FT8 with the Xiegu G90 Made Easy - TheSmokinApe
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- FT8 with the Xiegu G90 Made Easy - Ham Radio - TheSmokinApe
In this video we show how to set up / configure FT-8 on the Xiegu G90 HF radio using a Raspberry Pi. Please leave any; comments, suggestions or recommendations below.
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Links to products in the video: www.amazon.com...
Spare G90 CAT Control Cable: amz.run/3W6P
Sabrent USB Sound Card: amz.run/3W6S
Get your G90 Here: amz.run/4MI0
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G90 Settings:
Turn of Speech Compression - [CMP] Button
Set AGC to Off - [AGC] Button (AGC--)
Mode to USB - Use Mode Button
AUX In to Line - [FUNC] then [POW] set to Line, [POW] will set Gain (10)
AUX In Volume - Press and hold [FUNC], press [VM] Button until Opt 5, Tuning Knob to set, [CMP] to save, [AGC] to exit
AUX Out Volume - Press and hold [FUNC], press [VM] Button until Opt 6, Tuning Knob to set, [CMP] to save, [AGC] to exit
I'm using CAT for PTT Control, so we're not setting up VOX.
Why do so many hams hate on the g90?
I think it a good bang for the buck because many of us beginners can't afford $2-4k on a radio.
They will say it’s Chinese junk. For every hater there is a lover 👍
They now have the G90 working great in FL Rig
That's great news for G90 users, thanks for the update!
I’ll miss the live airing of this but will catch it later. Have not played with HamPi but will give it a look. Thanks for the info!
No worries, we'll catch you next time!
Thanks again Ape. I appreciate the tip about shutting down the sequence. The G90 is finicky about the CAT cable. I found that out the hard way.
Yes, it sure is finicky. Thanks for watching Paul 👍
I ordered a G90 yesterday from Radioddity on a Black Friday special. It was 399.00 for the radio, the CE19 breakout and the fan/stand. I will coming back here to set it up for digital when it comes in.
Thanks a great deal, congrats 👍
Hopefully when I get it on the air we can try to do a QSO on some mode. Call here is W5HHY.
Great vid, thank you! I'll be trying this as soon as my G90 arrives.
Glad you liked it 👍
You brought out several nuggets that I have not heard on other coverage of the G 90. Nice Job! 73, KF6IF
Phil DuRall Awesome, glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching 👍
FreeDV!!! Thanks Ape. Good video. The xggcomms solved my issue with input audio on the G90. Without it, I would get a lot of screaming audio in FT8. I worked with a local ham but we could never solve it. However, the xgg hardware did the trick. I should set up a pi for the G90.
A pi is a must!
Thank you for such an informative video. I'm still trying to understand why anyone would want to do digital modes like this but I'll try to buy into it!! I'm a new ham and have a lot to learn. Again, thank you!
Glad you liked the video. The G90 doesn’t make digital modes easy 👍
Ray: is it the radio, the Raspberry Pi, or the use of digital modes that you don't like?
@@d.jensen5153 I love the radio and raspberry pi. I was just wondering why anyone would want to do digital modes at all. I guess I'll have to try it. I work in computers all day and have a bunch of RasPis here at the house that are part of various projects. Thanks. -ray
Thanks for the clarification, Ray. I'm kind of the opposite - but I think it's a personality thing. You may never like digital modes - nor should you feel like you have to. Otoh, digital modes are literally what got me back into amateur radio.
Yeah, HF digital modes aren't for everyone for sure. The G90 and R pi are way more complicated and lots to set up and mess with to make work. Using a radio like the FT-991 and a windows PC make it so much easier. It's kind of fun playing with, just seeing how far out your signal can get with little power, doing quick QSOs, I don't know.. kind of fun to play with if you don't feel like just yapping or hearing static. Just another facet of ham radio is all, some like it, some don't.
I learned something with this video. I learned I need to study a bit more because this Raspberry Pi and related, stuff is all new to me. Fun times!
