P25RX Firmware Updates / Testing

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kb8q

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Works great here. No lock ups, great audio, 27,000 records yesterday including 3,000 affiliations. I'm roaming 3 simulcast systems and 1 standalone and also using 6 levels of priority. No issues. BTConfig stable version **25_1115. At one point yesterday I paused it to capture some recorded audio from an incident TalkGroup. That worked great, too.
 

amcferrin90

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Question about the application itself. When I run it at least for the first time I get a Windows security warning. Eventually while running, Windows will close the app and delete the exe file. It could be something else I'm running at my office but I get the same alert at home usually without the removal. Is there a way to sign the app so that Windows will leave it alone?

Second question pertains to audio. Maybe it's just my hearing but a common problem I have with the SDR decoders is the audio favors low and low-mid frequencies. Looking at the insights tab and the Audio FFT window confirms this. This is probably not a SDR issue but a Motorola thing because they have those little +/- 2" speakers needing the low end boosted to sound normal. Is there a way to deemphasize or add as an option to deemphasize the low and low-mid frequency range?
 
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btt

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Question about the application itself. When I run it at least for the first time I get a Windows security warning. Eventually while running, Windows will close the app and delete the exe file. It could be something else I'm running at my office but I get the same alert at home usually without the removal. Is there a way to sign the app so that Windows will leave it alone?

Second question pertains to audio. Maybe it's just my hearing but a common problem I have with the SDR decoders is the audio favors low and low-mid frequencies. Looking at the insights tab and the Audio FFT window confirms this. This is probably not a SDR issue but a Motorola thing because they have those little +/- 2" speakers needing the low end boosted to sound normal. Is there a way to deemphasize or add as an option to deemphasize the low and low-mid frequency range?
I didn't know MS was actually deleting the exe. lol. Now that is what I call software freedom! I thought users were getting virus protection warnings on Windows and given a choice to run or not. I will look into what it takes to sign the application. I will also add a simple high-pass filter command. Thanks for the suggestions.
 

amcferrin90

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I didn't know MS was actually deleting the exe. lol. Now that is what I call software freedom! I thought users were getting virus protection warnings on Windows and given a choice to run or not. I will look into what it takes to sign the application. I will also add a simple high-pass filter command. Thanks for the suggestions.
Yes sir. I think only once and it's the first time I run it. I just DL the latest version, ran it. The app updated the firmware in the device and it was running fine. The window got covered up by other things and I realized after a few minutes of inactivity something happened. The app was closed and the exe deleted. Now to be fair I just save the exe on my desktop and execute from there. I have several versions in my Download folder that don't get deleted. So maybe a Windows security thing because of where I save it? I miss Windows 7. :( What's worse is I'll miss Windows 10 when I'm forced to use Windows 11.
 
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pcman67

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New version is available with improved P25 P2 sync detection! Two new commands have been added for a high-pass filter. See the tips/tricks section for more information on that. Version 2021-09-30_1053

The new version is sounding and working great on P2 audio! Thank you!
 
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pcman67

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Yes sir. I think only once and it's the first time I run it. I just DL the latest version, ran it. The app updated the firmware in the device and it was running fine. The window got covered up by other things and I realized after a few minutes of inactivity something happened. The app was closed and the exe deleted. Now to be fair I just save the exe on my desktop and execute from there. I have several versions in my Download folder that don't get deleted. So maybe a Windows security thing because of where I save it? I miss Windows 7. :( What's worse is I'll miss Windows 10 when I'm forced to use Windows 11.

This sounds like Windows Defender in Windows 10 might be deleting the file. Until Bluetail signs the application, you can either stop/disable Windows Defender or allow an exception such as a file type (*.exe) or application(s) that reside in a certain directory. This might help:


You can also disable the Windows prompt to run the executable each time a new version of BTConfig comes out. Just search for Internet Options on your start menu (it can also be found in the classic Control Panel) and get into Internet Options. Click on the "Security" tab, click "Custom level" and scroll down to the "Miscellaneous" area until you find the option "Launching applications and unsafe files (not secure)" and set that to "Enable (not secure)". Click "OK" and then "OK" again to get out of everything and you're all set -- you won't be prompted to run a new executable each time you download an update of BTConfig. This, of course, turns this off for all new executables you attempt to run, so just be aware of that.
 
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amcferrin90

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This sounds like Windows Defender in Windows 10 might be deleting the file. Until Bluetail signs the application, you can either stop/disable Windows Defender or allow an exception such as a file type (*.exe) or application(s) that reside in a certain directory. This might help:


You can also disable the Windows prompt to run the executable each time a new version of BTConfig comes out. Just search for Internet Options on your start menu (it can also be found in the classic Control Panel) and get into Internet Options. Click on the "Security" tab, click "Custom level" and scroll down to the "Miscellaneous" area until you find the option "Launching applications and unsafe files (not secure)" and set that to "Enable (not secure)". Click "OK" and then "OK" again to get out of everything and you're all set -- you won't be prompted to run a new executable each time you download an update of BTConfig. This, of course, turns this off for all new executables you attempt to run, so just be aware of that.
Actually today it was my Antivirus. I actually watched it happen. Trying to put the executable in a folder Windows could care less about, thinking maybe there's something about being run from the desktop or downloads folder. Emsisoft labeled it a crypto. I may have to bring my laptop to run the software where I can whitelist the app.
 

