WSJT/FT8 with Xiegu G1M

Let's get the Xiegu G1M on FT8

I think I have made some progress in getting WSJT-X to issue CAT commands my new Xiegu G1M transceiver. I am using a MacBook Air M1 computer. The G1M is connected by the supplied blue USB/3.5mm Jack cable. It presented a serial port and an audio device on the Mac. Here's what I have done so far:

1. Loaded the Mac version of Flrig

2. Configured it like this

Configure/Rcvr to Xiegu G90

Chose serial port

set 19200 baud

INIT to connect (green)

Note: Serial port number may be different as dynamically issued. Just chose the one that pops up. Then connect.

Configure/PTT Generic

'x' only in PTT via CAT box

Back to main screen

Vol does nothing, AUT (squelch) does nothing, Pwr does nothing, ATT does nothing

PRE switches in/out the RX preamplifier

PTT tests the PTT

Mode can be selected in the box (USB etc)

Freq can be set for VFO A(left) or B(right)

3. WSJT-X set up. Chose Rig as Flrig and PTT as CAT. Press Test to check it is working, you can also check PTT...

WSJT-X Preferences. 

Rig FLrig FLrig, PTT CAT, USB None

TEST CAT should turn green

I have yet to make up a couple of audio cables to connect the radio to a small USB audio dongle I have here. I need a mono cable tip to tip for dongle HP out to radio MIC input (the MIC ring is used for manual PTT by the hand held microphone), the audio output from the LS can use a standard 3.5mm stereo cable.

4. Switched to DigiRig Mobile 1.5. I have changed from the "Blue" USB cable that is supplied with the G1M to use a DigiRig interface. 

The Digirig

USB C - Serial TX/RX - Audio IN/OUT

The Digirig 1.5 has a single USB C connection to your computer (neat solution for my new MacBook Air M1, leaving the second USB C for charging...), and provides both serial data TX/RX and audio in/out for your rig in the small box. The connection are:

* Serial, simply use a normal stereo audio 3.5mm cable to connect the Digirig SERIAL to Xiegu COMM

* Audio, needs a specially made cable. I used a 3.5mm-3.5mm with one end a right angle plug. This is then cut in half and spliced to a cable for the 3.5mm Digirig plug.

Note Digirig 1.5 is used here, this has different connections to the version 1.6 which uses four way jack plugs to include RTS/DTR (PTT) and 3V3 outputs. So chose the right one!

Digirig TIP (AF_OUT) <- G1M LS TIP - output from rig

Digirig RING (AF_IN) -> G1M MIC TIP - input to rig

Digirig schematic for Audio in/out

Digirig cable splitter for audio connections (red)

RING (RIG_AFIN) to MIC TIP and 

TIP (AF_OUT) to LS TIP

Flrig must be configured to talk to the Digirig Serial USB device, then INIT to connect

Flrig configuration

The WSJT preferences must chose the Digirig audio device "USB PnP Audio Device" for input and output. The audio level output can be set by either WSJT "power" slider, and for input by the Audio MIDI app on the Mac. The audio level input can be set by the G1M volume control, and in the Audio MIDI app on the Mac.

The Xiegu G1M then looks like this, with the right angle 3.5mm plug at the front to make it neater

Xiegu G1M, audio MIC input 3.5mm right angle plug

This gives FT8 and other digital modes, on 80, 40, 20 and 15m bands.

Too much audio

I have found that there is simply too much audio, the output of the LS jack is way higher than the USB MIC input of the A/D dongle can handle so it is distorting, and the output of the HP output of the dongle is way too high for the MIC input of the G1M. So I need an attenuator in both audio channels. So far I have tested one simple plug-in 40dB attenuator in the LS connection (which is stereo) but Ihave yet to build an attenuator for the MIC connection, tip-to-tip connection only not stereo as rin gis used for PTT.

Alternative WSJT-Z

 I guess it had to happen! 

WSJT-X has been seriously forked. The fork is called WSJT-Z. It has a number of complicated additions but the one thing they have done, which the original specifically didn't do, is to have "Auto CQ". That is it calls CQ continuously and restarts automatically after any QSO. Kind of unattended operation. This is a bit dangerous as people will be tempted to just leave it running, against licence conditions...

WSJT-Z in Auto CQ mode

Here is it running, and you can see the auto QSO's I made in the log file.

I have tried it, I don't like it, I will go back to WSJT-X.

Here we are back to WSJT-X

QRP Labs does it again - a revolutionary digital SDR transceiver - the QDX

 QRP Labs have done it again. And designed a revolutionary SDR Transceiver for digital QSOs.

The QDX

It uses SDR techniques for reception generating audio IQ signals and DSP techniques for RX, and an amazing new digital signal generation technique for TX.

Design highlights

1. Si5351 VFO with a very stable TXCO, generating directly RF IQ signals for the detectors.

2. Normal Tayloe IQ detectors, feeding an on board DSP processor for USB reception

3. Digitally switched bandpass filters for four bands, 80, 40, 30 and 20m on RX, and electrically switched LPFs for TX -  no relays!

4. > 5W output from 9 or 12V supply

5. A new transmit chain, that does not just take the audio output of the PC and send it to an SSB transmitter, as most designs today. But detects the input audio frequency and programs the Si5351 synthesiser to generate the RF tuned frequency PLUS this audio frequency for direct transmission. With an output stage which is pure digital switching. Simplicity though superb software proprietary coding. 

6. CAT emulation for TS480 

7. Integrated sound card and single Audio + CAT interface to your PC. (All in the single microcomputer chip)

This is how it is done

Block diagram

And all this in a box for $80. Remarkable, of course with the current shortage of semiconductors it is not available. But I guess I could show willing by placing my order... no I can't ordering is not open!

Can you build a 100W Auto ATU for £40? Yes

 Amazing, yet again, these Chinese suppliers can deliver an ATU kit here for £25. Just connect the display OLED (or as shown here a larger one) and apply 12V and here it is

Have not tried it out yet but if it is built onto a £9 case with a 12V socket and a pushbutton that's it Here's the display of Power, SWR and L/C values used