I like that you scrolled the deciphered CW in the video. Thank you for doing that. That really helps us non-CW hams understand the QSO. Personally, one thing I dislike about that radio (even though I don't own one yet), is the fact that the battery is not removable like in the X6200. So for me, I would use an external battery for the primary power source and just use the internal battery as a backup. And yes, I agree that a long change time is not a good thing. Very video as well. Thank you for sharing your experience with the radio. Stay safe and happy hamming everyone. 😎😁
Your comment on the keyer sparked my interest. My X5105 has version 3.0.0 Nov 26 2019 loaded. I connected my Bencher paddles and checked, if I have the same effect. I could not find any problem. Usually I send at17 WpM in the field, and it behaves correct, with or without iambic squeezing. My speed limit is about 23 WpM, and it behaves identical to my Yaesu rig at this setting as well. My experience with the customer service is good. When new and under warranty, the second menu key kind of stuck and did not click all the time. So I contacted Radioddity and got excellent service, including the offer to replace the unit. I did not need that, since I was able to unstuck the button and it works fine now. Your video is excellent too and I like your objectivity. But for me as a CW guy, the conclusion is a clear buy!
This is encouraging! Mike K8MRD is lending me his X5105 with latest software. I hope my results are the same! I'll make another video about my findings. Thanks for your comment.
Didn't' hear any mention in video, but looks like he had Iambic mode A set instead of mode B which makes a huge difference. I can only send with my Xiegu in mode B. When in mode A i have the same kind of problem shown in this video. Anyway, just a thought. 73 Lynn NG9D
Hi, I'm learning CW and stumbled upon your video. I too own a X5105 and have very mixed thoughts on it as well. In fact, I barely use it, but I figured it may make a halfway decent CW QRP rig. I also had the same issues with the keyer as you. However, I found a work-around, maybe more of a fix. My radio came with Firmware 3.0 installed, FWIW Press the menu button and scroll to MENU 4. Press KEY and select AUTO-L. Tone, select your CW tone. I think the defult is 800 QSK (Break In) should be on. Long press the KEY button and a new screen will appear. Press the IAMBIC button and select IAMBIC B. Press the SPEED button and change to the speed you're comfortable with. The RATIO button is an odd one. I found setting the RATIO to 3.0 or 3.5 gave me the best results. The instructions are in page 27 of the manual. Hope this helps. AB7M
Nice video Charlie, I really enjoyed your review and assessment of the x5105. You made some wonderful points both pro and con for it. In hindsight the other reviews that I have seen on it have been SSB, and now that I have watched your video and heard your assessment I an no longer considering the x5105. If I ever go to upgrade from my FT-817, I really think that I will bite the bullet and get the tried and true KX2. This certInly seems like a case of you get what you pay for. Thanks for the video and sorry it didn't work out for you. 73
Hold for one more video. Mike K8MRD just sent me his X5105 with the latest software. I'm going to give it another try and see if that makes a difference. I'll make a video on that and release in a couple weeks. Thanks for your comments and support of the channel.
For sure, the KX2 will be better. I'll be releasing one more video on this after using the radio with the latest firmware. Maybe the firmware resolves everything I take issue with? We'll see.
A decent round-up although you were keying your paddles faster than the keyer speed so I would expect it to drop dits/dahs, particularly if set to mode A. The latest V3 firmware is pretty easy to find online and really transforms the radio. The UK distributor (Sinotel) have every version of X5105 firmware available for download on their site as well as instructions etc. As a straight-key user, I find the radio is great fun to use although, as you say, battery charge times are silly at about 15 hours from flat! A couple of negatives that you didn't mention: The radio can store a bunch of CW messages but it's a royal pita to try and use them. They might was well not be there. The SWR sweep function, while a nice addition, needs a vertical zoom to be of any real use. The way it is, everything looks great even when it's not. On the positive side, the filtering is fantastic and the notch filter can be dialled down to a very clinical 50Hz bandwidth enabling very precise cutting off annoying tones. Is it a perfect radio, no, but it's a solid little workhorse whose battery lasts aaaaaages and whose ATU will match it to pretty much anything even remotely metallic! I love mine and would probably buy another if this one was lost/stolen/eaten....
