Thanks for this one, Mike. I have an x6200, and this amp just came in. I just have to cobble together the cable, and I'll be good to go. I wish it had come with the 4001 cake that is needed, but I'm stoked i can use this with my 818 and whatnot. Having an amp with a built-in atu that can tune a truck door is frakin amazing. You rock, brother. 🤙🏾
Hi Mike My amplifier just arrived via a slow boat from China ( 9 weeks ) and nearly 2X the USA price and I was having loads of Problems setting it up ie the instructions supplied and one from the Net did not match ? Then along came you with a very detailed video . I am very great full for that as I think I can now move on and use it, always enjoy your contributions keep me coming THANKS
Jeez that slow boat was really going slow huh? The instructions should just be thrown in the trash I think. Glad you found the video helpful. Thats always my goal. Hope you are getting on the air with it now. 73
I just bought one right now as of this time stamp. Gonna pair it up with my Icom 705 QRP. Finally a real powerful amplifier for field ops. Wow! Before we would have had to build something bulky but the Chicoms have figured it out. Wish I could have gotten MFjs pricing at 459 but they are sold out so I got it from HRO at 520.
Right on. We tried to hook up this amp to a 705 for winter field day with no luck. Hopefully you are able to figure it out. Too bad you had to pay more money for it though.
Hi Gary, the auto-tuner is full-auto controlled by the G90/5105 radios when you do a quick tune/sync/pair procedure with the xiegu 5105/g90 radios, after sync-tune it will switch bands and tune automatically with said radios. 1.) plug everything up 2.) power everything up 3.) Set radio xiegu 5105/g90 power out to 5w (according to the manual): I also have the g90 antenna tuner ON when syncing. 4.) set power amp to Rx:ON; Auto-Tuner:ON 5.) tune/sync/pair by switching the radio CW mode and do a 2 second CW burst for the amp to sync and match with the radio/g90. Done Everything should be good after, just go on as usual on the radio, the amp should switch bands and auto-tune as you operate the radio, almost effortless. I guess sync-tune matches each other input/output power and antenna tuners. I had same issues maybe worst than you did, and that's why the weird SWR you where having. They overheat on WSTJ-X FT-8. maybe mine is broken. I dislike that too much...
Thanks for this, Mike. Although I've not had much trouble getting out with just 20 watts, I'm toying with the idea of having more power than my G90 provides. Xiegu's amplifier looks like a good choice - but so does just buying a Yaesu 891. Granted, Xiegu's internal ATU's rock - but since I'm using a home-brew version of the DX Commander All Band Vertical antenna, I can live without a tuner. I like the idea of a 100 watt rig to use at home without taking up much desk space, and having a separate portable 20 watt to take on the road with me. Decisions, decisions - life is rough, eh? LOL
Thank you for watching Dwight. I haven't had much trouble getting out w/the G90 either. If you don't need a tuner I'd say the 891 wins hands down. But if you're like me and like to play with different antennas, this might be an option too. This combo would allow you to do both.
@@hamradiotube I've also reached Japan and Russia as far as the Caucus Mountains too. That all with a G-90 and a mfj EFHW LP 10-40 antenna at about 25' in a tree. I've still got a lot to learn so I'm enjoying all y'all at UA-cam University. Thanks for your efforts
I have the FT-817 and the FT-818. Unfortunately QRP just isn’t cutting it when I go backpacking or camping portable...... I was originally going to replace the QRP rigs with the Icom 706 or the Yaesu 897, both of which I have in my Shack now.... Love both rigs, but the prices they want for used is astronomical! There looking for as much, if not more than I paid for these rigs new... Saw several UA-cam videos on this amp, and it intrigued me. I keep my 817/818, my 706 and 897 stay in the Shack. And I get an Amp with tuner I can lug into the woods and not worry to much if I ding it up. Should be here in a week to ten days....
I'm kinda curious if you'll get that to work. They advertise it as working with any qrp radio but I wonder how that would happen? You'll have to figure out a way to wire up the ptt from the radio to the amp. It is really designed for the Xiegu radios and even then you need that CE19 interface to allow the radios to talk to the amp. I thought about trying to use it with my RS-918 and gave up. I'm sure there might be a way but you'll have to get creative unless you know something I don't. Either way, keep my posted. I'd love to know how to do it.
@@hamradiotube As you stated... the amp is designed to work with the 817/818. Not sure if the amp has RF sensing to key itself, or if I need a keying circuit between the amp and radio? I know the 817/818 does have provisions for a keying circuit. Hopefully the cable between the amp and radio is just communication for the auto band select... That feature I can live without, manual selection is just fine by me.
According to everything I’ve read so far Xiegu makes an adapter for the FT-817/818. It is model CN-20 and appears to be a small circuit board in which the control cables pass through... Unfortunately it does not seem to be sold in the USA so far, so I had to order it through a company in the UK. Sinotel UK Ltd. is where I ordered the CN-20 from and it cost around $58.00 US with shipping.
@@robertmitchum2972 thank you for this information for the CN-20, i just got a new FT-818, and was looking for an amplifier. I’ve just ordered both, looking forward to do some testing soon! Will post results or maybe even do a video, i know many people owning a 817/818 would be interested.
