Part 1: Xeigu G90 Amateur Radio Go Bag - Everything you need to operate 160m-10m portable

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2 жыл бұрын

The G90 is in my opinion on of the best portable field radio options currently available. It features a small durable case, has lowish current draw, a good solid 20W PA, an excellent built in antenna tuner, a waterfall/spectrum scope, SDR filters with narrow options for CW, a CW reader, a built in SWR antenna analyzer, and more. I put together a small satchel the size of a lunchbox that contains everything needed to operate 160m-10m. The video is part 1 where I show the contents of the bag. I also recorded a part 2 where I used this combination in a park to park QSO from Ohio to New York.
See part II here: • Part 2: Xeigu G90 Go B...
73' from KC8ZKI "the qrp guy"
Here are links to the bag and everything it contains.
XINCADA BAG: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Miady LiFePO4 6Ah Battery: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
16ft Coax: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
LDG 9:1 Unun: www.dxengineering.com/parts/l...
Cameleon Antenna Winder: www.dxengineering.com/search/...
Wire: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
Xeigu G90: www.radioddity.com/products/x...

Пікірлер: 58

@fishnthecreek3238 2 жыл бұрын

In my happy place every bag fits its contents perfectly....this video took me to my happy place. Thank you for the links and info.

@nickrupp2336 2 жыл бұрын

It's amazing how much Amazon makes from KZfaq videos. Thanks, lol.

@drewt.4353 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great videos.

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you are very welcome Drew.

@garygillespie3629 Жыл бұрын

Well, rec'd everything as stated in your video except I sent the bag back. I use the stand with the fan with my G90. I used a slightly larger pack and It all fits with some room extra. I made up a new heavier duty power cord and other accessory cords with Anderson Powerpole connectors on all. I called my buddy on Monday who lives 45 miles away (He's an Amateur Extra and I'm just a technician). We tried and tried to talk over the air but no success. Kind of frustrating but we'll keep working on it. Good thing is I'm learning some of the button/knobs functions. We have communicated previously with Baofeng handy talkies using a repeater with no issues. Even though I'm just a Technician and can only use limited frequencies, I'd like a setup where I don't have to count on the repeaters. I like the backpack to have ready in case I'd need/want to go mobile! I may drive to his home in the next couple weeks to see he can tell what's wrong. I'm almost at the top of my hill at 1030 ft and he's on top of a hill 758 feet up 45 approx. miles away! He recommended the G90 to start and has one himself set up to go and has a higher power base unit. I think I'm just having bad luck to start. I'm also using the antennas you showed.

@kc8wvg 2 жыл бұрын

Hi John, thanks this video and for part 2. I'm waiting on my Xiegu g90 and accessories to be delivered. Looking forward to using it for POTA. So for I've just been a hunter. Hopefully, I get operating from CVNP.

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Hi William, you are welcome. The G90 will make for a great POTA rig. CVNP is just up the road a little from my QTH, great place to operate portable. I hope to hear you on the air. 73 John

@MichaelJohnson-hx1kw Жыл бұрын

Very new to ham and don’t have a radio or set up at the moment. After watching this, I think I’ll do this set up. I enjoy hiking and would love to test this in the field and parks. 73 KQ4ASW

@johncooper6894 Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the hobby Michael. I am glad you found the video beneficial. Check out the POTA site parksontheair.com/ for more information on working from parks. 73, John

@vhundurraga 2 жыл бұрын

Maravilla!!!

@BillTheDroneReviewer 2 жыл бұрын

Great setup and walk through ! What do you use to charge the battery ?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill. I have a PWM solar charge controller that I use to charge all my batteries. If I need to charge overnight I just connect it to my regulated DC power supply set to 13.8 volts.

@letmelooktv 8 ай бұрын

Just ordered the bag off ali as I am in the UK.

@johncooper6894 8 ай бұрын

I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching and commenting. 73 John

@koonce66 2 жыл бұрын

GREAT Video!!!...what gauge wire is the antenna made from?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ed! I appreciate your kind review. The wire is 20 gauge copper clad steel.

@ralphday7573 2 жыл бұрын

Will the radio with the stand that incorporates a fan fit in that compartment together?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Ralph, not in that compartment. It will fit in the bag in place of the antenna and battery. Thanks and 73' John

@forgetyourlife 2 ай бұрын

What about a choke? Gotta be some RF coming back on an unbalanced antenna.

