Hey Red, I'm glad to hear that you gave the x5105 another run and had a better experience with it. I still feel like that little rig is a nice budget/entry level option. And thanks to Mike for sending that out to you, I'm not suprised at all that he had the latest firmware installed. For anyone who hasn't already, I recommend Mike's channel. 73
Thank you Jose - yes. You were correct. IT's a great radio. I just had to get a few things sorted out to give it a fair review. Thank you again for suggesting I take a look at it. Mike K8MRD is a great friend and a very giving person. Can't go wrong.
Great video, Charlie! I just got my X5105 back--I lent it to a friend who took it on a multi-week trip to Ireland. It worked out brilliantly for him. Seeing your previous video, I realize what an improvement the latest firmware had on this rig. Mine shipped with the latest (else I upgraded? I can't remember.). It's a keeper. It's not a stellar radio, but it gets the job done. Great editing on your video! Cheers, Thomas K4SWL
Hi Thomas - thanks for swinging by. Yes, the X5105 is an ok radio. Like you said, there are a few less important corky things about it but it will certainly get you the contacts. I appreciate your support. You've had some really cool videos come out of late too! That Penntek TR-45L is interesting.
I liked how Pat was doing hand motions trying to figure ur left handed keying with dashes on your thumb. Neat summit. X5105 still seemed not as smooth on the keying as other rigs but got the job done.
Hi Ian - LOL I didn't notice that about Pat with the left handed stuff. You are spot on with your observations on the keyer. It is greatly improved with the software but still doesn't quite perform the same as some of the bigger names in radio.
The keyer in the xiegus (original) is so bad... I thought I was losing what little fist I have. I switched back to my icom and all was fine. I'm glad you put this out and that xiegu fixed it. They say they've fixed it on the G106, I'll have to give it a whirl.
Hi TO - haha I was questioning myself on CW skills too on that first run with the X5105. I wish I knew if they use the same keyer in the X6100 and G90. The X5105 and X6100 have a very similar feel.
Hi Chris - thank you. Regarding paper logging I totally understand. I'd probably still be logging with paper too, but some of my activations with 100-200 contacts make paper logging tedious. Glad to hear from you! Did you participate in the Trans-Atlantic S2S QSO Party?
Cool. Yes, I really want to get my hands on a G90. My impressions are that it is the best of the 3 radios, but I want to determine that for myself. See you on the summits!
That was it, yes. I had the firmware install at the factory. Everything seems sorted now with the firmware. Just bad timing for me when I was trying to obtain it. Thanks.
So now I gotta ask: how does the x5105 keyer compare to the x6100? I only have the x6100 and I wasn't too much of a fan of the x6100 keyer, but I've only been able to use CW for all of two weeks so I can't really use my experience as a baseline. (I found that my ic706 and QCX keyers were much easier to use) DE KM4CFT EDIT: I just tried doing what you demonstrated and it seems that the x6100 is missing that feature where it remembers what you press. Hopefully Xiegu will bring that keyer feature into the x6100
Hi Jonathan - it's been a while since I used the X6100 but yes, I seem to remember it having a similar problem. I mean, even with the X5105 on the latest firmware it still just doesn't feel as good as the big name brands. I would say this, though. The X5105 on the latest firmware feels better than the performance I recall form the X6100.
@@RedSummitRF much appreciated. It seems that there is a way to submit bug reports and feature requests to Xiegu through raddiodity so I'll ask them if they can add it onto the next firmware update. Part of me wishes that Xiegu open sourced some of their firmware so that the community could provide improvements should we be so inclined
Charlie: What is that scratchy / crunching noise on the receiver. At first I thought it might be Pat operating above you in close proximity, but I hear it when he walked down beside you. Clear skies so I don't think it is static? Could it be BroadCast interference? One thing is for sure............that hike looked a little hairy in a few places, but WOW, what views. You and Pat did a fine job !!! What was the temperature range for times you were up there. 73
Hi Mark - it's hard to say for sure what the scratchy sound is. Given my experience with the radio I would have no problem believing it was interference from broadcast. I think you also probably noticed the overload when a few other stations were near by. Filtering helped a little but it was still a struggle. Most of the hike was a little sketchy so yeah, I felt good about finishing this one. I would have to take a guess on temperature but it was certainly comfortable. Maybe 65F starting out and 75-80 at the peak.
I totally forgot this was a ham radio video. The filming and editing was fantastic! What a beautiful location. OK, back to watching.
haha hi Mike - Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you again for your support, sending the radio, sharing ideas, etc. You're a great friend!
Hey Red,
I'm glad to hear that you gave the x5105 another run and had a better experience with it.
I still feel like that little rig is a nice budget/entry level option.
And thanks to Mike for sending that out to you, I'm not suprised at all that he had the latest firmware installed. For anyone who hasn't already, I recommend Mike's channel.
73
Thank you Jose - yes. You were correct. IT's a great radio. I just had to get a few things sorted out to give it a fair review. Thank you again for suggesting I take a look at it. Mike K8MRD is a great friend and a very giving person. Can't go wrong.
Nice video Charlie. Liked the music too. Thanks for doing the peak with me. Nice to have a partner on that one. K7GUD
Thanks Pat. It was nice seeing you at the SOTA gathering too! I'm ready to do something here in town when you get here.
