2025 in Review
I’m the first to admit that CTR2 products have gotten confusing over the years. At the first of 2025, I introduced CTR2-Dial, a MIDI controller based on CTR2-MIDI, but with a touchscreen display. It came with CTR2-Dial firmware. Later in the year, I introduced CTR2-Flex. While similar in appearance to CTR2-Dial, it was designed to control just the Flex radio using WiFi and the Flex API. It ran CTR2-Flex firmware.
Hardware wise, these units are completely different, but either can run CTR2-Dial or CTR2-Flex firmware. This allowed the user to flash the appropriate firmware to their unit for their intended use. That seemed needlessly complicated to me, so I merged the Dial and Flex firmware into a single firmware binary, and kept the CTR2-Flex name for it (think of it as CTR2 “flexible” firmware). You can now boot into CTR2-Dial or CTR2-Flex firmware from the Settings menu in either firmware, and it runs on either device.
To add to the confusion even more, CTR2-Dial and CTR2-Flex units are available with one or two knobs. The knobs can be ordered with no-detent (smooth) or detent (bumpy) encoders. There are two different enclosures available; a commercial New Age enclosure that is CNC machined, and a custom G7UFO-designed 3D printed enclosure.
Changes for 2026
Confused? Me too!
Honestly, I’ve created a production nightmare! All CTR2-Dial and CTR2-Flex units were essentially custom built after I receive your order. There are simply too many variants to maintain a stock of completed units.
To help simplify the CTR2 product line, and my life, I’ve decided to eliminate the CTR2-Dial hardware and rename/simplify the CTR2 product line as follows:
Changes to CTR2-Flex
The biggest news for 2026 is the introduction of a new unit, named CTR2-Quad. It is loaded with CTR2-Flex dual-boot firmware and is only available in the 3D printed enclosure. Knobs A, B, and C are detent (bumpy) encoders. Knob D (with the large aluminum knob) on the bottom-right is a no-detent (smooth) encoder since its primary use will be VFO control. In addition to more knobs, two additional pushbuttons have been added. These buttons, along with all knob push switches are programmable to execute any of the available button functions. Either pushbutton can also be assigned as a dedicated PTT.
Dual-knob CTR2-Flex units have been renamed to CTR2-Duo. They will continue to be available in either the New Age or 3D printed enclosure and will be loaded with CTR2-Flex dual-boot firmware. They will ship with detent (bumpy) encoders since the small knobs are typically used for volume, keyer speed, etc.
Single-knob CTR2-Flex units have been renamed to CTR2-Uno. They will continue to be available in either the New Age or 3D printed enclosure and will be loaded with CTR2-Flex dual-boot firmware. They will ship with a no-detent encoder since the large aluminum knob is typically used for VFO control.
Legacy Products
CTR2-Micro will continue to be available with a no-detent (smooth) or detent (bumpy) encoder, and internal or DIP switch jumpers. 
CTR2-Voice for CTR2-Micro will continue to be available.
CTR2-MIDI will continue to be available.
- New for 2026: CTR2-MIDI now supports RemoteTx! Just connect CTR2-MIDI to your computer and click the VFO button on the Radio tab in RemoteTx, then select XIAO_ESP32S3 from the USB device list. RemoteTx support has also been added to the M5Dial based controllers (CTR2-Uno, CTR2-Duo, and CTR2-Quad.
- New for 2026: CTR2-MIDI now supports RemoteTx! Just connect CTR2-MIDI to your computer and click the VFO button on the Radio tab in RemoteTx, then select XIAO_ESP32S3 from the USB device list. RemoteTx support has also been added to the M5Dial based controllers (CTR2-Uno, CTR2-Duo, and CTR2-Quad.
CTR2-Dial Hardware has been depreciated
- CTR2-Dial hardware, loaded with CTR2-Flex dual-boot firmware, will remain available until the existing stock of parts are depleted. Single and dual-knob units are on sale in my shop while supply lasts. They are available in either the commercial New Age enclosure, or the 3D printed enclosure.
My hope is that these changes will make it easier for you to decide which CTR2 unit is right for you. It will also simplify production and allow me to build a stock of inventory that I can quickly ship.
I want to thank everyone that has supported my CTR2 projects over the years. It’s been a wonderful experience and I enjoy working with everyone. I wonder if there’s a DXCC award for countries shipped to, hihi.
73, Lynn, KU7Q