Thank you Ronan. These are solid comments and it's great that you added some pluses and minuses to the list. I'll be making another video in a couple weeks with the latest firmware and hope the issue with the keyer is addressed there. I will have to disagree with you on expecting the keyer to drop dits and dahs when you key faster than the keyer speed. You'll notice in the video that the Yaesu handled that flawlessly. This is one of the main purposes of a keyer - to eliminate timing issues (both radios were set to B). This is the first radio I've encountered that performs this way. Nonetheless, I'm hopeful the latest firmware fixes it and if so, I will be thrilled.
@@RedSummitRF I'll give way to your keyer experience... They're not something I ever really use so it's good to learn something new 👍👍 Excellent video, as always.
Well, I don't claim to be an expert and will happily give way myself if it turns out I'm wrong. Regardless I appreciate you visiting the channel and leaving your comments. I too learn a bunch from others who drop comments like this and it's truly appreciated and welcome. Also, it's impressive you are a straight key guy. Much respect. Thanks again Ronan! All the best.
I actually don't mind the 15-hour charge. They could have made it faster but only at the expense of battery life. Since you mentioned Sinotel, that's the only dealer that carries a replacement battery pack and he won't/can't ship it overseas to the US. To me, the charge time is worth tolerating for longer battery life given there are no replacements for it. BTW Alan Clunnie is the best, most supportive dealer in the business IMHO.
@@Brendan8440 Agreed 100%. My original X5105 was faulty and Alan replaced it extremely quickly and without hassle (twice!). He also sent out an upgraded power cable for the G90 as originals had dodgy fuse holders. Excellent customer service. I bought my replacement x5105 battery from him as well as a replacement memory backup battery. I've just bought replacement VFO encoders from Sinotel for both radios as the G90 needs a new one (again). The x5105 encoder is still fine although I like having spares for these things.
Hi Richard, or guess you go by Smokey? I didn't know that. Yes, we'll catch you on the air. It seems like you are a top 5 chaser for me. Always there. 73
Hi Frank - thank you so much. The antenna is a homebrew dipole. I am sorry but I'm not sure what the NR is. I'm guessing it's an abbreviation for something but it's not clicking for me.
Great video. However, now that you have sent both the 6100 and the 5105 back to there owners, I have the G90 with the same front overload, if you didn't have a qrp radio already would you purchase either and which one? Thank you!
I think all 3 radio's have a place depending on what the operators goals are. I haven't used a G90 but hear wonderful things about it. Regarding the X6100 vs the X5105 I think you get more with the X6100 and the cost is nearly the same between the two. I am going to try using a different x5105 with the latest software to see if that makes a difference with the keyer. As of now x6100 wins over the x5105 but my data is incomplete.
I agree with your top and bottom five with the exception of the CW keyer issue. That can be fixed with a software update. if you need one more to round out the bottom five, the user manual stinks.
I hope so . I have a different X5105 now and it has the latest software on it. I'll be taking it with me on a 3 day excursion of SOTA. Putting it to the test.
The cheaper price may influence but if it does not do the job and ends up in the cupboard then you outlay for a better rig anyhow just go for the KX2 or KX3 right off. You are right its gota work on CW properly.
I was listening on 40 the other night and couldn’t believe the noise. I switched to my TS 480 and everything sounded much better. It seems to have noise level equal to the audio. Tons of white noise. My has old firmware. Maybe the upgrade will help but it’s sad that my cheap bitx 40 sounds drastically better
Man, I wish I knew you were having problems with this radio. Radioddity has the firmware on their site. V3.0 from 2019 is the newest firmware, which I don't believe Jason has installed on the radio. Let me know if you want to re-review the radio. I can send you mine. For what it's worth, I really like the X5105.
Steve! I absolutely love the idea. Let me get through the CW Ops class I'm in and try to find a cootie I can barrow from somebody - challenge accepted!
