Changing Your Radio: Difference between revisions

From Sharpfin
Jump to navigation Jump to search
mNo edit summary
Line 10: Line 10:
There are two types of change possible;  
There are two types of change possible;  


Firstly one can gain access to the radio and make changes to the configuration.  This might allow you to alter the menu structure, turn on features (eg. alarm clock with multiple settings) or enable an additional device (such as a USB flash memory for playing back files).  
* Firstly one can gain access to the radio and make changes to the configuration.  This might allow you to alter the menu structure, turn on features (eg. alarm clock with multiple settings) or enable an additional device (such as a USB flash memory for playing back files).  


Secondly, one can update the firmware on the radio to a different version.  This may introduce new features or fix "problems" experienced with older firmware.  For some owners it is the pragmatic way to get their radio updated as the "brand owner" seems indifferent to providing any updates through official channels.
* Secondly, one can update the firmware on the radio to a different version.  This may introduce new features or fix "problems" experienced with older firmware.  For some owners it is the pragmatic way to get their radio updated as the "brand owner" seems indifferent to providing any updates through official channels.


== Where do I start if I want to change things on my Radio ? ==
== Where do I start if I want to change things on my Radio ? ==

Revision as of 19:13, 30 December 2007

This page is for owners of Radios who wish to make changes to their radio, but are a bit lost as to where to start. This gives an overview and a few pointers into the Wiki.


The warning.

Almost everything described here may be breaking the terms of any warranty you have with the supplier. Quite a few of the things described run the risk of turning your radio into a "brick", see 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Trash Your Radio. So, proceed at your own risk. That said, the methods do work if followed carefully.

What can I change ?

There are two types of change possible;

  • Firstly one can gain access to the radio and make changes to the configuration. This might allow you to alter the menu structure, turn on features (eg. alarm clock with multiple settings) or enable an additional device (such as a USB flash memory for playing back files).
  • Secondly, one can update the firmware on the radio to a different version. This may introduce new features or fix "problems" experienced with older firmware. For some owners it is the pragmatic way to get their radio updated as the "brand owner" seems indifferent to providing any updates through official channels.

Where do I start if I want to change things on my Radio ?

All the start by patching the radio, see Enabling Login.

This process loads a webserver and telnet server onto the radio. This is done by asking the radio to request an update, intercepting this update on your computer (the proxy server) and returning the webserver and telnet update to the radio.

Once completed, the radio's internal files can be observed from a web-browser, or can be changed by gaining internal access through telnet.

This first stage is enough to allow changes to the Config.txt File.


The next stage is Changing Firmware.

The radio is initially patched so that it can be accessed using a web-browser. The Web-browser is used to request a specified firmware update from Reciva, which is saved onto the computer.

The radio is then connected to the computer (proxy server), and the radio requests an update. The update file previously saved to the computer is used, and the radio then downloads the specified data from Reciva.