@loraz0 2 жыл бұрын

How do you get the antenna up in the trees, or do you carry a mast?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

I sometimes carry a mast. I often carry an arbors 10oz throw weight with line that allows me to toss the wire up into trees. Thanks for watching.

@godfreydebouillon8807 4 ай бұрын

Hi, im brand new, just got my General. Whats the thing called that connect to the battery terminals so you can plug the G90 power cord to it? Thanks!

@johncooper6894 4 ай бұрын

Welcome to the hobby and congratulations on the new general ticket. It is called a pigtail. The one I use for this battery has female spade connectors on one end and anderson power poles on the other end.

@N8XS 2 жыл бұрын

Hello John - I am awaiting my Xiegu G90 and am going to replicate this kit. Thanks for the information. One question: Is the 16' feedline part of the antenna equation as a counterpoise? I would expect to see a 1:1 RF choke on something like this to protect the G90 and allow the ATU to work correctly. OK, question two: Have you run this combination through an antenna analyzer? 73 de Mitch

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Mitch, yes I have looked at the antenna on an analyzer. The 16ft feedline does indeed act as a counterpoise. ATU works great on the G90 and this antenna. The common mode current has not caused me issues on CW or SSB. I don't use the G90 for FT-8. However, I do have issues with common mode current on the coax when attempting to use this antenna, or my EFHW, or my Mag Loop, on FT-8 with the Icom 705. Even when I add a 1:1 choke, I encounter sound card disconnects. End feds and OCF of any variety are prone to common mode current. Noteworthy is an observation that FT-8 is rock solid when I am using the Yaesu FT-818. This I attribute to the added galvanic isolation provided by the SignaLink that us used for sound card modes on the FT-818. You will really enjoy the G90, it is a great radio. 73' John

@markw.4679 2 ай бұрын

@@johncooper6894 I noticed you said 16' RG8X coax but your link is for RG58. I want to use the same antenna set up as you. What should I get? The 8X or 58? Love this set up!!! TYVM for sharing!!! 👍 I'm looking forward to more videos!

@johncooper6894 2 ай бұрын

@@markw.4679 i just checked and it is a 16ft length of rg-58. Sorry for the confusion. Enjoy your G-90, it is a great rig.

@johncooper6894 2 ай бұрын

@@markw.4679 thanks for the kind words. It has been awhile since I posted a video. I have a hermes lite 2 that I will review and post shortly.

@Blaculo 2 жыл бұрын

Nice setup! What bag is that?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. It is a Xincada bag that I purchased from Amazon. If you expand the description window underneath the video there is a link to the bag.

@Blaculo 2 жыл бұрын

@@johncooper6894 Thanks, John!

@daveN2MXX 2 жыл бұрын

Do you use a counterpoise with that 9:1 system?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Depends on the mode. When running SSB, a 16ft coax jumper has been enough of a counterpoise by itself. For other modes, especially FT8, I have found that adding a separate counterpoise helps to reduce common mode current which can cause sound card disconnects. I have found 11ft works well. At times I also add a 1:1 current balun before the rig.

@AzPauly Жыл бұрын

Hi, curious if you find much difference in performance between the 9:1 53' random vs an 49:1 66' efhw.. thanks, Paul.

@johncooper6894 Жыл бұрын

Not an easily definable difference in apparent reception and transmission. The advantage of the 9:1 53’ is the ability to tune it on all bands, even 160m. The efhw advantage is no tuner needed and gain at some angles. I have noticed the 9:1 setup picks up more local noise. I vote for the efhw for a permanent setup and the 9:1 for a portable

@AzPauly Жыл бұрын

@@johncooper6894 Thanks for responding, I didn't think of the extra bands the random provides.. excellent point.

@frankelly6742 2 ай бұрын

How many watts do you run typically when in the field with that battery? 73 de KC1NDQ

@johncooper6894 2 ай бұрын

I run 20 on SSB with the G90. My sessions are typically just my lunch hour and I have not exhausted it ever. This would be a hunting and pecking session. I am sure it would run down quicker if I was running a POTA frequency.

@garygillespie3629 Жыл бұрын

For using this HAM radio at home, what would be an reasonably priced power supply to run it off of home current? I have just bought all the goodies for your Go Bag but would like something to run from in the house. Is there also a power source cord that can be used off of a car cigarette lighter/power plug. Links would be great if you can. I really enjoy your videos!

