It is now two years later. There has been at least two firmware updates pushed out. There is a list of things that they fix one of which is the waterfall issue that people were complaining about.
I just received the GSOC from Radioddity on Monday, 11/2. IMHO, it's not ready for prime time. It's not a finished product. Significant problem I noticed: When using CW, there's a delay from when the transmitter is keyed with the audible side tone from the GSOC. It is like trying to speak while hearing your voice being delayed. This problem is not evident when using the G90 without the GSOC with it's head on the base . The GSOC processor is creating a audio delay of the sidetone feedback.
Great review, and I see as of May 2024 the GSOC is on offer for $550 all in, an alternative is the new M-Plus Spectrum DSP which also incorporates a general coverage receiver to VHF from $199 for G90 use.
I don't want to be a tester too for the GSOC, too, after this review, even though I have the G90 for some time. So yesterday, I cancelled for my order, no bad reflection on Radiooddity. They replied very quickly to my request. W2CH
I was just thinking that when you put together a GSOC, G90/X5105, and the XPA125, you're at $1500-1600... a Yaesu FT-991A will do all the same and more in a more convenient package for ~$1100. The IC-705 certainly is a cleaner package as well, but I'm still waiting for an amplifier and tuner!
I watched Mike's video and went from thinking this thing was stupid to thinking I would get one, and now that I've watched your stream, I am back to thinking it's stupid.
I don't think it's stupid as much as I'm not sure it's ready for prime time. The documentation is horrible and until that can be straightened out I can't justify another 500 bucks
A solid review which hilights the fact it’s not ready for market yet. If I was to buy one of these units I think I would leave it permanently in my shack. Part of me though is thinking that’s a raspberry pi with extra hardware because that’s definitely a Linux boot screen on power up.
How about Xeigu combine the guts of the G90 onto the back of the GSOC and put it all into a weather resistant case? One can only dream. Meanwhile, I have that Lab 599 on order.
$550 for a bigger screen and a few tweats ... PLUS the G90. I'm a G90 owner and no way I'm paying $550 for that, especially since it appears to be "not ready for prime time". Maybe if they lower the price $100 and have a year to work out the bugs. Good review.
Wa6ols I discovered the gsoc will transmitted w/g90s on ssb using rtty and ft-8 and other digital modes when installed in gsoc use stateside radiooddity
I really like the G90 for portable operations. I like the GSOC, but not $500 like it. I just cannot see paying that kind of money for that. The connect systems CS-BFD (CS800D) is only $150. I must be missing something.
I feel like a $150 android device could do nearly everything the GSOC does. Add, say, another $100 for RF hardening and the requisite DSP hardware, and maybe another $30 for a rugged case, and a quality knob.
Yeah 500 is way too much, I literally exclaimed out loud when I saw the price. I hadn't heard of this item until this stream, then I thought oh a panadapter for the g90, cool. What, $200? Nope! $500! Sorry. For the price of both, you're most of the way to a 7300. Granted that's not very mobile, while the g90 is, but this combo isn't portable because you have to take the face off, so there you go.
I use a USB mouse and keyboard with mine, since I don't like fingerprints on the touchscreen. The big drawback is the lack of a serial data interface for digital ops. They say the USB ports can be used for that, but no explanation...
Yes, I buy the part on the one hand the price and the quality and features what do devices only have for over 1300 € that a great part in connection with G90 is a dream, but before the update makes the part really fun 👍🏻
Not a good thing when a manufacturer uses paying customers as beta testers. Give it 6-12 months before buying. Meanwhile I'll happily use my standard G90.
Buy a cheap soundcard that has 192khz stereo line in and a high quality 3.5in to 3.5in stereo cable. Plug it into the IQ port. Run Omnirig and HDSDR. With a little configuration you have a perfectly acceptable panadapter for the G90. Cost less than 50 USD.
