nicsure posts
RT-880 nicFW's First "Real" APRS Packet
Yet to be tested before release.
2025-10-02 15:42:54 +0000 UTC View PostRT-880 Proof of Concept Audio Injection
This is EXTREMELY rough and still in the very early stages, but the sound is audible and functional (although there is a weird buzzing which I will need to address)
Here’s how it works: when transmitting, press SP1 (the middle side button), and the regular voice prompt audio samples will be injected dire...
2025-10-01 17:22:50 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW880 BETA 04 Release 🚀
macOS Versions of the RMS
macOS builds of the RMS are provided on a “compile and hope” basis. Since I don’t have the ability to test or verify them, please don’t expect direct support if issues arise. Any problems on macOS will need to be worked out within the community.
That said, an experienced macOS user...
2025-09-28 11:08:08 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW880 BETA 03 Release
macOS Versions of RMS
The macOS versions of the RMS are provided on a “compile and hope” basis. I do not have the ability to test or verify them, so please do not report issues expecting direct support. Any problems encountered on macOS will need to be addressed by other members of the community.
... 2025-09-26 21:09:00 +0000 UTC View PostRadio Frequency Calibration for nicFW
Choose a frequency to calibrate on, the higher the better
Example: 433 MHz
(It's usually best to pick a dead on MHz value to keep the maths simple)Tune both radios to the same frequency using VFO mode
On the radio to tune, set a RX squelch tone and set the step to 0.1
On the tr...
2025-09-23 17:35:07 +0000 UTC View Post
RT-880 Testing GPS [Phase 1]
Not a great start, since we lack TX to the GPS chip we can't change its settings to give a longer sample length for the heading calculation, so we'll have to extract it using coordinates over time.
2025-09-21 17:21:38 +0000 UTC View PostRT-880 DTMF Decoding Primer [Radio Side]
Yes, I did notice the ghost '4' character on the clock readout. It's a remnant from the dBm readout being 1 character longer.
2025-09-19 14:42:13 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW 880 BETA 02 Release
🔢 DTMF Decoding
Decoded DTMF digits now temporarily replace the Group Name on screen.
The existing “DTMF” menu category has been expanded with additional options.
Options include:
Decoding
Off → No decod...
2025-09-19 05:48:54 +0000 UTC View Post
RT-880 Stock Firmware 1.16 Binary
Here's the extracted bin file. It can be flashed using any of my 880 flashing apps or the nicFW880 RMS.
https://github.com/nicsure/RT880-FlasherX
https://github.com/nicsure/R...
2025-09-15 18:02:55 +0000 UTC View PostCompilation of Release Notes for nicFW 880 ALPHA Releases
Thanks to Mike Ward for putting this together for us.
2025-09-15 11:45:50 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW 880 BETA 01 Release
IMPORTANT:
I have a Radtel RT-880, a Radtel RT-880G and an iRadio UV-98 Plus, all of which have serial numbers greater than 300 (i.e. current models). These are the ONLY radios I can support. Radtel assure me that the sub 300 serial number units differ only by the firmware flashing process so these Radtel units "should" work (you have to sel...
2025-09-15 08:34:30 +0000 UTC
View Post
nicFW880 ALPHA 19
This update brings a main new feature and a handful of important tweaks. Here’s what’s new in ALPHA 19:
🔑 Key Features
Scan Presets : now supported with up to 99 presets.
Default Activation Key: LP-1 (can be reassigned).
Reporting Issues
There needs to be some standard about how bug/glitch reports are made because nicFW is very complex and when people report bugs they always miss vital information.
Every bug report should state that this post has been read and understood.
The most important thing in any report is NOT describing the fault, that is in fact very unimpor...
2025-09-04 11:53:08 +0000 UTC View PostAdvanced Menu Overview (RT 880)
SPI Deferral
This setting defines the delay, in seconds, that the radio waits after a user action before saving changes to flash memory. Delaying writes helps extend the life of the flash storage.
Warning Indicator: While changes are pending, a red warning triangle appears ...
2025-09-01 01:49:23 +0000 UTC View Post
nicFW 880 ALPHA 18a
!! This firmware DOES NOT SUPPORT The iRadio UV-98 (Plus) !!
The iRadio UV98 (Plus) is NOT THE SAME as the Radtel RT-880(G), there are differences.
At the current time I do not have a UV-98 so it's impossible for me to support the model. I have one on order, but until then no support for the iRadio UV-98 can be given.
Here ...
2025-08-31 23:29:00 +0000 UTC View PostSquelch Settings Overview (RT-880)
Noise Ceiling
Description:
The Noise Ceiling sets the threshold at which external noise (ex-noise) is considered maximal. When the noise level reaches this point or above, the squelch will close immediately, without delay or exception.
Effect:
Combining RT-880 Antennas
In order to try to get the scope working in the Si4732 Tuner HF bands, this is the contraption I came up with. It works but... it scares the cheese out of me. I'm pretty sure if I were to accidentally transmit while this monstrosity is wired up, it would fry the Si4732 to death. So, not something I would recommend.
2025-08-28 11:28:02 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW880 ALPHA 17
!!The firmware DOES NOT support sub 300 serial number radios!!
IMPORTANT:
You must follow the SPI Flash restore process [Here]
USB and LSB modes in the Si4732 Tuner will not opera...
2025-08-27 20:54:05 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW880 Flash Restore Process
Before the release of ALPHA 17, just a heads up on what will be required.
This process is essentially a "Restore to Factory Settings", so it's useful in other ways too. Kind of like an EEPROM_WIPE for the H3 before putting the stock firmware back.
2025-08-24 14:36:19 +0000 UTC View PostnicFW880 ALPHA 16
!!The firmware DOES NOT support sub 300 serial number radios!!
The big highlight of this release is the new Si4732-based FM Tuner! 🎶 It’s still early days, so for now it only covers the FM broadcast ban
The big highlight of this release is the new Si4732-based FM Tuner! 🎶
It’s...