No way they take pride in their junk. The keyer is a deal breaker. Kinda one them issues that needs to be perfect before it leaves. Thanks for the heads up buddy. 73
So true, Jay. I mentioned to another person who left a comment that I will be doing another video with the latest firmware. Maybe it will fix the issue, but really, I prefer companies who get the testing done right upfront and release a product that doesn't need firmware updates.
Hello I confirme this radio is not is a good radio for CW : horrible and impossible to have a cw exchange. I received and tested today I have a USDR + red corners and it is better Xiegu x5105 the worst radio I have Never I wanted Xiegu radios
I like that you scrolled the deciphered CW in the video. Thank you for doing that. That really helps us non-CW hams understand the QSO.
Personally, one thing I dislike about that radio (even though I don't own one yet), is the fact that the battery is not removable like in the X6200. So for me, I would use an external battery for the primary power source and just use the internal battery as a backup. And yes, I agree that a long change time is not a good thing.
Very video as well. Thank you for sharing your experience with the radio.
Stay safe and happy hamming everyone. 😎😁
I got the notification for this video about 4 minutes before it ended. Thank goodness for replay.
Thanks Rusty - happy to see you in there anyway!
Your comment on the keyer sparked my interest. My X5105 has version 3.0.0 Nov 26 2019 loaded. I connected my Bencher paddles and checked, if I have the same effect. I could not find any problem. Usually I send at17 WpM in the field, and it behaves correct, with or without iambic squeezing. My speed limit is about 23 WpM, and it behaves identical to my Yaesu rig at this setting as well.
My experience with the customer service is good. When new and under warranty, the second menu key kind of stuck and did not click all the time. So I contacted Radioddity and got excellent service, including the offer to replace the unit. I did not need that, since I was able to unstuck the button and it works fine now.
Your video is excellent too and I like your objectivity. But for me as a CW guy, the conclusion is a clear buy!
This is encouraging! Mike K8MRD is lending me his X5105 with latest software. I hope my results are the same! I'll make another video about my findings. Thanks for your comment.
Didn't' hear any mention in video, but looks like he had Iambic mode A set instead of mode B which makes a huge difference. I can only send with my Xiegu in mode B. When in mode A i have the same kind of problem shown in this video. Anyway, just a thought. 73 Lynn NG9D
Hi, I'm learning CW and stumbled upon your video. I too own a X5105 and have very mixed thoughts on it as well. In fact, I barely use it, but I figured it may make a halfway decent CW QRP rig. I also had the same issues with the keyer as you. However, I found a work-around, maybe more of a fix. My radio came with Firmware 3.0 installed, FWIW
Press the menu button and scroll to MENU 4.
Press KEY and select AUTO-L.
Tone, select your CW tone. I think the defult is 800
QSK (Break In) should be on.
Long press the KEY button and a new screen will appear.
Press the IAMBIC button and select IAMBIC B.
Press the SPEED button and change to the speed you're comfortable with.
The RATIO button is an odd one. I found setting the RATIO to 3.0 or 3.5 gave me the best results.
The instructions are in page 27 of the manual.
Hope this helps. AB7M
Hi John - thank you for posting this comment. Indeed an upgrade in the software fixes many of the issues with sending CW.
Nice video Charlie,
I really enjoyed your review and assessment of the x5105. You made some wonderful points both pro and con for it. In hindsight the other reviews that I have seen on it have been SSB, and now that I have watched your video and heard your assessment I an no longer considering the x5105. If I ever go to upgrade from my FT-817, I really think that I will bite the bullet and get the tried and true KX2. This certInly seems like a case of you get what you pay for.
Thanks for the video and sorry it didn't work out for you. 73
Hold for one more video. Mike K8MRD just sent me his X5105 with the latest software. I'm going to give it another try and see if that makes a difference. I'll make a video on that and release in a couple weeks.
Thanks for your comments and support of the channel.
Was waiting on this one. Thanks Charlie! Looks like I’ll endure the 16 week wait in a kx2 lol.
For sure, the KX2 will be better. I'll be releasing one more video on this after using the radio with the latest firmware. Maybe the firmware resolves everything I take issue with? We'll see.
Funny reading this now. Got the kx2!
Excellent points, Charlie.
