Thetis 2.8.11 Released!

[w-u-2-o]

[back-color=#eaffea,0]

---

2.8.11 now available.

Link to GitHub repository download location

- Fix: L/R pan behavior for P1/P2
- Fix: step attenuator display behavior for RX2
- Fix: CAT command ZZTO not working correctly
- Fix: RX2 freq not updating for Hermes
- Fix: RX2 ADC assignment wrong for 5 DDC boards on P1
- Fix: installer hangs on removing shortcuts
- Fix: CFC disabled/enabled during/after quick playback
- Fix: O/C ext control not turning off outputs
- Fix: VFO A lock not locking the band buttons
- Fix: antenna selection not displaying correctly when in SWL

There was no public release of 2.8.10, so don't look for it!

See the changelogs for a 100% complete list of all added features, fixes, etc. in older versions.

*** IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS (please read) ***

- 384KHz sample rate and stitched receivers are not supported under Protocol 1.
- Atlas based systems (HPSDR) are not supported.

---

[/back-color]
Original major release announcement follows...

Some very exciting news: Thetis version 2.8.6 has been released!

- The official release is posted at the TAPR GitHub repository, as usual.

Why this is exciting: Thetis 2.8.6 will work with both Protocol 1 and Protocol 2 firmware. This provides many benefits:

- It will allow those folks who prefer, or are stuck with due to hardware limitations, Protocol 1, to enjoy many of the new user interface (UI) features and functionality in Thetis.

- It will allow developers to concentrate on a single client platform moving forward, thereby easing continued development and ensuring nobody gets "left behind".

Existing Thetis 2.7.0 users, the changelog is as follows:

- Fix for remembering mic mute state
- Fix to prevent band change during transmit
- Extended diversity cat commands to midi2cat
- Added shortcuts for all documents in Start Menu
- Added a 64-bit build (you can download and install either the 32 bit build or the 64 bit build)

Existing PowerSDR/Protocol 1 users: for those who may be coming over from PowerSDR mRX PS, which has not been updated for over two and a half years, there are a vast number of changes and new capabilities in Thetis compared to PowerSDR. First, the important limitations:

- Protocol 1 compatibility up to 192k sampling rate, i.e. 384KHz sample rate and stitched receivers are NOT supported.

Now the highlights of what you can expect if you are making the change from PowerSDR:

- VOX is combined with the downward expander and includes many new sophisticated features including look-ahead processing (no dropped first syllable) and side-channel triggering
- Spotting in the spectral display
- Adjustable waterfall height
- Adjustable S-meter width
- S-meter average display
- Additional metering modes like ALC Group
- RX2 panafall display
- Adjustable waterfall height on the panafall
- A number of new bandstack controls
- Improved CTUN behavior and a number of new CTUN behavior options
- Simplified BPF settings
- Direct access to BPF bypass and antenna selection from the main console
- A new bottom status bar showing local time, UTC time, ID timer and other parameters.
- VAC option for playback of recordings.
- Improved MIDI support
- Support for the upcoming Andromeda all-in-one radio (but you can use the Andromeda display mode without Andromeda)
- DirectX support for the spectral display and waterfall, which substantially improves drawing quality, lower CPU usage, and allows nearly any size display (I've used it across triple 4K displays).

This is by no means a full list. See the changelogs for a 100% complete list of all added features. You will probably want to look as far back as Thetis 2.6.8, maybe further.

[NC3Z]

Anyone else using a Behringer CMD PL-1? I installed the new 64 bit version which now uses a new Thetis-x64 folder under AppData. And although I copied the midi2cat.xml file over I can not get the PL-1 work.

I had been using the test 2.8.6 in the 32 bit AppData folder with no issues.

[NC3Z]

As an update I uninstalled the 64 bit version and installed the 32 bit and the Midi works.

[NC3Z]

Just noticed a big potential issue. In the Antenna settings if you have Ant 2 or 3 set to Do Not TX, selecting one of these TX disabled antennas from the taskbar antenna selector will over-ride the Do Not TX and send RF out these ports.

If you are using a RX only antenna this would be very dangerous to those.

[w-u-2-o]

Noticing exactly the same things here, Gary.

[NC3Z]

Noticing exactly the same things here, Gary.

The 64-bit Midi issue is just a nuisance but the RX Antenna lockout is a big problem. In the interim I have switched my RX antenna input to EXT 1 to be safe.

[w-u-2-o]

Gary--is the antenna selection issue in the 32 bit version as well?

