X-108 Info Best rig control programs for X108G? (1 Viewer)

[DD5LP]

Please note the green animal above comes from me typing An dr oi d - I am working with the program developer to test his smart phone or tablet program with the X108G. At the moment this is still in Beta - watch this space...

 

[DD5LP]

For those looking to control your X108G from your anDroid-smartphone, version 3.0 of PocketRxTx from Dan Toma YO3GGX is due to be released to Google Play by the start of February (2019). This latest version has been revised and extended and allows control of the XIEGU X-1098G either via an OTG USB cable or over the network (LAN or WAN). When connecting of a WAN (e.g. the Internet) changes are needed to your local router however both CAT controlls and Audio is transferred to and from the PC (Windows, Linux or MAC) which is then connected via USB and an audio interface to the rig. A free Java server program jAReC is provided to run on the PC.

The PocketRxTx program comes as a free version with adverts and a few small restrictions which you can upgrade to the Pro version for just a few Euros/dollars.

I have been helping Dan test the new version and am happy to say it works well with the XIEGU. I use it while out on SOTA summits so that I have a large frequency display rather than the built-in OLED display which becomes unreadable at any level of sunlight.

73 Ed.

 

[Gyula Loosz]

Ham Radio deluxe and Log4OM, is the best selection my opinion

73! Gyula

 

[squirreluk]

I am trying to get my new Xiegu set up for digital modes. I think I have the sound card/input issues worked out, but the CAT control doesn't seem to be very well emulated in many of the rig control and digital programs.

In WSJT-X, I can't make the radio transmit via CAT. flrig doesn't seem to work at all. DX Commander has been the one with the least problems. I haven't tried HRD because it is not freeware.

In every program, I set the rig as IC-7000 using the virtual COM port at 9600/N/8/1.

Has anyone had success with computer control of this radio?

Aloha and 73,
Bob KH6BE

Yes im having the same problem. have been told that you need a seperate usb cable plugged into the back of the rig and into the pc. The problem im having is to get a usb driver to install. keep getting a usb installation error message.

 

[DD5LP]

OK, I can now announce the release of version 3 of PocketRxTx an-droid Ham radio remote control program. It runs on An-droid tablets and Smart phones. There's a free "try before you buy" version with adverts of for less that $5 you can buy the advert-free version.

I now use this software on my mobile phone connected via USB to the X108G at every SOTA activation I do as outdoors, the "Outdoor" version of the X108G with the latest OLED display is unreadable and the little rubber buttons are also horrible to use.

When you install PocketRxTx it already has drivers for the USB chip in the X108G enabled and you will be asked to download a configuration from the central repository. The one there at the moment (written by me) covers all neccessary features. I am testing an extended version that has all CAT features that work on the X108G available and this will replace the on in the central repository once I am happy it is bug free.

If anyone needs more details - simply reply to this posting and I'll see if I can help.

Before someone asks - no there is no iPhone / iPad version of the software and with the restrictions that Apple have on hardware access it is unlikely that there ever will be - sorry.

Here's the link to the app in the Google Playstore

Free version with adverts:

You must be registered for see links

Paid version:

You must be registered for see links

73 Ed.

 

[DD5LP]

Yes im having the same problem. have been told that you need a seperate usb cable plugged into the back of the rig and into the pc. The problem im having is to get a usb driver to install. keep getting a usb installation error message.

Can you post the error message that you get please and the name and version of the Windows drivers you are trying to install.

73 Ed.

 

[tscrim1]

For those looking to control your X108G from your anDroid-smartphone, version 3.0 of PocketRxTx from Dan Toma YO3GGX is due to be released to Google Play by the start of February (2019). This latest version has been revised and extended and allows control of the XIEGU X-1098G either via an OTG USB cable or over the network (LAN or WAN). When connecting of a WAN (e.g. the Internet) changes are needed to your local router however both CAT controlls and Audio is transferred to and from the PC (Windows, Linux or MAC) which is then connected via USB and an audio interface to the rig. A free Java server program jAReC is provided to run on the PC.

