Orion Firmware History and Download Archive

• Fixed DV memory record/recall feature. Flash write & recall was intermittent.
• Added STOP action to SEND1,2,3 buttons.
• PTT now ignored during voice record to prevent audio pop being recorded.

• TX Meter hang increased from 200 mS to 300 mS

• Pre-amp display now updated after a master reset.
• Expanded band edges by 10 kHz to cover some MARS frequencies.

• Changed vox routine. Was not restoring correct vox gain after a power cycle
• Fixed DSP Audio selection conflict between Bin Rx and phones selections.
• Master Reset state of Binaural Receive changed to OFF.

• Improved Audio Menu MULTI routine.
• Reduced size of Sub receiver S-Meter to prevent overwrites of the Audio Menu.

• Fixed bug that caused TX to be disabled when tuner went into Bypass State.
• Added code to restore RX and TX Equalization values after power-cycle.

• Fixed audio menu bug that caused MULTI to adjust values in only one direction
• Binaural RX state now restored at power up.
• Fixed bug on preset antenna selections
• RX ANT LED update added to recall of antenna presets.
• Fixed bug in VOX system that caused the radio to key when vox first tuned on.

• Fixed FAST/SLOW encoder. FAST was tuning two times steps.

• Fixed bug in Keyer paddle routine that caused loss of rx at power-up when grounded
• Continued revision/testing of serial interface.
• New DSP code v151 to fix distorted speech monitor in AM Transmit.

• Fixed another bug in the Audio Menu BinRx routine. Failed to re-program the sub-dsp's audio selections when BinRx went to OFF.

• Changed rollover of EQ settings in audio menu to +/- limits of 20.

• Now clearing multi-encoder after moving highlight in the menu screens.
• Now rounding/truncating Vfo frequencies based on selected step.
• Changed Master Reset value of VFO-B to 14.035 LCW.
• Added Step-Multiplier function to [MAIN RX] and [SUB RX] buttons.

• Modified FM operation.
• Extensive work on the serial interface.

• Fixed bug in M→VFOB that caused VFOA freq to appear in VFOB display area and cover-up VFOB value.
• Changed Freq rounding routine to make single step after step side change. Was making two steps when moving down.
• Fixed NR and AN multi-enc behavior that caused them to occasionally turn off when being turned!
• Lots,lots,lots of work on the serial interface!

• DSP modified correct sub receiver QSK audio pops.
• Corrected Sub receiver RIT Operation.
• Final Serial Interface Updates. Release with Programmer's Ref Guide.

• Modified Filter HI/LO operation. Low Cut was affecting PBT.
• Fixed bug that was causing missing line below MON after a band change.
• Fixed bug causing screen garbage after an unsuccessful memory recall.
• Added filter BW to band register contents.
• Added filter BW to memory contents.
• Added fix for random pegging of the S-Meter.
• Added additional PBT limit checks to prevent overwriting main screen borders.

Download 1.342

• Fixed placement of Side Tone Frequency in the CW MENU.
• Removed LCD CONTRAST from storage in USER profiles. Now a Global Value.
• Implemented Audio Mute Functions on main and sub encoder buttons.
• Swapped passband orientation for Bin Rx mode.
• Modified LCD DMA Register to give maximum contrast.

Download 1.343

• Added restore of pre-amp setting on power cycle.
• ATTN/NR/AN/SQL and Speech Processor now restored correctly on power-up.
• TUNE function now reduces power only if setting is above about 20 watts.

• Modified tuning/BFO routines to improve crystal filter placement in CW modes.

• TUNE now stops automatically when the tuner is finished
• Key line/Paddles now stops CW playback.
• Eliminated garbage character beside display of sidetone pitch in CW MENU.
• Fixed Linker problem that caused garbage to appear in MEM window background.

Download 1.346

• Corrected Serial Port Commands
  • Receiver now updated when Sidetone frequency changed from the serial port.
  • Main Receiver tuning updated on change of RX filter from the serial port.
  • Corrected Left/Right/Speaker assignment order in the radio firmware.
  • Fixed Serial setting of Main/Sub AGC Threshold.
  • Fixed RIT/XIT serial port controls.
  • Added Binaural Receive serial port command.
• Enabled 60M operation. Zero Key on Numeric Keypad is the 60M band button.

• Added trap for 60M band data to handle Flash update without Master Reset.
• Modified Serial Initialization routine to stop buffer clear on power-up/reset.

