TK880 Firmware Update

[WSGI699]

Trying to flash the firmware of an old TK880H Version-1.  First issue is that I can’t find a HEX file for the version-1 to update with.

Second issue is that I don’t know what baud rate to flash at since depressing the scan key when powering on the radio does not provide a rate to use for the update, obviously an important technical setting.  Anyone have any help for this?  Thanks in advance for your response.

[SteveShannon]

22 minutes ago, WSGI699 said:

Trying to flash the firmware of an old TK880H Version-1.  First issue is that I can’t find a HEX file for the version-1 to update with.

Second issue is that I don’t know what baud rate to flash at since depressing the scan key when powering on the radio does not provide a rate to use for the update, obviously an important technical setting.  Anyone have any help for this?  Thanks in advance for your response.

Try different bauds until you can read from the radio. 

[WSGI699]

Thanks Steve.  Found the baud rate by looking at the PC COM port used to down load from the radio, but still haven’t found the HEX files for the firmware flash.  Probably all for naught as I can’t get the thing into PROGRAM MODE. Unless I find a way, it’s a door stop.

[SteveShannon]

22 minutes ago, WSGI699 said:

Thanks Steve.  Found the baud rate by looking at the PC COM port used to down load from the radio, but still haven’t found the HEX files for the firmware flash.  Probably all for naught as I can’t get the thing into PROGRAM MODE. Unless I find a way, it’s a door stop.

Will it not work using the current revision of firmware?  Why do you want to upgrade the firmware?

[Lscott]

12 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Will it not work using the current revision of firmware?  Why do you want to upgrade the firmware?

I don't know about the other person but I'll update radio firmware just so I don't experience weird radio behavior at an inconvenient time. I've also had to do it on occasion when the radio programming software says some of it's features are NOT supported by the firmware revision in the radio. I get that message when trying to write a code plug to the offending radio.

[SteveShannon]

Just now, Lscott said:

I don't know about the other person but I'll update radio firmware just so I don't experience weird radio behavior at an inconvenient time. I've also had to do it on occasion when the radio programming software says some of it's features are NOT supported by the firmware revision in the radio. I get that message when trying to write a code plug to the offending radio.

Those are the reasons I do it also. I read the release notes (when available) and decide whether to take the chance on introducing new bugs. But the OP said it would be a door stop otherwise so I was curious for more information.

[Lscott]

4 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

I read the release notes (when available)

The manufactures of the commercial radios are rather secretive about their bug fixes. The bugs that got fixed are likely only available to dealers and service centers, but the rest of use are left in the dark.

I've attached one for the last DMR firmware update I have saved for my NX-1200/1300 radios. It doesn't say much. I'm sure various bugs got fixed they just won't disclose.

You want to see why updating firmware is required? Look at the horror show for the D878UV radios. Read the change logs. They can't simply just FIX what they have, but then add features while managing to fuck up other shit that use to work. Look at how many updates they've issued. That's been my experience for the past number of years having to deal with this Chinese radio. This is the worse radio I own for radio firmware and radio programming software reliability.

http://www.wouxun.us/category.php?category_id=93

Their new D168UV seems to be following the same path. It was only released for sale a few months ago.

https://www.wouxun.us/category.php?category_id=108

NX-1200D, NX-1200DV, NX-1300D, NX-1300DU, NX-1200A, NX-1200AV, NX-1300A, NX-1300AU DMR.rtf