Great video, Charlie! I just got my X5105 back--I lent it to a friend who took it on a multi-week trip to Ireland. It worked out brilliantly for him. Seeing your previous video, I realize what an improvement the latest firmware had on this rig. Mine shipped with the latest (else I upgraded? I can't remember.). It's a keeper. It's not a stellar radio, but it gets the job done.
Great editing on your video!
Cheers,
Thomas
K4SWL
Hi Thomas - thanks for swinging by. Yes, the X5105 is an ok radio. Like you said, there are a few less important corky things about it but it will certainly get you the contacts. I appreciate your support. You've had some really cool videos come out of late too! That Penntek TR-45L is interesting.
Wow, what a view. Glad the firmware corrected the problem.
The firmware . . . I know, right? Thanks Joe
I liked how Pat was doing hand motions trying to figure ur left handed keying with dashes on your thumb. Neat summit. X5105 still seemed not as smooth on the keying as other rigs but got the job done.
Hi Ian - LOL I didn't notice that about Pat with the left handed stuff. You are spot on with your observations on the keyer. It is greatly improved with the software but still doesn't quite perform the same as some of the bigger names in radio.
Great view Red. I like Pats call sign. That’s a neat one for us Cw guys. So glad they fixed that on the 5105. The tone sounds better also.
Hi Jay - yeah it's a big improvement. The menu is really a lot different too, for the better. Lesson learned. Get that latest firmware. Thanks
The keyer in the xiegus (original) is so bad... I thought I was losing what little fist I have. I switched back to my icom and all was fine. I'm glad you put this out and that xiegu fixed it. They say they've fixed it on the G106, I'll have to give it a whirl.
Hi TO - haha I was questioning myself on CW skills too on that first run with the X5105. I wish I knew if they use the same keyer in the X6100 and G90. The X5105 and X6100 have a very similar feel.
@@RedSummitRF as far as I know, it's software based in the STM32, So if they are doing their job right, it's copy and paste across the range.
Well done to you both. Stunning scenery and the WX was kind to you. I’ve always used paper logging and I have no plans to change.
73 Chris M0RSF
Hi Chris - thank you. Regarding paper logging I totally understand. I'd probably still be logging with paper too, but some of my activations with 100-200 contacts make paper logging tedious. Glad to hear from you! Did you participate in the Trans-Atlantic S2S QSO Party?
@@RedSummitRF I wanted to take part in the Trans Atlantic event but unfortunately I was working.
Awesome video, great editing! I love my Xiegu G90... I haven't tried the x5105 yet.
Cool. Yes, I really want to get my hands on a G90. My impressions are that it is the best of the 3 radios, but I want to determine that for myself. See you on the summits!
I have 3 QSOs with K7GUD in 2021! Thanks for the update and summit footage! 72 73 de AI5DD
Thanks for watching, Rob! That's cool you have worked Pat. He does some amazing summit activations.
Nice!
Thanks!
Do you mean the V3 firmware issued back in 2020? There is nothing newer than that which I have seen.
That was it, yes. I had the firmware install at the factory. Everything seems sorted now with the firmware. Just bad timing for me when I was trying to obtain it. Thanks.
That place is definitely a “Beaut”
Thanks David. Lots of fun, this one.
So now I gotta ask: how does the x5105 keyer compare to the x6100?
I only have the x6100 and I wasn't too much of a fan of the x6100 keyer, but I've only been able to use CW for all of two weeks so I can't really use my experience as a baseline. (I found that my ic706 and QCX keyers were much easier to use)
DE KM4CFT
EDIT: I just tried doing what you demonstrated and it seems that the x6100 is missing that feature where it remembers what you press. Hopefully Xiegu will bring that keyer feature into the x6100
Hi Jonathan - it's been a while since I used the X6100 but yes, I seem to remember it having a similar problem. I mean, even with the X5105 on the latest firmware it still just doesn't feel as good as the big name brands. I would say this, though. The X5105 on the latest firmware feels better than the performance I recall form the X6100.
@@RedSummitRF much appreciated. It seems that there is a way to submit bug reports and feature requests to Xiegu through raddiodity so I'll ask them if they can add it onto the next firmware update.
Part of me wishes that Xiegu open sourced some of their firmware so that the community could provide improvements should we be so inclined
Charlie: What is that scratchy / crunching noise on the receiver. At first I thought it might be Pat operating above you in close proximity, but I hear it when he walked down beside you. Clear skies so I don't think it is static? Could it be BroadCast interference?
One thing is for sure............that hike looked a little hairy in a few places, but WOW, what views.
You and Pat did a fine job !!! What was the temperature range for times you were up there.
73
Hi Mark - it's hard to say for sure what the scratchy sound is. Given my experience with the radio I would have no problem believing it was interference from broadcast. I think you also probably noticed the overload when a few other stations were near by. Filtering helped a little but it was still a struggle.
Most of the hike was a little sketchy so yeah, I felt good about finishing this one. I would have to take a guess on temperature but it was certainly comfortable. Maybe 65F starting out and 75-80 at the peak.
What’s the firmware version?
V3 from 2020 - I was using what was installed at the factory.
Good video, so what is the latest version of the X5105 are you using and where was Mike K8MRD able to get the firmware? Thanks 73 KV5P
Hi Mike - I think I was using the version from the factory and later I was able to get the latest. It made a big difference with the Morse code.
awesome views, well done red 73 dc5ly
Hi Thomas - thank you for visiting. I checked out your QRZ page. Looks like you use the X5105 for SOTA. Right on!