Download CTR2-Micro Firmware – v1.06.01

Instructions for installing this version can be found in the Operation Manual under the Update Firmware section.

April 24, 2024: v1.06.01

• Improved the Help display so help text properly displays on Putty. Press F1 to open Help on any menu. Long-press MFB1 is programmed by default to open Help too.
• Fixed a minor bug that was blocking changing how CTR2-Voice announced numbers until a power cycle.
• Added a section to the Operation Manual describing how to use CTR2-Micro with N1MM Logger+ CW keying. This is useful if you’re connecting to a remote Flex and using N1MM Logger+.

Download the latest CTR2-Micro firmware and operation manual zip file here. Older versions can be found below in the Revisions section below.

The latest operation manual is also included in the zip file below.

NOTE: If the Download button doesn’t appear, click the hyperlinked file name to download the zip file.

The latest firmware for CTR2-Micro is posted here. Click the link to download it then follow the instructions in the Updating Firmware in the CTR2-Micro Operation Manual to upload it to your Micro.

If you’re a Windows user you can download the Flash Downloader program referenced in the Updating Firmware section of the manual for Windows users to update your Micro’s firmware.

If you’re a Linux or Mac user, download the following script and follow the instructions in the Updating Firmware section for Linux and Mac users. I’d like to thank Lou, KI5FTY, for creating this script.

NOTE: This script is now included in the firmware update zip file above.

Change Log

April 8, 2024: v1.06.00

• Added support for the Thetis and piHPSDR radio control programs. This allows you to use the Micro with radios that these programs control such as the Apache Labs ANAN and Hermes Lite 2.
• Alphabetized the protocols in the Configure -> CAT menu
• Renamed the Yaesu FTdx protocol to Yaesu FT since this protocol supports many other “FT” radios like the FT-450, FT-710, and FT-991a.
• Changed how the Report MFB works.
  • If a Report Type is selected and the Report is Muted pressing this button will unmute the report and output the short report (VFO, Freq, Mode, Tuning Digit, Tx Enable state, and S-meter).
    • The Report stays unmuted until you press this button again or mute the report by long-pressing the encoder.
  • If the Report is unmuted this button just outputs the short report.
  • Clicking this button within 10 seconds of starting a report will stop the report

March 28, 2024: v1.05.05

• Fixed several bugs that were introduced in v1.05.04
• Added Other as a Radio Mode. This will be displayed when you select an unsupported radio mode on your radio (i.e. DV, SAM, etc)

March 27, 2024: v1.05.04

NOTE: This version has bugs that were fixed in v1.05.05. Use the new version instead

• Fixed additional issues with the older Yaesu FTdx radio protocol
• Updated MFB ADC read routines to use the lowest value measured instead of the average for the sample period. This helps minimize selecting the wrong function when an MFB is pressed.
• Moved the Report label from the S-meter line to the WiFi line on the Home page – only visible when a report is unmuted.
• Removed the Repeat and Full R
  • Replaced the Repeat function with a new S-Meter function that just reports the S-Meter value when pressed
  • Added CW Msg4 back into the function table
  • This change may affect your Quick Key mapping

March 19, 2024: v1.05.03

• Fixed bug in FTdx protocol. The frequency on the FTdx1200, FTdx3000, and FTdx5000 radios was not being encoded or decoded properly because these radios use 8 bytes for frequency instead of 9 bytes like the newer FTdx10 and FTdx101.
• Added support for the FT-710 (9 frequency bytes) and other older FTxxx radios that use 8 bytes such as the FT-450 and FT-950.
• Added additional verbiage to the External Tuner Mode page when used with CTR2-Voice.

