RadioRanked verdict
Xiegu
Xiegu G90
The G90 suits an operator who wants a self-contained HF field radio, one where the built-in tuner does the heavy lifting on imperfect antennas and the waterfall display makes band scanning practical without a computer. Its 20 watt ceiling is a real limitation for working weak DX or contest pileups, and the missing 6 meter band rules out sporadic-E chasing. Operators wanting full legal power should look at the FT-891 or IC-7300; operators who want a lightweight HF-only radio with an unusually capable tuner built in will get real use out of this one.
Decision helper
Is this HF radio right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓Field and portable HF operators who want a built-in tuner
- ✓Operators new to SDR receivers and waterfall displays
- ✓Buyers wanting a self-contained HF-only field station
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Operators chasing 6 meter sporadic-E openings
- ✕Anyone needing full 100 watt output for DX or contesting
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Built-in antenna tuner handles a wider mismatch range than most competitors
- Real-time SDR waterfall display for visual band scanning
- Light enough for backpack and field operation
- Self-contained HF station requiring no external tuner for most antennas
What we don't
- 20 watt maximum output limits DX and pileup performance
- No 6 meter band coverage
- Receiver dynamic range trails higher-tier SDR rigs in crowded conditions
Proprietary RR score
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Overview
The G90 covers HF only, no 6 meters, running up to 20 watts on SSB, CW, AM, and FM through a direct-sampling SDR receiver, with a color display showing a real-time waterfall. At 1.63 kilograms it is light enough for field use, and it has become one of the more common radios operators reach for when they want SDR features and HF-only focus in an accessible package.
The feature the G90 is genuinely known for is its built-in automatic antenna tuner, which handles a wider range of mismatches than most built-in tuners at any price and lets operators run improvised or less-than-ideal wire antennas in the field without carrying a separate tuner box. Combined with the waterfall display, it makes for a capable, self-contained HF station for portable operating.
The honest trade-off is 20 watts of output, low enough that DX and weak-signal work take real patience compared to a 100-watt desktop rig, and the receiver, while genuinely usable, does not match the dynamic range of the IC-7300 or FTDX-10 in crowded band conditions. There is also no 6 meter coverage, which rules it out for anyone chasing sporadic-E openings. As a low-power HF radio built around a strong tuner and a real waterfall, it fills a specific niche well.
Specifications
| Price | $465.00 |
| Frequency bands | HF |
| TX Power (High) | 20.00W |
| Receiver Architecture | direct-sampling |
| Built-in Antenna Tuner | Yes |
| Spectrum Waterfall | Yes |
| RX Range | 0.5000–30.0000 MHz |
| color | black |
| unitCount | 1 |
Key Features
- Up to 20 watts on HF only, no 6 meter coverage
- SSB, CW, AM, and FM modes
- Direct-sampling SDR receiver with color waterfall display
- Built-in automatic antenna tuner rated for a wide mismatch range
- 1.63 kg weight suited to field operation
- Receive range from 0.5 to 30 MHz
