Ian KD8CEC has released an update of his µBITx firmware and accompanying firmware for the Nextion display (for 2.4″ and 2.8″ displays).
Others are working on resizing the firmware to work on 3.2″, 3.5″ and 7″ displays. It would be simple to also convert the 7″ firmware to work with a 5″ display.
So what is new in this latest beta release?
- The buttons are more reliable, and are quicker to take action. Changing mode was a bit of a slow process with lots of flashing buttons in previous versions
- Pressing on the step size now opens up buttons to select step value. This makes it so much quicker to get around the band. Select a bigger step value to get to where you want to go, and switch back to 1Hz steps to fine tune.
- By selecting which file you download, you can now read/write to all EEPROM memories or just those that relate to the Nextion display, protecting your rig’s settings securely if you want (the only way you can change them is in uBITx Manager if you go with this option).
- Adjust the frequency by pressing on different sections of the frequency shown on the Nextion display
- The lock button locks the Nextion screen as well now which is handy for using your rig around young children.
- The sleep function has been improved. You can wake the screen up by moving the encoder dial, or pressing on the bottom left of the screen.
- Install two screens – they will each mirror what happens on the other, but in some modes different functions can appear
- A number of enhancements to the control menu, including an elementary spectrum scope, band scanning and memory selection, saving.
The pace of development is pretty staggering. We all look forward to other functions being added to the Nextion screen in future!
To download these beta files check out Ian’s article.