@johncooper6894 Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy the video. Amazon has a lighter power cord and G90 cord that would work together. www.amazon.com/Faoyliye-Cigarette-Extension-Compatible-Connectors/dp/B09PDD3R7J/ref=mp_s_a_1_10_sspa?crid=2UGTTSXCFVTTC&keywords=g90+power+cable&qid=1686681463&sprefix=g90+power%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVlVLSDlTS0k5ODRMJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzk4MDk4R0NQUjNVNjNIUUNHJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MzcxMzhKTVBTODZEV1BVUFUmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== www.amazon.com/Powerpole-Compatible-Cable-Xiegu-G90/dp/B0B7KMVDKT/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?crid=2UGTTSXCFVTTC&keywords=g90+power+cable&qid=1686681463&sprefix=g90+power%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-12

@garygillespie3629 Жыл бұрын

@@johncooper6894 It there a power supply for using the G90 in the home plugging into the 110 wall plug?

@johncooper6894 Жыл бұрын

There are many options for power supplies. Anything 10amp or more would suffice. Samlex, Astron, and MFJ all make nice quiet supplies designed to power radios.

@johncooper6894 Жыл бұрын

@@garygillespie3629 DX Engineering has these nice MfJ supplies in stock www.dxengineering.com/parts/mfj-4125p

@barrykery1175 2 жыл бұрын

Magic? No way. But....you gave a good and honest explanation of the antenna. Nice video. Hey, where are the CW paddles? That's a nice pack for your equipment. Where did you get it and can you provide a link? Thanks for posting, Barry, KU3X/QRP

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

LOL, Paddles are in the 705 box.. If you expand the description on the video I have links to everything. The bag is a Xincada that I ordered on Amazon. I see on your QRZ you are from Bethleham, PA. I have worked with people from Sungard software in Bethleham for over a decade. Nice people! Thanks and 73

@NirajKumar-is9wt 2 жыл бұрын

How far can one communicate this radio sir ?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Niraj, Communications range varies. I personally have used this radio to speak with stations in Europe from the United States. Factors that affect range include the time of day, the frequency in use, , mode used, and environmental factors such as sun spot indices. Here is a link to a good video on the subject. www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiQ2vCWio_3AhUPjokEHXOED7AQwqsBegQINRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DDIAgzpdB67A&usg=AOvVaw2o9NJV3SOMTAw6z2EuMdcZ

@calebcowden6291 2 жыл бұрын

How far are contacts made with setups like this?

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

That depends on many factors, the most important of which is the condition of the bands on the day of use. I have had many arm chair copy QSO's across the States and into Europe from my Ohio QTH using this setup. 73 and thanks for watching, John

@garygillespie3629 Жыл бұрын

@@johncooper6894 Fellow Buckeye, I'm in the area of Ohio of the famous Hamvention. I should have gone this year!!

@johncooper6894 Жыл бұрын

@@garygillespie3629 you should have for sure. Next year! Findley is another great Ohio Hamfest

@kraigphillips9121 2 ай бұрын

@@johncooper6894 John can u give details on your antenna making setup

@johncooper6894 2 ай бұрын

@@kraigphillips9121 Yes, you want to pick lengths that are non-resonant on ham bands. It may seem counter intuitive, however the idea is to not present any high impedances to the 9:1 unun. The aim is to have about 450ohm impedance on as many bands as possible to allow the unun ratio to transform 450 to 50 ohms that the transceiver wants to see. There are specific lengths that best achieve this goal. 53ft is the one I used here. A counterpoise also helps to keep RF off the coax. There are many lengths for radiator and counterpoise that work well, check out the link below. Good luck and 73. dxsupply.com/produktfiler/Wire%20Lengths%20for%204%20and%209-1%20ununs.pdf

@pedersteenberg2010 2 жыл бұрын

jag skulle vilja börja med amatör radio eventuellt då jag skaffat licens Jag antar att detta inte går så långt i alla fall men det är ändå något . En hobby antar jag morse koder eller baby watch Jag tänkte skaffa en Xiegu090 med liten antenn.

@johncooper6894 2 жыл бұрын

Jag hoppas att du bestämmer dig för att gå med oss. Du kommer att njuta av amatörradiohobbyn. Tack för att du tittade,