June 16, 2025: v1.00.08
- Added the frequency display from the Dashboard to the virtual VFO Dial control. You can touch a digit in the frequency to change the tuning resolution to that digit.
- Changed the method used to toggle the TX mode in the slice. Previously just pressing and releasing Knob A’s switch toggle the TX mode. You must now quickly double-press Knob A’s switch to toggle the mode.
- Used darker colors in the Green and Orange themes for the background for better contrast.
Assembled CTR2-Flash units are programmed with the latest firmware and your firmware license key is installed.
Latest Firmware
Click the link below to download the latest CTR2-Flex_v1xxxx.zip file. Unzip the .BIN files into a separate folder on your computer then follow the directions in Appendix A in the Operation Manual (also included in the .zip file) to flash the CTR2-Dial firmware into your M5Dial.
Do not ERASE the flash memory in EspressIF Flash Download tool when installing this firmware otherwise you need to re-enter your call, registration key, and customized settings you have in CTR2-Dial when you flash back to your unit.
EspressIF Flash Download Tool
The New Way
EspressIF has released a new browser based flash download tool called ESPLaunchPad. This tool runs in Chrome, Edge, or Opera in either Windows or Mac computers. I haven’t been able to get it to work on a Linux computer. You can use this tool instead of downloading and installing the EspressIF Flash Download tool below. You can find more information about using ESPLaunchPad here.
The Old Way
You’ll need to run the EspressIF Flash Download tool to flash this firmware to your CTR2-Flex. This is a Window app. Mac or Linux users will need to run the script file included in the firmware zip file to flash their units.
NOTE: You’ll need to force the M5Dial into programming mode in order to flash the firmware. To do this, press and hold the BTN button on the label on the back of the M5Dial then press the Reset button. Appendix A in the operation manual explains this process in detail.
VIRUS DETECTED ISSUE WITH ESPRESSIF FLASH DOWNLOAD TOOL v3.9.8
It’s been reported that Windows detects a Trojan virus in the latest download tool (v3.9.8). When this has happened previously it was due to the tool using some Python libraries. The discussion from last year can be found here: https://github.com/espressif/esptool/issues/944.
For now, please use the 3.9.7 version from this site: Flash Downloader v3.9.7
Revision History
June 9, 2025: v1.00.07
This version add a few new controls and fixes some minor bugs.
- A new Mute option has been added to the Volume control in the dashboard and on the virtual dial control.
- A second Panadapter page has been added to the Misc pages with the following controls for the panadapter/waterfall. These controls are also available on the virtual dial control:
- Average, Gain, and Black level control
- Weighted Average and Auto-Black toggle buttons
- Several other bug fixes and UI improvements
June 4, 2025 – v1.00.06
The latest update includes the following feature additions and bug fixes:
- v1.00.05 was not released
- Added a Breakin button to the Keyer menu – this button allows you to toggle Breakin mode on the radio
- The page title now shows whether the transmitter is keyed or not
- If everything is working Transmit is displayed in red
- If the slice isn’t enabled for TX, TX OFF is displayed – press and release Knob A to toggle TX
- If Breakin isn’t enabled, BRKIN OFF is displayed. Got to the Keyer page (under Misc) and toggle Breakin
- This version now saves the radio settings when you change slices
June 1, 2025: v1.00.04
- Fixed a bug that caused other Flex controllers to follow the slice that was enabled for transmit (when using multiple Flex controllers)
- Added Tx Enable control so you can toggle TX on the slice you’re controlling with a Flex controller
- Added Tx Enbl to page 4 of the Buttons menu
- Press and release Knob A on any page to toggle TX on the slice
- The page caption is displayed in red when TX is enabled
May 23, 2025: v1.00.03
This version includes several suggestions from Stefan on the CTR2 group.
- Added the current slice to the caption of the dashboard Home page. You can touch the caption to jump to the Panadapter page where you can change the slice to any slice the radio supports.
- I optimized the time it takes to select a new slice. The old process took about 10 seconds. It now takes around 5 seconds.
- The displayed parameters now update as you change them in SmartSDR.
- Other small housekeeping changes to simplify the interface.
May 18, 2025 – v1.00.02
- This version fixes a bug I inadvertently left in v1.00.01 that blocked WiFi connections.
May 17, 2025: v1.00.01
This version had a bug in the WiFi connection routine that blocked connecting to WiFi so I’m not leaving a copy of it on the server.
- Fixed bugs in the Knob function select code
- Fixed bugs in the Panadapter controls in the Dashboard – sliders now work correctly
- Fixed bug that was blocking the sidetone on CTR2-Dial hardware (internal M5Dial speaker)
- Added RSSI to Info page and radio connection message
- Turned off swipe gestures in Setting menu
May 15, 2025: v1.00.00
This is the initial release of the new CTR2-Flex firmware. This firmware can be installed on existing CTR2-Dial hardware to test it out. Please see this post for information about this firmware. I’ll add the CTR2-Flex hardware to the shop soon.
Revision notes for older firmware will be moved here as new firmware is released.