Transceiver Firmware Update: How to Do It Safely

Modern radios are computers with an antenna, and like every computer they receive new software from time to time. A transceiver firmware update can fix a bug that has annoyed you for years, add a feature that used to cost an extra option, or improve how the radio decodes a mode. It can also go wrong: a lost connection, a flat battery or a wrong file at the wrong moment may leave the radio unresponsive, and an update may reset your settings and memories. Most updates go smoothly, and a few sensible habits make the rest safe. This guide gives a procedure that works for desktop transceivers, handhelds and SDR transceivers alike, from the decision to update to the checks you make afterwards.

Should You Update at All?

Updating is not a duty. Firmware is the software stored inside the radio, which controls everything from the display to the tuning and the digital signal processing. You can read the general idea in the article on firmware. If your radio works well for you and the release notes do not mention anything you need, you can leave it alone. A useful rule is to update when the new version fixes a problem you have, adds something you will use, or is needed for a new accessory or for compatibility with software on your computer.

Updating soon after release has an advantage and a risk. The advantage is the fixes. The risk is that the first release of a new version may contain a new bug, which is found by early users and repaired in a following release. If the radio is critical for you, for example before a contest or an expedition, do not update in the last weeks. Do it at a quiet time, when you have time to test and to go back if necessary.

Read the Release Notes

The release notes tell you what is new and, often more important, what to watch for. Look for these items: the version you have now and the one you will install, any required intermediate version, a warning that the update resets the settings or the memory, a change in the menu, a change in the behaviour of the computer interface, and known problems. Some manufacturers require you to install version A before version B, and skipping a step can cause trouble. Look at the date of the notes, and check the forums of other owners for experiences with the same update. A few minutes of reading save hours of repair.

Also find out how to go back. Many radios let you install the older version again, using the same process, but some do not allow a downgrade, or the settings of the newer version are not compatible with the old. If a downgrade is not possible, be even more careful with the decision to update.

Back Up Everything First

An update can erase memories, menu settings, calibration values or the list of saved frequencies. Before you start, save what you can. Some radios allow a backup to an SD card or a USB stick through the menu. Others have a programming program for the computer, supplied by the maker or by a third party, which reads and writes the memory channels and the settings. For handhelds, the open-source program in our article on CHIRP radio programming reads the memories of many models, and a file saved before the update can be loaded again afterwards.

When no automatic backup exists, write down or photograph the menu. Go through the settings menu and take a photo of each page. It sounds crude, but when you have to enter fifty settings again, the photos are a great help. Note the calibration values such as the reference frequency correction, the S-meter calibration and any adjustments you made, since a reset may return them to the factory defaults. If you use a logging program that controls the radio, note the CAT settings, including the speed and the port, as described in our guide to rig control and Hamlib.

Secure the Power and the Connection

The most dangerous moment of an update is the writing of the new program into the memory of the radio. If the power fails at that moment, the radio may not start again. Use a stable power supply, preferably a linear or a good quality switching type, as in our guide to choosing a ham radio power supply. For a portable radio, charge the battery fully, and keep the charger connected if the manual allows it. Do not do the update during a storm, when the mains may interrupt, or if you are using a generator with a questionable stability.

Use a short and good USB cable, connect it directly to a port on the computer rather than through a hub, and close other programs that use the same port, such as logging and digital mode programs. Disable the sleep mode of the computer, so that it does not turn off during the update, and stop automatic updates of the operating system for the duration. If you update from an SD card or a USB stick, use the type that the manufacturer recommends and format it as described in the manual. A card with errors is a frequent cause of failed updates.

Do the Update

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. Many radios have an unusual procedure, for example a button combination while switching on, or a special update mode. Make sure you have the file for the exact model and, if there are hardware versions, for your version. Check the file if the maker provides a checksum, which is a number computed from the file contents that proves it was downloaded without damage. You can learn how a checksum works in a short article, and most operating systems have tools to compute it.

Start the process, then leave the radio and the computer alone. Do not press buttons, do not change the volume, do not unplug anything, and do not close the program, even if a progress bar seems to stand still for a while. Some updates take several minutes, and many show a long pause at one percentage. The radio may restart by itself more than once. When it finishes, wait until the radio starts normally and the display shows the new version. The version number is usually found in a menu on the information page.

