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Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver (Read 149863 times)
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Re: Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver
Reply #15 - Mar 12th, 2021, 10:35pm
 
Firmware version 1_10b has been posted to the Yandex Disk site.  As usual, it can be found in the Firmwares folder:
https://yadi.sk/d/4ZgsrswxYClG1Q/Проши[ch1074 ]ки(FIRMWARE)
 
The strange thing is that all of the older firmwares have been removed.
 
Apparently, the authors have gone to some sort of time-limited code to unlock the firmware.  I'm not sure how this works because the Malachite SDR does not retain the time if the battery is disconnected.
 
I am also interpreting this to mean that there are codes or code generators out there someplace for the older versions of the firmware.  As I predicted in post #9, it is not going to be possible to stop people from unlocking/copying/modifying the firmware.  I really wish George and company would put their efforts into making this a great platform instead of playing a game with the hackers.
 
George (rx9cim) does say that the new firmware should not pose any problem for people who have already registered a previous firmware.
 
Please don't ask me how to hack the codes or where to find them.  I don't know how to hack the codes, and I am not going to look for them on the internet.
 
To be honest, It is not worth the effort for this radio.  It is easier to buy a Raspberry Pi and a USB SDR stick and install Gqx for Raspberry OS.  You then have a more flexible and expandable portable platform that is fully (or at least mostly) open source.
 
In fact, I was considering building a table radio around another Malachite SDR, but even before this latest firmware shenanigans (I hope shenanigans translates to Russian -- I do know a stronger Russian term, if needed), I had already decided on going with a Raspberry Pi 3 and a USB SDR stick. It would give me Shortwave, aircraft, and everything else I can do on a Malachite SDR, but it would also be a media player and Internet Radio player. Adding things like ADS-B (aircraft location) should also be possible.
 
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Re: Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver
Reply #16 - Apr 7th, 2021, 1:32pm
 
Here are the change log notes for 1.10b and 1.10c.  Note that 1.10c is "Under Development", and not yet available on the Yandex Disk site.
The 1.10c change log is translated by Yandex Translate.
 
 
1.10b:
 
- fixed error in the S-meter readings for frequencies above 30MHz;
 
- the panorama scale injection has been changed - now instead of x1, x2, x4, 160kHz, 80kHz, 40kHz are shown;
 
- in SSB the 100kHz step is excluded and the 25Hz step is added;
 
- the touchscreen sensitivity is lowered again Smiley;
 
- added synchronous AM detector;
 
- the frequency at which the low-pass filter 500000 is turned on is increased to 540,000, for better suppression of signals above the frequency of 500 kHz;
 
- added Auto Notch filter to the Audio menu;
 
- stretched grunginess adjustment;
 
- added DSB mode - as a kind of SSB;
 
- added CW mode - as a kind of SSB;
 
 


 
 
 
1.10c: (under development)  UPDATE:  As of 08 June 2021 it appears that 1.10C is now available.  FW 1.10B has been moved to the "NOT USE SPECIAL" folder.
 
- improved graphical display of the spectrum
 
- improved algorithm optimization, improved display speed
 
- added the ability to determine the type of activation - by one or three clicks. If PD15 (pin 7 of the RESERVED field) is open, the activation is performed by one click.; if this pin is closed to a common wire, then switching on by three clicks
 
- improved the HARD menu
 
- changed the battery indication - the voltage is indicated on top of the picture
 
- added the ability to control user equipment using a discrete signal-PD14 (pin 8 of the RESERVED field)
 
- a button for switching the audio output has been added to the HARD menu. It duplicates the switching of the audio output. Made at the request of users.
 
- added SAM-U and SAM-L modes
 
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« Last Edit: Jun 8th, 2021, 9:23am by Administrator »  

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Re: Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver
Reply #17 - Aug 18th, 2022, 9:08pm
 
You may have noticed that I am not updating this thread much anymore.
 
Firmware development seems to have slowed or stopped, and I've moved on to another (albeit still closed-source) SDR.
 
In fact I have not even loaded the latest FW on my Malachite.
 
There has been some new developments on the Malachite Hardware side.  The Chinese seem to be getting more adventurous with modifications to the original design.  Several units are mounting some of the controls off-board, as I did with the with the power switches in my re-built.
 
A new version that I just found out about seems to mount the Malachite Board as a daughter card on top of a new Back Board that hosts the encoders, switches and connectors.  This model includes round stereo speakers on either side of the display, two knobs on top of the unit, and usually seems to come in a blue anodized case. It is sold as a "Malachite DSP SDR V4".
 
A similar but different design has narrow speakers on either side of the display and is usually black.  This version (also referred to as "V4 Version") has two small thumb-wheel knobs on the right side.
 
Both of the above models also include a actual power (battery disconnect) switch like I implemented on mine.
 
Another unit that has been around for a while, essentially uses a printed circuit board for the front and rear, and has a single speaker on the left like mine.  It also moves some of the controls to a separate side mounted board.
 
The versions above all include shielding around the RF portions of the board.  I strongly recommend against buying any version that does not clearly show that it includes these shields.
 
So what did I move on to?  Please see my thread on the Ailunce HS2/Radioddity QR20/Q900 SDR Transceiver.
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Re: Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver
Reply #18 - Apr 6th, 2023, 10:00am
 
New Firmware and other updates to my Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver
 
Contents:
 
1.  Firmware FW_1_10d.d
2.  Battery Issues
 
FW_1_10d.d
 
As mentioned previously, It seems Firmware Development for this radio has slowed or stopped.  If one follows the links provided in previous posts, and clicks on the "Прошивки(FIRMWARE)", one will end up getting only a text file.  This text file contains a link to a Google Drive location, and in that location, one will find a file "Malahit_FW_1_10d.rar" (Not FW_1_10c) and an update Change Log.  Inside the RAR file is only the file Malahit_FW_1_10d.hex.
 
Being the brave soul that I am -- and willing to risk my radio for all users everywhere, I downloaded and installed this Malahit_FW_1_10d.
 
What did I do specifically?  (Detailed instructions) -- Assumes Linux, but should be similar on other platforms:
  • 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.

I'll post comments on this latest (last?) firmware after I have had more time with it.
 
Battery Issues
 
I had another problem with my Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio Receiver.
 
These radios drain the battery over time unless the radio has a hardware battery disconnect switch.  The drain is much worse on the "Test" or Unregistered firmwares, but it is present on all FW versions.  Over time, this will drain the battery, and there is no low voltage cut-off.  Draining a Lithium Ion/Lithium Polymer battery below ~3.3VDC is very bad for the battery, and possibly dangerous.
 
I noticed that my Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio was not holding a charge very well at all.  I opened the case, and was amazed to find a VERY puffed battery.
 
There is also the possibility that these radios (at least the Chinese clones) are over charging the batteries or charging them at too high a rate.
 
I replaced the battery (4000mah) with a 8000mah battery.  Note that at a given charge rate specification (e.g. "1C"), an 8000mah battery can be charged at twice the current of a 4000mah.  So in general, a lager capacity battery is going to be more tolerant of "hard" charging than a smaller battery.
 
Suggestions:
  • 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.

 
I would also like to note that a very similar battery arrangement in My "Poor Man's Go DJ" has not puffed at all despite being subject to a much higher load, and much more frequent use.  This is what leads me to believe that the Malachite DSP - SDR  Radio is charging the battery in a way that is not good for it.  
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« Last Edit: Apr 7th, 2023, 7:38am by Administrator »  

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