Anyone with PSR-800 firmware archives?

[Zakowsky]

Well it has been over a decade since my last post here - now that is good database retention! Long story short, about 4-5 years ago My PSR-800 developed an SD card issue, which led to the CPU and the DSP firmware being nuked, and after days of trying to fix it, it eventually went into the drawer of despair.

But I recently got interested in getting my HAM license for some 2-way radio projects, dusted off the PSR-800, and with the help of posts in this forum, got the CPU flashed to 1.7 and the DSP to 1.3 (using the stand alone utilities), and found an old Class 4 2Gig SD card it liked, and huzzah, the PSR-800 lives again!

My next goal is to get my CPU to version 1.8 so I can hear the local Phase II groups (1.7 seems to be a beta and has a few bugs I think?), but I couldn't find a stand alone upgrade utility for that version. But I did find Philip Covington's GitHub archive of GREFwTool 0.2.0.3 and a bin file for 1.8 (I think), so I installed the Qt complier and did my best to compile it, but I think since I had to use a newer compiler version I had to change the code a bit due to deprecated functions, and it runs part way but eventually crashes. Then I saw that Eric here is the original author (nice work btw!) and read all the backstory including the Whistler upgrade issues etc.; I do not want to send mine in for upgrade, for a variety of reasons not important here.

So my requests, if anyone would be so kind

- does anyone have a standalone CPU updater for 1.8? Or is there a CPU version 2.0? If so will CPU 2.0 work with DSP 1.3?

- does anyone still have a copy of GREFwTool 0.2.0.3, compiled? And if so some bin files to go with it? Not sure how to do the DSP update going this route now that GRE's EZScan is offline, but since I am on DSP 1.3 that should be fine I think, unless one installs CPU 4.5 and therefore need DSP 3.0? But that is not my goal right now.

- if there are no more compiled versions of GREFwTool, if anyone has the original source code archive I could try and compile it?

Anyway thanks again to the people who posted the CPU and DSP update files that are available here, it got my PSR-800 working again so that is great!

 

[ScannerSK]

Just in case you are unaware, here is a link to the updater on the GRE website: GRE America Inc.

 

[Zakowsky]

Thanks SK - I did try there, but I just get an error page, and I thought that site was long gone. If you check through Wayback Machine it still has the download page, but that only has EZScan for the PSR-800, and EZScan of course can't connect to anything anymore. That is why I was looking for the standalone updaters. Unless I am missing something here, or my browser isn't redirecting properly? That link works for you?

Thanks.

 

[ScannerSK]

Strange, it appears the error page pops up if https is entered however not if http is used. You may have to manually enter http:// and then the greamerica.com

I believe the site and the update files are being maintained for some extended period of time. I was unaware EZScan no longer connects to anything.

 

[Zakowsky]

You are correct - it seems their SSL certificate is expired, and Firefox automatically redirects to https. But my old version of IE actually worked and got to the http site. But it still only has CPU firmware for other models, and only EZscan for the PSR-800.

Maybe I am having a similar problem with GRE EZScan (which can't get the firmware from the internet anymore). Does your GRE EZScan still find the current update? I suppose if most people have converted their PSR-800 to the Whistler firmware, maybe not many people still use the GRE version of EZScan.

Thanks.

 

[ScannerSK]

I no longer own a PSR-800. Some have mentioned to reformat the SD card and then run the "Prepare SD Card for Use" feature in the software and then it may allow updates again. Hopefully someone else chimes in here with the answer.

 

[Zakowsky]

OK, and thanks again for the suggestions. I am pretty sure I need either a stand alone updater file called CPUUpdater_PSR-800_U1.8.exe (or CPUUpdater_PSR-800_U2.0.exe), or CPUUpdater_0602902e_F1.8 (or F2.0).

To update using binary firmware files, you have to use GREFwTool, which I couldn't find but I did manage to finally compile it! There is a firmware file included called 0602902e_U2.0.bin, which I am assuming is exactly what I need. The only problem now, is do I trust my code build? Why no, I don't! The code package says it was modified from the original so as not to allow the Whistler code to be installed, but it includes all the Whistler bin files too. So I am not so sure about it...

I finally got this scanner at least working after years, not sure if I have the nerve to try the home built code - if I do and it works, I will make a link in case there are other people that missed the boat on all this as well.

But if anyone still has a build of GREFwTool done by the original author, I would trust that much more!

Cheers.

