Brand New Xiegu G90 Firmware - and HOW TO

10/14/22 Xiegu released a new firmware for the G90. Here's how to install it:
👉 cqxiegu.com
(Download Latest G90 Firmware files under "Download" link)
👉 github.com/Dal...
(Click on link for your operating system/architecture)
👉 Open up a terminal and:
cd Downloads
chmod 755 g90updatefw
unrar x G90_FW-V1.79b02\ -\ EN.rar
sudo dmesg (note your comm port's name)
./g90updatefw ChangeLog-V1.79b02\ - \ EN/G90_MainUnit_Fw_V1.79b02.xgf /dev/ttyUSB1
(Follow on-screen instructions)
./g90updatefw ChangeLog-V1.79b02\ - \ EN/G90_DispUnit_Fw_V1.79b02.xgf /dev/ttyUSB1
👉 You may need to add yourself to the 'dialout' group in order to access the serial ports, here's the command for that:
sudo user mod -a -G dialout (your username)
👉 Then COMPLETELY logout of all sessions and login in again, don't just close your shell. Might be easier to reboot.
Device Manager Footage courtesy of ‪@TheSmokinApe‬
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[@RynardMooreVstar1]

Warning -- these procedures may not work properly on all G90 radios. If you attempt to update your display unit on your G90 and the g90updatefw displays "press press volume button while powering on" -- you will not be able to update the G90's display unit. If the aforementioned happens -- you must use the Tera Term console software and update instructions provided by Radioddity in order for things to work. As well, the instructions provided by Radioddity must be followed to the letter. 73's.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks for sharing. I didn't know about that!

[@moozoowizard]

Well I posted the same and my post vanished... whatever...

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@moozoowizard Thanks for trying! KZbin is the fickle beast we have to live with.

[@brucewolfeki6bsl840]

Actually, it's more than just that. The baud rate of the serial port is not matching the computer or script. I'm in touch with Dale to help debug this.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@brucewolfeki6bsl840 excellent.

[@brucewolfeki6bsl840]

I've been in contact with Dale, the developer of of 'g90updatefw' since yesterday. He is updating the executable to recognize whether the volume control needs to be pressed while powering on plus assuring the baud rate of the serial port matches. Only those rigs that have serial numbers beginning with 'V' requires this procedure but Dale is accounting for all scenarios to date.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Excellent, thanks for the update!

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

fantastic demo Steve… I don’t do any firmware upgrades to my g90 (too scared to after reading horror stories,lol).. but if I did do upgrades, i’d feel comfortable using your video to guide me. nice job. k0klb

[@temporarilyoffline]

Happy to help you out with it Kevin. Let me know.

[@gahvno]

I have left mine at 1.75, the version it came out of the box, and have never looked back. It works perfectly for me. I am an avid experimenter and I love doing hardware updates on my equipment, but I have a firm, long-standing philosophy of: If it ain't broke...

[@roymetzger4862]

@@gahvno are you able to use WSJT-X without the flash?

[@Tump2010]

Nice concise video, I liked it. Good information to have, well done.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Thump! I try to make them "to the point"

[@mikegassman3593]

Now if we could get one for the X6100.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I hear early November, but I'll believe when I see it.

[@mostlypostie1]

Lets hope!!!

[@vu3mes]

Your wish granted..2 days before 73

[@michaelgassman880]

@@vu3mes Not really. Very disappointing release. Numerous issues not resolved, new items need some work.

[@JReed305]

the 1.79fw has some issues that need fixing. AM mode will receive any AM signal in the band scope even if you are not tuned to that frequency. The filter bandwidth adjustment no longer works. You are stuck with 2700kHz in USB or LSB or 3000kHz in L-D and U-D. There seems to also be something funny going on with how it interacts with the XPA125B, I was experiencing issues with the ATU in the amp not tuning correctly when I reverted the G90 back to 1.75 the issue went away. I really love the features of the new FW but they need to fix a few things before it is ready for prime time.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Exactly! I'll have a video out tomorrow morning going over the features of the new firmware. In that vid I show the newly broken way of shaping the filters. The old way (that makes sense with the controls) has been removed and there is a new way. This is a problem with Xiegu. I wish they would hire me to run the firmware teams.

[@JReed305]

@@temporarilyoffline You should see if they are hiring. I love that is seems to have some noise reduction snuck in and the Data filtering is great, but it sure needs work.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Xiegu doesn't write the firmware themselves, and I haven't been able to sneak out of anybody the company name that does do it.