Hi Mike, I like the idea of it, but as someone who's been on the wrong end of a bad amp (local QRMer is wide as a barn door due to over driven input) I'd be interested to see what the output signal looks like.
Hi I just received my linear amplifier I'm it's came to day from China. Xiegu xpa 125b it's waiting so long to come 👍☀️ and also I like it's very excellent video nice keep making more
I got a G90, now I need the CE-19 "puck" and the XPA125B amp,. Probably not this year as I'm more interested in picking up another LiFePO4 battery and a portable solar panel with controller/charger.
Right on Ralph. That's a tough call depending on how big your battery is. I just got a 100w solar panel and Bioenno charge controller I used for the first time on field day. If you can't have 12V out in the field, an amp would be useless. You might be on the right path there my friend.
Hi Mike, many thanks for the demo :-) I noticed that the DC voltage, shown on the Xiegu amplifier, was dropping a lot on TX... Do you know where the voltage was being lost? Also, I think the instructions say that you should execute auto-tune with the amplifier by-passed? 73, Tim
Got this yesterday. I had the ATU working. It was at 3A standby. But today it’s at 0A and the PA doesn’t work. Should have tried the PA yesterday but a storm came in fast. Everything was discounted btw.
For the radio he was looking for with all those features, there is the new Radioddity QR20 that is all band all mode with a built in battery. I am thinking about getting this amp to pair with my X5105 on POTA activations from Hawaii, otherwise I have to figure out how to do POTA using FT8.
Yeah I’ve seen that radio. I hate the interface but other than that it looks pretty cool. The amp works great with the x5105. It would be moot with the other radio as the amp only goes up to 6 meters. I think you’d def want some power in HI.
@@hamradiotube yeah, being stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, unless I want to only use FT8 I have to have some more power. I went ahead and ordered the amp today. And yeah, I hate the interface too
I noticed in your video, the voltage went from 13.9vdc to sometimes below 12.0vdc when keyed. I have a XPA125b and with about 2-3 watts in, I get over 100 out. But the voltage stays at about 13.5 vdc.
Great video. Be aware that hams may want to take the amplifier out portable too in order to make it above the noise. You are assuming that the amplifier stays at home in the ham shack. In my case, I already have three 100 watt HF radios at home. But would like to have extra power when needed while out portable. 73 de N2LRB
Do you have any information for the large screen GSOC remote control head that Xiegu is apparently about to release for the G-90 and the X-5105? It looks like it would make the G-90 way easier to use in the field although there is no pricing. The description is on the Radioddity website (/products/xiegu-gsoc). If the thing is anywhere close to reasonably priced it would make the G-90 very attractive even compared to the ICOM 705.
Nice review! Does the XPA125B amp have a power adjustment or it just puts out max power based on the transceiver? The spec shows it puts out up to 125 watts and consumes up the 30 amps. Glad the actual amp draw is better than the spec. Did you put power poles on the amp power cable?
If your ham friend needs a radio I have a kenwood ts-480sat really cheap. Has the 3 filters in it. Works great. I was going to hook it up as a dedicated digital radio but am having second thoughts. AC8GF
@@hamradiotube what would be a good amp for a 705? I’m upgrading my license next month so I can use the general portion of the band and getting the 705. From what I’ve seen online people suggest getting the 7300 instead.
It's a good video demonstrating the option of using an external amp with a QRP radio for those who want to operate full power at home, and have the option of QRO or QRP in the field. If a person's budget limits this to being their only option for doing that, then it certainly is better than doing without but it's not "the best of both worlds" in the sense of the best home radio, and the best portable radio. The Chinese radios have a ways to go before they approach the state of the art in amateur equipment today. If cost of amateur gear is a gateway that's keeping people out of the hobby, then I'm all for lower cost options that will allow more people to participate. It's important that this gear operate within specs concerning spectral purity and harmonic suppression. What might be fine at low power may not be when amplified, and could be detrimental to other operators.
I think the Chinese are giving Japan a run for their money with some of this HF stuff. It may not be up to the same quality yet, but they are certainly filling a gap in price that the "Big 3" are almost ignoring. I'll be filming a video on the spectral purity of this amp tomorrow so stay tuned for that.
You know, I don't know. There are definitely some quirks with this amp to say the least. It does work, but there are little things like that about it that just leave you scratching your head.
Is the G90 a good first Hf rig? I do a lot of camping and don’t really have a shack yet since I’m in an apartment. I was looking at the FT891 since it has more power. But the g90 has so many features. Any advice
The G90 actually has very few features. I think the main thing that people like about it is the waterfall display and the price. I would not recommend a qrp radio as your first. The 891 is hands down the better radio all around. The G90 lacks even the most basic filters that I normally use all the time; Noise Reduction and Notch Filter. Don't get me wrong, it's a neat radio, but for about $100 more you can get a nice feature rich radio like the 891. Physically, the g90 is only slightly smaller and not much less weight than the 891. My advise, and I imagine most others would tell you the same, is get the FT-891. It's great as a home radio and a portable radio. Of course if you like the waterfall screen, and I do too, you could opt to get the G90 to use portable and add the amp in the shack for more power. Either way, you will still need a battery to power them for portable. I actually like the X5105 more than the G90 for portable. It has an internal battery, noise reduction, notch filter, less weight etc. Way more features than the G90.
