Official DMR Upgrade for PRO-18 and PRO-668 by Whistler

[pro106import]

Hello,


The PSR-800, Pro-18, Pro-668, and WS-1080 all have the same flash size, so no hardware changes are needed. I suspect the upgrade is replacing the bootloader in the scanner, so WS-1080 firmware can be loaded directly. There could also be firmware changes to handle the slight differences in hardware between the scanner models.

OK that makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification Eric. I found it hard to believe they would take a loss doing this by changing the CPU board. Now we just have to reverse engineer the bootloader from one of the modified 668's... just kidding of course...
Glad your Mom is doing well Eric.

 

[skinnyb82]

They were very smart in dealing with this issue. Usually the knee-jerk reaction is to file some intellectual property suit, destroying the company's reputation and likely not getting anything in the end. But Whistler decided to go the complete opposite route. This is just my guess, but I believe they analyzed the market, saw the huge demand for DMR capable Pro-18/668 and PSR-800, saw how Eric's unofficial DMR update is jacking scanner prices on eBay (seen $150 premiums added onto 18/668/800) sees all of us as future loyal customers (so why alienate by suing?), developed an official upgrade that I assume will include some sort of warranty. It's a win-win for everyone. I plan on sending in my 668. Been seeing 668s going for $400 after it became DMR capable. I'm mainly doing it because of the included Whistler support, the ability to update to 4.7 and beyond but also because of the added support for MotoTRBO, even though it isn't used anywhere near me. Just nice to have plus the official Whistler updates.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[DJ11DLN]

Best wishes for your mom, Eric.

And kudos again to Whistler for offering this program. I don't think that can be said enough. They were in no way obligated to take responsibility for GRE/RS products, as has been discussed endlessly elsewhere. My guess is that this is a bread-upon-the-waters move...which should turn out well for them, in terms of customer loyalty. That's very rare among companies these days.

 

[Ghstwolf62]

Based on what I am reading, the advantage is that Whistler will turn your 668, etc. essentially into a "real" WS1080. Since Wendy has indicated that future firmware upgrades will be possible via EZScan, I am assuming they will need to add more flash memory (or whatever).

I am certainly interested in this because I am eagerly awaiting a firmware upgrade that is supposed to contain a fix that will allow me to monitor my local VHF Phase 2 system. I was resigned to the fact that when version 4.7 came out there was a good chance that Eric's process would not allow it on my Pro668. Now I know that I should be able to get version 4.7 if I am willing to pay the fee, which I am.

I guess if you are perfectly happy with version 4.6 and are fine with the possibility of no future firmware upgrades, then this program probably has no advantages for you.

Well I was going to reply that I was going to wait and see what Eric did vis-a-vis firmware upgrade support but he has since posted that he will no longer support any future upgrades which is his right. It sucks but there isn't much anyone can do unless that other guy steps in and continues support.

Anyway as you said I'm very happy with the "Unofficial" version and have no intention of paying a large sum of money to get the "Official" version of what I already have and which works wonderfully for me just so I can have a "Real 1080" vs a glorified 668.

 

[ScottPDX]

Thank you, Eric

Hello,

My mom got out of rehab recently, so not much radio activity for last couple of weeks.

This is surprising news from Whistler and I am planning on taking advantage of it. Why? Because it will make it easier to do upgrades without having to figure out patches and updating my program. So expect no further updates when the next version of firmware comes out.

The PSR-800, Pro-18, Pro-668, and WS-1080 all have the same flash size, so no hardware changes are needed. I suspect the upgrade is replacing the bootloader in the scanner, so WS-1080 firmware can be loaded directly. There could also be firmware changes to handle the slight differences in hardware between the scanner models.

No contact with Whistler other than any responses on the this public forum. I do not expect any money or payment for this as it is Whistler's product and they know what is possible.

73 Eric

Thank you, Eric. I believe your work is the reason that Whistler will be gaining many future loyal customers with this PRO-668 upgrade program they are initiating. We all owe you a lot for keeping things moving forward in between times. Thanks for keeping my two PRO-668's viable and extremely usable during this interim time.

ScottPDX

 

[SPL15]

Good job Whistler!

 

[KT4HX]

I am curious about one thing though. I wonder if those of us with a "converted" Pro-668 should revert them back to their native condition before sending it in for the official upgrade? On the surface it would seem to be bad form to send in an RS Pro-668 (outwardly) that boots up as a Whistler WS-1080 and uses EZ-Scan for programming already. I am sure they would do with it what they are going to do anyway, but just curious what others think about it and plan on doing. Or am I simply overthinking this?