After the Update

Check the radio systematically. First, look at the version number to confirm that the update was applied. Then see whether the memories and the settings are intact. If the manufacturer recommends a reset after the update, do it, then restore your settings from the backup or enter them again. A reset can cure strange behaviour caused by old settings that do not fit the new software, and a full reset is often recommended after a major version change.

Next, test the radio in use. Listen on several bands to check the receiver, the noise reduction and the filters. Make a short transmission into a dummy load, or on the air if you prefer, and look at the power and the SWR. Test the connection to the computer, the CAT control, the digital mode interface and the audio. A driver or a port may have changed. If you use the radio for digital modes, check the audio levels again, since they can change with the update. Our article on buying used equipment includes a list of the functions to test in a transceiver, which is useful as a checklist after an update, too.

When Something Goes Wrong

If the update stops halfway, do not panic and do not switch the radio on and off repeatedly. Most makers have a recovery mode, in which the radio waits for a new file, and the manual or the support page describes how to enter it. Try the update again with the same file and a good cable. If the display is dark and nothing happens, check the power and the fuse before assuming the worst. If the radio is under warranty, contact the dealer or the manufacturer. A failed update on a radio that was properly handled is often repaired by reflashing at the service centre.

Be careful with unofficial firmware. Alternative versions for handhelds and some other radios exist, and may offer features that the original software does not. They may also remove limits, such as transmitting outside the amateur bands, which is not allowed under a licence, and the result can be a radio that no longer meets the rules for equipment. You use such software at your own risk, you may lose the warranty and you remain responsible for the signal that you transmit. The official software is the safer choice for most operators.

Special Cases: Handhelds, SDR Transceivers and Linked Software

Handheld radios often update through a cable and a program on the computer, and the cable matters more than usual. Many programming cables use cheap converter chips whose drivers are troublesome on newer systems, so test the connection by reading the memory before you attempt to write firmware. A cable that reads reliably is more likely to write reliably. Keep the battery full and the radio switched off from the antenna while you work, because a transmission during an update is not wanted.

SDR transceivers may have two kinds of software: the firmware in the radio and the program on the computer. The two have to match, and the maker often publishes a table of compatible versions. If you update one, check whether the other needs updating too. Otherwise the program may refuse to connect, or may show strange behaviour. Also keep in mind that third-party programs that talk to your radio, such as logging software, digital mode programs and remote control, may be built for a certain firmware. After an update, test each of them, and look for a new version if one does not work.

For a remote station, be even more careful: do not update a radio you cannot reach physically. If the update fails, you will have no way to recover it. Do it only when you are on site, with a second radio available for the schedule. And before you update a radio that you rely on for emergency communication, test the new version for a week or two on the bench, so that you know exactly how it behaves before the moment you need it.

Keep Records

Write a short note after every update: the date, the old and the new versions, the problems solved and any new ones. Keep a copy of the downloaded files, including the older versions, as long as your radio is in use. Websites change, and an old version may disappear. Store the backup of the settings with the notes, together with your logs, as discussed in our article on ADIF and moving your log. In a year, you will know exactly what the radio has been through, which helps when you sell it or ask for help.

The Bottom Line

A firmware update is safe when it is prepared. Decide whether you need it, read the release notes, back up the memories and settings, and photograph the menu. Secure a stable power supply and a good cable, then follow the manufacturer’s steps and do not touch anything until the radio has restarted. Afterwards, check the version, restore the settings, and test receiving, transmitting and the computer connection. Do not update just before an important event, avoid unofficial software unless you accept the risks, and keep notes and old files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to update my transceiver firmware?

No. Update when the new version fixes a problem you have, adds something you want or is needed for compatibility. If the radio works well, you can leave it.

Will an update erase my memories?

It can. Some updates reset settings or memories, so back them up before you start, and note the calibration values.

What is the most common cause of a failed update?

Interruption: a power cut, a disconnected cable or a computer going to sleep during the writing of the new firmware.

Can I go back to an older version?

Often yes, using the same process, but not always. Check the release notes and the manual before you update, and keep a copy of the old file.

Should I reset the radio after an update?

If the manufacturer recommends it, yes. A reset removes old settings that may not match the new software, and then you restore your own settings.

Is unofficial firmware safe to use?

It carries risks. It may void the warranty and may remove limits on frequency or power, but you remain responsible for staying within your licence.