Hey Alvin. The Pi's have become sure useful for this type of stuff, thanks for watching 👍
I'm late, but thanks for this video. The only issue I have is at 15M and above, the power drops from 15W to 6W with 100% ALC. Below 15M the ALC and the power are within the power button setting range. I'm at a loss. Firmware 1.79 and 1.80.
Hey Scott, I sold my g90 a while back so my memory is foggy. Don't you want the ALC to be near 100%? Also, how is your SWR at 15M?
@TheSmokinApe The SWR is good across the board. The Manual states you want between 30-85% ALC. The G90 seems backward on a lot of things.
@@Scott_AI5EF yeah man, I’d try that firmware out to see if I had the same problem but mine is long gone.
@TheSmokinApe It's okay. I appreciate the replies.
Really informative and purchased my G90 today. Your videos really help me a lot.
Thank You K4YNA. I’ve been out of HF for ten years
Thanks Jimbo, best of luck with the new radio 👍
thanks, Ape! This really helped me
Glad to hear it!
Thanks!
Thank you 👍
Good stuff as always
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent, It worked perfect !! Thanks - CE3BER, Carlos
Awesome 👍
This is the video I was looking for!
Awesome!!
🤜🏻👍🤛🏻♡♡♡
Question: do you have a newer link to the g90? I think the Amazon link isnt working? Anyhow, this video is awesome!
This should work Aname amz.run/4MI0
@@TheSmokinApe thank you Ape :) this link is one that you get that good commission on right? If anyone gets it, it should be you... I have been trying to figure out how to ft8 for weeks now! Haha♡
Be well hamFam :)
Great video. Lots of useful information. Thank you. I'd love to get my hands on the audio cable you're using. Didn't see it in the equipment list. Can you let us know where we can get it? Thanks.
Glad it was helpful! Here is where you can get the cable: xggcomms.com/
great tutorial, OM. Thank you. 73, K4EK
Thanks Doug, glad you liked it 👍
Since the current available version of FLRIG as of 11/22/20 has the Xiegu-G90 listed as an option under the configuration menu have you tried that configuration vs. the IC 7100? Also, did you use the Digimode 1 or the Digimode 3 cable?
I’ll have to check that out, thanks for the heads up👍. It the cable that does both audio and cat, I think it’s the 3.
Thanks for the reply. I hope to get a G90 for Christmas. 🤞 I've been out of the hobby 30+ years and will be operating portable. The G90 + RPi looks like exactly what I've been looking for. I'm using the Build-a-Pi image rather that HamPi. I tried both. I have 3 RPis.
@@hhampton build a pi works really well to. I’m quite happy with the g90, best of luck getting back into the hobby 👍
Sitting here with the CE-19 kit and the g90. I think I missed a step. I just have a pile of cables.
I've never messed with that interface, seemed overly difficult 😳
Awesome thanks
Thanks man, glad you liked it 👍
Having trouble with the G90. I'm running a xggcomms DigiMode-4 interface. I got through your instructions for setting up flrig and it seems to be communicating with the radio - I can change the frequency by clicking in flrig. But the light on the lefthand side of the radio next to the Vol knob goes red as soon as I start flrig. That doesn't seem right. Seems like it's sending the radio straight into transmit mode. It turns green again when I exit flrig.
Very very informative vedeos. Thank you for your efforts.
Can we use it without CAT cable by using VOX method ?
thx
73
vu3tbu
I wonder if your trouble with cat control could be related to the cheapo USB sound dongle, instead of or in addition to the interface cable? As far as I know, cheap USB audio interfaces aren’t known for good audio quality or noise rejection.
CAT was over a separate cable / interface. When using the same sound card with a different CAT cable it works fine 👍
I've done everything in your video step by step and the cat control works etc.. However WSJT-X will not decode and when I transmit it shows it's transmitting on my G-90 however when I look at the watts on the G90 it states 0.0w so nothing is going out. Any suggestions on how to remedy both of these problems?
Do you have the right sound card settings? It sounds like audio isn't getting in to out...