The PocketRxTx program comes as a free version with adverts and a few small restrictions which you can upgrade to the Pro version for just a few Euros/dollars.

I have been helping Dan test the new version and am happy to say it works well with the XIEGU. I use it while out on SOTA summits so that I have a large frequency display rather than the built-in OLED display which becomes unreadable at any level of sunlight.

73 Ed.

Ed, do you know if this will profile will work for the new Xiegu G90?

 

[DD5LP]

Sorry I can't say as I haven't got any data for the G90. In another thread on this Forum, apparently someone already has a G90 (I think it was one of the threads talking about replacing a faulty OLED display) - in any case I asked if the documentation says anything about what CiV command set the G90 uses - whether it is a cut-down version of the IC7000 as the X108G is - so far I have not received an answer.

Do you already have the new XIEGU G90? If so what does it say in the documentation about CAT commands. I would hope we could build the necessary profile (radio file) for the G90 once we know what command set it uses. The next release of PocketRxTx (V4) has a rather nice configuration management program where commands can actually be tested with the rig attached and then included in the configuration file.

73 Ed.

 

[tscrim1]

Sorry I can't say as I haven't got any data for the G90. In another thread on this Forum, apparently someone already has a G90 (I think it was one of the threads talking about replacing a faulty OLED display) - in any case I asked if the documentation says anything about what CiV command set the G90 uses - whether it is a cut-down version of the IC7000 as the X108G is - so far I have not received an answer.

Do you already have the new XIEGU G90? If so what does it say in the documentation about CAT commands. I would hope we could build the necessary profile (radio file) for the G90 once we know what command set it uses. The next release of PocketRxTx (V4) has a rather nice configuration management program where commands can actually be tested with the rig attached and then included in the configuration file.

73 Ed.

They're sold out, but I have one on order from the next batch. Should be sent in a couple of weeks. I gather from discussions on the Facebook page that either the 7000 or the 718 profile work (with preference for the 7000). The manual

You must be registered for see links

merely says "The G90 uses the standard CIV instruction set. You can use the standard instructions of this instruction set to remotely control the transceiver. It can also be used to configure the control instructions of other software to control the G90." I do have PTxRx+ but have only used it with WebSDR until now. Great little tool. I'll look out for the update

73 de Tim 4X1ST/G8RGQ

 

[DD5LP]

Hi Tim,
In that case download the free version of the PocketRxTx App to your phone and sort out the cable you need. It looks like the connector on the back of the G90 is a standard Micro-USB socket. Your smart phone will be either a Micro-USB or the new USB-C socket. In either case, you need an On-The-Go (OTG) cable or adapter to plug into the phone to make it the host as the rig will always be the client side of a connection. Usually the OTC adapters go to a full-sized "USB-A" socket so once you have that from you phone a standard USB-A to Micro-USB cable (as used to charge most Smart Phones) will be all you need. If you find you are getting EMI down the cable into the rig, I have found a board that helps with that but it uses a different connector - a mini-USB one!

Select XIEGU X108G when the PocketRxTx install process gets that far as I expect it will work, but perhaps a fuction might not work or more likley there are more functions in the G90 that I haven't put in the X108G file as they don't work with the X108G.

When you get that far, drop me a direct email (my email address is correct on qrz.com) and I can probably create you a custom file for the G90 that you can use.

73 Ed DD5LP / G8GLM / VK2JI.

 

[DD5LP]

Hi Tim,
I've had a G90 Configuration added to the central repository, so when you get your G90 and want to try PocketRxTx with it - simply select XIEGU and then G90 the first time you start the App.

73 Ed.

 

[tscrim1]

Hi Tim,
I've had a G90 Configuration added to the central repository, so when you get your G90 and want to try PocketRxTx with it - simply select XIEGU and then G90 the first time you start the App.

73 Ed.

Brilliant - thanks a million, Ed. I'll update here as soon as the rig arrives and I've connected it.

