qrper.com/2024/06/xiegu-x6200-ssb-field-test-a-morning-pota-activation-at-lake-james/?swcfpc=1 Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.
Great video. I agree with you on POTA's; I am amazed on how radio amateurs have taken to it. Guess that's good as it gives us a good reason to get on the air for a "radio check".
Thanks for the 🇨🇦 shout out Thomas. I’m subscribed and watching all your videos. I’m currently learning CW, so I’m picking up some great stuff watching. 73 🇨🇦
I have had my X6200 for a few weeks, jumped right in back in June. I have three POTA activations with the rig, mostly on 17 meters. All of them have been on SSB. I intentionally set the power to 4 watts. The 3dB (+/-) that I lose is hardly noticed at the other end, but the rig runs cool and the battery is happy.. i also have a Xiegu G90 and a G106 with the DE-19 digital interface. I have been known to take a couple of radios out and swap them around for comparisons. Been in the hobby since 1966, so I have a bunch of other gear that I have been known to run out in the field, too! 73, Keith, WB2VUO in Amherst, NY
It's funny how many Thomas's are into Ham radio and putting it out there to encourage more people to get into it. Hell, I'm a Thomas, and they made me president of the biggest club on the big island. Keep up the awesome, bud. 🤙🏾
Living in S. Germany, I have to say how surprised I am - amazed, really - to see SO many bench+table setups there are there in that place. Great for POTA! You'd be hard pressed to find 3 in such a place here.
Many of our parks here have a lot of picnic tables. We are fortunate, indeed. I need to test your theory by doing a POTA rove throughout southern Germany! Wish I would have been able to do this stuff when I lived in Munich in 2000.
@@ThomasK4SWL A friend here just recently did the first activation of POTA DE-0797 - this "park" is basically a long-distance footpath, tens of km long and maybe a few meters wide, snaking across the countryside. Imagine that! Thousands could activate it simultaneously, and they'd all be out of sight of each other. Oh, well, at least we have some nice hills hereabouts...
I've been on the fence with buying a new radio. Would love to see a comparison between the x6200 and the ic-705. I'm a relatively new ham and I'm just trying to figure what I'm losing by going with one va the other.
There are many more radios with better CW characteristics. You might look to Elecraft, Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, or even a CW-only radio. You'd need to contact me offline with more details about how you plan to operate and what your requirements are to give you a better idea. :)
Ignore the initial 15 minutes 30 seconds of the Video to see the 6200 getting switched on...First Tx at 18 minutes 40seconds after this time Thomas I was transfixed.. Worth watching well done. Keith M0KLL
He isn't actually on the same frequency they use, so I guess those rules don't apply the same as usual. He is within the 3khz window though, so there would be interference. My guess is that his signal is also not audible to many of the net operators, but the hunters calling back with higher power would be audible.
You seem like an upfront and honest person, when it comes to your videos on this radio. I’m looking for a hf radio cause I just passed my extra exam. So with that being said would you recommend this radio to someone who is just getting into this part of the hobby. And what kind of antenna setup do you recommend to get started your comments would be very helpful
Congrats on passing your extra exam! So you've got a simple question, but the answer is way more complex than I could explore in a UA-cam comment. :) It's all about the modes you plan to operate, the types of antennas you'd plan to use (wire, vertical--would you buy them or build them?), your overall budget, how important performance is to you, etc. With radios like the X6200 with built-in ATUs, you could use pretty much antenna. Maybe start with a cheap speaker wire antenna (search for that on QRPer.com). The X6200 would definitely work as a first HF radio, but there are also so many other options out there, too.
I think CW is so cool, but my brain does not work like that lol. Just passed my General, planning to take Extra in a few months. Maybe one day I'll try my hand at learning CW.
I think the wire is 26 or 28 AWG. The length? Honestly, I'm not sure. I think the total length with the 40M extension is roughly 65'. At 30M, I can't remember where I started. I just did an EFHW calculation, then added a couple of feet for good measure, then trimmed it bit by bit until I acheived the match I wanted. It's a bit tedious but works!
SOTA is a no-go up my way. The closest recognized summit is 65 miles from me and is a 2 mile hike into a state forest. Not going to happen on my prosthetic knees, nope... Unfortunately, if I can't drive to the site, I don't activate it...de WB2VUO in Amherst, NY
I have a 5105 and the audio is rough on receive if you use the tiny internal speaker. This sounds better but my $200 ubitx blows the 5105 away for good receive audio. Much more basic rig with minimal filtering and features but useable for the price. I’d like to try out a 7300.