February 28, 2024: v1.05.02

• Moved CTR2-Voice and CTR2-Display settings from the initialization file to the Radio Profile file. This allows you to set up different profiles for different voice and display scenarios (i.e. home, portable, mobile, etc.)
• Revert to Home page if the link to CTR2-Voice or CTR2-Display fails during operation
• Send error beeps (8 Dits) when trying to access the menu system without a terminal, web page, or report active

February 20, 2024: v1.05.01

• Move the WiFi settings from the initialization file to the Radio Profile file. This allows you to configure different network scenarios if you move your Micro between locations.
• Fixed a bug in the Icom profile. The Bandwidth control was reverting to the radio’s default filter while the Micro was connected to the radio. It now works as it should.
• Fixed several bugs that crept in on v1.05.00 related to CTR2-Voice support.
• Announce radio parameter changes while on the Home page when the Voice report is on. Previously radio changes only were announced in the Radio menu.

February 14, 2024: v1.05.00

• Added support for CTR2-Display and CTR2-Voice

January 22, 2024 – v1.04.03

• Fixed bugs in previous v1.04 releases

January 21, 2024 – v1.04.02

NOTE: This version has several bugs, use v1.04.03 instead

• Fixed browser navigation failure when terminal was not active
• Blocked S-Meter reports to display when Text Report mode is enabled.
• Updated Text Report Full Report to add descriptions of each parameter for screen readers
• Modified Text Report Short Report to display VFO, frequency, mode, tuning resolution, transmit enable state, and S-Meter. After the report is displayed, running the report again after 10 seconds only displays changes and the S-Meter. Run the report a second time within 10 seconds to see all the parameters again.

January 20, 2024 – v1.04.01

NOTE: This version has several bugs, use v1.04.03 instead

• Optimized the text editor so it works better with the new Text Report feature.
• Added [Space] to the digits available when editing frequencies with the encoder. Inserting [Space] truncates the frequency starting at that digit. If you do not insert a [Space] all of the frequency digits will be returned. This allows you to change just one or two digits to fine-tune your frequency.
• Fixed a bug that was keeping the Micro from booting in standalone mode (without a terminal connected) if the report mode was unmuted when it was last shutdown.
• Fixed a bug that kept the Code Report from reporting if the radio was in a voice mode and Paddle PTT and Tx was enabled.
• Fixed a bug that kept the Code Report from reporting in the text editor.
• Added additional setup information in the operation manual to the Tera Term and Putty sections.

January 18, 2024 – v1.04.00

NOTE: This version has several bugs, use v1.04.03 instead

This update includes many changes intended to make the Micro more accessible to blind and sight limited operators.

• A new Text Report option has been added to the Configure – Report menu. When enabled this report sends a single line of text to the terminal program for each change instead of creating a complete Home page or menu display. This allows a screen reader such as NVDA to announce just that change to the user without all the other information cluttering up the reader’s output.
• A new option in the Configure – Report menu allows you to include or remove the hotkey from the report output.
• Added shortcut Ctrl + i to allow you to play the frequency report at any time.
• Added two new appendices to the Operation Manual. Appendix G: Menu Structure contains tables with all of the menu options including their hotkeys and shortcut keys. Each menu item includes a short description. Appendix H: Accessibility includes additional information for blind and sight limited operators.
• MFB1 long-press can now be programmed to any function. Previously it was hard coded to open the Quick Key Function menu.
• Several bugs were fixed with the watchdog timer code for PTT and Key. It’s now working. The PTT watchdog times out at 2.5 minutes. The Key watchdog times out at 30 seconds. Just release an re-key to reset the timers.
• Added additional information in the Mac/Linux Firmware Download section of the manual.

v1.03.06: December 31, 2023 – Fixes pulsing PTT when Dah paddle is pressed
v1.03.05: December 31, 2023 – Added Latching Paddle PTT Option (don’t use)

• Added a new latching PTT option to the Pdl PTT option in the Keyer menu. The Dit paddle now latches PTT and the Dah paddle is now momentary PTT. It also resets the latched PTT if it’s on. You can use the Paddles= REV option to switch with paddle does what.
• Renamed the Config->Calibrations menu to Config->Settings and moved the Edit Tag Line option to the Settings menu.
• Updated the manual to include the procedure for locating the Micro’s serial port assignment in Mac’s and Linux computers.

