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Bug #10860

closed

Talkpod A36Plus not compatible since Firmware 1.22

Added by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago. Updated about 1 year ago.

Status:
Closed
Priority:
Normal
Assignee:
Category:
-
Target version:
Start date:
09/21/2023
Due date:
% Done:

100%

Estimated time:
Chirp Version:
next
Model affected:
Talkpod A36Plus
Platform:
MacOS
I read the instructions above:

Description

Talkpod just launched firmware version 1.22 for the A36Plus model.
This firmware update changes the available channels in the device from 256 to 512.
Since this firmware the device is not compatible with Chirp.
I have tested reverting to firmware version 1.21 and the device is compatible up to that firmware version.

While trying to Download from radio the following message appears:
Error communicating with radio
Radio returned unknown identification string


Files

Talkpod A36plus Menulist v1.18 (00-54).txt (3.22 KB) Talkpod A36plus Menulist v1.18 (00-54).txt Jim Unroe, 09/22/2023 10:06 AM
Talkpod A36plus Menulist v1.21 (00-54).txt (3.21 KB) Talkpod A36plus Menulist v1.21 (00-54).txt Kris Diaz, 09/22/2023 12:31 PM
Talkpod A36plus Menulist v1.22 (00-54).txt (3.21 KB) Talkpod A36plus Menulist v1.22 (00-54).txt Kris Diaz, 09/22/2023 12:31 PM
mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py (47.3 KB) mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py Jim Unroe, 09/22/2023 05:39 PM
Talkpod_A36plus_FW1.22_successful_read.img (45.3 KB) Talkpod_A36plus_FW1.22_successful_read.img Firmware 1.22 initial Chirp read Kris Diaz, 09/22/2023 08:11 PM
Talkpod_A36plus_FW1.22_with_CH257_and_CH512_added.img (45.3 KB) Talkpod_A36plus_FW1.22_with_CH257_and_CH512_added.img Firmware 1.22 with added channels 257 and 512 Kris Diaz, 09/22/2023 08:11 PM
mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py (48.9 KB) mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py Jim Unroe, 09/23/2023 10:39 AM
Talkpod_customchannelnames.png (208 KB) Talkpod_customchannelnames.png Kris Diaz, 09/23/2023 11:49 AM
Talkpod_A36plus_RADIO_ALL.img (45.3 KB) Talkpod_A36plus_RADIO_ALL.img Kris Diaz, 09/25/2023 12:35 PM
Talkpod_A36plus_LAST_OPTION.img (45.3 KB) Talkpod_A36plus_LAST_OPTION.img Kris Diaz, 09/25/2023 12:35 PM
mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py (48.1 KB) mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py Jim Unroe, 09/26/2023 04:40 PM
missimg menu items.png (85.3 KB) missimg menu items.png Kris Diaz, 09/26/2023 07:49 PM
mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py (48.1 KB) mml_jc8810_a37plus_v1_22.py Jim Unroe, 09/27/2023 05:07 AM
Actions #1

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Would you take the attached file and make 2 copies: one for v1.21 and the other for v1.22 and update them to match the menu choices for their respective firmware versions?

And at least for firmware v1.22, provide the updated list of band limits. The band limits keep getting expanded on the other similar radios so now is a good time to make sure CHIRP matches the latest available menus and band limits.

Once I have this, then I will provide a driver module for testing. Thanks in advance.

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

Hello Jim!
Did my best to do what you asked for.
Here I attach both files with the updated menu options.

Some note just FYI:
All the menus, options and bands are equal in firmware 1.21 and 1.22, EXCEPT on firmware version 1.22 Menu 08 ann menu 20 now goes from 001 to 512

Menu 19: In the talkpod pc software you have separate table and you can type anything you want in those 30 fields and those typed values gets saved in the radio as options for this menu. The intention is to save possible generic names for your channels and apply them on the field to any saved channel.

Menu 50: The only option is ENGLISH, really.

Regarding the Bands (applies to all bands except FM RX Only band):
If you type numerically the high limit as XXX.999, you get taken to to XXX.99875
If you scroll frequencies with the up and down arrow, using the smallest step (2.5k) the max value you get is XXX.99750

Hope this helps!
Best,
Kris

Actions #3

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-2:

Hello Jim!
Did my best to do what you asked for.
Here I attach both files with the updated menu options.

