Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve received messages and comments from several readers asking about the X6200 and whether I would recommend it.
For those planning to use it in CW mode, I suggest holding off for now.
I discovered early in testing that there is a keyer timing issue, especially when operating in iambic mode and squeezing the key to form letters such as C, R, or K. Frequently, when I attempt to send a C, as in “CQ,” the keyer produces a B instead. If you’ve seen any of my previous X6200 videos, you might have noticed this issue occurring from time to time.
As of the time of this posting, Xiegu has released only one firmware update (v1.0.1), which addressed several issues, but keyer timing was not mentioned in the release notes.
I updated the firmware to the second iteration of v1.0.1 and confirmed that the keyer timing issue remains unresolved.
Many Xiegu transceivers had keyer timing issues when first released, but Xiegu addressed these problems relatively quickly in firmware updates. For some reason, they have not yet resolved this with the X6200.
To be clear, CW operation is still quite feasible, and you might not notice the issue if you’re using a single lever paddle, for example. I tend to use iambic operation, though, so I’ll be pleased when they resolve this issue, which I’m confident they will in due course.
I just wanted to share this update since many of you have been asking.
Cheers,
Thomas (K4SWL)
Thank you. I’ll definitely be holding off.
It amazes me they put them out without even the basics being sorted
There has also been an uproar on the X6200 list on Groups.io because applying a recent Xiegu firmware update resulted in a number of X6200 users “bricking” their radios.
As a current X5105 and former X6100 owner, my suggestion is to never buy a Xiegu radio in the year it is released. It seems to take about a year for Xiegu to resolve most of the firmware issues with a new rig.
At this point the only way I would recommend operating with CW would be to use something like the Ultra pico keyer or similar kind of keying interface.
The 6200 has been removed from the product list on the Radiodity website, probably due to the above issues. Looks like Yaesu is probably gonna release the Yaesu FTX-1F before the X6200 gets fixed lol
Jorah – The X6200 is ON the Radioddity website today, and had not been removed.
https://www.radioddity.com/products/xiegu-x6200
Well, have a brand new, still in the box, unopened 6200. Will negotiate on price.
Long story short: Right before leaving for our great Nova Scotia trip. something happened to my KX2 and had to send back to the Mother Ship at Elecraft. Abt a 2 month or more turn-around. I freaked a bit and bought the 6200 out of desperation. Then, Rhett KB4HG spontaneously offered his beloved KX2 for our trip! His KX2 got lots of great use on Cape Breton Island. I can’t thank Rhett enough for his kindness and generosity. (Well, I did gift Rhett one of the insulators from the Marconi Transmission building for lending me the KX2). Anyway, X6200 with amp cable, received July 2024 & never opened – so old firmware. Tnx de K4RLC Bob