Part of our The Xiegu G90: The Complete Guide.
The G90 works fine out of the box, but a handful of menu changes make it noticeably more pleasant to operate. Here’s what I actually change, in the order I usually touch them on a new-to-me G90.
Audio and AGC
The default AGC behavior is a little aggressive for my ears on crowded phone bands. Backing it off slightly makes weak signals easier to copy next to strong ones without the pumping effect. It’s a small change that makes a real difference during a busy contest weekend.
Tuner Behavior
I set the tuner to only engage on request rather than automatically retuning every time SWR drifts slightly, since automatic retuning mid-QSO can cause an audible hiccup at just the wrong moment. Manual engagement gives me control over when that happens.
Power Output Steps
I keep a couple of power presets handy, one at full 20 watts and one dropped down for battery conservation on longer activations. Since the radio’s whole appeal is portability, being able to drop power quickly when I want to stretch a small battery matters more here than on my shack radios.
Display and Waterfall
Dimming the display and adjusting waterfall speed helps both battery life and visibility in direct sunlight, which is where I’m most often using this radio. Full brightness looks great on a desk and is nearly useless outdoors at noon.
CW and Break-In Settings
Even if you’re primarily a phone and digital operator, it’s worth checking the sidetone level and break-in timing menus so an accidental brush against the key doesn’t produce an unpleasant surprise. Takes thirty seconds and saves you from a jarring moment later.