• Added POD routing control to allow pod actions to be sent to a host PC.
• Corrected reporting of squelch query value.
• Corrected screen updates of AGC and Attn when changed via the serial port.
• Corrected muting on voice-playback, did appear to stick in Tx after playing.
• Added Filter-Associated Automatic Threshold adjustment to the AGC system.
• Added Filter Reset Option to the reset sequence.

Download 1.349

• Modified LSB PBT calculations to facilitate use in AFSK.
• Modified Voice Record System to ignore PTT when in recording window.
• Changed 500/250 Hz Filter Correction routine to use 10 Hz steps.

• Added code to force QSK delay to 0 in when using the tune function.
• Increased PBT ranges to 2500 Hz.
• Implemented corrections to FSK mode and enabled FSK input on rear panel.
• Changed Notch defaults to 300Hz wide at 1000 Hz center freq.

• Sub receivers now connected to VFOB on master-reset.
• Added FSK monitor function.
• Now updating band-data when VFO changes.
• Added forced update to PBT/BW controls when Tracking changed in the menu.
• Fixed bug in Memory recall. Was not correctly storing the BW in the memory.
• Added keyer lockout so it can be used only in the CW modes.
• Added Xtal Filter Gain correction and correction for DSP bandwidths <150 Hz.
• Added S-Meter correction as part of the change above.
• Added Super-programmable AGC features.

• Changed PTT routines to use timed key-down measurements and programmed delays.
• Changed amp-loop routine to operate with the new key routines.

• Fixed SUB/MAIN RIT display subroutine so they were updated when RIT was on.
• Reworked PBT/BW TRACKING routines to eliminate the odd behavior.

• Completely turned OFF the CW key input is SSB Mode.
• Eliminated erroneous display of Hz at the end of the CW_MENU.
• Added Mode, BW and PBT to A-B & B-A exchanges.
  • Dependent on Tracking Settings.
• Added calls to clear 'tuned' word from display after disengaging the tuner from the TX menu.
• Modified SWEEP clear functions to clear up junk on the screen when turned OFF.
• Modified VRP system because the DSP was staying in transmit after playback.
• Added code to clear the Voice and CW recorders indicators in FSK mode.

• Reorganized the new BBRAM values to eliminate the need for a master-reset between 1.349 and 1.355.
• Fixed pointer bug that caused pod to misbehave when the FSK was inverted.
• Fixed erroneous dot left on the display after transmit.
• Fixed SP bug that caused it to be ON at power-up even though it was OFF.
• Realigned the sub-receiver mode indicator in the display.
• Changed labeling for OTHER_MENU item selecting FSK TX Data Sense.
• Changed the sub-meter drawing routine to prevent overwriting AUDIO MENU.

• Modified serial interface AGC set routines to account for the new super-programmable AGC controls.
• Modified VRPB key-down routines to integrate new timed key-down routines.
• Removed rollover from the FSK menu option.

• Added CW MENU selection to enable CW Key to be PTT in SSB modes.
• Fixed CW Playback bug that caused stuck key-down in CW mode.
• Modified NB Display routine to properly clear the 'H' indicator when Hardware NB tuned OFF in menu.
• Fixed line segment missing after a band change. (Between MON and SP functions)

Download 1.358

• Modified NR code to eliminate overloading.
• Modified the CW record/playback to improve reproduction of character spaces.

• Added Hardware NB control to the NB button. Press and Hold to toggle.
• Added bandwidth/mode association. Mode auto recalls last used BW.
• Corrected drawing in mode menu to remove Unwanted lines on left of screen.
• Modified sub receivers AGC hang setting serial port function.

• Added cross-mode ability via VFO selection.
• Added restore of mode/bw association to the serial port mode set command.

• Keyer Speed and SEND selections now change based on the transmit mode. (part of the cross-mode changes)
• Changed TUNE mode to take into account the new cross-mode tx capability.
• Added BW and PBT exchange to the A/B swap function.

• Corrected SUB RX FSK PBT bug. Was jumping to 0 when the PBT was adjusted.
• Added calls to update BW values on display when recalling a band registers.
• More patches for voice record/cross mode operation
• Modified serial interface TUNE routine to fix hang-up.
• Added lock-out to TUNE BUTTON if the radio is already in transmit.
• Modified NB/NR DSP for improved handling of large signals.

Download 1.363

• Added Clear function to master reset of USER storage.
• Fixed code in the highlight that was causing overwriting of TX MENU
• Fixed bug in mode-associated BW array index that caused USER recall crashes.
• Added RAM-CLEAR sequence (hold down VFOB LCK button at power-up)
• Added @A/@B prefix to 4-byte frequency query response.
• Now restoring VOX state after TUNE operation with internal tuner installed.
• Corrected XM indicator in STEP display. Now updated when changing receivers.
• Corrected typo in ?KV parser where main rx always indicated VFOA associated.
• Fixed bug in RX menu's HW NB display routine.