That might be true, but they're completely different radios built for completely different scenarios. You're not going to pack a 7300 around for POTA/SOTA....I mean you could, but the point is compact.
@@kptamc 7300 - 9.3lbs, 240×94×238mm x6200 - 1.94lbs, 200 x 89 x 51 mm That's not even close to the same size. Are you sure you aren't meaning the 705? That's ICOM's portable HF rig.
A mon avis pas convaincu de ce 6200: réception faible en ssb et cw Merci d.avoir fait la vidéo car je ne prendrais jamais ca. Désolé de vous dire mais Kx2 est nettement meilleur. Ainsi que mon Usdr plus à 120 $ J ´ai renvoyé un 5105 car nul pour Cw et un 6100 car ne fonctionne pas. Merci car jamais je n’achèterais ce Tx ….jamais
qrper.com/2024/06/xiegu-x6200-ssb-field-test-a-morning-pota-activation-at-lake-james/?swcfpc=1
Click the link above to read full details about this activation, including all equipment links, at QRPer.com.
Great video. I agree with you on POTA's; I am amazed on how radio amateurs have taken to it. Guess that's good as it gives us a good reason to get on the air for a "radio check".
Thanks for the 🇨🇦 shout out Thomas. I’m subscribed and watching all your videos. I’m currently learning CW, so I’m picking up some great stuff watching. 73 🇨🇦
I have had my X6200 for a few weeks, jumped right in back in June. I have three POTA activations with the rig, mostly on 17 meters. All of them have been on SSB. I intentionally set the power to 4 watts. The 3dB (+/-) that I lose is hardly noticed at the other end, but the rig runs cool and the battery is happy.. i also have a Xiegu G90 and a G106 with the DE-19 digital interface. I have been known to take a couple of radios out and swap them around for comparisons.
Been in the hobby since 1966, so I have a bunch of other gear that I have been known to run out in the field, too!
73, Keith, WB2VUO in Amherst, NY
It's funny to hear Thomas have to shake out his flow for SSB. Great to see you on there SSBing!!
More to come! I hope!
It's funny how many Thomas's are into Ham radio and putting it out there to encourage more people to get into it. Hell, I'm a Thomas, and they made me president of the biggest club on the big island. Keep up the awesome, bud. 🤙🏾
The YL just asked what I was watching, just as you said "Do some proper ham radio with this" (11:38). So thankyou for answering her question 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You know, you are actually pronouncing 谢固 correctly!!! GLORIOUS!!!
Thanks for the video, I as well find the x6200 overly hot at full power..in the shack, i have a fan blowing on it, and keep it below 90F..
Happy Birthday Thomas 🎉
Nice area and demo. Being on the water, did this park survive the NC floods?
The fact that you were interfering with a net on 40m with only 10 watts was impressive.😃
I know, right?😆
Living in S. Germany, I have to say how surprised I am - amazed, really - to see SO many bench+table setups there are there in that place. Great for POTA! You'd be hard pressed to find 3 in such a place here.
Many of our parks here have a lot of picnic tables. We are fortunate, indeed. I need to test your theory by doing a POTA rove throughout southern Germany! Wish I would have been able to do this stuff when I lived in Munich in 2000.
@@ThomasK4SWL A friend here just recently did the first activation of POTA DE-0797 - this "park" is basically a long-distance footpath, tens of km long and maybe a few meters wide, snaking across the countryside. Imagine that! Thousands could activate it simultaneously, and they'd all be out of sight of each other. Oh, well, at least we have some nice hills hereabouts...
Happy birthday Thomas!
Happy birthday Thomas
Other than the replaceable battery pack and the bump guards, what's the difference between the X6200 and the X6100?
Excellent video.
Leaning a lot watching your videos 👍
I've been on the fence with buying a new radio. Would love to see a comparison between the x6200 and the ic-705. I'm a relatively new ham and I'm just trying to figure what I'm losing by going with one va the other.
Great video! Love the format. You mentioned the 6200 wouldn't be best choice for CW. What would you suggest instead? New HAM, working on my CW daily.
There are many more radios with better CW characteristics. You might look to Elecraft, Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, or even a CW-only radio. You'd need to contact me offline with more details about how you plan to operate and what your requirements are to give you a better idea. :)
Ignore the initial 15 minutes 30 seconds of the Video to see the 6200 getting switched on...First Tx at 18 minutes 40seconds after this time Thomas I was transfixed.. Worth watching well done. Keith M0KLL
Thank you. Yes, I put chapters in the timeline so folks can skip over the bits they don't care for. (Or skip the entiore video!). 😜
I see a familiar callsign in your notepad from your previous activation - ad8y!
