nicFW880 BETA 06B Release
Added 2025-10-27 02:10:30 +0000 UTCAs always please review previous release notes before asking questions. I do not repeat the features and updates from previous versions in these release posts. Also make sure you're using the RMS that comes from the same release post as the firmware does. No matter how many times I say this, it doesn't seem to sink in.
There is NO VIRUS in the downloads. If your system is reporting one then it's wrong, I don't spread malware. I'm certainly not spending £500 a year on a code signing certificate not to mention the hardware that needs to go with it, Radtel doesn't even do that.
New in BETA 06?
Manual Beacon sending (SP-1 during TX) now possible in regular radio mode.
No need to go into GPS mode anymore.Heard Beacon browser now accessible from radio mode. (User function)
Unwrapping of APRS-IS packets.
If APRS decoding is disabled, but an APRS VFO is assigned, that VFO will be excluded from multiwatch.
Channel scan now no longer causes the HF relay to toggle. This means the first channel scanned defines if the scan is operating in HF or non-HF.
Weather packets should now be decoded.
Weather popup and user function for recalling weather data.
Scope function menu:
Set Trigger now does something
If no trigger is set, it sets one at level 6.
If a trigger is set it clears it.Added Set Ignore (SP #)
Added Freq -> VFO (PTT)
BETA 06A Update
Fixed squelch override engaging when PTT is released before a manual APRS packet has finished transmitting.
Added AF Filter to use instead of the one set in "Advanced -> AF Filters" when a signal is received on the APRS assigned VFO.
Main Menu -> APRS -> Filter
Note: "Use VFO" must be set to A, B or C for this to be active.
Recommended value is: "Lo Pass Only"Continue to use RMS BETA 06 with this version.
BETA 06B Update
-IMPORTANT-
After flashing 06B you MUST perform a settings reset.
Power on the radio with EMG pressed
The display will show "DEFAULT SETTINGS"
Wait until the red triangle disappears.
If you do not do this the radio will not operate properly.
Added 'Noise Filter' to the APRS menu.
This is essentially an additional low-pass filter.
Levels 0 (off) to 3 (max). Default: 2Added 'Noise Reject' to the APRS menu.
Simple noise rejection hysteresis, prevents abrupt changes in the waveform from getting misinterpreted as zero crossings. This has always been present but was hard coded, now the user may adjust it.
Levels: 0 (off) to 2 (max). Default: 1Added 'Multi PTT' to the VFO menu.
When enabled: Main-PTT, S1 and S2 act as explicit PTTs for VFO-A, VFO-B and VFO-C respectively.
Things to note when enabled:The assigned SP/LP user key actions associated with S1 and S2 will not function.
PTT on VFO-B and VFO-C reassigns repeater tone burst (usually on S2) to Main-PTT.
PTT on VFO-B and VFO-C may not send manual APRS beacons or manual DTMF tones. The reason is that (other than with Main-PTT) it is not possible (without a MASSIVE rewrite of the keypad code which I'm NOT going to do) to detect more than one button at the same time.
(I have no idea if the stock firmware can do this, if it can I don't care and I don't want to be told about it)
Fixed APRS Weather rainfall readout, now shows inches to 0.01 resolution correctly.
Fixed Temperature on the weather APRS readout.
Before it was duplicating the wind gust speed.APRS Weather readout will now show units for speed and temperature relevant to the currently selected unit type. (Metric/Imperial/Nautical)
Unit types may now also be set using 'Main Menu -> GPS -> Units'
Added a 'Solid Stepped' signal bar style.
Added '#/Red Mode' to the Advanced menu.
Lets the user select how the # and Red buttons function.Stock: Operates like the stock firmware.
# = Toggle Frequency/Channel mode
Red = Toggle VFOsnicFW: Operates like all nicFW versions
# = Toggle VFOs
Red = Toggle Frequency/Channel mode.
Continue to use RMS BETA 06 with this version.
-OSX RMS Downloads are here-
If you're getting virus alert problems with the zip file, you can download each file in the zip individually here. Just create a new folder for the RMS and download each file to that folder (excluding the source files).
Windows RMS X64 Here
Windows RMS X86 Here
Windows RMS Arm64 Here
Comments
try flashing an earlier version of nicFW and use the matching earlier RMS to write a skin. In fact write everything, channels, bandplan etc.. write every tab If that works, re-flash the latest version.