Download 1.364

• DSP - changed set point for Transmit Gain Control.
• Changed S-Meter correction for 500Hz xtal filter.
• DSP - changes to NR/AN to improve simultaneous operation.
• Fixed bug in serial interface memory recall routine.
• Fixed bug in keyer routine. Mono plug causing sidetone at power-up.

Download 1.365

• Fixed bug in keyer. Was causing dit-dah to be sent after turning it on.
• Fixed bug in MUTE function of audio menu.
• Fixed bug in audio menu. Left/Right associations now restored on BinRx off.
• Fixed bug in A/B split operation of TUNE feature. Freq wrong on return to Rx.

Download 1.366

• Reduced delay between button down and voice playback.
• Corrected bug that caused inoperable FM on power-up or mode change.
• Added more delay to DSP sequences to correct sweep related Lost-TX problem.
• Modified DSP init sequence to eliminate monitor/sidetone noise problem.
• Added DSP Filter Length Control to the FILTR menu.

Download 1.367

• Added ASCII CW Send to CW Interface
• Adjusted Serial Buffers to improve command response.
• Changed Sidetone lower limit to 100 Hz.
• Modified DSP Gain correction for filters below 150 Hz.
• Enabled RIT/XIT controls during SPOT operation.
• Corrected Main Rx tuning bug that affected SPLIT when Rx's not on same mode.

• Expanded 60M band to 5.425 to include Norways 5.410 and 5.420 allocations.
• Modified tuning code to reduce the tuning stutter at high encoder rotations.
• Fixed Menu item placement in FILTR, VOX and SSB Menus.
• Added the remote pod encoder control back to the VFO controls. Needed because of tuning changes.

Download 1.369

• Modified external band data update in the DDS update routine.
• Modified POD tuning routine to fix routing to host feature.
• Added BAND DATA handling to band-change and Direct Entry.
• Fixed bug in step-change function affecting negative tuning direction.
• Fixed bug in Tx-Loop vs ANT selection causing interference between the two.
• Fixed bug Rx Calc causing the Sub-Rx RIT value to be used when using VFOB.

Download 1.370

• Added band line update routine to the serial frequency set command.
• Modified VFOA/VFOB tuning to use associated receiver step, as per the manual.
• Extended 60m band lower edge to 5.255 to for UK special privileges.
• Modified A>B B>A to prevent mode change when no rx assigned to the source VFO.
• Modified main encoder routines to disable FAST encoder rate when in MENU mode.
• Decreased programmed-delays in SWEEP system to improve update rate.
• Modified PBT/BW and HI/LO Knob routines to prevent changes while in transmit.
• Modified AF Gain relationship to MAIN and SUB controls to fix MAIN/SUB conflict with LEFT OUT when Headphones were not being used.
• Modified POD encoder settings to group PBT/BW together.
• Additional Modification to ALC system.
• Changed CW transmit gain routine to stop adjustment during attack/decay.
• Moved sub-receiver meter routine from interrupt routine to main loop. This was causing greater than expected CW variation when the KEY/PTT occurred during this routine.
• Reallocated time slices in the sweep routine to prevent conflict with DSP TX transition routines that are suspected of causing loss of transmit signal.
• Corrected code that sets external band data. Conflicting calls to this routine during Interrupts caused the band data errors when set from the serial port.
• Modified Voice Playback PTT Timing. Was conflict with the Tx/Rx transitions.
• Disabled Voice PLAY functions if the voice memory is 'empty'.
• Modified the Voice Memory ERASE functions to clear the associated FLASH block w/o requiring SAVING from the menu.
• Corrected Xtal Filter indicator to update on transition instead of next step after transition.
• Now saving/restoring Audio MUTE state on power cycles.
• Now Front Panel PTT is the same as rear PTT in CW mode.
• Modified Transverter operation to use AMPKEY1 delay time for non-qsk operation of the XVRT KEY output.
• Modified TXOUT/TXEN handling to eliminate possible hot switching issues.
• Relabeled CW jack PTT menu item.
• Improved de-bounce on PTT/CW lines to prevent DSP from hanging in transmit.
• Fixed T/R indicators routine so it did not overwrite MENUs when updating.
• Fixed bug in C.F. adjust routines that resulted. Was garbage when +limit hit.
• Added checks for TUNER BYPASS to serial freq routine. IF band changed the tuner is no longer TUNED.
• Fixed Xtal Filter adjustment factors for SSB modes. This reversed changes in an earlier version.
• Changed menu items that indicated 'seconds' to use a lower case 's'.

