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Table of Contents
Orion Firmware History and Download Archive
Version 1
Initial Release Version 1.325
03/26/03 Version 1.326
- 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.
03/27/03 Version 1.327
- TX Meter hang increased from 200 mS to 300 mS
03/28/03 Version 1.328
- Pre-amp display now updated after a master reset.
- Expanded band edges by 10 kHz to cover some MARS frequencies.
03/31/03 Version 1.329
- 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.
04/01/03 Version 1.330
- Improved Audio Menu MULTI routine.
- Reduced size of Sub receiver S-Meter to prevent overwrites of the Audio Menu.
04/02/03 Version 1.331
- 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.
04/03/04 Version 1.332
- 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.
04/04/03 Version 1.333
- Fixed FAST/SLOW encoder. FAST was tuning two times steps.
04/06/03 Version 1.334
- 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.
04/07/03 Version 1.335
- Fixed another bug in the Audio Menu BinRx routine. Failed to re-program the sub-dsp's audio selections when BinRx went to OFF.
04/08/03 Version 1.336
- Changed rollover of EQ settings in audio menu to +/- limits of 20.
04/10/03 Version 1.337
- 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.
04/11/03-04/13/03 Version 1.338
- Modified FM operation.
- Extensive work on the serial interface.
04/14/03-04/16/03 Version 1.339
- 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!
04/26/03-05/06/03 Version 1.340
- DSP modified correct sub receiver QSK audio pops.
- Corrected Sub receiver RIT Operation.
- Final Serial Interface Updates. Release with Programmer's Ref Guide.
05/12/03-05/14/03 Version 1.341
- 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.
05/19/03-05/22/03 Version 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.
05/27/03 Version 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.
06/03/03 Version 1.344
- Modified tuning/BFO routines to improve crystal filter placement in CW modes.
06/06/03 Version 1.345
- 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.
06/11/03 Version 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.
06/13/03 Version 1.347
- 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.
06/25/03 Version 1.348
- 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.
07/08/03 Version 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.
07/10/03 Version 1.350
- 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.
07/29/03 Version 1.351
- 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.
08/07/03 Version 1.352
- Changed PTT routines to use timed key-down measurements and programmed delays.
- Changed amp-loop routine to operate with the new key routines.
08/11/03 Version 1.353
- Fixed SUB/MAIN RIT display subroutine so they were updated when RIT was on.
- Reworked PBT/BW TRACKING routines to eliminate the odd behavior.
08/12/03 Version 1.354
- 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.
08/15/03 Version 1.355
- 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.
08/19/03 Version 1.356
- 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.
08/21/03 Version 1.357
- 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)
08/22/03 Version 1.358
- Modified NR code to eliminate overloading.
- Modified the CW record/playback to improve reproduction of character spaces.
08/25/03 Version 1.359
- 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.
09/12/03 Version 1.360
- Added cross-mode ability via VFO selection.
- Added restore of mode/bw association to the serial port mode set command.
09/16/03 Version 1.361
- 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.
09/25/03 Version 1.362
- 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.
10/06/03 Version 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.
10/22/03 Version 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.
10/23/03 Version 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.
11/14/03 Version 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.
12/19/03 Version 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.
Not Released Version 1.368
- 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.
02/10/04 Version 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.
05/18/04 Version 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'.
06/09/04 Version 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.
11/30/04 Version 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.
Version 1.373b1
- 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.
Version 1.373b2
- 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.
Version 1.373b3
- Corrected problem in AGC system: Occasional noise burst when BW encoder or the RF gain knob moved.
Version 1.373b4
- Eliminated passing of AGC info to DSP. This was causing Out Of Band distortion when used.
01/18/05 Version 1.373b5
- Modified serial control of SubRx AGC. Was not updating sub receiver as it should.
Version 2
Version 2.054
- First public release of Version 2.x beta firmware
Version 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.
Version 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.
Version 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.
Version 2.058
- 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.
Version 2.059
- Added control of Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) in microphone A/D.
Version 2.060a
- 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.
Version 2.060b
- Corrected bug in band change that caused ‘A’ register to be overwritten.
Version 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.
Version 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.
Version 2.063Xg - Beta
- 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
Version 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
Version 3
Version 3.032x7b
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.