v1.03.04: December 16, 2023 – Added Paddle PTT option

• Added a new Pdl PTT option to the Keyer menu. Enabling this option changes the Paddle In jack on the Micro to a Remote PTT Input jack. Grounding either paddle input will key PTT Out if the Micro’s Transmit Interlock is enabled.
• Added two new interactive code practice modes
• Fixed a few more minor bugs

v1.03.03: December 2, 2023 – Improved Flex Network CW timing & Tx Monitor Level

• Optimized the network CW timing code for the Flex radio to eliminate random delays
• Added a Tx Monitor Level option to the Kenwood, Elecraft, and FTdx Radio menus
• Fixed a few more minor bugs

v1.03.02: November 30, 2023 – Improved web server and serial CAT polling

• Optimized the web server and blocked browser caching as much as possible – pages now update faster and stale pages are updated with current data
• Optimized serial CAT polling – commands that don’t respond are now hidden on the Radio menu
• Added new section to the manual describing the setup for using Flex network keying
• Fixed a bug that was resetting the keyer type to Iambic-B when you edited a text field
• Added an expanded NET rigCtl menu and optimized rigCtl support

v1.03.01: November 24, 2023 – Critical Bug Fix – Recommended for all users

All versions of CTR2-Micro firmware prior to this release have a critical bug that allows the Code Report to key the radio if Tx is Enabled and the Code Report is enabled. It is highly recommended that all users upgrade to this version if you are using the Code Report option.

This version also streamlines many of the coder reports per suggestions from users.

• ‘T’ is used in place of ‘long-T’ to report 0’s in frequency code reports
• ‘R’ is used in place of ‘.’ in frequency code reports
• ‘BT’ is used in place of comma ‘,’ to separate terms in the code reports

v1.03.00: November 18, 2023 – New Beacon mode

This update adds a new Beacon mode to the Keyer menu. This mode allows you to use the Micro as a beacon controller when you’re not using it. Enter the frequency you want your beacon to operate on, the repeat interval, set you call and Maidenhead grid location, and up to four power levels to send.

I’ve also decide to move away from the “Release Candidate” notation. From here on out, the version # will consist of Major, Minor, and Sub version numbers.

• The Major number will stay at 1 unless I totally overhaul the firmware (unlikely)
• The Minor number will increment when I add a new feature or change functionality
• The Sub number will increment as bugs are fixed and small feature changes are made

I think this will give users a better understanding of the changes incorporated into each new version.

v1.02.00 RC3: November 10, 2023 – Web browser improvements and Kenwood protocol upgrades

This update provides an improved browser Home page along with new input forms for text and numerical data. You can now edit all of the parameters in the Micro from the browser.

Also, a new Keyboard Keyer option has been added to the browser Home page allowing you to input text strings to be transmitted by the Micro’s keyer. The Keyboard Keyer can be enabled or disabled using the Keyboard Kyr= option in the Keyer menu.

Finally, improvements have been made to the Kenwood protocol that allow it to now work with ANAN SDR radios from Apache Labs running in Kenwood mode.

v1.02.00 RC2: November 5, 2023 – Fixed timing issues in Tx message buffers

This update fixes the Tx message buffer timing issue introduced in v1.02.00 RC1. It also adds a new Server Lock/Unlock control in the WiFi menu that helps the web server in the Micro work with a wide range of browsers.

v1.02.00 RC1: November 4, 2023 – new web server, feature additions, and bug fixes

This update add a new web server to the Micro in addition to few new features and bug fixes

• The web server provides one-touch access to many of the Micro’s and your radio’s features. Just connect your Micro to your WiFi network and point your browser to the Micro’s IP address. The server works well with most browsers even the ones in older retired cell phones.
• A new Ctrl VFO feature has been added. When set to Ctrl VFO=A the two VFOs in the Micro work with your radio’s A VFO (as before). Set it to Ctrl VFO=A&B the Micro’s VFO-A still controls the radio’s VFO-A but VFO-B on the Micro now controls the radio’s B VFO.
• Added a new Menu Timeout Enable/Disable feature to the Calibrations menu. When Disabled the menus on the Micro won’t time out after 10 seconds and return to the Home page.
• Added a CW Tuning option to the Kenwood and Yaesu FTdx menus.
• Added additional radio Function Option slots increasing the number of programmable radio option slots (that can be programmed to the FKeys and MFBs from 13 to 16.

v1.01.00 RC3: October 23, 2023 – bug fixes and new features

This updates fixed a couple of Flex radio bugs and added an About… menu item. It also provides a sneak-peak at the new web server I’m working on.