Download 1.371

• Modified Xtal filter code to stop RX filter being engaged on T/R transitions.
• Fixed A>B B>A bug that prevented USB mode from moving between VFOs.
• Reduced Sub-Receiver meter update rate. Was causing slow serial port response.
• Changed 'S' to 's' in CW Rise/Fall adjustment routine.
• Changed AMP-Key routine to include case where MOX Input was disabled.
• Added fix to sub-rx ATTN relays on power up. Was set incorrectly.
• Main Encoder and Multi encoder now slowed while in menu mode.
• Fixed SWEEP display frequency calibration for USB/LSB modes.
• Corrected AF routine in MENU MODE. Mute Disabled in menus.
• Added call to clear encoders routine after exiting menu.
• Added hang to SWR meter display.
• Added more calls to serial command processor inside main loop.
• Added additional Sub-Rx programming calls to direct entry routine.
• Eliminated secondary responses from serial command handler.

Download 1.372

• Fixed bug in serial control for NR on sub-receiver.
• Decreased minimum QSK time to raise QSK threshold (above 22WPM).
• Added delays and encoder clears to AF push buttons to improve MUTE control.
• Fixed S-Meter routine to correctly show signals grater than +35 dBm.
• Rework of the Voice Playback System.
• Modified TX_LOOP controls to disable TX_OUT when Loop NOT enabled.
• Modified CHECK_MOX_ROUTINE to stop checking rear_ptt if MOX not enabled.
• Changed band limits on 20m to allow German transverter coverage.
• Modified Transverter Timing to use ANT1 T/R delay for Transverter Hang time.
• Fixed serial control of Sub-Receiver PBT setting.
• Modified transition points for xtal filters. Eliminted overlap safety-zone.
• Increased Mars coverage: includes 4.036,5.118, 7.358 and 6.91-6.915 and 7.405.
• Modified AMP Key and TXOUT to keep from getting latched in the 'on' state.
• Fixed BUG in XTAL filter select routine causing narrow-bypass to be engaged.
• Fixed bug in SPOT routine occasionally causing spot tone to stay on.
• Modified MODE change code to correct serial filter selection problem.
• Fixed bug in RX_MENU threshold causing threshold to change by itself.
• Modified RX_CALC routines to eliminate overflow in DSP BFO calculations.
• Corrected bug in ?RSA query that was causing MAIN AGC to be reported.
• Added Curtis MODE A Keying to CW MENU.
• Fixed bug in Serial Tuning routines cuasing Sub-Rx crashes.
• Now restoring SUB-ATTN state on power-up.
• Fixed PBT/BW tracking function causing mis-tracking if PBT or VFOB had focus.
• Corrected PBT operation in case where BW tracking was on.
• RXMENU changes to stop interference between items being updated.
• Added traps to TUNE function to eliminate Rx problem if exiting with PTT down.
• Corrected power-up restore routine to fix displayed AGC mode on power-up.
• Added MODE check to MOX routine to stop TXOUT/AMPKEY hang in non-CW modes.
• Added check for ANT2 to TUNE routine. Tuner's ready line was disabling button.
• Corrected Power-Up tuning for main receiver.
• Fixed serial port BLANKER control. Wasn't turning OFF correctly.
• Patched TUNE exit function to restore correct mode when not in CW mode.
• Enhanced RF GAIN control knob operation.

• Added additional checks for Curtis keyer control to MENUs. Was only called on power-up.
• Add WAIT_FOR_DSP_COMPLETE to mainRF routine. Toby P was reporting noise bursts.
• Added call to agc_change in serial AGC routine.

• Removed call to update xtal filter drivers inside the PBT_BW routine. This is now handled in the interrupt routine. Having it in two places was causing a conflict when writing to the interface chips.
• Added main_dsp_squelch variable to handle MOX for the main receiver. Was inadvertantly using the sub receivers squelch value for the mains MOX unmute value. This caused a SQL problem when the main receiver was in CW mode anytime.

Download 1.373b3

• Corrected problem in AGC system: Occasional noise burst when BW encoder or the RF gain knob moved.

• Eliminated passing of AGC info to DSP. This was causing Out Of Band distortion when used.