Thank you Tim . . . er I mean Tom :-)
@@RedSummitRF 😆
A decent round-up although you were keying your paddles faster than the keyer speed so I would expect it to drop dits/dahs, particularly if set to mode A. The latest V3 firmware is pretty easy to find online and really transforms the radio. The UK distributor (Sinotel) have every version of X5105 firmware available for download on their site as well as instructions etc.
As a straight-key user, I find the radio is great fun to use although, as you say, battery charge times are silly at about 15 hours from flat!
A couple of negatives that you didn't mention:
The radio can store a bunch of CW messages but it's a royal pita to try and use them. They might was well not be there.
The SWR sweep function, while a nice addition, needs a vertical zoom to be of any real use. The way it is, everything looks great even when it's not.
On the positive side, the filtering is fantastic and the notch filter can be dialled down to a very clinical 50Hz bandwidth enabling very precise cutting off annoying tones.
Is it a perfect radio, no, but it's a solid little workhorse whose battery lasts aaaaaages and whose ATU will match it to pretty much anything even remotely metallic! I love mine and would probably buy another if this one was lost/stolen/eaten....
Thank you Ronan. These are solid comments and it's great that you added some pluses and minuses to the list. I'll be making another video in a couple weeks with the latest firmware and hope the issue with the keyer is addressed there. I will have to disagree with you on expecting the keyer to drop dits and dahs when you key faster than the keyer speed. You'll notice in the video that the Yaesu handled that flawlessly. This is one of the main purposes of a keyer - to eliminate timing issues (both radios were set to B). This is the first radio I've encountered that performs this way. Nonetheless, I'm hopeful the latest firmware fixes it and if so, I will be thrilled.
@@RedSummitRF I'll give way to your keyer experience... They're not something I ever really use so it's good to learn something new 👍👍
Excellent video, as always.
Well, I don't claim to be an expert and will happily give way myself if it turns out I'm wrong. Regardless I appreciate you visiting the channel and leaving your comments. I too learn a bunch from others who drop comments like this and it's truly appreciated and welcome. Also, it's impressive you are a straight key guy. Much respect.
Thanks again Ronan! All the best.
I actually don't mind the 15-hour charge. They could have made it faster but only at the expense of battery life. Since you mentioned Sinotel, that's the only dealer that carries a replacement battery pack and he won't/can't ship it overseas to the US. To me, the charge time is worth tolerating for longer battery life given there are no replacements for it. BTW Alan Clunnie is the best, most supportive dealer in the business IMHO.
@@Brendan8440 Agreed 100%.
My original X5105 was faulty and Alan replaced it extremely quickly and without hassle (twice!). He also sent out an upgraded power cable for the G90 as originals had dodgy fuse holders. Excellent customer service.
I bought my replacement x5105 battery from him as well as a replacement memory backup battery.
I've just bought replacement VFO encoders from Sinotel for both radios as the G90 needs a new one (again). The x5105 encoder is still fine although I like having spares for these things.
Very interesting video on the Xiegu X5105 radio Charlie. Tnx for the Info. CU on SOTA. 73, Richard (Smokey) N6PKT
Hi Richard, or guess you go by Smokey? I didn't know that. Yes, we'll catch you on the air. It seems like you are a top 5 chaser for me. Always there. 73
Just found your channel. Thanks for this video. What was your antenna? Do you find the NR on the X5105 useful? Thanks, and 73 de WA3RSL
Hi Frank - thank you so much. The antenna is a homebrew dipole. I am sorry but I'm not sure what the NR is. I'm guessing it's an abbreviation for something but it's not clicking for me.
Hi great on the antenna. NR= Noise Rejection, 73@@RedSummitRF
@@frankENZCoh ok haha. It was quite useful, yes. Not as nice as the x6100 but good.
Thanks!@@RedSummitRF
Great video. However, now that you have sent both the 6100 and the 5105 back to there owners, I have the G90 with the same front overload, if you didn't have a qrp radio already would you purchase either and which one? Thank you!
I think all 3 radio's have a place depending on what the operators goals are. I haven't used a G90 but hear wonderful things about it.