[@MarkPentler]

it is utterly amazing that all of these things were not found or tested either by the third party dev (do they do ALL Xiegu firmware?) or the company themselves. I am skipping this one.

[@JonathanAdami]

The exact tool I used to brick my G90 ;) I did talk to Dale, he told me the cable was at fault, I've tried other cables and same...

[@temporarilyoffline]

I have heard they can be in ricked, but haven't had a bricked one to try.

[@JonathanAdami]

@@temporarilyoffline now the hardest part is to find a windows computer with a usb a plug... everyone I know either habe a mac like me, or a surface of some flavour with only usb-c everywhere lol

[@visitslovenija]

Hi Steve, thanks for the video. Real handy to have the links direct to the download pages. Just in case it is useful to others, I have found that trying to update the G90 from Mac OSX seems to always generate errors during the upload - and leaves you with a dead radio. But doing the same from a RPi with Raspbian works fine every time. (not tried Windows) The only other issue was that Raspbian does not support RAR out of the box and I totally failed to get something working that would unzip the file. So ended up doing it on the Mac (no problem) and then copying across to the RPi to do the upload. For me, when working cw, I also feel the new multi-key access to the filter adjustments is a big improvement. Makes it quick and easy to shift the passband around to cut out adjacent signals. Ralph

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks for the tips Ralph. I think Linux is where the hamshack belongs.

[@jonmcadams5401]

Thank you! I'm seeing comments on the G90 Facebook page that this firmware upgrade has problems with AM. Can you do your amazingly thorough job evaluating this upgrade like you did when evaluating the Xeigu 6100? Much appreciated!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Will do Jon!

[@AlanElBee]

Fantastic! Thanks so much Steve. K7KS

[@temporarilyoffline]

No problem Alan!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Thank you for the video.

[@temporarilyoffline]

You bet!

[@derektrounce937]

What fixes are contained in the firmware update? And are there any new features?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'll have another video out soon, I wanted to get the process out in its own video. There is updates to AGC, Filtering and dedicated data mode.

[@W6IWN_Radio]

What's your favorite firmware version to date?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I haven't really had this long enough to pick one. The current isn't bad and the one before that destroyed AM. Luckily you can change up and down as suits your needs.

[@TheEnZoDevil]

Hi, one thing is not clear on official site documentation... On the web page is write "FW Update Note Please update the display unit first then the base. Also please note you must choose the 1k option in the file transfer menu. In the beginning, you have to press the space bar very quickly or it won't go into program mode." But on the manual procedure first the Base unit is updated... What is the correct order???

[@temporarilyoffline]

The way I demonstrated in the video works well.

[@georgealbertacanadaeh1038]

Thanks for making this tutorial. Since I purchased mine I have never done any firmware upgrades and I believe it may need one. When I am using FT8 or JS8CALL and after sending a signal out the radio stops receiving? everything else is working but no reception? I have to shut the radio off and restart to get reception. It does not happen all the time though. The radio is well cooled with the Xiegu 90 fan attached and running 5 watts into a well matched antenna. I will try your firmware upload and see if it makes a difference. Thanks 73's George Alberta, Canada

[@temporarilyoffline]

What kind of antenna? What is uour current firmware? I've done a bit of FT8 on both 1.77 and now 1.79 and I don't have lockups.

[@georgealbertacanadaeh1038]

@@temporarilyoffline I use a EURO SIGMA multi-band vertical: SE HF x-80 Firmware shows as 10. Version Base: V1 .78 Jan 19 2022 13:17

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@georgealbertacanadaeh1038 Interesting, sounds a lot like my setup. I'd start choking things just to see if that helps.

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Aloha Steve, I bought my G90 in September 2020 and haven’t done a single update. Can I still operate my G90 without all these updates?

[@temporarilyoffline]

You sure can. Stay tuned for a video on the details of what's changed!

[@LaBamba690]

The G90 has firmware AND HARDWARE issues. My brand new one won't transmit on any band or any mode. Updating to latest FW was a PITA but finally got both the main unit and the head unit updated to same version BUT IT STILL WILL NOT TRANSMIT! POS!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Send it packin!

[@DonzLockz]

I'm watching but I don't even have a G90. lol... actually still don't have any HF radio yet.😆

[@temporarilyoffline]

G90 is a great starter radio. It gets the job done, 20w is great... then it gives you a greater appreciation for more polished radios when you upgrade.

[@DonzLockz]

@@temporarilyoffline yeah, a few ppl said the same thing. I keep changing my mind but still need to save up for one first. Lol

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Link to update g90 easier??? Can't find your fast video??

