Xiegu X5105
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| Frequency | RX: 0.5-30 MHz + 50-54 MHz (general coverage), TX: 160-6 m amateur bands (1.8-2, 3.5-3.9, 5.3515-5.3665, 7-7.2, 10.1-10.15, 14-14.35, 18.068-18.168, 21-21.45, 24.89-24.99, 28-29.7, 50-54 MHz) |
| Bands | 160m, 80m, 60m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m |
| TX power | 5 W (Rated 5 W on SSB/CW/FM and 1.5 W AM carrier at 13.8 VDC, adjustable from 0.1 to 5 W. The manufacturer's own distributor spec lists output as 'greater than 4.5 W SSB', so real output is right at the 5 W rating. Push-pull final amplifier.) |
| Modes | SSB (USB/LSB), CW (and CW reverse), AM, FM (NFM), Data decode on screen (PSK31, RTTY, CW) |
| Weight | 940 g (33.2 oz) |
| Year | 2017 |
| antenna | BNC (female), 50 ohm (a BNC-to-SO-239 adapter is needed for PL-259 coax) |
| if out | IF output (first IF, 70.455 MHz) for the Xiegu XDT1 color panadapter or an external SDR receiver |
| earphone | 3.5 mm stereo earphone/headphone jack |
| dc in | External DC 9-15 V (13.8 V nominal) input that also charges the internal battery; charging is enabled from the menu |
| acc | ACC 8-pin mini-DIN: external amplifier control, PTT, per-band voltage data, and audio in/out for data modes (used with the CE-19 analog or DE-19 USB expansion adapter and the XPA125B amplifier) |
| key | KEY 3.5 mm stereo jack for a straight key, paddle or external keyer |
| com | COM 3.5 mm jack for computer control (CI-V/Icom command set) and firmware updates, via the supplied serial cable |
| atu ext | External-ATU control jack (3.5 mm) is fitted but reserved/not currently enabled in firmware |
| mic | Multi-function hand microphone (proprietary connector), included |
| power req | Internal 3800 mAh 12 V Li-ion battery (about 6-8 hours receive) or external 9-15 VDC. Receive current 600 mA maximum (the distributor page lists 660 mA), transmit 2.5 A maximum. The battery is charged in-unit through the DC input and, per Xiegu, is a limited-life part replaced through a dealer. |
A self-contained QRP station: battery, automatic tuner, data modem, SWR scanner and all HF bands plus 6 m in one sub-kilogram box. The built-in modem decodes PSK31, RTTY and CW on the screen without a computer, the IF output can drive the XDT1 panadapter or an SDR for a spectrum view, and the 3800 mAh battery gives several hours off-grid. Power is adjustable from 0.1 to 5 W, the controls are backlit, and a desktop stand folds out.
It is discontinued, so new units are scarce. Output is 5 W, the display is a monochrome LCD with no built-in waterfall (a spectrum needs the IF output and an external panadapter), and frequency stability (about +/-4 ppm) is modest. The CW message memories are widely judged awkward, the internal battery is a limited-life part replaced through a dealer, the antenna jack is BNC rather than SO-239, and computer digital modes need the separate CE-19 or DE-19 adapter.
The X5105 is a discontinued but still-popular self-contained QRP transceiver covering all HF bands plus 6 m, with a built-in battery, automatic tuner, data modem and SWR scanner. It puts a whole portable station in one small box, at the cost of 5 W output, a monochrome display, and modest frequency stability. On the used market it remains good value for field operators who want a single-box solution; buyers wanting a color spectrum display and more receiver features look at the newer X6100.
The Xiegu X5105 is a self-contained QRP transceiver: a 5-watt all-mode radio for HF and 6 meters with a rechargeable battery and an automatic antenna tuner built in, in a metal case under a kilogram. That one-box design made it a popular choice for SOTA, POTA and travel before the current generation of touchscreen SDR portables. It transmits on every amateur band from 160 to 6 meters and receives 0.5-30 MHz plus 50-54 MHz.
It runs SSB, CW, AM and FM, and a built-in data modem decodes PSK31, RTTY and CW on the screen without a computer. A graphical SWR scanner, digital noise reduction, a notch filter and an audio equalizer are built in, and the 3800 mAh battery gives roughly six to eight hours of receive. The receiver is a double-conversion superheterodyne with audio DSP, fed by a DDS synthesizer with a TCXO reference; the factory manual rates frequency stability at about plus or minus 4 ppm. The display is a 3.6-inch monochrome LCD, so it has no built-in waterfall; an IF output at 70.455 MHz instead drives the Xiegu XDT1 color panadapter or an external SDR.
It is a 5-watt radio, so it rewards resonant antennas, and its CW message memories are widely described as awkward. The antenna jack is BNC rather than SO-239, it charges from the DC jack rather than USB, and PC digital-mode work needs the separate CE-19 or DE-19 adapter. The factory manual and the distributor's spec sheet disagree on a few figures (operating temperature, frequency stability and case dimensions); the values here follow the factory manual.
Xiegu has discontinued the X5105 in favor of the touchscreen X6100 and the newer X6200, but it remains a sensible used buy for an operator who wants one box that contains everything. Compared with the bench and mobile-oriented G90 it trades transmit power (5 W against 20 W) for a battery, a tuner and 6-meter coverage, and against a premium portable like the Icom IC-705 it is a fraction of the price with a fraction of the features.