Hi, this a great review and thanks for sharing. I am thinking of buying the amplifier for use with my G90. Can you advise if I can keep the amplifier connected if I'm also using a SignaLink cable for digital modes (which also plugs into the ACC socket of the radio) ? I'm not particularly good at soldering and would like to know if the cables I already have, or come with the amplifier will allow me to use both pieces of equipment at the same time. Thanks.
Thats a great question and I honestly don't know. I haven't done any digital with my g90 or x5105. It looks like you can connect the CE-19 with the 3.5mm cables that come with it (the CE-19) but I don't know how that would plug into the signalink. I honestly don't think you would need the signalink. Take a look at OH8STN's channel. He's got some slick ways of configuring this radio for digital. If you just add the amp with its own cables I think it should work. Good luck and 73.
You really did make it hard on that tuner in the amp. If you turned off the amp into bypass mode whilst tuning, then you wouldn't have got those messages for High Reflected Power. So tune on exciter only low power and then when a match is found turn the amp back into operate mode. High reflected power equals high voltages at the tuner components and could damage them if high enough. Nice amp and tuner combination though.
That is fantastic advise, I didn't even think about that. I would have assumed that the amp would have done that automatically like a radio with a tuner would. Perhaps I was overestimating the Chinese lol! Thanks for the tip! 73
@@hamradiotube the reason I asked was because I can't to go all out with a 891+ tuner( unless i make/ buy a resonant antenna for every band i wanna be on and skip the tuner) so i was thinking i could buy the g90 and the amp later
Why is it so hard to add 2 meter and 70 centimeter though? Even if it were like a separate radio sharing the same case, I don't understand why it's "not gonna happen" when Baofengs are $25.
Well Baofengs aren't very good radios for one so thats not the best comparison. Not sure you've heard the latest news, but the Icom IC-705 has 2m 70cm. So does the Yaesu 817 & 818, 857, 991a, the Icom 706mkIIG, The Elecraft KX2&3 can add 2m with an extra board. Prob some others that I can't think of.
Let me see; A xiegu x5105 or Xiegu G90 for about $500. A Xiegu XPA-125B for about $549.95. As a base setup one needs a power supply for about $100. Together for about $1150. A Icom IC-7300 is about $1,100. Look at that now. One gets three boxes (Made in China) for the price of one box. Talking about a good deal.
Roughly $1000 for the the G90 and the amp. You can buy an FT-891 for less and you won't need the amp. Of course, if you already have the G90 or the X-5105 and don't want to upgrade your rig this amp may fit the niche Mike was talking about.
I got the G90 and a TYT quad band for everything the G90 can't do and didn't spend a lot. I figure when I want to really reach out and touch someone and I am okay with the G90 display then I will get the X125B since it is plug and play with the G90. If the display isn't going to work for me then I will probably look for another radio that has a nice big display and power since buying the X125B and the G90 Gsoc? would put me in the range of a more expensive HF rig. I wish Xeigu would make a GUI for the G90 I could run on my laptop which would make it perfect.
That would be pretty sweet to run from your computer. If you decide to upgrade just get the 7300. It's everything you described and is about $1000 now. Plus, its a way better radio all around.
@@hamradiotube I am considering the G90 a dip your toes kind of radio I am sure I will get something better and it will go in pelican case with everything it needs to run out in the field once I am done using it as a base. But yeah a full GUI would make it a show stopper. I understand some rig control software can talk to it but I don't know what it can and cant do
The only thing you are doing is making the transmitter happy in that there isn't all that reflected power going back into the transmitter. You still won't be able to effectively transmit on 160m with a 40m dipole because the antenna itself is nowhere near-resonant at 160m even as a quarter-wave if that was even remotely possible being that far off.
You are correct. But I have made some 160m contacts last year during the AM contest with the same antenna. So it does work. Not efficiently of course, but we all know that anyway. It's still fun to experiment. That's the name of the game. Thanks for watching. 73
@@hamradiotube I'm in Michigan and I'm down on 3.880 AM phone a lot in winter. I run a Johnson Viking 500 and a Viking Valiant. I have all vintage gear that I rebuilt. I do have a Ten Tec Omni 6 I use for SSB on occasion.
Apparently it works with the 705. I think it was Martin Lynch & Sons in the UK that are selling these for the 705. Its just a different PTT cable I guess.
Well, this is interesting. My XPA needs only up to 0.6 W (0.3 W at 80 meters) to be driven to full power. Effectively, with G-90 there's no possibility to regulate output power, it runs always at full throttle and the only way to push G-90 down to 300 mW is the ALC - the firmware allows minimum power 1 watt. The PA in the video needs over 5 watts to full power. How's that possible?
@@z8ty Well, it depends. When I connect G90 with 3, 4 or 5 watts, XPA-125 indicates input power 0.1-0.2 watts, G90 shows the same. The funny thing is guys at Xiegu made it possible to regulate G90 power only by steps of 1 watt starting with 1 watt. I have no chance to set 0.5 or 0.1 watt except by means of ALC from the PA. Sometimes, however, mostly when the output match is not perfect, it may occasionally show 2w input at 85w output on a higher band (14 and up). But on low bands it is pretty hot (I mean having high gain).