Thanks

Some note just FYI:
All the menus, options and bands are equal in firmware 1.21 and 1.22, EXCEPT on firmware version 1.22 Menu 08 ann menu 20 now goes from 001 to 512

OK. This will take some additional work but needs to be done. We can get CHIRP reading and writing first, then we can figure out how the additional channels are supported. There might need to be a separate selection for radios with 512 channels.

Menu 19: In the talkpod pc software you have separate table and you can type anything you want in those 30 fields and those typed values gets saved in the radio as options for this menu. The intention is to save possible generic names for your channels and apply them on the field to any saved channel.

Menu 50: The only option is ENGLISH, really.

OK. This difference needs to be accommodated as well. I figured there would be more to this than just getting CHIRP to read the radio.

Regarding the Bands (applies to all bands except FM RX Only band):
If you type numerically the high limit as XXX.999, you get taken to to XXX.99875
If you scroll frequencies with the up and down arrow, using the smallest step (2.5k) the max value you get is XXX.99750

I understand how all this works. What I meant was for you access VFO mode in the radio and for example key in a low band limit of say 400.000. Then tap the down arrow key to see if it wraps around to the upper limit. If it is 519.9975, then the band limits are 400 and 520 MHz. If it keeps going down in frequency, then 400.000 is not the lower limit any more.

These are the latest band limits for the Radtel RT-470 fw v1.25A (16-560 MHz continuous and 740-1000 MHz continuous).

    VALID_BANDS = [(16000000, 100000000),
                   (100000000, 136000000),
                   (136000000, 200000000),
                   (200000000, 300000000),
                   (300000000, 400000000),
                   (400000000, 560000000),
                   (740000000, 1000000000),
                   ]

Hope this helps!

Yes it does.

Best,
Kris

I am attaching a driver module that I hope will allow CHIRP to read your radio. But I would not go diving right in to programming your radio with it yet. What I would like to you do first is to see if it will read your radio. If it does, great. Save the first successful download without making any changes and attach it to this issue. Then use the Talkpod software to add a channel 257 and a channel 512 and then download that into CHIRP and attach it here. Hopefully I can find out where these channels are located.

Think like explains how you access and use the test driver module file: LoadingTestModules

Thank you for you help with this.

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

Cool! Everything worked!
Im sending you both files: The initial successful read (with memory written up to channel 234) and the second file with the added channels 257 and 512.

Regarding the bands, they DO wrap arround, they DO have limits, they are NOT continuous, here they are again to confirm:
136.000 - 180.000
200.000 - 260.000
350.000 - 400.000 (upper limit is really 399.99750)
400.000 - 520.000 (400.000 is the lower limit of this band)
108.000 - 136.000 AM (RX only)
65.000 - 108.000 FM (RX only)

Hope you find the channels!
Have a great weekend!

Actions #5

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

This latest version should account for all of the differences that you have revealed. 512 channels, band limits, PF keys, etc. Give it a workout and let me know if it is ready to be submitted for inclusion in CHIRP or if it needs additional changes.

Actions #6

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

Looks like its working for now, reads fine, can see 512 channels. I will keep testing.

The cherry in top will be regarding menu 19 and the capacity to save 30 "custom names" to appy them to real channels on the field, I noticed they are allocated inside chirp in "Settings" > "ANI Code List Settings" begginging from "ANI Code Name 51". I populated those custom names as: 1=ALPHA, 2=BRAVO, 3=CHARLY .... al the way to number 26=ZULU. You can check for yourself where that data is located inside the succesful read file i sent you. As a reference Ill attach a screenshot of the Talkpod software.

It would be very cool to have chirp display another tab under settings that reads "Custom CH Names" where you can see/set those 30 fields.

Best,
Kris

Actions #7

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

Forgot to mention something else, If I downgrade to firmware 1.21 Chirp still allows me to see the available channels from 1-512, I can even save to the radio all 512 channels, but the radio can only "see" or "access" channels 1-256. It's only on firmware 1.22 that the radio y able to access/edit/scan the extra channels from 257 to 512. So if you submit for inclusion and people have not yet upgraded to firmware ver 1.22 they will believe they have 512 channels and will be able to save them to the radio but they wont see the extra channels.

