• It put significant noise back onto the audio lines.
  
• It defaulted to a Clock mode. I was not trying to make an overpriced clock radio.
  
• Testing showed that the spectrum analyzer was highly inaccurate, and did not respond at all over significant parts of the audio spectrum.
  
• The display was "OK" , but again, for what is supposed be a "high-end" piece of audio equipment, I wanted better.
  

• Metal or Shiny plastic oblong buttons.  Nicer feel, and will not rotate in place.
  
• Round pattern of openings on the front for the buzzer instead of the slots.
  
• Slotted openings in the back to expose the Geiger Tube.  <-- This is important, and will increase the sensitivity of the instrument.
  

• I have not installed the belt clip, but it has an actual metal hinge and spring, and screws into the metal casting that is the chassis (heat sink) of the radio.  (As compared to my  HamGeek FB-8, Reviewed Here, which has a plastic clip with the hinge just being a thin part of the plastic.
  
• The "Monitor" button (The button that temporarily opens the squelch) works properly.  It is a momentary button that seems to work very directly.  Other radios have this as a digital toggle, or some sort of software function that incurs delays.
  
• Battery life seems very good.  Even with Back Light set to Constant, so that the display never sleeps, a charge will last for many hours of listening.  Of course transmitting at full power will drain the battery faster, but the basic functioning of the radio seems to be very efficient.
  
• The instruction manual exceeded (admittedly low) expectations.  While it has only 16 pages, it is an actual booklet style manual with the covers printed on glossy paper.  As delivered with mine, it was English language only, with good grammar. It contains accurate illustrations of the radio and displays.
  
• Pressing and holding 0_ displays the battery (power supply) voltage in the lower area of the display.  The normal display returns when the button is released. Like the Monitor function, it's convenient and user friendly, not buried 3 levels down in a menu.
  

• As mentioned in a previous post, this radio can scan through both programmed channels and VFO frequencies;  however, there is no scan lock-out or bypass for programmed channels.  This means that if you program in a channel that is always (or usually) transmitting, such as an airport ATIS, or NOAA Weather channel, the scanning will stop on any such channel encountered.  If you want it to scan through a number of channels for any activity, you can't program any "always on" channels.
  
• I haven't figured out how to put a space, or even a dash in a channel memory name.  If you intend to leave a dash, and you accidently start entering a character, the only thing you can do is delete the channel name an start over (or use some other available character). There is also no "Caps Lock" or similar function.  Each character must be capitalized individually.
  

• The Startup Screen Logo has changed.  Note that this could possibly mean that it will re-brand a radio if it is installed on a different radio, although they could still have separate startup screen files, and Guohe only changed their own (hopefully).  The new logo is professional, and not as intimidating as the old one.
  
• The Factory Settings menu password is still unknown.  (Did not revert to the known one.)
  
• USB KEYBOARDS WORK !! .  This makes entering your Call Sign and Channel Memory names MUCH nicer.  It's worth buying a small USB keyboard just for this radio.
  
• USB Mice seem to be at least partially supported. But in a quick test, I could not get the scroll wheel to tune the radio.  Perhaps I was just not in the right mode.
  
• There does not seem to be any improvement in AM squelch. (Still non-functional)
  
• As the 3.3.2 release notes say, Saving channels now seems to work.  Again, more use is required.
  
• My listed HW Version is still 3.0.  This, along with some advertising I have seen, would seem to imply that there are now different actual Hardware versions of this radio.  It is unclear if future FW updates will continue to support older radios, and if so, for how long.
  

• There are still problems saving and recalling Memory (Stored Channels)
  The Log for FW-V3.1.8 States: "4. Resolve channel storage data errors."
  The Log for FW-V3.3.2 States: "3. Fix the problem that the channel cannot be saved."
  Obviously they are aware issues here and they did not actually fix it in 3.1.8.
  Also, technically, they may both be true, but Channels can still not be saved and recalled properly.
  Example:
  I attempt to store the local Tower Frequency (AM aircraft) in Memory (Channel) 10.
  I go to Channel 11, and then press Down to return to Channel 10.  The incorrect frequency is displayed.
  I press Down again, and go to channel 09.  I press Up to return to Channel 10.  The correct frequency is displayed.
  So obviously the frequency is stored, because by approaching Channel 10 from a lower Channel results in the proper frequency.  It is just not recalled properly when I approach Channel 10 from higher Channels
  
