Firmware Update
Firmware 4.2A Beta
Firmware 4.2A is available in the zip file below. It has full tuner integration with the IC705 transceiver. Release notes are in the zip file. These functions do not work with the stock IC705 kit. You must make physical modifications to add a connection to the IC705's tuner jack and you will need to update the code in the Arduino Nano that is inside the interface kit. At some point in the future we will offer a new interface kit that supports these new functions but the current units do not. I have made the suggested modifications to a unit and, done correctly, they work as advertised. If you decide to make the modifications and attempt to update the FW in the Nano, HobbyPCB does not offer technical support, if you have trouble, the support forum is available. Make sure you are confortable making the modifications and working with Arduinos before you attempt this upgrade.
Firmware 4.1A - Release Notes
Thanks to Lane, VE7IHL, for for cleaning up some issues with the interrupt handler and making some improvements. I'll need to update the operating manual to reflect the new features in V4.1A but for now, here is a summary.
With V4.1A after the splash screen and before the operating screen there is a new page that says "Property of:" followed by your call sign (if you have entered it in the menu). There is now a menu entry for you call sign, use the up and down buttons to select a letter/number and press both + and - to advance to the next character.
Speaking of menu items there is now a single item for transceiver. Right now it's Other, KX2/KX3, FT817, Xiegu this is an improvement of turning on/off various transceiver modes. Elad Users select FT817 mode
This hasn't been exhaustively tested but don't worry you can always fall back to the current firmware if you encounter a problem. We've tested with Rev F and Rev G and it should work with C and E also as long as the amp is currently running V3 or V4 firmware. Do not go directly from V1 or V2 to new version.
Download the new Hex file at the bottom of the page.
As of June 1, 2017, all Hardrock-50 amplifiers are shipped with a Rev H rear panel PCB. This new version has an FTDI USB-serial chip instead of the Microchip so no driver installation is required, just plug it in.
In order to facilitate easy updating without an expensive programmer, we have included a bootloader that is provided by our compiler of choice, MikroC PRO for PIC. This is a serial bootloader and is interfaced by an onboard USB-Serial converter. In older amps, the converter is provided by an SMT Microchip MCP2200 chip. When you first plug your amp into USB and power it on, you will be asked to provide a driver. Drivers are located on the MCP2200 info page, the bottom of this page. New amps will connect to the USB even if the amp is off. Amps with the MCP2200 USB will only connect when the HARDROCK-50 is powered ON.
The latest bootloader (Version 2.3) software should be downloaded from the link in the files section of this page.
After you download and extract the zip, you will see a directory structure that looks like the following. You want to run the bootloader for the PIC18F45K22. This is a standalone program and doesn't need to be installed. You can run it from where it was extracted or save it somewhere else, your choice.
When you launch the program, you will be presented with the mikroBootloader and 4 steps to follow. First, make sure PIC18 is selected in the upper right corner. When you click on "Change Settings" to change the serial port settings, you will see the following display:
Change the Port to whatever COM port your AMP registered as. Set the other setting as shown above.
For amp with serial numbers less than 1400 (REV C, REV E, REV F): After you change the settings, power your amp OFF and ON again then click the connect. You have to hit the connect button within the first 3 seconds of turning on the amp, while the top row of the display shows a row of rectangles. Once the 'splash' screen is displayed, the amplifier will no longer accept connections from the bootloader.
For amps with serial numbers 1400 and above (REV G or REV H): Hold down the BAND + button before powering on. The LCD blank with rectangles in the top row.
For the Hardrock-50+: Hold the ‘BND-/ATU BYP’ button (closest to the power switch). The LCD blank with rectangles in the top row.
If the amp shows the normal display then something went wrong and the amp is not waiting for the bootloader to connect.
If everything goes right, click 'Connect' on the bootloader program and you will see the following screen:
Note the Green lights and the word "Connected" in the History Window. Now you can move to Step 3 and browse for the HEX file you downloaded from the downloads section of the code page.
Last, click "Begin uploading" to upload the new version of the firmware to your device. After successful upload, you will need to reset the amp and should notice the version change on the display.