Thanks Bill and Seth,
It's Sorta odd when this new vocoder came in MD380/290s-- I wrote it clumsily but I am more interested in when/where/what was TYT did the changeover from old VC to new VC and why? I notice no difference but I have a MD-390 coming with GPS (which should help locatating if needed but I also run APRS often in the vehicle mainly --- anyway, You would think TYT/Tytera would tell their customers (but I think they could care less about Us given their no-show warranty I hear about -- buy with caution and make sure your using a US supplier as from the way I hear it you have an issue your on your own)!!
I got a MD-380 June 2016 as I do experimental work....but this "new VC" is interesting but my shiney new MD380 has the "oldVC" (firmware starts with an 02 or 03). I see comments about the "new" vocoder started in Aug2016 *(now)*, so it must have been very recently they started arriving Aug, 2016? In anycase the MD380tools is now loaded on my MD380 (after an hour hunting online for the current files, too many old files left up and people do not take them down/update their sites). I am now playing with it and thanks to Travis for the work on the firmware --- in my area (SE Mich/N. Ohio) we only have a few Digital Users and I am often on the repeaters --but I hear more key-ups than anything and try to get some to comment (perhaps unlic and know it?)...as many are asking for radio checks rather than noting (most now ask about location, but it is IRLP enabled, so it has nothing to do with radio's transmission distance (maybe they don't know that) given it is going over the internet (hope they don't think they are reaching the UK with a HT !! HaHa.
Anyway, we are getting the digital transition going (much more advantages IMHO) but I still have a long way to go, but I too have many Analog Mobile/HTs that are not going anywhere soon -- but Digital revolution is the future, and it is finally coming to Ham Radio thanks to the cheaper radios/SDR.
Cheers,