Xiegu G106 SDR HF Transceiver, 5W QRP Radio, SSB CW AM WFM, Support FT8

If you don't have a HF transceiver and are looking to get into digital modes I think the G106 is a good and inexpensive way to start. I've read online that a lot of people have struggled to get the G106 to work in digital mode. That was my experience also until I finally figured out all the necessary settings. On 40 meters at night I am now able to receive and decode stations all over Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, and PSK reporter shows my transmissions are being received there as well. This with a 5 watt QRP transmitter! It's amazing. I bought the G106 and DE19 from Amazon a year and a half ago. I bought them solely to use with FT8 and especially JS8Call. Even though I bought them a year and a half ago, I only just got around to putting up an antenna. I really struggled to get FT8 and JS8 working. I tried Linux, Mac and Windows 10 and just could not get CAT control to work getting all kinds of Hamlib errors. Then I updated the G106 firmware from 1.3 to 1.4. After I did that, FT8 and JS8 magically started working in Windows 10 using the Icom 7100 as the rig. I don’t know for sure if it was the updating of firmware or maybe I just finally got lucky and got all the WSJT-X software settings plus Windows 10 audio settings correct. It was working beautifully. Then all of a sudden the transmitter stopped working. I was still able to receive fine, but zero transmit power was coming out. I had let WSPR run all night and it was the next morning that the transmitter suddenly quit. I thought I had burned up a component inside, maybe having exceeded the transmit duty cycle. I took the G106 apart and visually inspected the circuit boards but there was zero sign of any damage. As a result of the tear-down, it was very obvious the high build-quality of this transceiver. I was not expecting that high of quality from something so inexpensive. This was not the sub-par, crude Chinese stuff I’ve seen in the past. This was easily equal to high quality Japanese equipment. Very surprising. Finding nothing obviously wrong I was quite disappointed. Out of desperation I contacted Radioddity customer service not really expecting much but to my surprise I got a very personal response the next day from what sounded like someone from their engineering staff with a bunch of possible reasons for the problem and a bunch of suggestions and instructions on what to try next. I had given them the purchase date which was over a year ago, nevertheless he even asked me to send him my Amazon order number so he could check if it might still be covered under warranty. As a result of his help, I found the problem. It ended up being an incorrect audio setting in Windows 10! There was absolutely nothing wrong with the radio at all. I have no idea how the setting got changed but I am VERY happy it’s now working perfectly again. However, after taking the G106 apart and seeing the quality, and before I received the help from Radioddity, thinking the G106 was irreparable, I ordered a G90. I only originally bought the G106 to get me by until I could find a good deal on a used Yaseu or Icom but now I don’t see the point. I'm convinced Xiegu is a great product at a good price and Radioddity obviously stands behind it and offers outstanding customer service, so that’s all I can ask for. I can’t wait to get the G90, but in the mean time, I’ll be on 40 meters every night with my little G106 having a blast with FT8 and JS8Call.

A compact SDR transceiver that works well. Been reading and watching videos on the G106 and G90. I couldn't make up my mind so I bought both! Takes care of that... The 106 is compact, well built and just works. Not a load of bells and whistles but works well for CW and QRP SSB. Was on 40m earlier with a fella with both the 106 and 90 - how about that! Been wanting to downsize and these Xiegu units are fitting for what I was looking for. Ran both on a 40m dipole and for the 106 matched it with the Z-Tuner for other bands. Both exceed my expectations. My only wish on the 106 is the jack for headset/earbuds is on the mic., should have a dedicated jack on the unit. Weird! Winter is coming so both units will get a bit of airtime. Makes a nice unit for POTA/SOTA, or backyard patio table - recliner works for me... 73 or 72 for QRP/QRPp Add (11/16/2025): Been using this mostly CW (Putikeeg magnetic straight key) and have also received good reports on SSB QRP. In addition to using the Z-Match tuner I also added the ATU-100 tuner (with internal battery). When using the ATU-100, I set the G106 right on top of it also (the ATU-100 is larger/longer than the G-106. Match this up with the JPC-12 antenna and you have a portable kit that's easy to deploy which will make a nice POTA kit etc. On the mic I added an adapter to the headphone/earbud jack and I keep this piece plugged in all the time so if plugging something into it, it makes it much easier. Sometimes I plug in a APTx LL Bluetooth unit and use Bluetooth LL neck band earbuds - this works well for me, frees up having another cord. So, providing an update, I have had no issues with the G106 (or G90) so far. This little unit has been working well. Seems well built and never a glitch so far. Very happy with this QRP unit at the price point.