Regarding the X6100 vs the X5105 I think you get more with the X6100 and the cost is nearly the same between the two. I am going to try using a different x5105 with the latest software to see if that makes a difference with the keyer. As of now x6100 wins over the x5105 but my data is incomplete.
Great video❗️ I sent my X6100 back for a refund but I still have my X5105 and I like it very much. 73 KV5P
Very nice! I am giving it another try with the latest software, and a different radio. Jury is still out for me.
Latest firmware is on the xiegu site also
Yes I saw that. Thank you.
Since you mentioned it: Is there even a portable radio that does 2M SSB that a person can buy new these days?
As far as I am aware, the Yaesu FT818 is still available to purchase new, and it has SSB on 2 metres.
@@LouiseBrooksBob Yes indeed. Thank you for that info.
Yes, Sarah covered it. This is the radio I use in the field and would mention. Unfortunately there aren't many out there.
@@JeffCowan I forgot - also the Icom 705 has SSB mode on 2 metres.
I have the x5105 and no issues with keyer. Works flawess
Yup, I have another radio and I'm finding the latest firmware solves some important issues I had.
I agree with your top and bottom five with the exception of the CW keyer issue. That can be fixed with a software update. if you need one more to round out the bottom five, the user manual stinks.
I hope so . I have a different X5105 now and it has the latest software on it. I'll be taking it with me on a 3 day excursion of SOTA. Putting it to the test.
The cheaper price may influence but if it does not do the job and ends up in the cupboard then you outlay for a better rig anyhow just go for the KX2 or KX3 right off. You are right its gota work on CW properly.
True Ian - The KX2 is a radio I would certainly love to own! Thanks.
Nice shirt, lol
haha, a small gesture as a thanks
the sidetone sounds pretty good (haven't finished the video yet)
what key are you using in the activation ?
That is the Begali Adventure. I barrowed it from a friend.
sorry Charlie - i didnt grab the name of the paddle you were using before it ended - wud u mind tellin me again txs
Begali
@@owlcricker-k7ulm much obliged - you wudnt happen to know the model -
Begali Adventure
@@RedSummitRF thanks Charlie - i didnt realise the conversations didnt stay with the video - was going to go back later and get it thanks
@@brianve7jyd943 it dissappears for a while for it to process. It will appear a little later on tonight.
I was listening on 40 the other night and couldn’t believe the noise. I switched to my TS 480 and everything sounded much better. It seems to have noise level equal to the audio. Tons of white noise. My has old firmware. Maybe the upgrade will help but it’s sad that my cheap bitx 40 sounds drastically better
Yes, I see your other comment on the other video too. Audio and noise should be much better for this price-point. Thank you.
Thanks
Than you as well!
Man, I wish I knew you were having problems with this radio. Radioddity has the firmware on their site. V3.0 from 2019 is the newest firmware, which I don't believe Jason has installed on the radio. Let me know if you want to re-review the radio. I can send you mine. For what it's worth, I really like the X5105.
Cool. I really want to be sure. Would love to try the radio with the latest firmware.
Yes, I feel that problem with the keyer too… it’s annoying
Firmware fixes it I think
I hereby challenge you to learn sideswiper (cootie) and do some 20+ WPM activations
Steve! I absolutely love the idea. Let me get through the CW Ops class I'm in and try to find a cootie I can barrow from somebody - challenge accepted!
No way they take pride in their junk. The keyer is a deal breaker. Kinda one them issues that needs to be perfect before it leaves. Thanks for the heads up buddy. 73
So true, Jay. I mentioned to another person who left a comment that I will be doing another video with the latest firmware. Maybe it will fix the issue, but really, I prefer companies who get the testing done right upfront and release a product that doesn't need firmware updates.
Hello I confirme this radio is not is a good radio for CW : horrible and impossible to have a cw exchange.
I received and tested today
I have a USDR + red corners and it is better
Xiegu x5105 the worst radio I have
Never I wanted Xiegu radios
Thank you for your comments. I'm sorry to hear your experience with the radio was not good, but I am not surprised. Hopefully you can return it.