@@TheSmokinApe I have it set to the XGGCOMMS DigiMod-3 USB Audio for both input and output. But you right someone else told me that audio wasn't getting out as well. So, sounds like you i just dropped $65 on a product that is not working and returning would be a hassle since they only are located in the U.K.
Well actually it was not the fault of XGGComms after all it was user error. I took the XGGComms out from the back of the radio and notice that I had forced the pin wrong and bent all of the pins, Stupid me.... so, now I suppose I will be ordering another one and paying closer attention to plugging it in the right way this time.
DK M you might want to check you clock to make sure it’s accurate, that’s another important thing.
Hey Ape, check out the XGGComms Digimode-4 when you get a chance.
It's everything I was trying to build for myself and more, and I think it would be a great addition to your G90 as well.
Thanks for the head up on this Mike, gonna have to check it out 👍
@@TheSmokinApe And now also the DigiRig
Great video, thanks. Where did you get the cable that has the eight core ACC plug on one end and the two 3.5 stereo plugs on the other?
xggcomms.com/ 👍
Thanks for the video. Great walk-thru. I have an XGGCOMS Digimode-4 on the way, and I hope that proves more successful. I have not been able to get digital up and running so far on my G90. Using the CAT cable and the CE-19. Direct connect to WSJT-X is a no go. If I use FLRig (which now has a G90 profile) I can get my radio to receive signals in FT-4 & FT-8, but the TX doesn't seem to do anything. When I test the PTT I see same results as in your video. But during actual WSJT-X session, on transmit it shows red light, then immediately clicks off. I'm using the Sabrent USB as well.
The PTT is done with the cat cable is a the audio is passed via the sounds card, which it sounds like you know / have covered. First I’d make sure you time is correct on the PC and you make want to use a time sync service. Also, double check the sound card setting for TX. 👍
@@TheSmokinApe I'm running a time sync service, and can usually see that I am within a fraction of a second of most users. I do think the issue lies somewhere with the Sabrent & sound card settings. Maybe even with the cable I'm using to connect the CE-19 to the Sabrent, because I'm feeding it into a splitter in order to have both mic and headphone.
@@cdyow Ah, I've never messed with the CE-19 as it looked like a pain to work with. I am inclined to agree with your assessment, hopefully the new cable will get things sorted out for you ☝
@@TheSmokinApe Great news. I was able to get up and running with existing hardware & cables. The missing link for me was finding the correct relationship for audio input/levels between radio, PC, and WSJT-X. Now sitting in front of FT-8 for hours like a slot machine.
@@cdyow that’s awesome 👍
Great video! #ThNHR
👍
HamP i now has a Xiegu G-90 as a rig choice in flrig but it is not in the choices in wsjt-x. So I chose G-90 from flrig. In wsjt-x I chose flfl rig. The programs open and I can see traffic but I can't answer. When I test PTT it triggers the G90 Transmit. Have you tried HamPi using the G-90 as a rig choice? I am stumped!
I have not tried the update yet. Have you; made sure the time is accurate on the computer, changed the volume out on the computer and checked the audio out setting on the g90?
This was a great review of G90 and fldigi settings for me thanks!
I need to check into HamPi.
Do you think it would play nice with the USB audio device and USB cat control plugged into a USB hub like I've used on my own digi adapter?
Glad you liked it! I would thing that adapter would work fine 👍
Will the USB cable supplied with G90, used for firmware updates work as cat control?
Yes
Hi, I copied your settings for line in. Anytime I send audio from the computer to the ACC input, it just plays the audio on the G90 speaker. It doesn’t trigger TX or anything. Any idea what’s going on?
Sorry Fox, I have never seen that happen.
Hi.
Where can i get the STL File for the Stand?
I will print it myself on my 3D Printer.
Thanks, 73!
Thingsverse.com
a hot coffee. it cold ouside
Ugh. Love hate relationship with my G90. Now it seems my ATU stopped working. Sometimes when I use the SWR scan function I can't get it to stop when hitting the quit button. What is the latest firmware update number?
I think the latest is 1.77, hope you get these issues worked out 👍
Did you try using the CE19 and the cables supplied with it to connect for CAT control and digital modes?