Hope this helps.

Actions #8

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-7:

Forgot to mention something else, If I downgrade to firmware 1.21 Chirp still allows me to see the available channels from 1-512, I can even save to the radio all 512 channels, but the radio can only "see" or "access" channels 1-256. It's only on firmware 1.22 that the radio y able to access/edit/scan the extra channels from 257 to 512. So if you submit for inclusion and people have not yet upgraded to firmware ver 1.22 they will believe they have 512 channels and will be able to save them to the radio but they wont see the extra channels.

Hope this helps.

This is why I wanted to proceed slowly and make sure that the channels were refactored in some way before diving into making changes. The additional channels are simply appended in memory to the end of the original 256 channels in previously unused space so there is no conflicts with radios still using older firmware. It won't break anything for those on an earlier firmware, but if they want to have access to channels 257-512 in their radios, they will have to update the firmware in their radios to v1.22+. I've noted the added features due to the firmware update in the driver.

Actions #9

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-6:

The cherry in top will be regarding menu 19 and the capacity to save 30 "custom names" to appy them to real channels on the field, I noticed they are allocated inside chirp in "Settings" > "ANI Code List Settings" begginging from "ANI Code Name 51". I populated those custom names as: 1=ALPHA, 2=BRAVO, 3=CHARLY .... al the way to number 26=ZULU. You can check for yourself where that data is located inside the succesful read file i sent you. As a reference Ill attach a screenshot of the Talkpod software.

It would be very cool to have chirp display another tab under settings that reads "Custom CH Names" where you can see/set those 30 fields.

This is not something new. The difference is that this exclusive Talkpod A36Plus feature was overlooked when adding this model to CHIRP. The way the Contacts are supported are different for the A36Plus to make room for the added Custom CH Names. This is why they incorrectly show up in the ANI Code List settings.

This being the case, working on it is out of scope for this ticket. It is for updating the CHIRP driver to match the changes brought about by firmware v1.22. Open a new ticket requesting to to have Custom Channel Names added for the Talkpod A36Plus.

Actions #10

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

There is still a bug in manu option 43, I cant get it to select DTMF. Looks like the dropdown items are not up to date with the options in the Radio.
This also may apply for menu items 40, 41 and 42.
Sorry not much time to test all the settings.

Actions #11

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-10:

There is still a bug in manu option 43, I cant get it to select DTMF. Looks like the dropdown items are not up to date with the options in the Radio.
This also may apply for menu items 40, 41 and 42.
Sorry not much time to test all the settings.

I'm not surprised. Happens when I don't have the radio here myself and the original requestor of support didn't notice test enoughto find everything that is different. Or sometimes I go by the factory software and it doesn't match the radio (for example the OEM software doesn't support a Top key).

So program the side keys one by toe from the radio's menu and determine which one don't mesh with CHIRP. For the ones that don't, program the particular side key to the "unknown" choice and save and image with a name to let me know which key it is for and what the setting choice is. Then attach the images to this issue so I can sort them out.

Don't forget to open a ticket for the Custom Channel Names. I think I have that figured out and would like to upload a file for you to test.

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

I have tried every combination for menus 40, 41, 42 and 43. I change the values in the front panel of the radio and Chirp reads correctly every option saved. I never get an "Unknown".
The problem is when I try to change almost any value in Chirp, most of the selected options return an error message: An Error Has occurred" "List Index out of range".
I also notice the options given in the dropdown menus inside Chirp do not match what I sent you as options for the radio, here they are again:

40 PF2 RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, Remote Scan, PTT B
41 PF2 LONG PRESS RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, SOS, DTMF
42 PF3 RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, DTMF, SOS, Remote Scan
43 TOP KEY RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, DTMF, SOS, Remote Scan

Im sending two images:
The first one all menu options selected with their first value: "FM RADIO" or "RADIO".
The second one with all menus selected with their last option selected:
40 = PTT B
41 = DTMF
42 = Remote Scan
43 = Remote Scan

I'm short on time but I will open the other ticket as soon as we finish this if you agree. I dont want to leave you hanging with two open tickets haha.