73
Tim.

 

[DD5LP]

Thanks Tim,
Yes please post your impressions here and let me know directly if there's something not working in the radio file (the configuration file for PocketRxTx). I'm seriously thinking about getting a G90. The better receiver (SDR), detachable front panel and built-in ATU are positive changes over the X108G.
Of course the fact that they have gone back to TFT LCD screens from the failure that OLED is in the X108-G is also a positive point!

73 Ed.

 

[tscrim1]

Thanks Tim,
Yes please post your impressions here and let me know directly if there's something not working in the radio file (the configuration file for PocketRxTx). I'm seriously thinking about getting a G90. The better receiver (SDR), detachable front panel and built-in ATU are positive changes over the X108G.
Of course the fact that they have gone back to TFT LCD screens from the failure that OLED is in the X108-G is also a positive point!

73 Ed.

Hi Ed - really impressed by the G90. It's a fantastic little rig.

It does have quirks (see my eHam review for a list). I've made a bunch of QSOs over the weekend with a temporary/compromise antenna. Best DX 6300km. Display is great, antenna match is great, antenna analyzer is basic, but useful.

Anyway... Do you mind if I publicise the app on the Xiegu FB group?

pTxRx does work - with a few caveats. Here's a quick and dirty list:
What works
Tuning (but not from rig-> app)
PTT
AGC fast/slow/off (no auto option?)
VFO A/B switch
Split on/off
Band change
Squelch setting
Memory buttons (in app)
Attenuator on/off

What sort-of works
Mode change - DOES change the mode, but the mode display on the rig isn't updated until you do something else, like swap VFO A/B and back. (mode change from rig-no reflected in app)
Power - DOES change the power out, but the power display on the rig isn't updated dynamically. You need to cycle thru the options on the power button and get back to the power output to see the new setting
Frequency change on rig isn't reflected in the app
Pre-amp will turn on, but not off (you have to turn on/off the attenuator to cancel pre-amp)

What doesn't work
TS - tuning step - doesn't seem to do much
Speaker mute
Refresh button - select parameters to be read - doesn't seem to do much

Happy to test further. Drop me an email off list if you prefer.

Thanks!
Tim

 

[DD5LP]

Hi Tim,
the reason that you are not seeing the changes back from the rig is most likley as you have the sync function turned off. To the right of the control (tuning) knob in the App, there is a small button with a red cross on it circled by two blue arrows - if you click this Sync will start and also a small pixel will flash in the display that has the time in it at the bottom of the App. This could be the button you call the "refresh" button.

Only if the Sync function is enabled will changes on the rig reflect in the App.

Note however that turning on the Sync function in the current version of the app takes a lot of resource, causes a higher level of EMI and generally slows things down, so turn this on and off as required. You can also long press the button and select to only Sync some of the possibilities.

In version 4 (currently in Alpha testing with Dan), this logic is totally changed and the performance issues should be addressed.

As for the TS option, this may be more related to a need on the X108G where to tune that rig you first have to move the cursor to the correct position - perhaps they've improved this on the G90?

Speaker Mute is only when you are running through a network server and it mutes the speaker in the phone (or tablet) not in the rig. PocketRxTx will allow totally remote operation complete with audio from anywhere you have Internet access to your smart phone. Anywhere in the world.

Pre-amp / Attenuator. XIEGU on the X108G does not support the ICOM CiV commands for this. - Does the XIEGI G90 come with a command set listing of what CiV controls it supports? If so please send me a copy and I'll adjust the G90 configuration file to reflect how the G90 interprets the ICOM CAT commands.

This might also answer your "Auto AGC" option question - AGC is usually set to slow / medium or fast on most rigs. Some also support off.

73 Ed.

 

[tscrim1]

Thanks Ed,

I tried the sync setting (and yes, I though it was refresh hi), but the app still didn't update changes from the rig. Of course I enabled the relevant parameters: mode, freq, and so on, but no joy.

Tuning step on the G90 is similar to what you described. You push the tuning knob to step the cursor thru 10Hz, 100Hz, 1kHz and so on. There is also the option to step at 100kHz from the multifunction knob. I will play with this some more. I tried the freq spinner with a changed step, but not the freq+/- buttons.