Come on David, do we ever need a "good" reason to buy another piece of amateur radio kit? I am literally never on 2m/70cm, but I absolutely love HT's. I've been wanting the Yaesu FT4XR or the FT65R for months. I would prob never use it but I still want it! Course, those are quite a bit less expensive... Thanks for watching.
@@guidelineuk Thats great to hear you are studying. I've only been licensed for about 4 years. I remember being new to the hobby and watching all the videos with all the cool toys (I still do!) before getting my call. It doesn't stop. It only gets better. Keep me posted, I'd love to hear when you pass your test!
@@hamradiotube 100% I will keep you informed.. getting a new laptop so I can do my test online hopefully in a week or two you put the great videos 73 for now 😎🤘🏼
@@hamradiotube I am so terrible at scheduling stuff, I just got lucky and I saw your stream was about to start so I clicked it! thank you for all the great content that you make and share with all of us!
Really really appreciate the details on connections cabling etc, really makes the vid more useful, thanks man
Glad you enjoyed it. I try to show as much as I can think of because I always wanted to see every little detail on videos myself.
Thanks for this one, Mike. I have an x6200, and this amp just came in. I just have to cobble together the cable, and I'll be good to go. I wish it had come with the 4001 cake that is needed, but I'm stoked i can use this with my 818 and whatnot. Having an amp with a built-in atu that can tune a truck door is frakin amazing. You rock, brother. 🤙🏾
Thanks for taking the time to make this very detailed video. 👍👍
Hi Mike My amplifier just arrived via a slow boat from China ( 9 weeks ) and nearly 2X the USA price and I was having loads of Problems setting it up ie the instructions supplied and one from the Net did not match ? Then along came you with a very detailed video . I am very great full for that as I think I can now move on and use it, always enjoy your contributions keep me coming THANKS
Jeez that slow boat was really going slow huh? The instructions should just be thrown in the trash I think. Glad you found the video helpful. Thats always my goal. Hope you are getting on the air with it now. 73
I just bought one right now as of this time stamp. Gonna pair it up with my Icom 705 QRP. Finally a real powerful amplifier for field ops. Wow! Before we would have had to build something bulky but the Chicoms have figured it out. Wish I could have gotten MFjs pricing at 459 but they are sold out so I got it from HRO at 520.
Right on. We tried to hook up this amp to a 705 for winter field day with no luck. Hopefully you are able to figure it out. Too bad you had to pay more money for it though.
Hi Gary, the auto-tuner is full-auto controlled by the G90/5105 radios when you do a quick tune/sync/pair procedure with the xiegu 5105/g90 radios, after sync-tune it will switch bands and tune automatically with said radios.
1.) plug everything up
2.) power everything up
3.) Set radio xiegu 5105/g90 power out to 5w (according to the manual): I also have the g90 antenna tuner ON when syncing.
4.) set power amp to Rx:ON; Auto-Tuner:ON
5.) tune/sync/pair by switching the radio CW mode and do a 2 second CW burst for the amp to sync and match with the radio/g90. Done
Everything should be good after, just go on as usual on the radio, the amp should switch bands and auto-tune as you operate the radio, almost effortless. I guess sync-tune matches each other input/output power and antenna tuners. I had same issues maybe worst than you did, and that's why the weird SWR you where having. They overheat on WSTJ-X FT-8. maybe mine is broken. I dislike that too much...
I assume you're talking to someone else cuz I'm not Gary but thanks for the good info.
Thanks for this, Mike. Although I've not had much trouble getting out with just 20 watts, I'm toying with the idea of having more power than my G90 provides.
Xiegu's amplifier looks like a good choice - but so does just buying a Yaesu 891. Granted, Xiegu's internal ATU's rock - but since I'm using a home-brew version of the DX Commander All Band Vertical antenna, I can live without a tuner.
I like the idea of a 100 watt rig to use at home without taking up much desk space, and having a separate portable 20 watt to take on the road with me.
Decisions, decisions - life is rough, eh? LOL
Thank you for watching Dwight. I haven't had much trouble getting out w/the G90 either. If you don't need a tuner I'd say the 891 wins hands down. But if you're like me and like to play with different antennas, this might be an option too. This combo would allow you to do both.
Even if it only reached 80 watts that's still good enough for a 1 S-Unit signal increase from the 20 Watt G-90 thank you for posting thos
It's enough to compete with a pileup for that DX station.
@@hamradiotube I just reached New Zealand from Georgia again last night with my G-90 on SSB, plus I got a 5.3
@@walteredwards544 That's awesome! It's not every day you get to make that far of a contact.
@@hamradiotube I've also reached Japan and Russia as far as the Caucus Mountains too. That all with a G-90 and a mfj EFHW LP 10-40 antenna at about 25' in a tree. I've still got a lot to learn so I'm enjoying all y'all at UA-cam University. Thanks for your efforts
I have the FT-817 and the FT-818. Unfortunately QRP just isn’t cutting it when I go backpacking or camping portable...... I was originally going to replace the QRP rigs with the Icom 706 or the Yaesu 897, both of which I have in my Shack now.... Love both rigs, but the prices they want for used is astronomical! There looking for as much, if not more than I paid for these rigs new...