• Even given the above, There seem to be numerous issues saving and correctly recalling Channels.
  In my numerous attempts to discover the previous note, the contents of other Saved Channels was corrupted.
  It also seems that the state of "OUT-BAND-EN" may have an effect on Channel storage.  It will not allow storage of Out of Band Channels?
  UPDATE:  After struggling with this for an hour, It does seem that I cannot store an aircraft frequency (for example) at all if OUT-BAND-EN is OFF.  In fact, Setting it to off after out of band frequencies are stored in a Channel(s), seems to result in all out-of-band stored channels being lost/overwritten.  
  Channel Storage may be better, but it is still far from fixed.
   Guohe needs to systematically examine their code, and carefully check operation.
  
• When I installed the FW-V3.4.0, it erased my Call Sign, and all Stored Channels.  Especially without a way to save channels via a PC or Android App, this is unacceptable.  The full potential of this radio is only realized with the storage of many channels.  Having to program them back in again one at a time is not a reasonable request of the user.
  
• I mentioned previously that USB Keyboards work.  Here are a few more notes on this:
  USB Keyboards that also contain a USB hub do not work.  In fact, I currently believe that a hub cannot be used at all.  The device plugged into the radio must directly identify itself as an USB Keyboard (or Mouse).  If follows from this that a USB Keyboard and Mouse cannot be used at the same time.
  
• Most Wireless Keyboards with a dedicated receiver ("Dongle") do work.  As with a wired Keyboard, the dongle cannot be left in the radio, as the radio will not power on with it inserted.  Bluetooth wireless keyboards do not seem to work.  Even though the radio does have Bluetooth, there is no provision for pairing a device like a keyboard.
  
• (UPDATE From Previous Post) If a keyboard is attached, the Power Button may have to be held for a longer time to get the radio to Power On.  
  
• I am not sure if this is an update to the Radio, or to Linux, but the radio now seems to be properly detected as a USB sound source and sound sink to Linux.
  

Date: 2023.4.16
FW-V3.4.0
1. Fix the issue of insufficient frequency offset in NFM mode.
Date: 2023.3.20
FW-V3.3.2
1. Fix incorrect DMR call boot mode.
2. Add MPU6050 drive.
3. Fix the problem that the channel cannot be saved.
4. Add write channel function.
5. Add DMR setup menu shortcut keys
6. Support direct frequency operation and relay operation in DMR mode.
6. Increase compatibility with Hytera and Motorola interphones.
Date: February 22, 2022
FW-V3.1.8
1. Solve the problem of insufficient NFM mode downward adjustment system.
2. Add mouse drive, mouse can be used as encoder.
3. Increase GPS data output through serial port.
4. Resolve channel storage data errors.
Date: February 22, 2022
FW-V3.1.4
1. Solve the problem of insufficient NFM mode downward adjustment system.
2. Add an AFO interface to output different audio in different modes for easy access to external speakers.
Date: 2022.6.7
1. Switch Bluetooth input to headset audio, and when Bluetooth FT8 is enabled, the speaker can be turned off to play FT8 without affecting each other.
Date: 2022.5.4
FW-V3.1.1
1. Solve the transmission frequency offset problem.
2. Open the user calibration interface to provide frequency, voltage, and S-meter calibration.
3. Solve the problem of no sub tone in NFM mode transmission.
4. Add new local oscillator driver support. 

Low:	31.0 dbm  = 1.26 W
Med:	34.0 dbm  = 2.50 W
High:	36.5 dbm  = 5.00 W
 

Low:	19.0 dbm  = 0.08 W
Med:	19.0 dbm  = 0.08 W
High:	19.0 dbm  = 0.08 W 

Low:	29.5 dbm  = 0.89 W
Med:	32.0 dbm  = 1.58 W
High:	34.5 dbm  = 2.82 W
 

• Inexpensive.  Mine was just over US$40 including sales tax
  
• AM aircraft receive actually works, and it seems to have a real AM mode (not just tuning the frequency and letting the FM detector try to sort out AM.)
  
• Color LCD display -- It reminds me of a vtech toy, but it is readable in every condition unless you are in direct sunlight, and really try to get it to wash out.
  