Marcus Dudley
2025-11-02 00:04:33 +0000 UTCSuddenly, I can't flash NicFW anymore. I seem to have flashed a defective skin onto the UV98 Plus, and now, after the firmware starts (after the boot logo), I get a black screen. Installing another skin from the Extras package doesn't work because it no longer finds the Com Port. Flashing NicFW works perfectly, but the screen remains dark. Flashing the regular Stock FW works fine, and the screen comes back. If I flash NicFW again, everything is dark again after the boot logo. What can I do now to get the standard skin back and see something again? Any Ideas ? Reset with pressed EMG Button not helps
Andre S
2025-11-01 23:38:36 +0000 UTC"after some time" is not helpful, what event causes the squelch override to engage and EXACTLY what time intervals are you talking about. Remember, to fix I problem I have to experience it, and I am unable to reproduce what you claim. You have to tell me EXACTLY how I can get my radio to do what you say yours is doing. I cannot work with anything else.
Marcus Dudley
2025-11-01 12:17:06 +0000 UTCMeine beiden RT880 zeigen nach dem Update auf 6B das Verhalten das sich auf dem Beacon Kanal nach einiger Zeit die Rauschsperre öffnet , es wird OV angezeigt und sie nur durch die Menüfunktion Sq Override zu schließen ist. Wenn sie geschlossen ist bleibt trotzdem das OV zeichen im Display bis die Sendetaste gedrückt wurde. Der Vorgang hat sich bereits mehrfach wiederholt.
Rainer Heisser
2025-11-01 11:22:21 +0000 UTCThere's not 4 there's 2, Decode and Use VFO, I was thinking about some way to consolidate them though. Leave it with me.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-31 12:30:58 +0000 UTCHi Marcus. Thank you for the outstanding work done developing this FW! I have one request if possible, would it be possible to add an APRS ON/OFF toggle in the APRS menu (like the one for GPS enable on/off?) Currently, if you want to disable APRS you have to disable about 4 settings to have it fully off.
Razvan Savin
2025-10-31 11:57:10 +0000 UTCTX Frequency has been set this way since day one of nicFW on every other radio it's been written for. It was done specifically this way so that it isn't in the menu, that's the point; you don't change the RX frequency in the menu, so why should the TX frequency be any different? I didn't like the menu system approach for this, stupid offset and direction entries, I did it differently to avoid that nonsense; in one action you can enter an absolute TX freq or an offset in either direction, it's 1000% a better way. I could put the channel name edit in both menus, it's only a pointer.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-30 20:29:45 +0000 UTCI've set up my channels thru the RMS, but when I tried adding one on the radio, I was surprised the Channel Settings menu doesn't include the Rx and Tx frequencies. I understand you can enter the Rx freq on the main receiver screen, but the Tx frequency is not as obvious. It looks like you have to use a shortcut key or go to the function menu to get to it. Could Tx Freq be added to the Channel Settings menu? Also, it seems like channel name could go in the Channel Settings menu instead of the CMS menu.
Eric Black
2025-10-30 20:19:22 +0000 UTCAlready set. Press S2 during TX.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-30 07:45:32 +0000 UTCThank you for this nice FW. Awesome work. . How can i set a Key for 1750 Hz Tone Burst ? My english ist not so perfect, i dont understamd the manual correctly.
Andre S
2025-10-30 06:45:29 +0000 UTCWhat do you mean by "simple changing the current powersettings of the current VFO/channel/group entry", what exactly does "simple" mean in this context? You change it by Main Menu->Channel-> Tx Power, it's already simple.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-29 08:02:22 +0000 UTCToday I played the hole day with Beta6A. The firmware is brilliant. One think i do miss: simple changing the current powersettings of the current VFO/channel/group entry. It would be great also if there would be a bandplan menue entry, where bandwith/max power of a selected entry could be changed without using RMS.