Saw several UA-cam videos on this amp, and it intrigued me. I keep my 817/818, my 706 and 897 stay in the Shack. And I get an Amp with tuner I can lug into the woods and not worry to much if I ding it up. Should be here in a week to ten days....
I'm kinda curious if you'll get that to work. They advertise it as working with any qrp radio but I wonder how that would happen? You'll have to figure out a way to wire up the ptt from the radio to the amp. It is really designed for the Xiegu radios and even then you need that CE19 interface to allow the radios to talk to the amp. I thought about trying to use it with my RS-918 and gave up. I'm sure there might be a way but you'll have to get creative unless you know something I don't. Either way, keep my posted. I'd love to know how to do it.
@@hamradiotube
As you stated... the amp is designed to work with the 817/818. Not sure if the amp has RF sensing to key itself, or if I need a keying circuit between the amp and radio?
I know the 817/818 does have provisions for a keying circuit. Hopefully the cable between the amp and radio is just communication for the auto band select...
That feature I can live without, manual selection is just fine by me.
According to everything I’ve read so far Xiegu makes an adapter for the FT-817/818. It is model CN-20 and appears to be a small circuit board in which the control cables pass through...
Unfortunately it does not seem to be sold in the USA so far, so I had to order it through a company in the UK. Sinotel UK Ltd. is where I ordered the CN-20 from and it cost around $58.00 US with shipping.
@@robertmitchum2972 Oh sweet, then you should be all set. It's a really cool amplifier and the tuner is absolutely incredible. I hope you enjoy it. 73
@@robertmitchum2972 thank you for this information for the CN-20, i just got a new FT-818, and was looking for an amplifier. I’ve just ordered both, looking forward to do some testing soon! Will post results or maybe even do a video, i know many people owning a 817/818 would be interested.
Hi Mike, I like the idea of it, but as someone who's been on the wrong end of a bad amp (local QRMer is wide as a barn door due to over driven input) I'd be interested to see what the output signal looks like.
Stay tuned, I’ve already had it looked at. I’ll be recording a video next week about the purity of the amp.
Just recorded the video tonight. I'll be posting it next week sometime.
@@hamradiotube Just noticed that you were really heating up that amp in your testing. Its internal temperature readout passed 50°C.
Nice little amp! Maybe someone who doesn't use theirs anymore will sell one to me 😂😂😂..Good video too!
Hi I just received my linear amplifier I'm it's came to day from China. Xiegu xpa 125b it's waiting so long to come 👍☀️ and also I like it's very excellent video nice keep making more
Right on, glad to hear.
I got a G90, now I need the CE-19 "puck" and the XPA125B amp,. Probably not this year as I'm more interested in picking up another LiFePO4 battery and a portable solar panel with controller/charger.
Right on Ralph. That's a tough call depending on how big your battery is. I just got a 100w solar panel and Bioenno charge controller I used for the first time on field day. If you can't have 12V out in the field, an amp would be useless. You might be on the right path there my friend.
Hi Mike, many thanks for the demo :-) I noticed that the DC voltage, shown on the Xiegu amplifier, was dropping a lot on TX... Do you know where the voltage was being lost? Also, I think the instructions say that you should execute auto-tune with the amplifier by-passed? 73, Tim
Got this yesterday. I had the ATU working. It was at 3A standby. But today it’s at 0A and the PA doesn’t work. Should have tried the PA yesterday but a storm came in fast. Everything was discounted btw.
Great Video Mike. I know I haven't seen it yet but I already know it's good ;)
Thanks Don
For the radio he was looking for with all those features, there is the new Radioddity QR20 that is all band all mode with a built in battery.
I am thinking about getting this amp to pair with my X5105 on POTA activations from Hawaii, otherwise I have to figure out how to do POTA using FT8.
Yeah I’ve seen that radio. I hate the interface but other than that it looks pretty cool. The amp works great with the x5105. It would be moot with the other radio as the amp only goes up to 6 meters. I think you’d def want some power in HI.
@@hamradiotube yeah, being stuck out here in the middle of nowhere, unless I want to only use FT8 I have to have some more power. I went ahead and ordered the amp today.
And yeah, I hate the interface too
Those ACC cables remind me of the PS/2,S-video,ADB cables.
I'm looking on getting a G90 as my first Radio that's not a CB.
Yeah they're pretty dated cables but they work. Have fun with your new G90 when you get it. I've made lots of contacts with mine.
10:02 funniest thing I’ve seen all day. Thanks 😊
More watts reflected is always a good thing right lol!!
40 seconds in a Stan is mentioned, thumbs up hit already
Hahaha!! Thanks bud.
I noticed in your video, the voltage went from 13.9vdc to sometimes below 12.0vdc when keyed. I have a XPA125b and with about 2-3 watts in, I get over 100 out. But the voltage stays at about 13.5 vdc.
Hmm...interesting. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for noticing.
@@hamradiotube any update on the voltage drop that was occurring in the video?
@@hamradiotube I read that you have to have solid 13.8v with Xiegu equipment to get max out. That could explain a few things.
