GD-88, the new Radioddity DMR radio

[VK3KYY]

I noticed that Radioddity have posted updated firmware for the GD-88 recently

Interestingly, the firmware files are named

C7000_DR880UV_HAM_A_2022-10-27.bin and C7000_DR880UV_HAM_B_2022-10-27.bin, so Radioddity are clearly getting updates directly from Kydera and not bothering even to rename the files

Firmware does not appear to be encrypted, but as the entire chipset used in this radio is made in China and the development toolchain has never been released, its basically impossible to write firmware for this radio.

[ok1pt]

I noticed that Radioddity have posted updated firmware for the GD-88 recently

Interestingly, the firmware files are named

C7000_DR880UV_HAM_A_2022-10-27.bin and C7000_DR880UV_HAM_B_2022-10-27.bin, so Radioddity are clearly getting updates directly from Kydera and not bothering even to rename the files

Firmware does not appear to be encrypted, but as the entire chipset used in this radio is made in China and the development toolchain has never been released, its basically impossible to write firmware for this radio.

Hi Roger,
I upgraded the firmware yesterday. The flashing utility also seems to be untouched, it offers two models to flash, DM850 and NC550. DM850 is checked and works.
There are two files because GD-88 has two separate channels (as explained in the how-to-flash document). One file (A) is much longer than the other, so it probably contains common things for both channels.
The bootloader mode is activated by holding SK1 and powering on the radio. It shows either IAP A or IAP B, which can be changed by pressing SK1 for longer time. It then accepts the appropriate software file.
Flashing time is longer than for GD-77, because it uses the relatively slow asynchronous serial transmission. However, the flashing process is shown on both radio display and utility window (counting page numbers), so the user can monitor the flashing process.
The new firmware seems working, the main added feature is TA support, which has been checked and really works. I hope that some bugs are fixed as well, but it will need more time to check.

WIth regards & 73
Pavel OK1 PT

[VK3KYY]

Very interesting

The radio has 2 separate C7000 CPU + DMR chips, which explains why the 2 different firmware files

I don't know why they use serial comms to the radio for firmware updates, because AFIK the C7000 has built in USB, as the GD73 uses a C7000 and does not use a USB to Serial converter dongle.

Possible both C7000 are connected to the serial connection and something in the header of the data file indicate whether the firmware is for CPU A or CPU B

Probably some clever software could analyse the 2 patterns of data which are identical, which would indicate some functionality associated with the RF hardware (AT1846S)

I can see blocks of common binary codes when I look at the bin files, and also see telltail patterns for commands for the AT1846S

[KC3VPY]

My Abbree antenna got stuck on my GD-88 yesterday the sma-female connector mounted in the body of the radio was coming out instead of the antenna I finally managed to get the antenna free but noticed the radio was acting like it had no antenna and was shorting and the radio was rebooting. Anyway took it completely apart to see what was up and ended up fixing it I took photos of the process and no soldiering iron needed if anyone is interested in seeing the GD-88 naked I can post the pics

[YT5HOK]

My Abbree antenna got stuck on my GD-88 yesterday the sma-female connector mounted in the body of the radio was coming out instead of the antenna I finally managed to get the antenna free but noticed the radio was acting like it had no antenna and was shorting and the radio was rebooting. Anyway took it completely apart to see what was up and ended up fixing it I took photos of the process and no soldiering iron needed if anyone is interested in seeing the GD-88 naked I can post the pics

Yes, please. I have GD-88 too and I am interested. You can use G drive or something like that.

[KC3VPY]

Here you are. Mind you the photos where taken after I had the radio apart then thought I should take photos so what you see is me putting it back together. Enjoy.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

[F1RMB]

Hi,

Here you are. Mind you the photos where taken after I had the radio apart then thought I should take photos so what you see is me putting it back together. Enjoy.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Thanks for the pictures.

Cheers.
---
Daniel