btt

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@btt Hi, Just to ask the question, what does this " improved P25 P2 sync detection" mean in the wild world?
When receiving a "frame" of data, you first must synchronize to the incoming bit stream. "sync words" are fixed patterns that are put at the beginning of each frame for this purpose. Depending on the length of the patterns and the pattern itself, it is usually advantageous to allow for one or more errors in the sync word for more robust reception of frames. This is what I'm referring to. I had already implemented this for all sync words, except for P25 P2 frames. Now that is in there.
 

epersson

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When receiving a "frame" of data, you first must synchronize to the incoming bit stream. "sync words" are fixed patterns that are put at the beginning of each frame for this purpose. Depending on the length of the patterns and the pattern itself, it is usually advantageous to allow for one or more errors in the sync word for more robust reception of frames. This is what I'm referring to. I had already implemented this for all sync words, except for P25 P2 frames. Now that is in there.
My wife tells me all the time I tell her how the clock works instead of what time it is... it's an engineers curse. The question is what in the field this makes better, faster sync? clearer voice? etc. So I know what to look for once I get this version on board next month. Thanks.
 

btt

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My wife tells me all the time I tell her how the clock works instead of what time it is... it's an engineers curse. The question is what in the field this makes better, faster sync? clearer voice? etc. So I know what to look for once I get this version on board next month. Thanks.
Relaxing the search for a sync word to allow for some bit errors can be the difference that prevents losing the entire frame in an environment where the SNR is low (most likely cause of bit errors). In other words, if you miss the sync, you miss the entire frame. If you receive some bit errors in the sync, it is ok, you are still bit-syncrhronized. In a frame with bit errors, the forward-error-correction may still be able to correct the rest of the frame payload (i.e. voice data).
 

ralexander5

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Running version 2021-09-30_1053 on a TDMA CC system. Noticed signal LED was green (normally blue). Checked config software and SIG was off and reporting 0 blocks/sec. Console log repeating message below. Reentered frequency in console and unit resynced. This has happened several times. Only thing changed recently was to enable roaming to see if unit would follow CC change.

>== TDULC - Return To Control Channel Frequency 854.762500, rssi -104 ==<

rssi: -104 tsbk_ps 0 sa 1 ue 1 wacn_id 0x92715 sys_id 0x1f8 nac 0x057 rf_id 87 site_id 87 freq 854.762500 rfg 38 agc -63.7 $
>== TDULC - Return To Control Channel Frequency 854.762500, rssi -104 ==<

rssi: -104 tsbk_ps 0 sa 1 ue 1 wacn_id 0x92715 sys_id 0x1f8 nac 0x057 rf_id 87 site_id 87 freq 854.762500 rfg 38 agc -63.4 $
>== TDULC - Return To Control Channel Frequency 854.762500, rssi -104 ==<
 

btt

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Running version 2021-09-30_1053 on a TDMA CC system. Noticed signal LED was green (normally blue). Checked config software and SIG was off and reporting 0 blocks/sec. Console log repeating message below. Reentered frequency in console and unit resynced. This has happened several times. Only thing changed recently was to enable roaming to see if unit would follow CC change.

>== TDULC - Return To Control Channel Frequency 854.762500, rssi -104 ==<

rssi: -104 tsbk_ps 0 sa 1 ue 1 wacn_id 0x92715 sys_id 0x1f8 nac 0x057 rf_id 87 site_id 87 freq 854.762500 rfg 38 agc -63.7 $
>== TDULC - Return To Control Channel Frequency 854.762500, rssi -104 ==<

rssi: -104 tsbk_ps 0 sa 1 ue 1 wacn_id 0x92715 sys_id 0x1f8 nac 0x057 rf_id 87 site_id 87 freq 854.762500 rfg 38 agc -63.4 $
>== TDULC - Return To Control Channel Frequency 854.762500, rssi -104 ==<
After you enter the CC frequency in the console, you can save it to flash with a 'save' command. If you enable the roaming, you need to have the alternate control channel frequencies listed in the "roaming flash" on the search DB tab. You can manually enter these. Set the activity timeout high (300 sec). If the signal completely drops, then it will start searching through the roaming list for working control channel within 10 seconds. The way the roaming works will change in future versions.
 

turnpike61

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V 0930-10:53 has crashed on me a few times now (just shut down), for no reason I can discern. FYI.
 

btt

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V 0930-10:53 has crashed on me a few times now (just shut down), for no reason I can discern. FYI.
Could be related to virus-software malfunctions like @amcferrin90 mentioned a few posts back? Anyone else having a similar issue?

@btt but to everyone. anyone tested with Win11 now that the rollout and Borg Assimilation has started... :)
I believe @shirsch101 mentioned that an early release version was working ok with BTConfig. Other than that, I haven't heard anything that I recall.
 

epersson

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Could be related to virus-software malfunctions like @amcferrin90 mentioned a few posts back? Anyone else having a similar issue?
Set it up last night to run on Portsmouth Shipyard just to test, so far 12 hrs no issue. I'll leave it best I can for the weekend.

I believe @shirsch101 mentioned that an early release version was working ok with BTConfig. Other than that, I haven't heard anything that I recall.
Great
 

turnpike61

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Could be related to virus-software malfunctions like @amcferrin90 mentioned a few posts back? Anyone else having a similar issue?


Potentially; I have things so locked down between AV, AppGuard, and a PiHole. I'll keep an eye out. So far so good for a few days now.
 
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