Great video. Be aware that hams may want to take the amplifier out portable too in order to make it above the noise. You are assuming that the amplifier stays at home in the ham shack. In my case, I already have three 100 watt HF radios at home. But would like to have extra power when needed while out portable. 73 de N2LRB
Well I was going to tell you to watch the video of me with the amp portable but it looks like you did.
Was looking at buying a FT-891, but might just pick up this amp for my X-5105.
Decisions decisions...
thanks for the video Mike, what power supply are you using?
Do you have any information for the large screen GSOC remote control head that Xiegu is apparently about to release for the G-90 and the X-5105? It looks like it would make the G-90 way easier to use in the field although there is no pricing. The description is on the Radioddity website (/products/xiegu-gsoc). If the thing is anywhere close to reasonably priced it would make the G-90 very attractive even compared to the ICOM 705.
I don't unfortunately. I have seen it and it looks really cool.
Has anything changed with this? I continue to wonder if in a year my Ciegu is dead and I get 20 years out of a Yaesu etc.
There's really nothing to change. It's an amp, and unlike most Xiegu products, it actually works.
Nice review! Does the XPA125B amp have a power adjustment or it just puts out max power based on the transceiver? The spec shows it puts out up to 125 watts and consumes up the 30 amps. Glad the actual amp draw is better than the spec.
Did you put power poles on the amp power cable?
If your ham friend needs a radio I have a kenwood ts-480sat really cheap. Has the 3 filters in it. Works great. I was going to hook it up as a dedicated digital radio but am having second thoughts. AC8GF
Thanks for the offer, I'll let him know.
Is the cable and accessory only needed if you want auto band switching? If you dont have that stuff, is that what the band button is for?
I think it is supposed to be, but I haven't had luck getting it to work without the cables and Xiegu radios. I tried my Recent RS-918 and got nothing.
Very good review!
Glad you enjoyed it
I might have to look at this amp when I upgrade my license. I wonder how this will pair up with the icom 705.
It's great with Xiegu radios. It's only OK with the 705.
@@hamradiotube what would be a good amp for a 705? I’m upgrading my license next month so I can use the general portion of the band and getting the 705. From what I’ve seen online people suggest getting the 7300 instead.
It's a good video demonstrating the option of using an external amp with a QRP radio for those who want to operate full power at home, and have the option of QRO or QRP in the field.
If a person's budget limits this to being their only option for doing that, then it certainly is better than doing without but it's not "the best of both worlds" in the sense of the best home radio, and the best portable radio. The Chinese radios have a ways to go before they approach the state of the art in amateur equipment today.
If cost of amateur gear is a gateway that's keeping people out of the hobby, then I'm all for lower cost options that will allow more people to participate. It's important that this gear operate within specs concerning spectral purity and harmonic suppression. What might be fine at low power may not be when amplified, and could be detrimental to other operators.
I think the Chinese are giving Japan a run for their money with some of this HF stuff. It may not be up to the same quality yet, but they are certainly filling a gap in price that the "Big 3" are almost ignoring. I'll be filming a video on the spectral purity of this amp tomorrow so stay tuned for that.
What's the problem with the cable feeding the linear? It's showing 1.6 SWR.
You know, I don't know. There are definitely some quirks with this amp to say the least. It does work, but there are little things like that about it that just leave you scratching your head.
When you take that amplifier out into the field for a test please let us know the frequency so we can try and look for a Stan on the air
I'll have to bring Stan with me but I will do that. I usually don't spot myself, but if you follow me on Twitter @k8mrd, I usually will post there.
@@hamradiotube will do!
Is the G90 a good first Hf rig? I do a lot of camping and don’t really have a shack yet since I’m in an apartment. I was looking at the FT891 since it has more power. But the g90 has so many features. Any advice
The G90 actually has very few features. I think the main thing that people like about it is the waterfall display and the price. I would not recommend a qrp radio as your first. The 891 is hands down the better radio all around. The G90 lacks even the most basic filters that I normally use all the time; Noise Reduction and Notch Filter. Don't get me wrong, it's a neat radio, but for about $100 more you can get a nice feature rich radio like the 891. Physically, the g90 is only slightly smaller and not much less weight than the 891. My advise, and I imagine most others would tell you the same, is get the FT-891. It's great as a home radio and a portable radio. Of course if you like the waterfall screen, and I do too, you could opt to get the G90 to use portable and add the amp in the shack for more power. Either way, you will still need a battery to power them for portable. I actually like the X5105 more than the G90 for portable. It has an internal battery, noise reduction, notch filter, less weight etc. Way more features than the G90.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF awesome. Thank you. I appreciate the insight
Hi, this a great review and thanks for sharing. I am thinking of buying the amplifier for use with my G90. Can you advise if I can keep the amplifier connected if I'm also using a SignaLink cable for digital modes (which also plugs into the ACC socket of the radio) ? I'm not particularly good at soldering and would like to know if the cables I already have, or come with the amplifier will allow me to use both pieces of equipment at the same time. Thanks.
Thats a great question and I honestly don't know. I haven't done any digital with my g90 or x5105. It looks like you can connect the CE-19 with the 3.5mm cables that come with it (the CE-19) but I don't know how that would plug into the signalink. I honestly don't think you would need the signalink. Take a look at OH8STN's channel. He's got some slick ways of configuring this radio for digital. If you just add the amp with its own cables I think it should work. Good luck and 73.
