The Xiegu G90 has gained quite a following in the world of portable ham radios, and for good reason. After using it for a while, I’ve found there are plenty of reasons to love this radio but it’s not without a few quirks. Here’s a breakdown of seven things I like, and two things I don’t.
7 Things I like about the Xiegu G90
1. Form factor – It’s small
The compact design is one of the first things that caught my eye. At just over 2 pounds and small enough to easily fit in a backpack, it’s perfect for portable setups like POTA (Parks on the Air) or SOTA (Summits on the Air). Its diminutive size makes it easy to carry around and operate anywhere.
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| The Xiegu G90 |
2. Build quality
Despite its small size, the G90 is solidly built. The sturdy construction gives me confidence that it can withstand a bit of rough handling during portable operations. The buttons and knobs feel durable, and the overall design suggests it’s built to last. It really is a lovely little radio.
3. Built-in internal antenna tuner
One of the standout features of the G90 is its wide-range, fast antenna tuner. Having this built-in means I can quickly match a variety of antennas without needing an external tuner. The fact that it works so efficiently is a huge plus, especially when experimenting with different antenna setups.
4. Full feature set in a tiny package
The G90 packs a ton of features typically found in larger, more expensive radios. From CW and SSB to digital modes like FT8, this little rig can do it all. It even has a spectrum display, which is quite handy. For such a compact radio, it doesn’t sacrifice functionality.
5. 20W output power
Unlike many portable radios that max out at 5 or 10 watts, the G90 offers 20 watts of output power. This extra power makes a noticeable difference when trying to make contacts, especially in less-than-ideal propagation conditions. It gives me an edge without needing to lug around a larger radio.
6. Price
The Xiegu G90 is affordable compared to many HF transceivers with similar features. For someone like me, who enjoys portable ops but doesn’t want to spend a fortune, the G90 strikes a great balance between cost and performance.
7. The YouTube community
One of the unexpected benefits of owning the G90 is the wealth of “how-to” videos and reviews on YouTube. The community of operators sharing tips, tutorials, and mods is incredibly helpful, especially for someone just getting to know the radio.
Things I don’t like about the Xiegu G90
1. Small tuning knob
As much as I like the form factor, the small tuning knob fitted as standard can be a bit frustrating. For someone with larger hands, it can feel a bit cramped, and precise tuning requires a bit more effort than I’d like. A larger or smoother tuning mechanism would have been a welcome improvement.
2. It gets hot in a hurry
This radio runs hot, especially during extended operations. While it hasn’t caused any serious issues for me yet, I do worry about the long-term impact on the radio’s components. Some external cooling might be necessary for longer sessions to keep it from overheating.
While the Xiegu G90 is far from perfect, the positives far outweigh the negatives. It’s an excellent choice for hams like me who are looking for a portable, feature-packed HF rig without breaking the bank. For portable operation, it’s hard to beat!
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