WolfgangG
2025-10-28 17:47:12 +0000 UTCI had to exclude it to keep windows from deleting it as a virus. Solved now. :)
Tracy KO7B
2025-10-28 16:23:18 +0000 UTCThis clearly demonstrates you do not understand what Mic-E generic digipeater paths are. WIDE1 is JUST A LABEL, , it's literally a value from 0-6 encoded into the SSID, there' sno spaces, no characters, do what I ask and read up on what they are. Because this is getting a little tedious now. Mic-E generic digipeater paths are standardized APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) routing paths used mainly by Mic-E encoded position beacons, which are compact APRS packets sent by many radios and trackers. In brief: A digipeater path in APRS tells a packet which stations (digipeaters) can retransmit it to increase coverage. The Mic-E generic paths are pre-defined, simplified paths that work almost anywhere without needing local knowledge. Common Mic-E generic paths: WIDE1-1 – for a fill-in digipeater, typically a home or low-level digi that helps get the signal to a wide-area digi. WIDE2-1 or WIDE2-2 – for wide-area digipeaters that cover large regions. Typical Mic-E path example: WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 This means: First, a local “fill-in” digi may repeat it once (WIDE1-1). Then a wide-area digi may repeat it once more (WIDE2-1). Why it matters: Mic-E packets are short and efficient, so using these generic paths ensures: Compatibility with the APRS network anywhere. Reduced network congestion. Automatic handling by modern digipeater alias systems (UI-Flood/UI-Trace). ✅ In summary: Mic-E generic digipeater paths are standardized APRS routing aliases like WIDE1-1 and WIDE2-1 that tell digipeaters how to relay compact Mic-E position packets efficiently across the APRS network. Mic-E digipeater paths are represented by a single value (0-7) encoded into the destination SSID value. APRS Digipeater Paths in Destination Address SSID SSID Path SSID Path -0 Use VIA path -1 WIDE1-1 -2 WIDE2-2 -3 WIDE3-3 -4 WIDE4-4 -5 WIDE5-5 -6 WIDE6-6 -7 WIDE7-7D Do you understand now? WIDE1 MIC-E Path never actually sends "WIDE1" to anything, it simply sends a 1, and the receiving station knows that means WIDE1-1, you see? There's NOTHING TO ADD A SPACE TO. And even if it were a regular callsign, they are automatically padded with spaces anyway.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-28 07:09:42 +0000 UTCOk Przepraszam też jestem czerwony
SP3LOR
2025-10-28 07:02:20 +0000 UTCHere is a Link for creating a code signing certificate for MSIX packages this should work for signing exe files as well. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/msix/package/create-certificate-package-signing
WolfgangG
2025-10-28 06:54:16 +0000 UTC@Virus problems, try to use 7zip or winrar, developer binaries could be signed with a self created code signing certificates, the public part of of developer code signing certificate must be installed in the cert store (trusted publisher, and trusted root ca) of the testing computer. In the near future microsoft could block any binary without a valid signature. (CodeIntegrity). BTW Windows Store apps binaries MUST be signed with a code signing certificate. And unsigned drivers are blocked for years now...
WolfgangG
2025-10-28 06:53:18 +0000 UTCDziękuję Marcus za Ogromny Wysiłek w pisaniu i udostępnieniu oprogramowania lepszego niż fabryczny Ogromny Szacunek
SP3LOR
2025-10-28 06:48:47 +0000 UTCNadal problem z ścieżką DigiPath WIDE1 brak na końcu spacji.
SP3LOR
2025-10-28 06:47:16 +0000 UTCDziała ścieżka DigiPath ARIS z ukrytym zapisem RS0ISS . Kolejny raz dzięki tej ścieżce pojawiłem się na mapie Międzynarodowej Stacjii Kosmicznej.
SP3LOR
2025-10-28 06:45:43 +0000 UTCWeather is still quite early, I have the decoding done but there's no filtering for location yet. So for example, only accept weather beacons that are within a certain distance. All of that is coming, for now I just needed to make sure weather packets were being decoded properly.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-28 02:05:08 +0000 UTCI can make an "APRS AF Filter", which will automatically engage a particular filter when a signal arrives on the APRS assigned VFO?
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-28 00:17:06 +0000 UTCIs anyone else having this APRS quirk? I’m not able to decode ANY aprs packets while using the “all” “AF Filters” After testing, I cannot use any “AF Filter” with “De-Emf” in it. FSK, and Hi+Lo seem to both work fine. I do like the sound of “ALL” “AF Filters”, but it can’t decode APRS. I’m sad but not going to request anything because it’s such a small grievance on such a great FW, and I’m just SO ECSTATIC that NicFW880 is so awesome! Thank you thank you!!😊
medal.bricks
2025-10-28 00:10:18 +0000 UTCFor those of you who don't read other users comments please note that most stations do not broadcast weather data over RF. My local area has numerous weather stations on aprs.fi but none of them are re-broadcast via RF - by local digipeaters or my own. I've now spent a few hours trying to figure out what is broken on my side but finally have my digipeater broadcasting weather data and the radio shows it beautifully.