K8MRD, I can’t wait to work you on a POTA activation soon. My portable shack is about assembled.
That's great! Glad to hear it.
Hell yeah, I agree with Stan.
Stan is the man
It didn't do 100 Watts but I noticed the voltage dropped to 12.1 volts when you keyed up.
Yeah I'm gonna have to look into that. A couple people have pointed that out.
Do you this this would work on the 705? Ticks 2 things with tuning and amp.
I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. There may be a way but I haven't explored it yet.
Now with this amp do you also need to turn off the internal tuner that’s in the radio?
Yes you do not want to use the tuner on the radio. Make sure that is off.
@@hamradiotube that is what I figured but wanted to make sure thank you enjoy all your videos
You really did make it hard on that tuner in the amp. If you turned off the amp into bypass mode whilst tuning, then you wouldn't have got those messages for High Reflected Power. So tune on exciter only low power and then when a match is found turn the amp back into operate mode. High reflected power equals high voltages at the tuner components and could damage them if high enough. Nice amp and tuner combination though.
That is fantastic advise, I didn't even think about that. I would have assumed that the amp would have done that automatically like a radio with a tuner would. Perhaps I was overestimating the Chinese lol! Thanks for the tip! 73
what would you choose between this amp with a g90 or a ft891 and a tuner?
891 and a tuner all day long.
@@hamradiotube the reason I asked was because I can't to go all out with a 891+ tuner( unless i make/ buy a resonant antenna for every band i wanna be on and skip the tuner) so i was thinking i could buy the g90 and the amp later
Mike, @17:05 I think that the amp is idling at three (3.0) amps NOT 0.3 amps. what say you? de K8MH
That meter is wrong. I've tried to find a way to do a reset on it but it doesn't look like that's an option.
3 Amps idle. What tube do you use? 73
UA-cam.
Is it possible to connect an FT 817nd to this amplifier, thanks
I don't have any idea unfortunately. I'm not one to use the word can't, but I don't own an 817 to even try.
yes, they make an interface for the FT817 to use this amp.
@@artadams1 Good to know. They make one for the 705 too. I picked up the cable a couple months ago.
That amp is said to put out 125 watts with the G90 's higher output. Too bad you didn't show the results,
Sorry to disappoint.
I thought it odd that your amp pulls 3 amps idle, my XPA125B only pulls .8-1 amp idle.
It doesn't. It just says that for some reason.
What did you use for the external watt meter?
ua-cam.com/video/T0GKHuCQvZU/v-deo.html
How about testing it with the x6100
I don’t have a 6100. Not really a fan of that radio.
They sent me 3 of these amps (all 3 had different problems) before the gave up and refunded my money! Your mileage may vary!
Why is it so hard to add 2 meter and 70 centimeter though? Even if it were like a separate radio sharing the same case, I don't understand why it's "not gonna happen" when Baofengs are $25.
Well Baofengs aren't very good radios for one so thats not the best comparison. Not sure you've heard the latest news, but the Icom IC-705 has 2m 70cm. So does the Yaesu 817 & 818, 857, 991a, the Icom 706mkIIG, The Elecraft KX2&3 can add 2m with an extra board. Prob some others that I can't think of.
Let me see; A xiegu x5105 or Xiegu G90 for about $500. A Xiegu XPA-125B for about $549.95. As a base setup one needs a power supply for about $100. Together for about $1150. A Icom IC-7300 is about $1,100. Look at that now. One gets three boxes (Made in China) for the price of one box. Talking about a good deal.
Yes, exactly what I said in the video. Some people want options. Might not be for you.
you are not seeing 100w because the voltage inside the amplifier shows much less than 13.8 volts!
Roughly $1000 for the the G90 and the amp. You can buy an FT-891 for less and you won't need the amp. Of course, if you already have the G90 or the X-5105 and don't want to upgrade your rig this amp may fit the niche Mike was talking about.
It's all about options. And in amateur radio there are many.
Wish you had demoed it with the G90, likely more output with a little more drive!!
It really isn't. I actually hooked it up to see and it makes very little difference.
I got the G90 and a TYT quad band for everything the G90 can't do and didn't spend a lot. I figure when I want to really reach out and touch someone and I am okay with the G90 display then I will get the X125B since it is plug and play with the G90. If the display isn't going to work for me then I will probably look for another radio that has a nice big display and power since buying the X125B and the G90 Gsoc? would put me in the range of a more expensive HF rig. I wish Xeigu would make a GUI for the G90 I could run on my laptop which would make it perfect.
That would be pretty sweet to run from your computer. If you decide to upgrade just get the 7300. It's everything you described and is about $1000 now. Plus, its a way better radio all around.
@@hamradiotube I am considering the G90 a dip your toes kind of radio I am sure I will get something better and it will go in pelican case with everything it needs to run out in the field once I am done using it as a base. But yeah a full GUI would make it a show stopper. I understand some rig control software can talk to it but I don't know what it can and cant do
I must have missed the built in flashlight.
Lol
The only thing you are doing is making the transmitter happy in that there isn't all that reflected power going back into the transmitter. You still won't be able to effectively transmit on 160m with a 40m dipole because the antenna itself is nowhere near-resonant at 160m even as a quarter-wave if that was even remotely possible being that far off.
