AR5700D AOR AR5700D Firmware Update Tool (now available, Sept. 2025)

[JeffFRANCE]

You have this mistake only because AOR don t realize a clear procedure step by step ..... They realize good communication receiver but they are not to write a clear procedure ! Lack of communication except to write.... Risk to brick....

 

[PA9900]

You have this mistake only because AOR don t realize a clear procedure step by step ..... They realize good communication receiver but they are not to write a clear procedure ! Lack of communication except to write.... Risk to brick....

That's the reason that the updates for the AR Alpha, AR5001D, AR6000 and AR5700D are carried out by AOR service points. Most people don't read clear or have not enough computer skils to do this themselfs. The AR5700D update PDF shows you, the serial cables you need. If you are in the updater software, it is clear with photo's how to set the dipswitches and what to do step by step. Ther are enough people who did the update succesfuly. The update proces is not the same as with a DV1/DV10 or Icom.

 

[G8OEO]

Got hold of a new straight through cable and this time the update has worked perfectly.
I Installed the IQ driver and then tentatively updated the digidec as well, fortunately with no errors.

Pleased to say that the loud clicks at the start of DMR transmissions have now gone completely.
My original firmware probably dated to 2023 so I don’t know when this particular issue was fixed.

 

[EricCottrell]

One of the AOR distributors posted this on FaceBook. I upgraded my AR-Alpha and had to run an utility to load firmware files in a certain order after setting the switches. I had to completely remove one of the covers to access the switches. The new utility for the AR-5700D is a lot easier.

Message from AOR to distributors:

Dear Valued Distributors,

We’re pleased to announce the release of the AR5700D Firmware Update Tool *for all users*.
This new utility replaces the previous complex distributor-only software with a simplified version designed for both end-users and distributors.

Why this matters:
Until now, some potential buyers hesitated to purchase the AR5700D because they believed they would need AOR assistance for every new firmware release.
By providing a simple, self-service update tool, we are directly addressing this concern. This improvement is expected to increase customer confidence and boost AR5700D sales.
Key points for you and your customers:
• Simplified workflow: Distributors previously used a more complex update utility. This new version is much easier to use, reducing the risk of errors and making the update process faster.
• For everyone: End-users can now update their AR5700D units directly, and distributors should also use this same tool going forward.
• Technical note: The update procedure still requires a moderate level of technical knowledge and some connection hardware. Our news and instructions say that customers who are not confident are advised to contact their local AOR distributor to perform the update (and they are informed that shipping/servicing charges may apply, dealer has to bill these).
• Downloads & instructions: The updater software (with firmware files baked in) and instructions PDF are available on our Support page:
https://www.aorja.com/support/software.html#ar5700d
What we ask from you
1. Please transition to the new updater tool for all AR5700D servicing.
2. Share this announcement with your AR5700D customers and make the tool visible on your support channels.
3. Highlight to potential buyers that they will no longer be dependent on AOR for every firmware update — this is a strong selling point.
4. Offer update services to customers who prefer distributor assistance.

AR5700D Firmware Update Tool download: https://www.aorja.com/support/software.html#ar5700d

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

 

[SigIntel8600]

First connect the AR5700D to the PC as in the PDF file from AOR. I used the serial cables as in the discription. The two USB cables that are always connected to the PC, don't disconnect them. Turn the radio upside down and open the small cover to reach the dipswitches.
Open the AOR updater software and follow the steps as in the AOR PDF file. If your connection with the AR5700D and PC is ok, fill in the serial number from the radio and press version check. Than you can start the update proces. If you start the update proces, small photo's show you, how to set the dipswitches in the AR5700D. Please see attached photo's. The firmware update is from August 2025. Greatings Jacco, the Netherlands

I completed all 4 updates. As others have noted, the straight DB9 cable worked, the null cable did not. I would like to thank AOR for allowing end users to finally be able to update the firmware. I have no comments yet concerning performance enhancements (or new bugs) I need time to test the radio. Thanks for your informative guide PA9900. Much appreciated.

 

[JeffFRANCE]

Hello thanks for your feedback
How have you manage the null câble if it don t work ?
The null câble is used to connect the 5700d with female because Db9 is mâle

 

[G8OEO]

This is the cable I used

Amazon.co.uk

It has to be Straight Through and NOT Null Modem.

 

[EricCottrell]

There seems to be confusion on AOR's part. They are thinking all DB-9 Female to DB-9 Female serial cables are Null Modem ones. They are not. The Null Modem Cable I have is marked. There are also small Null Modem Adapters used as well.

Null modem - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[JeffFRANCE]

Thanks Éric I have ordered the same that your null modem to be sure.

 

[SP7RB]

Managed to read the version numbers ok with the software so guessing the serial connection must be ok, but when it came to trying to write the update to the Main Board, after a few seconds I received the alert “bitrate adjust error “ and that seemed to halt the update in its tracks.
This was with only the dedicated serial port connected. Am I correct in assuming the I/Q usb connection is only used for the digidec update?

Hi,
I had the same problem. Use a 1:1 RS232 F->F cable or adapter, not null modem cable. There's an error in the APR documentation. Also connect the receiver via USB I/Q port - remember about the USB drivers. Good luck.