On the rig, you push the PRE button to step through pre-amp on, attenuator on, and both off. The app toggles attenuator on/off, but for pre-amp only the "on" works. Which sort of makes sense.

Sadly, Xiegu don't publish a list of the supported C-IV commands. I've emailed the company, and we'll see if they will help. People generally seem to use IC-7000, 7100 or 718 profiles.

Do you mind if I post about the app on the Facebook Xiegu group?

73
Tim.

 

[DD5LP]

No worries with you posting to FaceCrook group. I dont use FB myself being an IT profi and able to see the every present security holes in their systems.

I hope you can find someone in XIEGU to provide a list of CiV commands that the G90 uses - I was unsucessful with the X108G and all of the functions that are in my PocketRxTx configuration "radio" file, I found out by trial and error, going through all of the IC7000 commands. Many, many do not work at all, so the XIEGU commands are a small subset of the ICOM ones.

Pre-amp and attenuator are separate keys on the X108G, so there's one difference in the G90 interface logic, so it may be possible to make specifically pre-amp on/off att on/off work from PocketRxTx via the CiV commands with the G90 where I can only reliably do "toggle" on the X108G.

TS on the X108G is using the knob to change what ever position the cursor is under on the 108G screen, so it sounds like the G90 may have improved its operation in that area as well.

I'm presuming you are USB cable attached between your smart phone and the G90? You could try changing the speed of the link (the G90 end should do an auto-speed check at connection time if it's like the x108G) - so disconnect in the app, change the USB comm port speed and reconnect. Try slower and faster and see if you start getting changes made on the rig shown in the app then.

For tuning both the knob and the up and down buttons in the App should work to tune the G90. I'm surprised they don't as these use a tuning CiV command that is common across many ICOM rigs so i would expect it not to have changed in the G90.


73 Ed.

 

[DD5LP]

Tim,
Can you tell me if the S-Meter function is working with your G90 and PocketRxTx as another user has reported it as not working. If it doesn't work with you, then it's most likely a difference in the CiV commands used by Xiegu with the G90 as compared with the X-108G.

73 Ed.

 

[tscrim1]

Tim,
Can you tell me if the S-Meter function is working with your G90 and PocketRxTx as another user has reported it as not working. If it doesn't work with you, then it's most likely a difference in the CiV commands used by Xiegu with the G90 as compared with the X-108G.

73 Ed.

Sorry Ed, only just seen this. I didn't have an aerial connected when I first tried the app, but you're right: the S-meter data isn't being passed. I haven't had a reply from Xiegu regarding the C-IV command set, but will let you know if/when I do.

BTW - had a real blast with the G90 over the short time I've had it. Best DX was the Falkland Islands at nearly 13,000km. Even with a compromise antenna this little rig does the job.

T.

 

[DD5LP]

OK, from what Nigel G0CGZ is seeing, I believe the calibration parameters that I have put in the G90 radio file are too harsh. The rig sends back a number in the range 1-255 when asked for an S-reading and these have to be calibrated against the actual reading. Ideally you need to send the command to request the S-meter reading from a Terminal program on a computer connected to the G90 and then see what information is sent back when the meter on the rig is showing S1, then tune the rig to a stronger signal where the rig indicates S2 and send a request command and note what comes back. (you can find an S9 interference signal and simply turn down the RF gain on the G9 until it shows S2 on the rig - that's fine). Then do the same for S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S9+10db, S9+20db, noting down all the responses. Given this data I can update the configuration (radio) file so that it shows the correct text number and scale in the PocketRxTx App. It can be that a high number or a low number coresponds to a high or low S-meter indication - some rigs work one way and other rigs the other way around.
Of course AGC has to be turned on, on the rig to get any S-meter reading at all as it's the AGC voltage that is being read.

Great to hear that the rig is working so well, with a contact into the Falkland Islands with just 20 watts!

73 Ed.