I'm confused, Doesn't the net have to ask if the frequency is in use and use their back up band if it is?
He isn't actually on the same frequency they use, so I guess those rules don't apply the same as usual. He is within the 3khz window though, so there would be interference. My guess is that his signal is also not audible to many of the net operators, but the hunters calling back with higher power would be audible.
You seem like an upfront and honest person, when it comes to your videos on this radio. I’m looking for a hf radio cause I just passed my extra exam. So with that being said would you recommend this radio to someone who is just getting into this part of the hobby. And what kind of antenna setup do you recommend to get started your comments would be very helpful
Congrats on passing your extra exam!
So you've got a simple question, but the answer is way more complex than I could explore in a UA-cam comment. :) It's all about the modes you plan to operate, the types of antennas you'd plan to use (wire, vertical--would you buy them or build them?), your overall budget, how important performance is to you, etc. With radios like the X6200 with built-in ATUs, you could use pretty much antenna. Maybe start with a cheap speaker wire antenna (search for that on QRPer.com). The X6200 would definitely work as a first HF radio, but there are also so many other options out there, too.
Please, a link to the external battery you used with the 6200....and confirm what the highest power out with the external battery . Thanks so much!
Happy Birthday! I’m watching this late so I missed it by a couple days. My daughter’s birthday was Friday also.
Honored to share a birthday with another solstice baby! :)
I think CW is so cool, but my brain does not work like that lol. Just passed my General, planning to take Extra in a few months. Maybe one day I'll try my hand at learning CW.
Do you get to keep the gear these stores give you to test cause I’d love to do stuff like this
Good luck. Have some nice qsos 73 G0HDA
Happy Birthday !
Thank you! :)
Well, at least the guy who asked you to QSY because of his net was polite. That doesn't always happen.
Indeed. More often than not, they just fire up on top of you. :)
I have seen the start up hesitation on a few demonstrations. What has Xiegu had to say about this ? Thank You
I think we all hope it's sorted out in the next firmware update.
i see many videos on 6200 but no one says that the s meter no reading
Hello, Tom, what size wire/ LENGTH antenna you have with the Bnc end?
I think the wire is 26 or 28 AWG. The length? Honestly, I'm not sure. I think the total length with the 40M extension is roughly 65'. At 30M, I can't remember where I started. I just did an EFHW calculation, then added a couple of feet for good measure, then trimmed it bit by bit until I acheived the match I wanted. It's a bit tedious but works!
What camera and microphones are you using?
-- Camera: DJI OSMO 4 action camera (amzn.to/3Tf89TH) with Joby Tripod (amzn.to/3JouYNm)
-- DJI Wireless Microphones (amzn.to/3TEtXYy)
Guys ,
Whats that device attached to the unit that has two red things out ,Anyone please
That is his CW Paddles.
Will we ever see any SOTA activations? Love the content and keep it up! 73 de sa6kwk
Yes, I plan to take this on a SOTA activation, too. Waiting for a firmware update to sort out the odd keyer timing.
SOTA is a no-go up my way. The closest recognized summit is 65 miles from me and is a 2 mile hike into a state forest. Not going to happen on my prosthetic knees, nope... Unfortunately, if I can't drive to the site, I don't activate it...de WB2VUO in Amherst, NY
For a few dollars more you can get a much better built/made ICOM-7300.
I have a 5105 and the audio is rough on receive if you use the tiny internal speaker. This sounds better but my $200 ubitx blows the 5105 away for good receive audio. Much more basic rig with minimal filtering and features but useable for the price. I’d like to try out a 7300.
That might be true, but they're completely different radios built for completely different scenarios. You're not going to pack a 7300 around for POTA/SOTA....I mean you could, but the point is compact.
@@Valkyrie1911 7300 isn't much larger than a Xiegu X6200.
@@kptamc 7300 - 9.3lbs, 240×94×238mm
x6200 - 1.94lbs, 200 x 89 x 51 mm
That's not even close to the same size. Are you sure you aren't meaning the 705? That's ICOM's portable HF rig.
Too bad, I also work with QSK only. So it won't be Xiegu.
You really only need to use Q signals when operating CW, on phone just use plain language
👍
A mon avis pas convaincu de ce 6200: réception faible en ssb et cw
Merci d.avoir fait la vidéo car je ne prendrais jamais ca. Désolé de vous dire mais Kx2 est nettement meilleur.
Ainsi que mon Usdr plus à 120 $
J ´ai renvoyé un 5105 car nul pour Cw et un 6100 car ne fonctionne pas.
Merci car jamais je n’achèterais ce Tx ….jamais
Le KX2 est l'un des meilleurs du marché, je crois!