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nicFW880 BETA 03 Release
🕑 Added 2025-09-26 21:09:00 +0000 UTCmacOS Versions of RMS
The macOS versions of the RMS are provided on a “compile and hope” basis. I do not have the ability to test or verify them, so please do not report issues expecting direct support. Any problems encountered on macOS will need to be addressed by other members of the community.
According to an experienced macOS user, these versions do work, but may require advanced steps such as removing quarantine flags or adjusting file permissions. Users should proceed only if they are comfortable with these procedures.
Unsupported iRadio Models
Some early iRadio models are not compatible with nicFW. These can be identified by the screen turning white (instead of black) during firmware flashing. These models have hardware differences in the LCD backlight, causing nicFW880 to function incorrectly.
As these devices are no longer manufactured, I cannot obtain one for testing, and therefore they are not supported.
What's new in BETA 03 ?
🔒 PIN Lockout
You can now secure your device with a PIN.
Set a PIN under main menu Advanced → PIN.
When enabled, once the keypad is locked it cannot be unlocked until the correct PIN is entered.
🌙 Wake Screen Options
You now have more flexibility over what wakes the display. Configure this under Wake LCD On:
Keys Only – Only key presses wake the screen.
RX – A received signal or key press wakes the screen.
TX – Transmit or key press wakes the screen.
All – Any event will wake the display.
📡 HT Monitor in Si4732 Tuner Mode
If Multiwatch is enabled, the VFOs do not mix HF and VHF/UHF frequencies and the scope is disabled in tuner mode:
Any received signal on one of the three VFOs will temporarily interrupt the tuner and switch back to HT mode.
After the configured MW Pause, Si4732 mode resumes automatically.
🕒 24/12-Hour Clock Option
Under Time → Format, you can now choose between 24-hour and 12-hour display.
Note: In 12-hour mode, AM/PM replaces the day of the week to save space.
🧭 GPS Update with Waypoints
This is a major addition, so here’s a breakdown of the new GPS functions:
Starting GPS: There’s no default key — configure a user key or access it via the radio mode function menu (default: LP-GREEN).
GPS starts in Data Mode, showing raw GPS data as it’s received.
Function Keys:
SP-GREEN = Open main menu
SP-# = Toggle Data Mode / Tracker Mode
SP-* = Switch compass rotation mode
SP-7 = Open waypoint selection (requires at least one saved waypoint)
SP-9 = Toggle units (Imperial, Nautical, Metric)
SP-RED = Exit GPS module
Long-Press Keys (LP):
LP-GREEN = GPS function menu
LP-1 = Set tracking radius
LP-4 = Set target to current location
LP-5 = Clear target
Managing Waypoints:
To save a waypoint:
Use LP-4 to set the target.
Open main menu (SP-GREEN) → GPS category → Point Save.
Choose an unused slot and press SP-GREEN to save.
To rename:
Open waypoint selection (SP-7), navigate to the waypoint, and press LP-GREEN.
Use T9 keypad entry.
You can also manage waypoints from the RMS → GPS tab.
Note: RMS uses signed decimal degrees (up to 5 decimal places) for latitude/longitude.
nicFW880 ALPHA 3A Update
Time zone negative rollover fixed
Added 'PIN Action' menu to 'Advanced' menu category
Set to 'Startup' to force PIN entry on power up.GPS: Fixed smearing issue on fixed compass rotation mode
nicFW880 ALPHA 3B Update
GPS Altitude GEOID correction
Fixed 8.33 kHz stepping
nicFW880 ALPHA 3C Update
Fixed SP-Red to stop seeking in tuner mode
Speaker/Amplifier power down after 10 seconds of inactivity
Finer GPS Altitude GEOID correction system.
Fixed Automatic modulation and bandwidth for scan presets.
Fixed serial communication errors (introduced in 3B because I'm a plank)
Comments
Marcus Dudley
Yes you have to actually have the room to display that many characters. For an example of a channel name display with 28 characters and 8x16 font, try loading the "Stock.csv" from the extras.zip
Eric Black
I was going to put this message in the chat, but I can't seem to open it. With Beta3 RMS, I wanted to play with UI customization, but I can't find any documentation on it. I tried setting Channel Name \ Font to 8x16 to double the number of characters on screen. I also set the Channel Name Length to 28. It wrote to the radio with no errors, but I don't see any difference in the channel name display. Am I doing this wrong?
Marcus Dudley
yes that's my bad, I left the GPS debug data sending over the serial port. If you turn off 'Time -> GPS Sync', it'll be okay for now, next one will fix it.
Dan Hancock
I'm having serial communication errors with 3B. 3 and 3A no problems with serial communications.
Marcus Dudley
Of course it's not retained, the radio doesn't have a real time clock.
John Parham
I not sure where to go to ask a group question. I do not think it is a firmware issue. I have an RT-880 (none GPS). The time is not maintained when I turn the radio off and back on. The Time Zone (-6) is retained but Day of Week, Hours and Minutes all reset to 0. GPS Sync is set to off. What setting did not not configure. Thank you.
Marcus Dudley
Okay I'll check it, sounds like a variable signing problem. For now it should only be an issue from midnight to 4 am for you.
Eric Black
I installed Beta3 and noticed that the time shown at the top of the screen was incorrect. It says Sat 02:48, when the current time is Fri 22:48. I went to the Time menu and changed Time Zone from +0 to -4 (US Eastern time). However, the time now displays as Sat 65534:49. I had not changed any other time settings. GPS Sync is On.
