nicsure
patreon
nicFW880 BETA 04E Update
🕑 Added 2025-10-04 12:55:41 +0000 UTCAPRS Is in EARLY STAGE.
This means it's not going to perform like other radios' APRS systems ... YET!!!
It takes time to get all of this right and these releases are incremental as features are added,meant primarily for testing before moving onto the next phase. So don't post complaining that it doesn't do this or it doesn't do that. I am not Superman, I cannot do everything all at once, please have some patience and read the release posts BEFORE POSTING. I have had to disable the chat for this reason.
⚠️ Important ⚠️
This update introduces new settings. Since it’s not a major version, there’s no automatic settings reset. To apply defaults correctly, you must power on the radio after flashing the firmware with the ‘EMG’ button held down.
The screen should display "DEFAULT SETTINGS" for a moment before booting normally.
If you skip this step, new settings may have unpredictable values and could cause issues.
Wait for the red triangle to disappear before proceeding.
For now, continue using the existing RMS BETA04 version alongside this update.
The RMS can be downloaded [HERE]
New GPS Module Functions
GPS Sync has changed location
Previously found at Main Menu -> Time -> GPS Sync, it’s now at Main Menu -> GPS -> Enabled.This must now be ON for any GPS functions to work.
If turned off, the radio will use fixed GPS locations (see below).
APRS Beacon with PTT:
While PTT is engaged, a short press of ‘S1’ will send an APRS location beacon.Default GPS Waypoint:
Waypoint 99 is the default location.
If GPS is turned off or the radio is non-GPS, this waypoint will load at startup as the current location.
You can set any waypoint as the current location by long-pressing ‘RED’ while browsing waypoints.
APRS Sending (Receiving Coming Soon)
APRS sending works on all models, they do not need to be GPS capable.
New settings are available under Main Menu -> APRS:
APRS Deviation:
Controls the loudness of the APRS data. Defaults are typically fine, but feel free to tweak for your radio.Beacon Time:
Minutes between location beacon transmissions.Beacon Distance (metres):
Sends a beacon if the radio has traveled beyond this distance since the last transmission.Beacon TX:
Sends APRS beacons at the start and/or end of PTT.Uses the existing DTMF Start Delay to control timing; no separate setting is needed.
Works only in regular radio mode, not GPS module mode.
Beacon Comment:
Add a custom comment (up to 24 characters) with each beacon.Callsign:
Set your callsign here.Hear Tones:
Normally APRS data isn’t audible. Enable this to hear it for diagnostic purposes.
APRS and GPS is far from complete. More functions and settings will be added in future releases.
⚠️ Auto-transmitted beacons triggered by Beacon Time or Beacon Distance are throttled to one per minute.
nicFW880 BETA 04E Update (Experimental)
This now supports APRS decoding, but it is VERY basic and rudimentary. It just pops up some info when it receives a packet and that's it. There's still a lot of work to do on the APRS infrastructure here, this is just to let users test the decoding system.
Remember to turn on MainMenu -> APRS -> Decode
Also remember the problem with squelch override. There's no solution to that yet.
Fixed issues with radio lockup.
Comments
Marcus Dudley
HF side where? Radio or Tuner? If you ask questions, please supply sufficient information for us to answer.
Fermo Tanzi
in HF side the radio looks deaf specially in AM, is only my 880? I,m sorry, the HF side is the Si4732 side.
Marcus Dudley
The RT-880's radio chip is the Beken BK4819. That chip only supports FM for transmit, full stop. AM can be "hacked" by nicFW880 (check the Advanced menu) using detune and FM over modulation. DSB can be "hacked" by radios that can digitally sample TX audio,. The RT-880 cannot.
Daniel
Does/will the RT-880 ever support SSB for transmitting on 11m? If I choose AM or DSB and PTT, will it also TX in AM or DSB?
Marcus Dudley
nothing of note to log, under the hood stuff.
Gyluss
Hey! So the channel mode should be on short press red. Try that out and see if that helps. Group select is LP #, and when on group mode * and 0 are up and down the list/left right on the list.
Fabio Zoppi
Hi Marcus, Changelog or bugfix for BETA_04D/E ?
idontcare
I tried updating to Beta04 today and running into a problem that I cannot cycle the VFOs to channel or group mode. Pressing # once does nothing, pressing it twice opens the frequency entering mode populated with "0.". I saved my old channel list (v.02) and wrote it back to the HT after the upgrade using the new RMS. It shows up correctly in the RMS even after "READ". Anyone have any idea?
Marcus Dudley
Fixed
medal.bricks
My work around for the APRS loss of side buttons/EMG is to put the squelch override on the number pad (* in my unit), so I can quickly turn squelch back on. I did have a packet come through without the squelch constantly open, so that’s a win too
Rainer Heisser
Soweit kann ich alles vom RT 950 Pro mit APRS an ein RT 880 ohne GPS senden und wird auch entschlüsselt und dargestellt. Allerdings öffnet sich mit der Darstellung auf dem RT 880 auch die Raschsperre. Töne hören steht auf Aus!
Marcus Dudley
The reason is because the default BAUD rate is set very high because of the high speed tests I needed to do over serial and I forgot to drop it back down.
Fabio Zoppi
nicfw880_BETA_04C: Hi Marcus,I'd like to point out that I had to revert to version 4B because the 4C has problems reading the serial settings via RMS (Serial Comunication Error or Unable to Open COM x). Tested in both macOS and proprietary Windows environments (x86-x64-arm64). Obviously, the reflash works.
Marcus Dudley
Try long pressing Green, There's a menu for most modes that gives you a menu of all key functions. For modes where it's not included, it will be eventually.
Eric Black
It can be hard to remember all the different shortcut keys in normal mode, tuner mode, scope mode, and scanning mode. 1. Would you consider adding a help screen to list the shortcuts that aren't user-configurable, or maybe just add them all into the User Keys settings menu? Another option would be to put the key name next to the value on screen, like "4 Step: 1khz" with the key label having a different background color. And/or, the function menu could list the shortcut key with the menu item name, like 'Freq Step 4' 2. In tuner mode, could you move the 'Reset BFO to 0' command from the 2 key to the 0 key? That way the BFO+1, BFO=0, and BFO -1 buttons would be together (*, 0, #).
Marcus Dudley
no, APRS/AX.25 is strictly 6 characters for callsign, nothing I can do about it, read the specs. The next release does have SSID though.
R.D.M.
Under "Callsign"... Could you please add just 1 more column for the call letters? I have my reason's 😏... Great job boss!..
Fabio Zoppi
Hi Marcus ... Thanks a lot. APRS function successfully tested between RT-880 no GPS and new RT-950Pro ... Amazing :-)
medal.bricks
I don’t mean to talk so much s**t, but your APRS already works better than theirs. I cannot believe how quickly and effectively you’ve been developing this FW. Is this normal? Are you a super hero?
medal.bricks
i never doubted you for a second. Seriously, this is an INCREDIBLE achievement! Thank you!!!
Marcus Dudley
I have SSID accounted for in the protocol, just haven't made it user facing, is coming.
ON4PN
Good Job ! It works from radio to radio. Next step SSID etc… thanks for you energy and time Nic !!!!
David Craig
Thank you for the hard work. Way down the list after you get receive working RX APRS group receive filters are a nice add on, as an example CQ, bulletin name etc. also the QSY feature is also pretty neat but basically being able to send the other voice frequencies your are listening to as a bulletin and have the RX station push a button and automatically retune to that on voice bank. Kenwood is about the only main manufacturer that does that. Anyway roadmap stuff you may look at.
Mike Ward
This is exciting! Thanks for the update and consistent progress.