• The colors also actually mean something -- to a limited extent.
  
• It has the typical Channel, Channel name, and Frequency modes, but the frequency is always displayed at the bottom so that you know what frequency you are actually on.
  
• I was able to quickly enter the local repeater, and hit it easily with the included wip, and on "Med" power.
  
• True full coverage Receive from 65 to 620MHz, and broad transmit outside of the Ham Bands (albeit at much reduced power)
  
• USB-C charging.
  
• It has basic scanning capabilities for both a simple frequency scan, or a scan through the programmed channels.
  
• Your friends that just learned about a certain other more common Chinese radio are going to be quite jealous of your DOLCOM.
  

• Feels very cheap and light (including the battery), but that's not to say that I don't think it won't survive general HT use.
  
• S-meter is essentially "fake".  It simply shows presence of a signal.  It does light up half way when power is set to Medium, and you key, but it's just a hard coded half indication, it is not measuring actual power.
  
• Menus are pretty basic.  The essential functions are there, but not much more.
  
• More research is needed, but as of right now, it does not seem that you can use a PC (with either proprietary SW, or CHIRP) to program frequencies.
  
• The Headphones and Mic connectors are much closer together than other common radios.  Headsets, Speaker/Mics, etc. for other radios won't work unless they have separate (not molded together) plugs.  Of course this would include programming cables if the radio supports programming via these connectors.
  
• There's a white LED flashlight on the bottom. If the flashlight button is pressed again, small red and blue LEDs illuminate, but the white LED remains on, totally overpowering the red and blue LED's.  Another press makes all 3 flash, but again it just appears white at any distance.  I'm not sure what the intent here was, but it is just another aspect that makes this radio appear like a toy.
  

• Follow the maze of links and Yandex and Google Drive directories until you have a local copy of Malahit_FW_1_10d.rar
  Here is a link to the relevant Google Drive as of the date of this post: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1OSoUMOVRloHKc-OYGKLIlNRtheimGgPV . Note that I am not responsible for the link or it's contents.
  
• Right click on Malahit_FW_1_10d.rar, and select Extract Here.  This will result in a single file Malahit_FW_1_10d.hex
  
• Since I have been successful in the past flashing DFU formatted firmwares, I converted Malahit_FW_1_10d.hex to DFU format.  This is optional if you have a reliable way to flash .hex files.
  
• To convert the file to DFU format, I used the Windows version of the official STM DfuFileManager (part of DfuSe v3.0.6).
  
• Put the radio in DFU mode by 1.) Turning the Radio off.  2.) Press and hold the Volume (top) encoder wheel.  3.)Press the On (Standy/Wake) button.
  
• The Radio screen will be off (No display).
  
• Connect the Radio to the PC with an USB A-to-C cable.
  
• Verify the radio is in DFU mode with the command
       dfu-util -l
  You should see one or 2 lines with something like:
  Found DFU: [0483:df11] ver=0200, devnum=8, cfg=1, intf=0, path="1-1.6", alt=1, name="@Option Bytes   /0x5200201C/01*128 e", serial="xxxxxxxxxxxx"
  Note that the path, and serial number will be specific to what USB port you use, and your specific radio.
  
• Flash the firmware with  
  dfu-util -a 0 -i 0 -D Downloads/Malahit_FW_1_10d.dfu'
  Note that the path must be correct for the location of your firmware file.
  
• dfu-util will show the progress of the load.  There should be 3 separate sections sent, with only the middle one taking any significant time.
  
• Don't worry about a 4th segment, and a message about "Not Writable".  This message is normal.
  
• Disconnect power from the Radio (This is much easier if you have a battery disconnect switch -- See previous posts about getting the radio out of DFU mode.)
  
• Power up the radio. You should see the newer, more colorful start up screen, and it should display 1.10d in the lower right.
  

• As with everything - Never charge a LiPo battery unattended.
  
• Encased, Round cells (e.g. 18650) are safer than bare rectangular cells, but check all LiPo batteries for leakage/dimensional changes or heating periodically.
  
• Install a battery cut-off switch if your Malachite DSP does not have one.
  
• Remember to use the cut-off switch (turn it OFF) if the radio is not used for any period of time (even a few days).
  
• If building your own (or modifying) one of these radios, use high capacity, good quality cells.