• Bug: Not controlling CW BREAKIN on the Flex radio when the Transmit Inhibit is toggled. BREAKIN now follows the state of the transmit inhibit setting.
• Bug: Network keying on the Flex radio was poorly timed and intermittent. Reworked the code to resolve timing issues. Timing is much better now but is still sensitive to network delays.
• Bug: Erasing  a Tx Message leaves a space in that buffer. This was being seen by the Tx Msg menu as a valid message.
• Added a new About… menu item to the Main menu to display the firmware version and helpful web sites.
• Started working on a web server. You can try it by connecting to your browser to the Micro’s IP address using HTTP:// (it will not be a secure server). Only the frequency and mode are currently tracked. I’ll be refining this feature over the next month or so.

v1.01.00 RC2: October 20, 2023 – bug fixes and other improvements

This update fixes a couple of major bugs that were in v1.01.00 RC1 and adds a few more features.

• A bug that blocked editing empty Tx Message buffers has been fixed.
• A bug that prevented controlling the B VFO on Kenwood radios has been fixed. Also, many improvements have been made in how the program handles Main and Sub receivers and controlling the A and B VFOs on the radio. The Radio->RX=Main/Sub and VFO->Ctrl VFO A/A&B features are now mutually exclusive.
• The Micro has been tested on the Anan radios and it is now functional. Set your Anan to use the Kenwood protocol and use the VFO->Ctrl VFO A & B setting to control each VFO. Do not use the Radio->RX=SUB option.
• Added many shortcut keys to control commonly used features. Example, Ctrl+a now toggles the VFOs, Ctrl+z zeros the digits below the tuning digit, Ctrl+p opens the Previous Freq/Mode menu. For a list of all shortcut keys see the Shortcut Keys section in the Operations Manual.
• Added a VOX control to the Flex radio menu.
• Removed the Rx Ant and Tx Ant options from the Flex function button option list and replaced them with Slice and VOX.

v1.01.00 RC1: October 14, 2023 – new features and UI improvements

• Removed Split from the VFO options and added a new VFO Control option that allows you to control the radio’s B VFO with the Micro’s B VFO. Normally both VFOs on the Micro control the radio’s A VFO.
• Added a new Radio Profile option. You can now create profiles for up to 10 radios. Each profile contains all of the settings for that radio including the favorite frequency list. Multiple profiles can be used with the same radio.
• Added a Shared Database that contains a favorite frequency list that is accessible from any Radio Profile.
• Added short beeps to multi-function button presses that notify you which button is pressed and when the long-press function is activated.
• Blocked access to the menu system if the Micro is operating standalone with no terminal display and the Code Report is muted. This is indicated by flashing the LED and sounding 8 fast Dits. This keeps you from changing menu items without know it. You can override this block by long-pressing the encoder to enable the Code Report.
• Added the ability to lock a previous frequency to keep it at the top of the Previous Freq/Mode list.
• Changed the way the text editor works. It now deletes any text past the edit cursor.
• Reworked the Flex initialization code. The Micro won’t automatically create a new panadapter if none exist. You need to either create a panadapter using SmartSDR or set Pan=CREATE in the Flex menu before selecting the slice. New slices will automatically be added to the existing panadapter unless you’ve set Pan=CREATE before creating them.

v1.00.01 – October 6, 2023: Function option changes

• Added TxMsg1 to TxMsg5 to the Function Options so you can program the MFBs for these functions.
• Fixed timing issues with the MFBs – they respond faster now

v1.00.00 – September 30, 2023: Initial Release

This is the initial CTR2-Micro firmware release. It was in installed on all assembled units in the first production run.