Category Ham Radio Reviews

Sep 15 2020

How to Update the Xiegu G90 Firmware and Comments

Xiegu G90 SDR Transceiver

Reviews seem to suggest that the Xiegu G90 is a fairly good Chinese HF transceiver. The G90 received an impressive 4.6 out of 5 rating from 33 reviews posted at eham.net.

With an SDR structure, internal antenna tuner, flexible transceiver settings, highly configurable bandwidth filters and 20 watts of power, the Xiegu G90 is attractive at its price point.

My thinking is that the G90 might be suitable for my Parks on the Air operations, Field Day and other events. My primary concern would be the 15 second FT8 duty cycle and how the finals would hold up. I’d like to hear from you if you have used the G90 with FT8.

The Xiegu GSOC Controller / Panadapter

Just for the sake of mentioning it here, the new Xiegu GSOC external controller / panadapter is, in IMHO out of the question. I am not sure if the GSOC has been released in the U.S. yet but the suggested $500 list price sure scared me off. Here’s a link to a YouTube video with a quick view of the GSOC display.

Coupling the GSOC with the G90 would lead me right back to ordering a second ICOM IC-7300 for my portable operations. When comes to the GSOC, judge it for yourself.

Updating the G90 firmware is not exactly straightforward. The firmware has to be updated separately in the display head and main body. The firmware can be downloaded from various places.

I found the firmware, terminal program (yes… a terminal program) and necessary drivers on Xiegu.eu site in zip format. Some of the sites have downloads in the .rar format which requires 7Zip software on Windows. As of this post, the latest G90 firmware version is 1.74.

Here’s a video of the procedure to follow from YouTube. The video covers firmware version 1.73 but the procedure is exactly the same.

73 de KE2YK
Best Ham Radio Apps
Sep 8 2020

My Favorite IOS Ham Radio Apps

Ham radio apps are where old analog and new digital worlds collide!

I use a bunch of IOS ham radio apps on my iPhone. The list of apps below are those I use most frequently. The links will take you to the Apple pages that better describes their features. Perhaps some of these apps may be useful to you.

Some of the apps have overlapping tools. DXToolBox and HamLog have a lot of similarites. HamLog beats DXToolBox for a bunch of reasons in my opinion.

Echolink: A free app that provides access to the EchoLink network. Use the app to connect to the EchoLink system from just about anywhere on an IOS device.

HamAntCalc: A $1.69 app that calculates the length of dipoles, inverted vee’s, verticals and more.

ISS Spottter: A free app (with optional in app purchases) that makes it easy to locate the International Space Station (ISS). You can also forecast future low passes for your area, set an alarm of the pass you want to view.

Resistor Code Calculator: A free app that’s a big help for these tired old eyes. The app calculates resistor colors and translates them into corresponding values. A useful app for anyone building kits or test circuits.

Ham Morse: A $4.99 app and worth every penny! Ham Morse is a comprehensive learning tool with different methods sending code, It will definitely help to improve your skill level. As a CW op for over 30 years, I fall back to it for a quick ‘head tune up’ from time to time.

Callbook: A free app which is handy for looking up detailed info about the call while working field operations such as Parks on the Air.

Hamclock: A 99 cents app which is a handy quick reference tool for field ops. Hamclock displays local and UTC time as well as your current grid square info.


HamLog: A 99 cents app that has an amazing array of ham radio tools for field operations. Hamlog’s features go way beyond simple logging. Visit N3WS’s Pignology site and check out his complete line of hardware interfaces and other ham radio software.

Which ham radio apps do you use on IOS or Android?

73 de KE2YK
Sep 6 2020

N1YZ’s Outstanding List of HF Nets

I’m feeling a but lazy this Sunday morning so I’m just adding this quick note about Rod Scott’s detailed list of HF nets. I ran across Rod’s work some time ago and previously added it to the blog’s links sections. However, Rod’s work is definitely worth its own post.

While I’m not much of an SSB op myself, I do enjoy operating SSB during my Parks on the Air activations. Occasionally I check into ECARS and poke around on other HF nets.

Rod has done a super job of laying out a large list HF nets with the google sheets app. Wen accessing his web page, you are presented a “view only mode” of his work.

View only allows you to set temporary filters and/or sort on specific columns to order the information to your liking. Rod has also provided a way to share the link to his work, email a copy out it to others and provides several download options as well.

N1YZ’s detailed list HF Nets is a really good reference tool for those who enjoy HF nets. Check his work in my links section or click here.

Depending on W1FE’s plans, I may get to do a Parks on the Air activation later today!

Enjoy your Sunday!

73 de KE2YK