I didn't, I don't have a CE19.
@@TheSmokinApe The CE19 breakout board includes all the cables necessary to connect for CAT and digital. It isn't as nice looking and is more pieces but it basically allows you to duplicate the interface you bought.
@@hhampton Im familiar with it just never had one to mess with, maybe I'll check it out. I love the g90
I have a CE-19 do I run two cables from the CE-19 to the sound card? AF Con and DataCon to the sound card?
Sorry man, I haven't messed with the CE-19
no. You use the AF stereo socket, and split that into your soundcadr input & output as mono each - use the cables provided with the CE19, and solder them together, two 1:1 and the third one to the same ground, but the black and white wire twisted - one plug goes into the CE16, and the other two into mic and speaker of your sound card.
(if you have passed a license exam, then you should be able to understand the graphs on the ce19 and solder a couple of audio wires together)
No rocket science, once you understand that the one "AF CON" is for both, ingoing and outgoing audio.
@@zoolkhan Thanks for the reply. I figured it out last month. The markings on the ce-19 are a bit vague even for an EE. I appreciate your reply but you should save the sarcasm for some other social network.
Hi! Thanks for the video. Where did you buy the transceiver stand? 73 de UB4RFF, Russia.
I printed it on the 3D printer 👍
@@TheSmokinApe nice 👌 :)
Can you send the design file by chance or post it somewhere for download? (For the stand). Thanks!
Have a FT-817 can I use it for digital modes. G 90 is a nice radio. Just don't want to save some money. Oh I been off radio for some time. So I'm a NFG to all the technology.
Have some problems with things at times. PTSD ok
You can do digital on the 817
Don't understand, just watch more. Gotta love YT 73
It’s confusing at first no doubt 👍
It is confusing at first 👍
I have cyber security concerns with Ham-Pi, it states in their documenation if you are connected to the internet that Ham-Pi will use one of the cores on your Pi for other uses, and you cannot switch it off.
Therefore I think it is safer to use Build-a-Pi image from Jason KM4ACK.
Chud M1PUP QTH London
It's open source project. Can you provide the title of relevant documentation that says that? I couldn't find it going through the github project. The reason I'm asking this is what you just said doesn't make any sense to me, as a linux/raspberrypi nerd.
That's not what it says. "Usage of this image means that you freely give your consent to running the Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing software, which is configured to only run when the Raspberry Pi is powered on and idle. The reason this image includes this software is that the author originally asked for QSL cards for usage of the previous software image. When there were over 8,000 direct downloads of the previous image (plus an unknown number of BitTorrent / indirect downloads) and the author received less than five QSL cards, the author determined the only way to get something in return for all the hard work (non-monetary, mind you) was to code it into the image. The BOINC client will run benign network computing tasks, such as science applications like protein folding, or searching for neutron stars. The author also believes that this rule isn't for "other people" but includes the author as well, and runs the BOINC software on his Raspberry Pi as well. If you don't consent to this, you should stop running and destroy your copy of the image."
@@TheSmokinApe Blowing extra CPU cycles while operating portable sounds like a horrible idea.
Really good video my friend, thanks a million :D
73s M7BXV
Glad you liked it Danny 👍
Mode on the G90 should be set to U-D rather than USB
When the video was made, there wasn't a USB-D.
I got the WSJT-X working with the Xiego G-90 but I have been experiencing WSTJ_-X crashes during some QSO's. I figured HF was getting into the USB cords since it only crashes during the transmit cycle so I put a bunch of ferrite beads on the USB leads. It's driving me nuts. Any experience with this type of glitch?
I did have that problem with an old laptop so I switched to a Raspberry Pi, if the ferrite beads aren't the correct mix (mix 41 works very well) RFI can still make its way to the PC.
@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the reply. I couldn't find any 41 mix but ordered some 31 that had a lower frequency range. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a shot.
Good luck
Congratulations. You made a confusing project simply unbelievably complicated and a complete turn off.
Glad you liked the video Champ!