Frequently asked questions

Yes, the firmware is free and will stay free: you only need an account on the site to download it. The **X6100 Link** Android app is paid, at a modest price, on the Play Store.

No. The firmware runs from the **microSD card**: the original Xiegu firmware in the internal memory is not touched. Take the card out and the radio starts as before.

Download the image, write it to a microSD card with balenaEtcher and switch the radio on with the card in. All the steps are in the [installation guide](install.html).

The **r13** is strongly recommended: the patched baseband by **Georgy Dyuldin R2RFE**, [github.com/gdyuldin/x6100_base_patch](https://github.com/gdyuldin/x6100_base_patch).

No, the firmware works on its own: digital modes, DX cluster, Field Ops and themes are all on the radio. The [X6100 Link](link.html) app unlocks its full power from your tablet and phone.

Before writing the new image, open the radio's web page, go to **Backup** and download the file. After the update, load it back from the same page and choose what to restore.

No, X6100 Link is made for the X6100 IU1WXY firmware and does not work with the stock one.

It lets you be the first to buy the X6100 Link licence, before the official launch on the Play Store, and get every new version first as an official beta tester. The licence stays yours afterwards. Ask for it from your [account](account.php#beta).

Because SOTAwatch strictly controls access by third-party software, and it needs their authorisation. It has been requested, but no answer yet. As soon as it arrives, SOTA self-spotting will be switched on with an update. POTA self-spotting already works.

From the [Report a bug](report.php) page: write the version, what you were doing and what happened; a screenshot helps a lot. You get an email when it is fixed.