Flashlights are something many ignore. I started buying Olight flashlights and wow are they quality. Have one for coyote hunting that has 1/2 mile range. Rechargeable... keychain light form them that recharges also. And they just came out with camping/emergency lanterns that are rechargeable(all there stuff is lithium if rechargeable) and on high it will light up a room, about equivalent to a 40 watt bulb. I have no connections to Olight, just a happy customer! Watch their page or sign up for their free giveaway(usually non rechargeable) flashlights. Pay very reasonable shipping is all.
Instead of $1100 for G90+GSOC what about an IC-7300?! All works well and you will not have full of bugs boxes... (do you remember the rx sensitivity degradation while tx keying? ...still not fixed for atu! etc.)
Number 1 thing with troubleshooting, never trust the equipment. Just because it isnt showing you a visual of power output on a glitchy ass control unit doesn't mean its not transmitting. Why not verify with a physical power meter before speculating that its not working. do the simple things first. This will save alot of time in the future. not being an ass in any way. just hook up a analyser or power meter and see what ya get. Or use another radio to see if you can hear it.
I read your Discord Profile. It said you were part of the FT2 Gang, but I read TF2 Gang and hoped there would be some Team Fortress 2 page on your Discord server.
You know how people get caught these days, spending there hard earned cash. On a sort of a radio with a flashy (cheap) screen. They don't worry about how good the radio (receiver) is. In the old days, transceivers got tested by experienced rf-engineers showing the pro's and con's in there magazines. How will this device perform on a very busy band, with very good propagation, 9+20 signals every 5 kHz? Now these day's, shops sent these devices to the UA-cam people for review. Luckily Josh is a little bit more critical then others. How about rf-shielding, if one can see the rf-board, past the db-9 plug. And then the 20 watts power. But they also sell 100 watt amplifiers (The XPA125B Amp). At the end, one spends more money for crap then the price of a Icom IC-7300 or a Yaesu FT991A. Guy's, it''s about time to be more critical.
Hi Eddy. In this case, this is just a control head for a radio many of have reviewed with a more critical eye. The xiegu g90. But I generally agree. More critical testing is needed.
Ah, those shneaky Shinese….. First, they create the G-90. Its a pretty good gadget. It has an “investment” price tag. But, they pack a truckload of information on the 1.9” screen. The gadget develops a following. Its just plain hard to read unless you’re right up to the screen. Aha! So then Xiegu’s answer to this… because size matters. Is to come out with another, a $650 gadget, so you can see the first $450 gadget you “invested” in. Then, as if that was not enough, Xiegu pushes onto the scene yet another gadget with the supposed answer to the 1.9” screen of the Xiegu G-90. This time, its another $550. Yet, for the money, you’re still restricted to 20W output. That is, unless you want to plunk down another $250 for Xiegu’s 80W, I believe, power add-on gadget… Pret-ty crafty o’ them.
I dont understand why anyone would buy this. You could get a radio setup from a non communist country that doesn’t have concentrations camps for the same price that has features that works.
It is now two years later. There has been at least two firmware updates pushed out. There is a list of things that they fix one of which is the waterfall issue that people were complaining about.
I just received the GSOC from Radioddity on Monday, 11/2. IMHO, it's not ready for prime time. It's not a finished product. Significant problem I noticed: When using CW, there's a delay from when the transmitter is keyed with the audible side tone from the GSOC. It is like trying to speak while hearing your voice being delayed. This problem is not evident when using the G90 without the GSOC with it's head on the base . The GSOC processor is creating a audio delay of the sidetone feedback.
Great review, and I see as of May 2024 the GSOC is on offer for $550 all in, an alternative is the new M-Plus Spectrum DSP which also incorporates a general coverage receiver to VHF from $199 for G90 use.
I don't want to be a tester too for the
GSOC, too, after this review, even though
I have the G90 for some time. So yesterday, I cancelled for my order,
no bad reflection on Radiooddity. They
replied very quickly to my request. W2CH
The polished quality of the IC-705 which has all this in one package still wins! :-)
I was just thinking that when you put together a GSOC, G90/X5105, and the XPA125, you're at $1500-1600... a Yaesu FT-991A will do all the same and more in a more convenient package for ~$1100. The IC-705 certainly is a cleaner package as well, but I'm still waiting for an amplifier and tuner!
