Xiegu G90 PTT issue, PTT not released

I have exact the same issue. I also checked the settings following the link from "trance" (except the winlink settings, because I use VarAC 😉). Unfortunately I have no Facebook account ... is there a Telegram group?

Winlink with Vara-HF and all other Digimodes works like a charm, except VarAC. In the settings Dialog PTT ON/OFF and frequency change is working perfect. Checked with direct CAT control and onmirig. Both the same issue ...

I'm working with a Microsoft Surface 3. On another Computer (Fujitsu Ultrabook, it's working with the same settings. Because the Surface 3 has a weaker CPU (Atom) as the Fujitsu (i5 or i7), maybe it's a timing issue?

If I should do something to figure it out, please let me know. VarAC is really, really nice (THANK YOU!), I don't want to miss it on my Surface for portable settings.

Thank you,

73 de Thomas OE3TBR

I had the identical issues today... and also found the solution that worked for me.

Xiegu G90 & Winlink Express – OH8STN Ham Radio

Hi Erik. Are you on the Facebook page ? I put it for everyone to assiset. and people has some advice for you. also some says it works ok for them. please read this and engage with them directly to find out how to resolve your problem:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/varahf/permalink/5256255264413703

Well - I know some X90 folks are using it ok. I just posted in the Facebook group this thread to see if they can jump in and assist in analyzing this with you.

When killing VarAC after a CQ the transceiver stays keyed up. I waited about 10 seconds then started VarAC again. The transceiver stays in TX mode. Repeated this cycle 3 times.

Then upgrade to v 3.5 on my laptop, also tested 3 times. Results are the same. The TX is never released.

Only way to get the TX to stop is to power down my G90.

Next steps are only tested with version 3.5:

When the transceiver is in TX mode after a CQ call and i disconnect the CAT cable it remains in TX mode. When i then disconnect the data connection (audio in/out) it remains in TX mode. Other way around, so first disconnect data connection then CAT gives same result.

Now for the fun part. When i only connect CAT cable and do NOT connect the data cable (audio in/out) the PTT keying works fine, off course no audio is being transmitted. I've tested 3 full CQ cycles, switching between TX and RX is as expected.

As mentioned before, when only connecting the data connection, thus without CAT, switching between RX and TX also works. Which indicates that the G90 enforces VOX when audio is selected from the LINE (in) jack. The radio allows selecting of audio input source, either MIC or LINE. The LINE is the data (din) jack in the back of the rig. I double checked, the VOX setting is disabled. This setting only seems to be used when the audio input is set to MIC.

Your effort is surely much appreciated!

ok. next test. start CQ. your PTT will remain keyd as this is the problem.

Kill VarAC. Does this transver stay keyd ?

Start VarAC. Does starting VarAC disable the TX ?

not giving up yet. I want to see if the CAT command is not OK or the sequence of PTT ON/OFF.

First question - in the SETTINGS - when you TRY PTT ON and OFF, does it work ? or stay on PTT ON ?

Unfortunately that did not work. I also tried a value of 500 and even of 1000. Result is the same in all cases.

I suspect of something Erik.

Please go to VarAC.ini file and increase this parameter.

PortWaitTimeMs=100 --> 200

try again and let me know

Hi Irad,

Sorry for the late response. I've tested some further with the G90.

When testing PTT ON/OFF it works just fine as expected.

When calling CQ the PTT is kept enabled, so that's not how it should be.

When using the tuning option in the Vara software i noticed the G90 is also set to TX mode, and stopping a tune cycle does not release the PTT mode.

Then i noticed that it works fine as soon as i disconnect my CAT cable. Now the PC is only connected using the sound card interface. Although VOX is disabled the set is keyed-up when i start a tune cycle in the Vara software. This time the PTT is released as soon as i stop the tune cycle.

I find it strange my G90 starts transmitting without CAT so i assume this is a software bug or feature in the firmware (v 1.78) of my G90. When the G90 sees audio on the line in of the data jack in the back the set is set to TX. Which is convenient when you leave your CAT cable at home while in the field :-)

As a workaround i can leave the CAT cable disconnected and use the magical TX triggering as soon as the Vara software sends audio to the soundcard. The downside is i have no automatic frequency control for QSY.

When doing the same kinds of test with Winlink it works just fine in both cases, CAT cable connected or disconnected. Only difference in settings is that i selected the ICOM 7200 as a rig since Winlink has no G90 option.

I've tested VarAC with the ICOM 7200 option, but results are the same as with the G90 selected.

For other reasons i installed everything on another laptop with a fresh Windows 10 install and made sure the FTDI (usb-serial) drivers where up-to-date.

73

Erik

Hi Erik. When you Test PTT ON/OFF on the settings screen - does the PTT OFF work?

Hi,

Unfortunately it's still not working for my G90.

My settings are:

And the log shows:

05:42:58 - CMD: CQFRAME PE1PUX 500
05:42:58 - OK
05:42:58 - PENDING
05:42:58 - PTT ON
05:42:58 - BUSY ON
05:43:03 - PTT OFF
05:43:03 - CANCELPENDING
05:43:03 - BUSY OFF
05:43:08 - CMD: CQFRAME PE1PUX 500
05:43:08 - OK
05:43:08 - PENDING
05:43:08 - PTT ON
05:43:08 - BUSY ON
05:43:13 - PTT OFF
05:43:13 - CANCELPENDING
05:43:13 - BUSY OFF
05:43:18 - CMD: CQFRAME PE1PUX 500
05:43:18 - OK
05:43:18 - PENDING
05:43:18 - PTT ON
05:43:18 - BUSY ON
05:43:23 - PTT OFF
05:43:23 - CANCELPENDING
05:43:23 - BUSY OFF

The PTT is enabled fine, audio is being transmitted, but the PTT is just never released. Frequency changes are also working fine.

I'm running firmware version 1.78 (Jan 19 2022) in my radio. Perhaps other people for which it is working are using an older version of the firmware?

The USB Serial device is an FTDI serial adapter, which is working fine for other digital modes apps.

I can work using my 7300, but it would be nice to have the G90 working for portable activities. If there is anything i can do in helping with debugging, please let me know!

@pe1pux any update ? maybe now with V3.4 ? I got feedback that CAT command works great with G90. Please let me know.

There was some posts about G90 configuration on our facebook page.

Please take a look and see if you have similar configurations on your end as shown by other G90 users :

Here is one screenshot from someone using Omnirig:

I use a Signalink usb interface and have no problems with any of my digital modes.