This radio is fantastic for what it is. Keep in mind it is a budget QRP radio. It has the standard functions one would need for POTA activations and does FT8 well. The unit has a good build quality and has a low power draw which makes it ideal for extended battery use. The speaker is ok and using a deflector helps greatly. The small form factor makes it ideal for a field pack and quick activation. Remember, this is a budget unit. Don't compare it to its larger offerings.

I've had the radio 3 weeks and am very pleased. Solidly made rig with very easy short menu selections. Receiving good audio reports on SSB even with marginal antennas. DE-19 expansion box needed for CAT control and digital audio. Runs FT8 very well (IC-7000 setup at 19,200 baud). Pros- small, well built, easy to operate, output a solid 8 watts with little SWR fold-back. Cons-poor supplied power plug lead, DE-19 driver installs ok in Win 11, but not Win 7 (thus far); DE-19 soundcard too loud; no DSP for receive (but then QRP rigs generally don't have DSP). For the price - an 'A' 73 W1WAB Update-- The digital connections are made via the DE-19 unit that is purchased separately from the radio. The DE-19 is powered and connects to your PC -- and comes with a CAT cable that connects between the "CIV" port on the DE-19 and the COM port on the back of the radio. The DE-19 also has a ACC cable for audio that connects to the radio ACC port. The setup is just like an ICOM 7100. In fact the DE-19 will expect to have the IC-7100 selected in the control software (I use HRD). The setup works great (FT8, PSK). But note-- there is no volume control on the Radio menu and the rig mic input is 'hot'. There is a hardware update available for the radio to provide a volume control, but I have instead fiddled with the Windows control to get the process to work. I like this little QRP rig. 73 GL Bill W1WAB

Goede tranceiver voor weinig

Che dire di lui, un piccolo HF con grandi soddisfazioni.

Urządzenie bardzo fajne do pracy QRP z terenu.

Très honnêtement petit TX assez bluffant !! (déjà par sa dimension de poche en le déballant !!) quelques essais au mois d'aout, très concluant avec des reports de 5/5 à 5/8 et quelques QSO avec des stations : LY / EW / CN / I / E78/ F/ sur 40 M/20 M/17 M , avec bien sur la propagation HF du moment, et une antenne filaire en L inversé (marconi) de 40 m (10 m de haut) ayant la chance d'avoir de l'espace (accordé avec un petit tuner 100 pro +) pour ajuster l'accord au mieux, en annonçant aux om mes conditions de trafic ! ceux ci restant assez surpris ! pour du matériel chinois ! le SDR faisant vraiment le Job ! cela me changeant de mon TX (marque japonaise la plus célèbre) de 5 à 100 watts ! bien sur il n'y a pas le DSP pour filtrer le qrm , mais bon...(le micro servant de hp en RX , avec un son correct et pas trop mal au niveau du réglage du microphone avec ma modulation !) Donc pour l'instant Top ! et que du bonheur ! compact , pour du qrp en vacances et portable : ground plane ,filaire , dipôle...), très sympa, tout cela bien sur en fonction de votre antenne ! (et la propagation !) si vous voulez vous équipez à moindre frais, et vous faire plaisir allez y !! Cordiales 73'. Stéphane

Estupendo equipo. Básico, pero desempeño muy bueno. Es imprescindible actualizar a la última versión.