I watched Mike's video and went from thinking this thing was stupid to thinking I would get one, and now that I've watched your stream, I am back to thinking it's stupid.
Mike is in sales, hard habit to break.
@@forgetyourlife So am I, lol.
I don't think it's stupid as much as I'm not sure it's ready for prime time.
The documentation is horrible and until that can be straightened out I can't justify another 500 bucks
A solid review which hilights the fact it’s not ready for market yet. If I was to buy one of these units I think I would leave it permanently in my shack. Part of me though is thinking that’s a raspberry pi with extra hardware because that’s definitely a Linux boot screen on power up.
How about Xeigu combine the guts of the G90 onto the back of the GSOC and put it all into a weather resistant case? One can only dream. Meanwhile, I have that Lab 599 on order.
The price of an IC-7300 for a Chinese 20 watt radio?
exactly :)
$550 for a bigger screen and a few tweats ... PLUS the G90. I'm a G90 owner and no way I'm paying $550 for that, especially since it appears to be "not ready for prime time". Maybe if they lower the price $100 and have a year to work out the bugs.
Good review.
Radioddity at $385. One on the way. These things can be fixed through firmware and open source hacking.
Xiegu G90 has output to SDR radio for input to pc or Mac for SDR display and audio
Wa6ols I discovered the gsoc will transmitted w/g90s on ssb using rtty and ft-8 and other digital modes when installed in gsoc use stateside radiooddity
I really like the G90 for portable operations. I like the GSOC, but not $500 like it. I just cannot see paying that kind of money for that. The connect systems CS-BFD (CS800D) is only $150. I must be missing something.
I feel like a $150 android device could do nearly everything the GSOC does. Add, say, another $100 for RF hardening and the requisite DSP hardware, and maybe another $30 for a rugged case, and a quality knob.
Yeah 500 is way too much, I literally exclaimed out loud when I saw the price. I hadn't heard of this item until this stream, then I thought oh a panadapter for the g90, cool. What, $200? Nope! $500! Sorry. For the price of both, you're most of the way to a 7300. Granted that's not very mobile, while the g90 is, but this combo isn't portable because you have to take the face off, so there you go.
I wonder if it has 6 m listed on there for the X5 105
I use a USB mouse and keyboard with mine, since I don't like fingerprints on the touchscreen. The big drawback is the lack of a serial data interface for digital ops. They say the USB ports can be used for that, but no explanation...
Yes, I buy the part on the one hand the price and the quality and features what do devices only have for over 1300 € that a great part in connection with G90 is a dream, but before the update makes the part really fun 👍🏻
I know this is an older video at this time and the gsoc had its share of problems, does anyone know if they were ever resolved?
This thing raises some interesting questions... is the G90 hackable? can i use an RS232 or RS485 to USB and make a desktop app to control it?
How did you eliminate the waterfall center line noise?
We only need one person to buy one, attach a logic analyser to the connector and document the interface. Then we're into the homebrew home run.
Will this unit work in conjunction with My IC 7100 ?
Nope
Not a good thing when a manufacturer uses paying customers as beta testers. Give it 6-12 months before buying. Meanwhile I'll happily use my standard G90.
Intriguing but for the same money with the radio, remote screen and amplifier you could buy an Icom 7300
Indeed! Do that instead!
Buy a cheap soundcard that has 192khz stereo line in and a high quality 3.5in to 3.5in stereo cable. Plug it into the IQ port. Run Omnirig and HDSDR. With a little configuration you have a perfectly acceptable panadapter for the G90. Cost less than 50 USD.
