apache-labs.com

Orion Mk II 2.3 firmware released (current protocol/Protocol 1)

https://github.com/TAPR/OpenHPSDR-Firmware/tree/master/Protocol%201/Orion_MkII%20(ANAN-7000DLE_ANAN-8000DLE)

This moves the HPF selection frequency from 1.5 MHz to 1.8 MHz so the full MW band can be received without the HPF being in circuit.

It also fixes a bug in the CW Keyer that prevented the speed being changed whilst a character was being sent.

Phil writes: "Thanks to Rick, N1GP, for his assistance with this release."

Just updated my 7000dle to 2.3 firmware. All went well.


KE4WY Jim

Hi Scott... As a new 8000DLE owner I'm curious to know what the most current firmware version is? Most everything I see here shows 2.3, however mine clearly showed 2.4 on first startup. Sadly I've had issues with it right out of the box, of which Doug has confirmed since he received it yesterday. The firmware was rolled back to 2.2 with the help of one the experienced users here in an effort to remedy the issues before sending it to Doug
Thanks
Carl

Hi Carl,

As far as I know, the latest firmware is what is in the TAPR Github repository, and for the Orion MKII based hardware that is 2.3. I was not aware there was a 2.4.

Since you are currently in contact with Doug perhaps you could quiz him on that and report back what he says here.

Thanks,

Scott

Scott...
Just heard back from Doug. He informed me he had to replace the PA board and finals transistor in my new 8000 and is shipping it back to me tomorrow. Also, re: FW 2.4....

"The v2.4 is not beta. It was produced in May 2018. It has not been released to the public as of yet by the developer.

73,
Doug"

That's interesting. Since it was loaded on my 8000 but I rolled back to 2.2 I don't know if I can get it back!

Carl

Scott...
This from Doug when I asked him about what version he recommends I run.

Carl,

I did not change the firmware versions. The differences between 2.2, 2.3, & 2.4 are negligible.

2.2 to 2.3 had a freq switching point for the HPF changed from 1.5MHz to 1.8MHz because someone in Europe wanted to listen to the BC band. 2.3 to 2.4 was a minor change so the factory could use a new flash memory chip on the Orion MKII board. Your board doesn’t have the newer memory. If it did your board would not have worked with the older firmware.

Doug

Thanks, Carl.

I wonder if loading 2.4 on your radio was a happy accident, since it is still the old board revision and will run on 2.3 and below.

I also wonder if they are sitting on releasing 2.4 publicly until hardware with the new board revisions starts shipping.

Scott, ver. 2.4 is what came on both Carl's and Enne's 8000's. So, for whatever reason, the 8000's appear to be currently shipping with 2/4 installed. In both cases, rolling back to 2.2 or 2.3 did not clear the problems both were having and appear to have no bearing on the issues they are having.