has nice features. With an external battery (car jump starter) and a decent antenna, it should be able to make contacts.
My unit has the version 1.1.5 soft/firmware. I have found the Bluetooth and WIFI connectivity be lacking a few software components. I have been able to make Bluetooth connections to a keyboard and speaker, one at a time. However, there is no data connection to the just of the software.
So, one hears no sound and pressing a key generates no data. The X6100 has the potential to be a very capable modern transceiver. I got it through Radioddity.
I have working with the support group, who are good. Hopefully, the next software update will improve things.
What I found that worked and was a help was a mouse/trackball with OTG (on the go) cable connected to the USB Host port.
One was able to select the menu/submenu items.
The best improvement was Memory Editing the submenu Tag item. Using a trackball to update the Tag information via the popup screen keyboard was very easy and quick. Using a mouse/trackball with X6100 might be a good video.
Thank you for the tip, Greg! I will have to give this a go. I’m curious if other readers have explored using a mouse/trackball with the X6100 as well.
One of the most appealing things about the Elecraft K4 interface (another Linux-based transceiver, I believe) is that you can connect a mouse and have full control of the radio. This made selecting items so much easier than using a finger to do the same on the touch screen.
The x6100 is a fun and capable QRP radio. However, I found on my POTA activation that it suffers like all the others which sport color displays with readability in outdoor daylight, even indirectly. The 6100 uses RED text which is virtually impossible to read especially the smaller text used to set CW speed and other parameters via the buttons and multifunction knob. White text is no problem outdoors and I’m hoping Xiegu will address this problem in a future firmware update. I reported this issue in a Bug report. I mention this so you know what to expect on your POTA adventure. Good luck and have fun.
Pete WK8S
Pete — TO has a highly instructive video re: changing the X6100’s font color that you may find helpful:
https://youtu.be/YizMBwp26t8
‘73
Scott D. Majors
de K3SDM
Yes, I saw that. Unfortunately it only address two fields, Power and Volume, not the parameter settings fields along the bottom just above the buttons.
Pete WK8S
That is my absolute biggest gripe about the X6100. I love it for POTA, but the cw speed and power level are extremely difficult to see outdoors. Also the little red dotted outline around selected options in the menu system. I hope they allow some flexibility in a future firmware release.
I’ve also recently purchased an X6100, partially due to its Linux foundations. I’ve read that the X5105, for example, hasn’t had any updates in a long time, implying Xiegu has stopped developing for it in favor of the X6100. I’m hoping that at some point, whether with official approval from Xiegu or not, the X6100 firmware can be frequently updated & modified via 3rd party developers, for a long time.
I may still have an OTG cable somewhere – I’ll have to give this a shot. I’ve read of several complaints that BT audio doesn’t work, and in some cases trying to make it work locks up the radio. Consequently, I won’t try it until a new round of firmware claiming to enable it is released.
Seems some get rigs to connect to a computer. What about using the rig to make QSOs, what the rig was made for. I pay much more attention to performance with respect to RF issues. The X6100 does a good job on CW, good IF filters. Although some operational issues if is rugged and has good usable operational interface.
73, ron, n9ee
I had a Xiegu X-108H for portable work for a year or so. Very capable radio and decent support. At least that was until the X1505 was released. After that emailing with a question was like that transceiver had never existed. I know companies can’t support a product forever but barely a year is a little too short in my opinion.
I think they want you to buy their new radio. I remember in an engineering class I took years ago the instructor discussing “planned obsolescence”, designing something so it’s obsolete within a few years and you have to buy the new one. Sounds like another form of the same idea! I’m with you … use what I have until it can’t be used anymore. THEN get something new.