[@temporarilyoffline]

Look for the Dale Farnsworth link in the description and you'll have it!

[@billbolen8115]

I just fired up my G90 and realized that I have not updated the software in a while. Base is v.1.77 and the Head is v.1.76. Can I go straight to the latest version?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes you can

[@kenbirkett2055]

Hi is there a way to add a larger screen to the G90....many thanks Ken

[@temporarilyoffline]

There are a lot of ways to do it, but first: stay away from the GSOC, its crap. Depending on what mode, they are easier. The G90 has an I/Q port on the rear, getting a good cable, you can adapt that to a sound card for waterfall display or to an RTL-SDR for a waterfall display. You can also try out what QuantumSDR.com has to offer for a remote display. Looks promising, but I haven't tried that one yet.

[@GoAmateurRadio]

I hear a high pitch on all frequencies that I can filter out. Not just at my house. Any suggestions ? On latest firmware.

[@temporarilyoffline]

That you "can" filter out?

[@GoAmateurRadio]

@@temporarilyoffline yes if I shift all the way to the left

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@GoAmateurRadio sounds like some kind of overload, but I'm just guessing. Mine does not do that. Have you tried running portable from an RF quiet location? Warranty?

[@GoAmateurRadio]

@@temporarilyoffline I just bought it used at the hamfest. Sounds like wwv on all frequencies which I can filter out if I narrow receive to 1750

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@GoAmateurRadio Hmm, that's a tough one. Try applying firmwares on either side of your current version and see if that makes a difference? Open it up and look for anything out of the ordinary? Just sharing ideas... I don't know what it could be.

[@skunked42]

So, just downloaded the software described AND bitdefender had a heart attack. Looks like someone may have added a bonus to the .zip. Might just be me.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Check it in a VM?

[@tgrossner]

Does the new firmware create bedazzled control knobs? 🤣

[@temporarilyoffline]

Yes!

[@Tom-n5tti]

**DISREGARD** KZbin changed the LINK to httpS instead of HTTP ... THANKS TO for an AWESOME video! ** Orginal message below** well bummer... i can't seem to get to the cqxiegu page ... does anyone know if there is a changelog somewhere (i've tried google for this version but no results)

[@temporarilyoffline]

I will have a video out later on the changes. For now, if you'd like to join me on toad's discord (link in description) I can get you the firmware update directly.

[@Tom-n5tti]

@@temporarilyoffline Thanks T O nevermind.. I figured it out .. user error.. site is http the link point to https (good old KZbin's helping out)

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@Tom-n5tti glad you got it sorted

[@W9TSB]

What does the new firmware fix or enhance?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'll have another video out soon, I wanted to get the process out in its own video. There are updates to AGC, Filtering and dedicated data mode.

[@gabrielmanuelmarquesiesque1156]

i think i will keep 78 version

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good choice! You can go up/down as needed/wanted.

[@wsbsteven]

FYI this breaks the data interface device that allows digital modes to work. Either that or setup is completely different. I just get static out from the audio port.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Khan, I'll take a look. Did you switch to the new U-D mode?

[@wsbsteven]

@@temporarilyoffline I'm going back to the new firmware, I'll look for that mode.

[@wsbsteven]

@@temporarilyoffline That was it. Thanks for the comment.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@wsbsteven That's awesome - 1 fix that worked!

[@dennisw7dvn463]

I give up been trying for 3 hours not worth it and not as simple as you make it out to be for the folk that aren't computer geeks lol not a put down just wish I could understand better lol

[@temporarilyoffline]

Understand Dennis. Was there an error message you got when it failed to update? It's not an easy process. Xiegu could have done a better job.

[@dennisw7dvn463]

@@temporarilyoffline Yes there were error messages and I finally got it to stop giving me the error message it’s saying I can’t find the file so I’m doing something wrong lol I think I’m gonna go rafting this white water and come back to it it’s not quite as frustrating as trying to get paint to stick to plastic what is a little frustrating but that’s all just my lack of knowledge Thanks for getting back to me W7DVN

[@temporarilyoffline]

Ok, let me know when you get back to it.

[@sonnytee]

keep getting "permission denied" on Mac ... ... know of any fix?

[@temporarilyoffline]

Did you chmod 755 g90updatefw ?

[@wesleyjones6535]

chmod 755. i'm getting segmentation fault when i execute.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Segfault usually comes from a bad download.

[@wesleyjones6535]

@@temporarilyoffline thanks for the reply. I’m going to try downloading it again. If not, I’ll spin up windows in Parallels.

[@temporarilyoffline]

On mac, the device name is likely something other than ttyusb2