You are correct. But I have made some 160m contacts last year during the AM contest with the same antenna. So it does work. Not efficiently of course, but we all know that anyway. It's still fun to experiment. That's the name of the game. Thanks for watching. 73
BTW, my external power meter was not happy at all!! All kinds of reflected power haha!
@@hamradiotube Ah, that makes more sense. N8TPI
@@hamradiotube I'm in Michigan and I'm down on 3.880 AM phone a lot in winter. I run a Johnson Viking 500 and a Viking Valiant. I have all vintage gear that I rebuilt. I do have a Ten Tec Omni 6 I use for SSB on occasion.
Can this amp work for GMRS?
Perhaps you didn't watch the video, or you didn't read the title, but the answer you seek is in either.
Nice options and flexibility W1FYG
I'm gonna take it POTA one of these days to give it a proper K8MRD test.
This is great and I want to use it for POTA with my ICOM 705 in all modes. Anyone worked this out?
Apparently it works with the 705. I think it was Martin Lynch & Sons in the UK that are selling these for the 705. Its just a different PTT cable I guess.
I bought one xiegu xpa 125b still waiting for it come from China I bought it from ham out l let basic is ships from the manufacturer in China 👍
Oh man, that's prob gonna be a long wait. I hope you are more patient than I am.
Yes I hate what the stuff come from China
Make more videos l like like them 👍
Thanks interesting video
Thanks for watching.
Hola consulta anda en 11 metros
Next video : try’s a 9:1 EFHW with the tuner. 🤔
I literally did that on the video after this.
Can't get mine to tune at all.
Hmm, thats weird.
@@hamradiotube Yeah I have to use an external tuner to get semi decent SWR. I wonder if maybe I am doing something wrong.
Well, this is interesting. My XPA needs only up to 0.6 W (0.3 W at 80 meters) to be driven to full power. Effectively, with G-90 there's no possibility to regulate output power, it runs always at full throttle and the only way to push G-90 down to 300 mW is the ALC - the firmware allows minimum power 1 watt.
The PA in the video needs over 5 watts to full power. How's that possible?
The stupidity of it is immeasurable.
It's published to use 5 watts in... If I understand you are getting 100w with just .6w?
@@z8ty Well, it depends. When I connect G90 with 3, 4 or 5 watts, XPA-125 indicates input power 0.1-0.2 watts, G90 shows the same. The funny thing is guys at Xiegu made it possible to regulate G90 power only by steps of 1 watt starting with 1 watt. I have no chance to set 0.5 or 0.1 watt except by means of ALC from the PA.
Sometimes, however, mostly when the output match is not perfect, it may occasionally show 2w input at 85w output on a higher band (14 and up). But on low bands it is pretty hot (I mean having high gain).
I have no good reason to buy this amp but boy I want to.
Come on David, do we ever need a "good" reason to buy another piece of amateur radio kit? I am literally never on 2m/70cm, but I absolutely love HT's. I've been wanting the Yaesu FT4XR or the FT65R for months. I would prob never use it but I still want it! Course, those are quite a bit less expensive... Thanks for watching.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF No, I don’t, and that is my main issue. ;) And your videos do not help me. Keep making them.
@@AG7SM Sorry, not sorry lol! I'll keep making them though.
CQ🤘🏼😎
Damn right!!
@@hamradiotube I'm studying for my amateur but I still want this ha ha 😂
@@guidelineuk Thats great to hear you are studying. I've only been licensed for about 4 years. I remember being new to the hobby and watching all the videos with all the cool toys (I still do!) before getting my call. It doesn't stop. It only gets better. Keep me posted, I'd love to hear when you pass your test!
@@hamradiotube 100% I will keep you informed.. getting a new laptop so I can do my test online hopefully in a week or two you put the great videos 73 for now 😎🤘🏼
You have a weak power supply; 13.8 Volts are not maintained in transmit mode, so do not receive full power. 73!
Pair that up with the IC-705 and there ya go.
I think this is supposed to work with other radios that aren't Xiegu, but I haven't gotten it to work yet.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF That would suck if it only works with Xiegu. Hopefully you’ll figure it out. We got your back man!
I have my 125 working with my Icom 7100, with the power in turned way down. So should work with the 705
Buy a 7300 be done with it and not have the added extra expense or the amp to lug around.
Thanks for watching. I feel you may have missed the point I was trying to get across though.
@@hamradiotube I understand. I appreciate the video and perspective. I also enjoyed your WRC video illustrating the various setups.
Ahem…..
bless you
@@hamradiotube my name is Stan
You hit too close to home calling Stan a LID LOL
Love your stuff keep it up
First
That makes you the best! Thanks for being there.
@@hamradiotube I am so terrible at scheduling stuff, I just got lucky and I saw your stream was about to start so I clicked it!
thank you for all the great content that you make and share with all of us!
Shouldn't Trump ban this?
Nah, its not that bad.
@@hamradiotubeGotta find the Back Door Chip inside the box.
@@ve7yan True, they could be spying on us.
@@hamradiotube Gotcha, haha. I was sarcastic, but these days you have no ideas who you talk to.