Chris Clifton
2025-10-27 20:21:41 +0000 UTCAfter adding WIDE1space, each APRs frame sent to Digipiter returns a confirmation of sending. It works for me. Request to add RS0ISSspace
SP3LOR
2025-10-27 18:27:14 +0000 UTCMarcus, please check. There's a missing space after the Wide1space name in the Digi Path record. In this case, the APRS frames are reaching the digipiter, and the confirmation is the frame sent back by us. The same problem probably applies to RS0ISS. If this space is missing, the frame is sent via the so-called Direct
SP3LOR
2025-10-27 18:01:34 +0000 UTCWeather is transmitted by APRS, so whatever your APRS frequency is there, and of course there has to be people sending the weather info too.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-27 15:43:54 +0000 UTCAuf welcher Frequenz kann man in Deutschland die Daten empfangen die im Menü " Weather" dargestellt werden. Danke für eure Infos.
Rainer Heisser
2025-10-27 15:38:44 +0000 UTCDon't release the PTT until the APRS message has been fully sent. For me personally the only way to replicate this is to release the PTT while APRS is still transmitted.
RedJohn
2025-10-27 13:12:08 +0000 UTCBeim manuellen Senden von Beacons (SP-1 während der Übertragung) schaltet sich wieder die Rauschsperre ein und muss über das Menü SQ Override ausgeschaltet werden. Ansonsten wie immer Top Arbeit und Besten Dank.
Rainer Heisser
2025-10-27 11:47:23 +0000 UTCThe next BIG step will be Doppler correction. This will be the first chip radio with full duplex for SATs. Thank you for your work. https://sat.aprs.ro
Cristi Mitroi
2025-10-27 11:00:57 +0000 UTCWaypoint 99 is just the one it loads at startup. You set that as your default location. To use another waypoint as your location, open the waypoint browser, navigate to the one you want, then long-press red
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-27 10:31:20 +0000 UTCThe settings tab of the RMS will be the last thing I do. The reason is because settings are constantly being changed, moved, adjusted etc.. So it wouldn't be wise to put in something I would need to rewrite every release. Resetting everything is unfortunately something you have to do while in beta.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-27 10:27:35 +0000 UTCYou also have to use the v6 RMS. I think you still use the old one.
H.C. Mastenbroek
2025-10-27 10:21:08 +0000 UTCI installed this version and unfortunately, after restoring to default settings, I couldn't load anything to the radio (channel list, groups, UI). I installed the 5G version and it works. What could be the cause?
Artur Kosonowski
2025-10-27 09:53:30 +0000 UTCCan someone tell me if it's possible to use another waypoint than '99' when using aprs on a non gps radio? When I choose another waypoint, it keeps using waypoint '99', the default one.
H.C. Mastenbroek
2025-10-27 09:30:55 +0000 UTCHi Marcus, and thank you for the new firmware version. It's already far better than the original firmware. I may have overlooked this in your comments, but is it possible that the changes to the various settings can also be saved in the RMS software? I haven't found a way to do this yet and have to re-enter everything after every major version upgrade. For example, the DTMF hub for our local repeaters is set much too high (default 112 instead of 64). The pause timing for predefined DTMF presets is also too fast (25 ms default). For reliable detection of most repeater here in Germany for svxlink control, the developers specify a pause of 100 ms. Thank you very much.
Detlef Fenske
2025-10-27 09:26:33 +0000 UTCDecoding APRS involves detecting 2200 and 1200 Hz tones. I wonder if the doppler shift is messing with that? I may need to have to account for it somehow.
Marcus Dudley
2025-10-27 07:00:27 +0000 UTCThank you, Marcus, for another great update. As an aside, today my SP3LOR-7 Rt-880 station appeared on the ISS map again. ISS station website: http://ariss.net/ I used the Digi Patch AX.25 RS0ISS. I still can't decode any stations from the ISS, especially RS0ISS. I've already managed to do this several times on a stationary radio. Of course, I'm not giving up and will keep trying.
SP3LOR
2025-10-27 04:53:59 +0000 UTComg wow!! still making APRS better and better! thank you so much you rock!!
medal.bricks
2025-10-27 02:42:00 +0000 UTC
