Menu Key disable

[EmCom1]

Is it possible to produce a version of egzumer v0.22 with the menu Key disabled for use by inexperienced volunteers who might inadvertantly, or otherwise, change settings?

[ErikS-web]

The UVK5-serie is a HAM radio / walkie-talkie, with which radio amateurs enjoy the hobby

For the uneducated users, it is much easier to purchase radios, which can be operated to a limited extent because they have fewer buttons and only function on frequencies that you are allowed to use without a license.

[EmCom1]

With respect the UVK5 is not just aimed at the Amateur Radio market. It has many features useful in a radio designed to provide Sit Reps and callout information during an extended local or national coms and power outage. In the UK this is the responsibility of Local Resilience Forums (LRFs -Local Authorities) and their Voluntary and Faith Sector Partners - including Radio Amateurs, RAYNET, St John, Red Cross volunteers, Samaritans, Rotary, and Faith in the Community Groups, etc. Local Authorities have emergency plans which draw on the services of the Voluntary and Faith Sector Groups. The problem in an extended coms and power outage (No mobile phones, landlines, electricity etc) is alerting them, calling them out, and maintaining contact.

EmCom is a project based around using the versatility of the UVK5 to have some memories TX and RX on Area defined PBR licences held by the LRF; and some RX only on: BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4 FM; amateur frequencies; and with their permission PBR frequencies used by Category 1 and 2 emergency providers. A central resilient infrastructure independent Area Wide VHF analogue repeater provides interoperability with Search and Rescue, Red Cross, St John, 4x4 etc who have the frequencies programmed in to their own equipment. The LRF can alert the Voluntary and Faith Sector Callout Officers via this repeater system and they can then communicate with their own volunteers (key members will have UVK5s used mainly for receive and with OFCOM UK Lite simplex frequencies).

To be resilient the UVK5 needs the Menu Key disabled so as to prevent inadvertent change of settings.

[OE1MWW]

@EmCom1 consider this - if you dealing with such uneducated and rough users, there are more button function on this firmware, like 'activate VFO, A or B, + enter whatever frequency' etc. that could prevent those nosy users from diverting of the right communication channel or mode. The 'F' key followed by a number (an easy mistake!) brings functions that inexperienced users have never even dreamed of. Like spectrum analyzer etc. If they start to poke further more buttons, they will be completely lost. There would be no difference if those users activate the 'Menu' button or poking on the 'F' + following by another button and change the designated functions of the UV-K5.

Our local group, had similar demand, we equipped a group of users with devices that fulfil exactly those requirements: no unscrewable antenna, just a volume control, channel button (voice announced channel name in english) and ptt buton. Settings are done by software, direct channels, repeater offset, tone control, etc., (Aliexpress, device name KD-C1)

The Chinese dealers on Aliexpress offer a variety and cheap devices with such funtionality.

[EmCom1]

Thanks OE1MWW - we have sets of such "simple locked down" radios for "uneducated users" for events etc. and as you say they work well in those situations.

The issue we have is complex. We have as you suggest disabled VFO permanently using the CPS software and this prevents F+3 activating VFO mode etc.etc. and are happy with the keyboard functions still available. It is not rough users - we will train them and they are volunteers with other legitimate organisations - it is the ability to change some parameters via the MENU key that would prevent the UVK5 complying with some of our OFCOM Private Business Radio (PBR) licence requirements.

The particular most important feature of the UV K5 is that we are able to programme some memories for RX only whilst others remain RX and TX. The radio therefore serves two purposes (i) a versatile RX only for Broadcast FM, amateur, marine, airband etc bands but also (ii) allows TX/RX on our licenced PBR frequencies and is interoperable with other organisations for which we hold licences such as the Red Cross. St John Ambulance etc.

We are happy with the functions currently available from the keypad - we just need to disable the Menu Key to make it comply with the various licences we hold.

[ErikS-web]

If you first read the Online Manual (Wiki) completely. Egzumer and I have certainly put so much effort into this.

Then you come to the conclusion that it is already possible with F # 🗝 That blocks All keys on the Front panel. Only the side keys still work and you can also disable them individually or give them a specific function. All the operator has to do is stay away from the F ;-)

We try to get the most out of the radio and all that functionality must fit into 60kB. Wasting memory to further limit functionality in EGZUMER image seems like taking water to the sea.

That doesn't stop you from creating unlimited firmware yourself, as this is alle open source 👍

[egzumer]

@ErikS-web can you stop moralizing? Please if want to help, help by giving facts, not by sending people to the wiki when it is clearly irrelevant, and don't answer questions about feature requests when you're not the one implementing them.

It is certenly possible to make the quansheng a one button HT for dummies, it is not that hard and it does not take that much space. The only issue is that I have to spend time on a feature for just a small portion of users, that I myself will never use.

[EmCom1]

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for all the hard work they have put in on developing this firmware for the UV K5 – it is very much appreciated. I am heading up our EmCom Project as a trustee of the charity but I do not have the skills, or unfortunately the time given the other commitments to the project, to learn how to code the firmware from scratch.

I also fully understand the issues regarding valuable memory space.

Perhaps I have not explained properly that I do not want to disable all the keys on the front panel. The up/down and number keys are required for changing to another memory/channel and there is no problem regarding the other functions available – we have already disabled the VFO to comply with that part of our PBR licence. It is only the MENU key I would like to disable. I had hoped there might already be a simple flashable patch that would overwrite some code and disable the MENU key.

I also fully understand spending time on a feature for just a small portion of users is a big ask. If the EmCom Project Pilot is a success it will first involve up to 30 voluntary and faith sector volunteer groups and a couple of hundred radios for their leader teams within our county. It has the potential to go nationwide.

Am I correct in thinking that a flashable patch would be feasible to disable the MENU Key? - and perhaps applicable to future versions of the firmware without having to be rewritten?

Thanks for taking an interest in this Project

[egzumer]

If I were to do it, it would be chirp switch similar to "frequency mode allowed", added to next release of firmware.

[EmCom1]

It would be great if you could - I will research what a "chirp switch" is - but I guess it is something like what I used to disable VFO mode using the Quansheng CPS. P.S. The Civil Air Support Group say thanks for the AM Mod it has made all the difference.

[lohtse]

It would be great if you could - I will research what a "chirp switch" is - but I guess it is something like what I used to disable VFO mode using the Quansheng CPS. P.S. The Civil Air Support Group say thanks for the AM Mod it has made all the difference.

CAS is ia pretty cool group, Helped us out with a MISPER or two over the past couple of years.... Cheers