Xiegu 90 added FM with firmware upgrade so it is already there
Hmmn? Why? After the cost of the xeigu. It's about the same price as a good used icom 7300
Flashlights are something many ignore. I started buying Olight flashlights and wow are they quality. Have one for coyote hunting that has 1/2 mile range. Rechargeable... keychain light form them that recharges also. And they just came out with camping/emergency lanterns that are rechargeable(all there stuff is lithium if rechargeable) and on high it will light up a room, about equivalent to a 40 watt bulb. I have no connections to Olight, just a happy customer! Watch their page or sign up for their free giveaway(usually non rechargeable) flashlights. Pay very reasonable shipping is all.
Indeed! I’ve been pocketing a light for a longer time now. Always useful.
Instead of $1100 for G90+GSOC what about an IC-7300?! All works well and you will not have full of bugs boxes... (do you remember the rx sensitivity degradation while tx keying? ...still not fixed for atu! etc.)
This is what I said on the video.
Yes, I agree with you. Many thanks! GL
It’s a cool little unit, but it seems hinky as heck.
Number 1 thing with troubleshooting, never trust the equipment. Just because it isnt showing you a visual of power output on a glitchy ass control unit doesn't mean its not transmitting. Why not verify with a physical power meter before speculating that its not working. do the simple things first. This will save alot of time in the future. not being an ass in any way. just hook up a analyser or power meter and see what ya get. Or use another radio to see if you can hear it.
No cat control is a deal breaker for me.
well beyond 6" thats what she said
I read your Discord Profile. It said you were part of the FT2 Gang, but I read TF2 Gang and hoped there would be some Team Fortress 2 page on your Discord server.
$550 and it works like at 12:35, 18:25, 32:40, 35:40?! No thank you. Never...
I'll stick with my Yaesu FT-991A.
You know how people get caught these days, spending there hard earned cash. On a sort of a radio with a flashy (cheap) screen. They don't worry about how good the radio (receiver) is. In the old days, transceivers got tested by experienced rf-engineers showing the pro's and con's in there magazines. How will this device perform on a very busy band, with very good propagation, 9+20 signals every 5 kHz? Now these day's, shops sent these devices to the UA-cam people for review. Luckily Josh is a little bit more critical then others. How about rf-shielding, if one can see the rf-board, past the db-9 plug. And then the 20 watts power. But they also sell 100 watt amplifiers (The XPA125B Amp). At the end, one spends more money for crap then the price of a Icom IC-7300 or a Yaesu FT991A. Guy's, it''s about time to be more critical.
Hi Eddy. In this case, this is just a control head for a radio many of have reviewed with a more critical eye. The xiegu g90. But I generally agree. More critical testing is needed.
Ah, those shneaky Shinese…..
First, they create the G-90.
Its a pretty good gadget.
It has an “investment” price tag.
But, they pack a truckload
of information on the 1.9” screen.
The gadget develops a following.
Its just plain hard to read unless you’re right up to the screen.
Aha! So then Xiegu’s answer
to this… because size matters.
Is to come out with another, a $650 gadget, so you can see
the first $450 gadget you
“invested” in.
Then, as if that was not enough,
Xiegu pushes onto the scene
yet another gadget with the
supposed answer to the 1.9”
screen of the Xiegu G-90.
This time, its another $550.
Yet, for the money, you’re
still restricted to 20W output.
That is, unless you want to
plunk down another $250 for
Xiegu’s 80W, I believe, power
add-on gadget…
Pret-ty crafty o’ them.
Radios, specifically amateur radios are not investments.
It would be a lot less expensive to have a simple interface with USB output to a notebook computer. This is way too expensive.
You can do this now with just the g90. Enjoy!
Thanks for another great video!
Yes this thing has a ways to go yet before it is "there". Early adopters be not feint of heart...yikes.
73 de N2NLQ
I dont understand why anyone would buy this. You could get a radio setup from a non communist country that doesn’t have concentrations camps for the same price that has features that works.
HI Guy's KG6YTG.
Nope not buying it. Bad experience with Chinese radios.
Like always ugly design.