Update includes the following correction

Opening message allows spaces

This is inluded with the update that was published on 5.20. You do not need to run the update again if you ran it yesterday.

Actually, the radio is on...it's just off in the woods.

This CAN BE CORRECTED BY YOU!!!

Remove the battery.

Hold the FW key while you replace the battery or apply external DC (connect the wall charger...seems easier than that battery).

The radio comes back on in CLONE mode.

Send a default file (File | New) to the radio. Do not send the same file back to the radio...that's where the problem lies.

Return to the file that you sent when the problem happened.

Access File | Send file as e-mail.

Type a message for us to come along with the file. We will work from there to isolate the exact combination of settings that resulted in the problem.

Let us know and we'll get the correction to you as quickly as possible.

The update is run from the Help menu (Help | Check for Updates) in the program. Running it once will get all of this.

V 4.00.03 - Spaces allowed, saved and transfered to the radio in the opening message.

V 4.00.02 - Can now select 9 and 10 kHz steps. - When entering data below 1.8 MHz the step column is set correctly. - Allow frequencies on 6.25 kHz Steps. - Barometric Offset value was not going to the radio. - Altimeter Offset value was not going to the radio. - Altimeter Units were reversed. - Corrected a problem that was causing the radio to lockup.

v 4.00.01 - Busy LED and Busy Carrier Lockout check boxes are no longer on top of each other.

Thanks for letting us know.

It hasn't happened in a long time...and it had to pick the VX-8 to happen on!!!

There are some CDs that were shipped on May 8th or 9th that have the wrong serial number on them. These are easily identified two ways...

1) The lot number on the face of the CD does not match the second 4 characters of the serial number provided.

2) The serial number returns as invalid...although you know good and well that you tyled it correctly.

The correct serial number is

YV40 ZKWY HWEJ F100 014B 0 = zero in all cases Do not enter spaces.

This will get you going.

Like I'll really keep up with the numbers...but No. 1 is easy.

When programming your VX-8, be sure the keys are not locked when you go into CLONE mode. If they are, you will not be able to complete the key sequence to communicate with the radio.

Now, this has always been a problem with Yaesu radios; but, this is the EASIEST to correct. No need to turn the radio off and back on...lots easier than that...read on.

Once the radio displays CLONE, look for the lock symbol(it's a little padlock). It will appear at the center bottom of the screen...it's really obvious since the only other thing on the screen is CLONE.

If it's there, touch the power button briefly...long enough to turn off the lock...but not long enough to turn off the radio.

The lock symbol disappears and you can continue with the next step in the programming process.

The programming software for the VX-8 is the first of our Version 4 releases. What that means for you....

1) It's look is a little different.

2) Now when you open more than one file those filenames are shown on tabs just below the menu at the top of the screen. Effortlessly you can switch between files by selecting a tab.

3) There is no comport setup. The program works with only the RT Systems USB cable.

4) The program opens in its own "window" rather than being included in the "window" with any Version 3 programs that you might be running. Even though they are separate on the screen, you can copy and paste memory channel data between Version 3 fies and files of this new Version 4 ...even files from different radios....even radios from different manufacturers.

Help your friends get the most from the software. Comment to this blog about other features you discover and how you use them.

The ADMS-VX8 programming kit has been added to our site for early orders. Shipping will begin May 6, 2009.

Details about this programmer are available in the help documents. Check out that Help in PDF format, PDF format (approx 10Mb download)or as an electronic book (approx 3Mb download) where a PDF reader is not available.

Worth waiting for.

We're in the home stretch for the VX-8 programmer. Testing is going well. All the parts for the cables are in house. Final assembly on those begins today!!!

Now that we are in control of all the parts... as opposed to our suppliers and shipping carriers... we can better control the timing on this release. Watch our site for availability on May 1, 2009.

Be just a little more patient. As much as we love to hear from you, calls and e-mail will only slow our progress and may cause an unexpected delay.

You were probably beginning to doubt the existance of the ADMS-VX8 programmer. Well, I assure you that it exists and is working well.

It is not quite available for general sales. The last step is getting cables from our supplier. They are in production now and expected in about 2-3 weeks.

Yes, I've said that before; but this time I can show you...

Not long now!!!

Connector sample and new circuit board both arrived today. Hand soldered a cable. Everything worked!!

Cable samples a week.

We're getting closer.