Hands on XIEGU 108G 20 watt HF 'QRP radio'

[Carl]

  I had a chance to play with familiarize myself with this radio and try it out for a time today as a local Ham ordered and just received one as his FIRST HF Transceiver. Out od the box,it is TINY,about the same as the 5 watt capable Yaesu FT 817 and soon to be released FT 818 radio. It is cute with even an SWR scan that shows the current SWR curve over part of the band in use. First,for me,the controls are just to small and the display is also tiny with many burried menu functions to get educated on. If a small radio (no internal batteries or antenna tuner) is wanted ,this is one.

  Now for the bad. The unit he received worked,though a slight 'tap' on the radio and audio went low (to 20% of volume in use) and a 'tap' again would raise the volume again...the SWR SCAN indicated that even SWR went wacky when the audio want low...maybe just a loose ground...but totally unacceptable on a NEW RADIO. Amazon was the seller and so ,with their return policy,it will be returned and the buyer credited.

My photo of the radio,dollar bill for size:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_7CdhtrhmMLs0eccEFPzLoCUgXLBZiha

Amazon page for details of the $450 radio.
https://www.amazon.com/Xiegu-X-108G-Transceiver-Outdoor-Version/dp/B01IF13GZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521067922&sr=8-1&keywords=xiegu+x108g

Verdict: May not have all the bugs worked out this early in production

[Smurf Hunter]

For that budget why not get a used 100 watt IC-718 or similar?

$450 is too much to spend on a gimmick I think. 

[Carl]

For that budget why not get a used 100 watt IC-718 or similar?

$450 is too much to spend on a gimmick I think.

I offered him a radio that you are very familiar with and a power supply for that price and yet he wanted to buy an unknown radio...New guy and wants to do it all ...this week. I tried to slow him down a bit but I can't be as successful with all my students as it was with you.

[Alan Georges]

Verdict: May not have all the bugs worked out this early in production

Saw a friend's new one of these got tango utah the first weekend out of the box.  I'm sure he sent it back for a refund, but he doesn't seem to want to talk about it.

[SCWolverine]

Cheap-Fast-Good

Pick 2

[Smurf Hunter]

I offered him a radio that you are very familiar with and a power supply for that price and yet he wanted to buy an unknown radio...New guy and wants to do it all ...this week. I tried to slow him down a bit but I can't be as successful with all my students as it was with you.

Hmm.  My motivation for making a change was more about additional band capability and improved receive quality. Similar to trading in a reliable old truck for a quieter, more efficient car with creature comforts.  Both are good, but in different contexts.

[kid_couteau]

I bet I run Carl's patience a bit.
I tend to jump around a lot on ideas.
I think you would call it the "Squirrel" version of HAM radio.
Oh look an antenna design
Nope wait a minute I need a powerpack
LOOK a new radio
OH OH a soldering gun
CARL CARL what do I do?
Poor sinner.

[idelphic]

I bet I run Carl's patience a bit.
I tend to jump around a lot on ideas.
I think you would call it the "Squirrel" version of HAM radio.
Oh look an antenna design
Nope wait a minute I need a powerpack
LOOK a new radio
OH OH a soldering gun
CARL CARL what do I do?
Poor sinner.

I see your "squirrel syndrome and raise you a shiny"

I have about two dozen 18650 batteries here on the desk, pulled from laptop batteries,
half dozen ways to make batteries, no solder, Converting from Molex to Powerpoles, JT65 running, work PC, APRS iGate, attempts to reach people for antenna spots and oh look my Yaesu FT-817 needs to be dusted.

I love my 817, working on a battery build, need to pick up a Wolphelink and figure out CAT control from android... Oh and something else was going on too... Hmm.. Guess I need to go watch another one of Julian's OH8STN YT videos....

[Carl]

I bet I run Carl's patience a bit.
I tend to jump around a lot on ideas.
I think you would call it the "Squirrel" version of HAM radio.
Oh look an antenna design
Nope wait a minute I need a powerpack
LOOK a new radio
OH OH a soldering gun
CARL CARL what do I do?
Poor sinner.

  To answer questions and be of some help is about all I can do to justify my being now. I have no problem sharing my experience though my way of doing things 'Ham' is not the only way...just what I have found successful.