 

[ScannerSK]

I saw some warnings about using the GREFwTool. I believe it was here just as a heads up:

PSR-800: - Stock Firmware

Does anyone have the stock firmware for this scanner? It locked up on the firmware screen and I can’t get it out. Thank you

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Zakowsky]

I think I have now read most of the info available on this; from what I can see the firmware versions are:

1.7 - the first iteration of Phase 2 support, some people say it works fine, others report glitches. We have a Phase II group in town here and for the most part it seems to work.
1.8 - a finalized version of Phase 2, and went along with DSP 1.0 -> 1.3
1.9 - added a small EDACS fix

So I don't know what this 2.0 bin file is about, and with 1.7CPU/1.3DSP mine seems OK. The smart thing to do would probably be to stick with what I have unless I find a 1.8 or 1.9 update utility.

What started this revival for me was I was trying to decide on a 2-way radio to get into for very remote Overlanding, and DMR on VHF and UHF seems all the rage. And so the idea of getting DMR on the scanner was interesting. But the more I read it seems that for emergencies analogue FM is still the most practical thing to have, and maybe APRS to get a GPS tagged text sent. But I really have no idea the best way to go with the 2 way, and so listening to DMR on the scanner became less important. But using the scanner again made me want to get it working as well as possible, but now I am thinking maybe I will just keep it as it is.

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[Swipesy]

It has been a very long time since the PSR800 update era but as I recall the last standalone CPU Updater was 1.7. Both 1.8 and 2.0 could only be accessed and updated through newer versions of EZScan (1.8 ?????). I highly doubt that you could update your scanner to 1.8 or 2.0 even if you have the proper versions of EZScan (I have those versions of EZscan). I have attached here the release notes for 1.8 and 2.0 which gives you what they provided.

 

[Zakowsky]

Thanks Swipesy; that confirms for me there is a 2.0, and the only way I will get it loaded is with my homemade version of GREFwTool and the binary I have. It seems for now that Phase II is working with 1.7 where I am, so I will probably hold back on that until I have some problems.

Either way I am glad I have the scanner up and working again, I don't like seeing technology discarded if it still has some life in it. Cheers.

 

[Swipesy]

Thanks Swipesy; that confirms for me there is a 2.0, and the only way I will get it loaded is with my homemade version of GREFwTool and the binary I have. It seems for now that Phase II is working with 1.7 where I am, so I will probably hold back on that until I have some problems.

Either way I am glad I have the scanner up and working again, I don't like seeing technology discarded if it still has some life in it. Cheers.

I had updated my PSR 800 to 2.0. Then I sent it to Whistler to update it to a Legacy 800. The update was worth the cost. It improved the reception of the radio and I use it everyday as my primary scanner and can update it through EZScan. I am in an area where I can receive 3 different P25 Systems (one is a Phase II) and reception is perfect at my base location. When I take it mobile, hello LSM.

 

[RaleighGuy]

I had updated my PSR 800 to 2.0. Then I sent it to Whistler to update it to a Legacy 800. The update was worth the cost. It improved the reception of the radio and I use it everyday as my primary scanner and can update it through EZScan. I am in an area where I can receive 3 different P25 Systems (one is a Phase II) and reception is perfect at my base location. When I take it mobile, hello LSM.

AND, the upgrade is now $10 off

 

[fourwd1]

Thanks Swipesy; that confirms for me there is a 2.0, and the only way I will get it loaded is with my homemade version of GREFwTool and the binary I have. It seems for now that Phase II is working with 1.7 where I am, so I will probably hold back on that until I have some problems.

Either way I am glad I have the scanner up and working again, I don't like seeing technology discarded if it still has some life in it. Cheers.

FWIW, I have the old GRE Beta 2 upgrade files:
CPUUpdater U1.7,
DSPUpdate U1.3,
EZScanDGUpdate 1.7.1,
and update instructions.

I ran that s/w in my PSR800 since I got in like 2010 until I had the Whistler upgrade done a few years ago.
The upgrade is worth it.

 

[Wackyracer]

Make your scanner a Whistler WS1080 (that is still supported) by sending it to whistler for the LEGACY UPGRADE. Tons of update fixes, many upgrades like DMR. Plus you get to use the still supported ezscan for ws1080 that allows for easy updates.

 

[Skip_Wilson]

So there is no way to have the older PSR-800 access the newer E-Z scan without an upgrade?
Thanks

 

[Wackyracer]

So there is no way to have the older PSR-800 access the newer E-Z scan without an upgrade?
Thanks

There is no other way and if there was why would you want new ezscan and not all the dozens of firmware fixes you are missing out on by not upgrading?

 

[Skip_Wilson]

Just asking. Thank you.

 

[fourwd1]

So there is no way to have the older PSR-800 access the newer E-Z scan without an upgrade?
Thanks

No.
Upgrade it, it's worth it.

 

[W1JCW]

Found this post and just got out my GRECOM PSR 800. Went for the $99 one now where are the shipping instructions?