 

[sibbley]

I planned on reverting my PSR-800 back to PSR-800 firmware before sending. But, good question. It's not like Whistler doesn't know about the un-official upgrade. So it could go either way.

 

[jaspence]

GRE/RS update

I talked to the Whistler people at Dayton (Xenia) Hamvention. In addition to the upgrades published, I also understood them to say that the radio would then be able to be serviced by them if you had repair problems in the future. It was also mentioned that they had been working on this for around a year and do listen to their customer base.

I also like my 500, but it is just too ancient for a reasonable update.

 

[KT4HX]

Yeah that cat has been outta the bag for some time now and by all indications they haven't kicked up a fuss over it (at least outwardly). So I feel they likely would just chuckle about it, do the upgrade and move on. Especially since most will likely go through the process in order to get the future support. Its a choice of keeping the status quo and having no long term support or paying a one time fee to come under their umbrella. It certainly doesn't hurt them as far as recruiting future customers either.

I have the PSR-600, but I certainly don't expect anything coming along for those older models. It works well with the last update that GRE pushed out, so I am ok with that.

 

[milcom_chaser]

Still encouraging them to write firmware to support user selectable step sizes within the band segments. Then perhaps future upgrades will become appealing.

 

[Paco-Jerte]

glad i did the up grade on my GRE-800 to the 1080 now has DMR for FREE very happy with it and works great.

agreed

 

[JustLou]

I'm surprised some people who already upgraded their radios are actually gonna spend $60 +shipping to send their radios into Whistler to get an 'official' version.

 

[Ed6698]

I'm surprised some people who already upgraded their radios are actually gonna spend $60 +shipping to send their radios into Whistler to get an 'official' version.

Not only will a person get DMR, they will be able to get any future firmware updates or radio repairs if needed. So it is more then just getting a official version.

 

[fredva]

Not only will a person get DMR, they will be able to get any future firmware updates or radio repairs if needed. So it is more then just getting a official version.

And compared to having to buy another scanner to get new capability, $60 isn't a whole lot of money. I remember when people were listing the PSR-800 for about 10 times that much when it was the only Phase 2 scanner.

 

[scan18]

I'm surprised some people who already upgraded their radios are actually gonna spend $60 +shipping to send their radios into Whistler to get an 'official' version.

I'll give you one important reason, for me anyway. This update from the CPU version 4.7 release notes:

"Added handling for certain multi-block PDUs (for some VHF systems)"

Without this update, I am unable to listen to my local VHF P25 Phase 2 system. The only way I'll be able to upgrade my Pro668 to version 4.7 is through the official upgrade.

Just because version 4.6 has everything YOU need, that may not be the case for everyone.

 

[JustLou]

I'll give you one important reason, for me anyway. This update from the CPU version 4.7 release notes:

"Added handling for certain multi-block PDUs (for some VHF systems)"

Without this update, I am unable to listen to my local VHF P25 Phase 2 system. The only way I'll be able to upgrade my Pro668 to version 4.7 is through the official upgrade.

Just because version 4.6 has everything YOU need, that may not be the case for everyone.

Where does Whistler state that the updated radios are gonna receive the features of 4.7 or any other future updates? Maybe I'm wrong, but the only thing I see them promising is: "an upgrade to receive DMR".

 

[KT4HX]

Again, anyone is free to do what they prefer to do. But the two of the three choices we have here entails no more updates nor factory support going forward. If one is happy with that, then they can save themselves $60.

However, Eric, the author of the procedure to do the unofficial updates, has stated he is going to use Whistler's upgrade program for two of his scanners, and there will be no future updates from his side. In my personal view, as Mike said, $60 is cheap in the scanner world to effectively get a new one internally that will receive all future updates from Whistler and be eligible for any factory service should it be needed down the road. Some may grumble, which is of course their right, but I think given where we were with these not so long ago, it is a excellent opportunity. to move ahead.

 

[fredva]

Where does Whistler state that the updated radios are gonna receive the features of 4.7 or any other future updates? Maybe I'm wrong, but the only thing I see them promising is: "an upgrade to receive DMR".

You need to look at the thread on the same topic in the Whistler forum. One of the first questions asked was whether the radios would get the latest firmware. Wendy answered Yes and then later clarified that she was answering Yes to that question and a couple of others.

 

[JustLou]

You need to look at the thread on the same topic in the Whistler forum. One of the first questions asked was whether the radios would get the latest firmware. Wendy answered Yes and then later clarified that she was answering Yes to that question and a couple of others.

OK.Thanks. I only saw her post in here which mentioned a DMR upgrade.