HX870 firmware update - new VHF channels

[Paul]

I see there is a firmware update (2.02) which adds the newly allocated International VHF channels, has anyone updated this and does it make much/any difference to the UK frequencies?

I have already manually changed the channel names to reflect the new HMCG MSI channels, as detailed here:

http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.co.uk/2017 ... -2017.html

Not sure whether the full update is needed here . . .

[Martin]

Ahhh, you've beaten me to it.
It's something I was going to check on Roger, since the newly changed channel announcement.

I would,and I'm sure others would greatly appreciate any info you get.

Martin

[rogerblack]

One of the reasons I'm hesitating is because the instruction sheet mentions that the YCE03 programming software has been replaced by a new version YCE15 which is needed to re-edit stuff like the channel presets, scan memory and alpha channel names, as the 2.02 firmware update deletes these and restores factory default settings. Once the 2.02 firmware is installed, YCE03 will no longer work.

However downloading the file that's referred to as YCE15 from the website* reveals it to be the V2.02 Firmware Update exe file.

Although I prefer to have up-to-date firmware, for the moment, I'm inclined to remain in 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mode.

* http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... Archived=0

[DouglasW]

Hi Roger, most of my sea kayaking friends use non DSC handhelds so I only know one kayaker with an HX870. He had great difficulty installing 2.02 and once it was running several things were not working including scanning. He was using his PC to configure the set rather than the using the set itself. He had to return it to Standard Horizon who returned the same set with 1.18 reinstalled!!! It is now working perfectly again. As he is a comms officer in the RFA and they have about 30 handheld on board he has some knowledge so I think your comment about ~"if it ain't broke" is a good one. I also have a yachting friend with a recent HX870 running 2.02 out the box and it runs fine.

Douglas

[rogerblack]

Hi Douglas, many thanks for the info, confirms my suspicions so I think I'll leave well alone for the time being.

As long as I can send and receive on channel 16 in case of an emergency, that'll do me for now. Plus the DSC functions don't seem to be affected by the changes anyway.

When I get time, I may drop Standard Horizon (USA) an email as I'm sure there's an issue with their download files; they clearly warn that once 2.02 is installed then the YCE03 software will no longer work on your set, you need YCE15, however that doesn't seem to be in the downloaded files offered on their website, there seems to be a difference between the name of the file on their link and what is actually downloaded.