73 Robert

 

[G8OEO]

There’s now a new October firmware release on the AOR website.
I think I’ll leave well alone until the more adventurous forum members have had a chance to report on what is fixed and what is broken.

 

[SP7RB]

There’s now a new October firmware release on the AOR website.
I think I’ll leave well alone until the more adventurous forum members have had a chance to report on what is fixed and what is broken.

Wow. At this rate of new firmware releases, it won't be worth screwing the switch cover back on.

 

[WoodyfromLA]

I completed the update yesterday using a Windows 11 machine. A couple of things I noted:

1. You must completely disable antivirus, including any antivirus web extensions in Chrome, before you start. Otherwise the update package will not download from the AOR website and properly extract. I turned protection off for an hour.

2. In order to update the Digidec, you need to first install the I/Q driver in your PC, using the USB dongle that came with the radio. With windows 11, however, the driver is incompatible with Memory Protection in Core Integrity in security settings. You need to disable Memory Integrity before you try to install the I/Q driver.

3. Once you have the I/Q driver installed, you can proceed with the Digidec update.

4. After everything is successfully completed, you should delete the "ARAlpha" device in Windows Device Manager, and then reactivate Memory Integrity. You cannot reactivate Memory Integrity while the I-Q driver is still installed on the PC, so to do another Digidec update in the future, you will need to reinstall the I/Q driver. Note that this is for Windows 11. YMMV if you have an earlier version of Windows.

5. Turn antivirus protection back on when you're all done.

Hope this helps someone...

 

[G8OEO]

I understand the new release involves rolling back the Decoder firmware to an earlier version and I would really like to know whether this will undo the September improvement in DMR reception.
Release notes for these updates would be very welcome.

 

[SP7RB]

Managed to read the version numbers ok with the software so guessing the serial connection must be ok, but when it came to trying to write the update to the Main Board, after a few seconds I received the alert “bitrate adjust error “ and that seemed to halt the update in its tracks.
This was with only the dedicated serial port connected. Am I correct in assuming the I/Q usb connection is only used for the digidec update?

Yes, the Digidec is updated via USB I/Q. It can also read the software version from the second USB port. Like you, I had the same issue where it read the firmware version but couldn't program it. It's probably a problem with the RS-232 connection. Don't use a null modem cable/adapter, use a 1:1 cable, and it will definitely work.

 

[EricCottrell]

AOR should release a new AR5700D FIRMWARE RELEASE NOTES pdf.

4NCA has "Improved performance of analog I/Q (AIQ mode) output via LINE-OUT" as the change. I had some problems with AIQ mode when I tried it out a few months ago, so maybe the fix caused other problems.

I did the upgrade without any problems. The Digi-Dec update did not have any errors like I had last time. Even though AOR says to update Digi-Dec every time, I noticed the files in the digidecw folder are still version 2507A. I did the update and the version is the same, so I am going to check if the version changes in the digidecw folder before updating.

The improved DMR decoding might be due to the 2507A version of the Digi-Dec. Going by the way AOR names update files, it is a July 2025 release. I suspect they are using a hex digit for the month on the Decoder firmware, so 3N5A is a May 2023 release and 4NCA is a December 2024 release.

 

[AR5700-weid]

I did the two updates without any problems. However it seems that the DigiDec portion (currently 307A) has not been updated to 507A during both upgrades (despite of the fact that UG tool reported DigiDec successfully updated):

2025.10.19 09:25:34.676 VersionTest Finish
2025.10.19 09:25:35.579 MainBoard (2): 403A => 403A
2025.10.19 09:25:35.579 Decorder (1): 4NCA => 3N5A
2025.10.19 09:25:35.580 Panel (2): 508A => 508A
2025.10.19 09:25:35.580 DigiDec (1): (307A)=> 507A

2025.10.19 09:50:02.151 VersionTest Finish
2025.10.19 09:50:03.052 MainBoard (2): 403A => 403A
2025.10.19 09:50:03.052 Decorder (2): 3N5A => 3N5A
2025.10.19 09:50:03.052 Panel (2): 508A => 508A
2025.10.19 09:50:03.052 DigiDec (1): (307A)=> 507A

 

[G8OEO]

As I understand it the radio does not correctly report the version of digidec currently installed which is why AOR say you should always update digidec.
However, now that you actually know which version is installed, I would think in future it would be best to check in the digidec folder of each new release to see whether it’s worth another update, since there are risks involved.

 

[JeffFRANCE]

I don' t understand why AOR don' t communicate the list of firmwares versions with changes detailed and also a clear procedure for the update step by step with pictures ! it s not complicated and customer of this luxury receiver can have this info and this service no ?
I hope also AOR continue to improve this receiver because DMR and YAESU mode are not perfect !
My DV1 is better sometimes for decoding !!!!!

 

[G8OEO]

Just for the record after the September update my radio began occasionally producing regular loud clicks on top of continuous AM transmissions, with the pulses also appearing on the S Meter. Swapping the antenna over to another receiver showed these to be a function only of the 5700. The only way to stop this was by rebooting the radio.

I finally got round to reverting the decoder version yesterday morning using the October release and haven’t had any repeat of the problem so far.

As others have reported DMR reception remains ok, with none of the old clicking we all loved so much.