[NC3Z]

Yes

[SA3ATF]

Finally an update!
Works great at once here.
Thanks for that

[n4lq]

Thanks for the update!

64 bit Thetis reduced CPU% usage from 3% to 1% (Thetis only usage) at 192k sampling rate. Impressive.
System usage peaks out at 4% with 11 tabs of Chrome, Logger32, Telnet and VSPE running.

Observation:
Switching between RX1 sample rates was seamless with previous version 32bit. Now when switching, audio is lost and power off/on brings it back with 64bit. Not really a problem.

[ea3aqr]

VAC audio stops after changing RX1 sample rate. An stop/start sequece is required to bring it back.

I'm using ASIO drivers, my imported database from 2.7.0 and the 32 bits version

[W3MMR]

Where do I find the 64 bit/32 bit versions? I only see one MSI file? Am I blind?

Perry

[ea3aqr]

Where do I find the 64 bit/32 bit versions? I only see one MSI file? Am I blind?

Perry

Yes, looks like right now just the 32bits (x86) version is available for download

[W3MMR]

Thanks for the update!

64 bit Thetis reduced CPU% usage from 3% to 1% (Thetis only usage) at 192k sampling rate. Impressive.
System usage peaks out at 4% with 11 tabs of Chrome, Logger32, Telnet and VSPE running.

Observation:
Switching between RX1 sample rates was seamless with previous version 32bit. Now when switching, audio is lost and power off/on brings it back with 64bit. Not really a problem.

But what PC are you using...

[w-u-2-o]

Now at 2.8.7.

VAC reset on sample rate change seems to be an annoyance, but noted.

64 bit CPU improvement will be most noticeable on lower performance machines.

MIDI problems still exist on the 64 bit version but are being looked at.

Most important: status bar antenna selections now respect "Do Not TX" settings in Setup > Ant/Filters > Antenna.

[WR1S]

I upgraded from 2.8.6 to 2.8.7. In both versions of 2.8.7 the Rx and Tx antenna selection controls in the status bar are no longer there. What am I missing?

[n4lq]

Power off/on required for both VAC and headphone jack audio.

[w-u-2-o]

I upgraded from 2.8.6 to 2.8.7. In both versions of 2.8.7 the Rx and Tx antenna selection controls in the status bar are no longer there. What am I missing?

Nothing. You were quite observant. This was just an expedient way of neutering a bug that could cause catastrophic damage for some people. They will be back.

[K1LSB]

What are you guys referring to when you speak of an antenna selector in the "taskbar" or "status bar"? Where is the "taskbar" or "status bar"?

[NC3Z]

Well it is removed in 2.8.7, but in 2.8.5 and 2.8.6 there were RX and TX antenna indicators and selectors in the Thetis taskbar (bottom of window where it has resolution, CPU, Volt/Amps).

[K1LSB]

Thanks, Gary.

Heck, I'm still running 2.7.0 a3, I thought that was the latest!

[NC3Z]

Heck, I'm still running 2.7.0 a3, I thought that was the latest!

Oh my!

[LarryW]

So does w5wc monitor what we are reporting here in the forum and make any needed fixes (kind of like Richie used to)?

Larry

[w5wc]

Hi Larry,

I do monitor this forum but mostly work on keeping the email inbox from overflowing.

Doug

[LarryW]

Hi Larry,

I do monitor this forum but mostly work on keeping the email inbox from overflowing.

Doug

That's awesome Doug--- Thank you!

[WR1S]

Well, I have to say this work is truly amazing and appreciated. 2.8.7 is working nicely here. System load is less with the x64 version. Many thanks to the developers working on this.

[n4lq]

I upgraded from 2.8.6 to 2.8.7. In both versions of 2.8.7 the Rx and Tx antenna selection controls in the status bar are no longer there. What am I missing?

I had them with 2.6 but with 2.7 they went missing.

[WR1S]

I upgraded from 2.8.6 to 2.8.7. In both versions of 2.8.7 the Rx and Tx antenna selection controls in the status bar are no longer there. What am I missing?

I had them with 2.6 but with 2.7 they went missing.

Scott WU2O responded that they were temporarily removed for safety until the bug was fixed that was ignoring the DO NOT TX setting you would want for receive-only antennas. They will be back!

[w5wc]

The Rx and Tx antenna selection controls are defeating the DO NOT TX feature. I pulled the controls temporarily and will return them once the issue has been corrected.

Doug

[Tony EI7BMB]

Thanks for this work Doug . Hopefully the midi issue will be a simple enough fix.