Actions #13

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-12:

I have tried every combination for menus 40, 41, 42 and 43. I change the values in the front panel of the radio and Chirp reads correctly every option saved. I never get an "Unknown".

OK. This is good.

The problem is when I try to change almost any value in Chirp, most of the selected options return an error message: An Error Has occurred" "List Index out of range".

You should have attached a debug.log file. But I was able to duplicate the problem using your latest images, so I am on it.

I have found and fixed one bug. I am searching for another. I have narrowed it down to the ANI Code are. It is too late to continue so I will find that one and fix it tomorrow.

I also notice the options given in the dropdown menus inside Chirp do not match what I sent you as options for the radio, here they are again:

40 PF2 RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, Remote Scan, PTT B
41 PF2 LONG PRESS RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, SOS, DTMF
42 PF3 RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, DTMF, SOS, Remote Scan
43 TOP KEY RADIO, TX POWER, SCAN, SEARCH, NOAA, DTMF, SOS, Remote Scan

They are all there. It is just that they are not in the same order. The order doesn't matter as long as they are present and all work.

Im sending two images:
The first one all menu options selected with their first value: "FM RADIO" or "RADIO".
The second one with all menus selected with their last option selected:
40 = PTT B
41 = DTMF
42 = Remote Scan
43 = Remote Scan

I'm short on time but I will open the other ticket as soon as we finish this if you agree. I dont want to leave you hanging with two open tickets haha.

Not a problem. I'm not in a hurry. My plan was to get you the fix for the Custom Channel Names so you could test it real quick so I could get it submitted and out of the way. But the Custom Channel Names stuff is related to where the 2nd bug is so it won't be ready until after I find the 2nd bug and fix it.

Actions #14

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

Ok! I got in the new ticket for the channel names.

Actions #15

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-14:

Ok! I got in the new ticket for the channel names.

Thanks. After working on this quite a few hours over the last couple of days, I think I finally got the bugs sorted out. There were a few of them that weren't easy to track down and the ANI Names changes made by the A36pro were a little more complicated to support than I thought they would be.

Recheck the side key settings. Remember, they are not always in the same order as they are in the radio. They just have to be there to choose and to work.

Also, the OEM software seemed to all me to enter 10 character ANI Names so I expanded them to 10. They were originally set to 6 (matching the names that aren't editable ('NUM.nn')).

And of course test the Custom Names.

The attached driver has all of the changes (side key bugs fixed, updates for ANI Codes, ANI Names and added Custom Names. I will have to split them into 2 patches (one for each ticket) once testing has established that everything is working as expected.

Actions #16

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

I don't see a new driver attached. Am I supposed to load the module from mthe 23rd?

Actions #17

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-16:

I don't see a new driver attached. Am I supposed to load the module from mthe 23rd?

I attached it, then did a cleanup and remove it. I thought sure that I attached it again before posting, but apparently not. Hopefully it is attached now.

Actions #18

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

Custom channel names is working great! Reading and writing correctly.

The options for the buttons (menus 40,41,42,43) completley dissapeared! Can't find them! Attaching screenshot.

Actions #19

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

Kris Diaz wrote in #note-18:

Custom channel names is working great! Reading and writing correctly.

The options for the buttons (menus 40,41,42,43) completley dissapeared! Can't find them! Attaching screenshot.

I shut off all the PF keys when trying to isolate the cause of the error. I forgot to enable them after I was done. Assuming that the file that I just now attached gets attached, they will be available again.

Actions #20

Updated by Kris Diaz about 1 year ago

ok! I think we are done! Everything works great! I think you should submit!

Hey Jim a question off-topic since you have plenty of experience. Whats the best HT under or around $100 in your opinion? This little talkpod is good but i don't think it really stands out of all the chinese produced stuff.

Feels good to contribute, take care!

Actions #21

Updated by Jim Unroe about 1 year ago

  • Status changed from New to In Progress
  • Assignee set to Jim Unroe
  • Target version set to chirp-py3

A patch has been submitted. Support will be in the next CHIRP daily build following acceptance.

Actions #22

Updated by Anonymous about 1 year ago

  • Status changed from In Progress to Closed
  • % Done changed from 0 to 100
Actions

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