Download 1.373b5

• Modified serial control of SubRx AGC. Was not updating sub receiver as it should.

Download 2.054

• First public release of Version 2.x beta firmware

Download 2.055

• Modified Speech Processor to add a lower gain limit. This keeps the SP gain from running away.
• Created optimization routine for filters that can eliminate amplitude variations for all filters.
• QSK not affect the TX_OUT signal in CW mode when the keying loop is turned on.
• Corrected VFOB Vs TUNE interference.
• Corrected VFOB Vs SUB Mode interaction.

Download 2.056

• Corrected SUB-RX LSB PBT. Was moving the passband the wrong direction.
• Fixed 'stuck' TX_OUT hang bug introduced in version 2.055.

Download 2.057

• Fixed the SUB label position on the display.
• Fixed the main MODE label position.
• Corrected main & sub filters underline positions.
• Corrected random SWEEP centering for AM mode.

• Modified the AGC system. Now has slow attack to eliminate hang-up on news spikes.
• Modified the Speech Processor to use envelope detection for gain changes instead of peak-detection
• Relocated the NR and NOTCH functions down one decimation level to reduce the processor load!
• Fixed scaling inside manual notch function that caused numeric overload.

Download 2.059

• Added control of Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) in microphone A/D.

• Increased AM Rx BW to 9khz
• Added soft limiter to FM Transmitter
• Added on screen BAND REGISTER indicator.
• Added on screen SPLIT indicator.
• Improved AM TX carrier level.
• Improved QSK.

Download 2.060b

• Corrected bug in band change that caused ‘A’ register to be overwritten.

Download 2.061f

• Corrected bug that caused an audio pop on sidetone trailing edge.
• Band register selection now remembered on each band.
• Corrected bug in band change that caused ‘A’ register to be overwritten.
• Modified AGC RISE in DSP to get maximum gain if FLAT was selected.
• Fixed Vox/CW mode change bug that would allow radio to transmit CW on voice peaks.
• Added code to recall antenna presets on frequency change via serial port.
• Corrected audio roll-off in Voice Record/Playback.
• Modified AGC to reduce affect of short RF pulses on AGC response.
• Increased line output level.
• Corrected update of sub rx gain when set over the serial port.

Download 2.062a

• Adjusted gains to correct overload when large +EQ was set and AGC was set for FLAT.
• Corrected serial port VFO update routine resulting in display not being updated when changed.

Download 2.063Xg

• Enhanced SWEEP function with enlarged display and tuning cursor
• User selectable RF or AF derived AGC
• Optional Per-Band or Global MIC/PWR settings
• Enhanced A>B VFO Copy function

Download 2.064X11

• Reduced "Receiver blow-by" in sub and main rx
• Incorporated NR from the Orion II
• Increased 60m band size
• Improved Step selection handling
• Improved AN/NB/NR Crashing
• Added PBT to band registers
• Sweep Display recalibration
• Modified NR control range
• Improved sub receiver AM mute problem
• Improved rear panel band info update bug
• Resolved serial TUNER command
• Resolved FSK/CW tone interaction
• Resolved raspy CW tone interaction with SSB modes in sub Rx
• Resolved subrx key click when main rx in CW
• Resolved AM vs SSB audio crashing
• Note: When transitioning to/from this version with previous versions, it is highly advised that the user
• perform a master reset and a ram clear.
• Utilized Windows 7 64-bit compatible installer
• Utilized Windows 7 64-bit compatible update.exe

Download v3.032x7b firmware zip file - also contains latest update utility to install firmware

Changes in the Orion 565 v3.032x7b.ruf file:

These changes apply to the Main Rx only. The Sub Rx was not changed.

• Added selection of S-Meter input to Other Menu. Selection is AGC Level or RF Signal. Default is AGC Level. Selection is retained over power cycles.
• S-meter reading is compensated for ATTN setting, Preamp setting, signal reduction caused by the analog hardware AGC with strong (> S-9+35) signals, and the RF Gain control.
• S-meter is calibrated so S-9 is 50 uV across 50 Ohms at the antenna terminals.
• S-meter calibration routine updated to correct for a missing step in the table.
• S-meter ballistics follow the Hang Time and Decay Rate of currently selected AGC profile.
• Serial Commands to change either VFO frequency were restored to previous functionality by removing the band checking. Note that a serial command setting the Main Rx VFO outside of a ham band may cause the VFO knob to not change frequency.

Note: Be sure to do a Master Reset, a RAM Clear, a second Master Reset, and finally, a power cycle. This insures that anything left in memory from a previous release will be erased.