Downloads, Updates and Recalls
PicoDopp DF Recall Notification : November 2004
The Problem
In late November 2004, a serious software flaw was discovered in the microcomputer code that runs the PicoDopp DF. The flaw causes the reported DF bearing to contain unpredictable errors. The flaw can causes DF bearing errors as great as 90 degrees, but no greater.
The flaw was the result of a software change that was completed on 26 June 2004. Units shipped after that date ( and before the flaw was discovered ) contain the flaw, and require the installation of a new microcomputer chip, to fix the problem.
The problem was not discovered for some time because the bench tests performed on each PicoDopp DF units ( prior to shipment ) were performed only at 4 cardinal bearings, ( north, east, south and west ) and the problem is only obvious for intermediate bearings. ( bearings between the cardinals )
All people affected by this flaw were identified and contacted and the problem has been resolved for those who responded. This information is provided for reasons of "full disclosure", and in case someone was overlooked, since not all parties responded to the notification e-mails that were sent out.
For more detailed information about this problem, click here : More info for November 2004 recallPicoDopp DF Recall Notification : May 2006
The Problem
In late May 2006, a moderate software flaw was discovered in the microcomputer code that runs the PicoDopp DF. The flaw involves ONLY the eight AUXILIARY outputs on the MAIN board that drive the Economy Pelorus display. The Economy Pelorus display board is an optional "local" display board that a few customers have chosen to use, but most customers do not employ it. All the other PicoDopp outputs are unaffected, including those to drive the MultiDisplay board, which uses RS232 data instead of the AUX outputs.
The flaw apparently has been present since the first version of the PicoDopp was created, but was overlooked until a customer ( very carefully ) checked the sector boundaries for each of the 16 LEDs on the Economy Pelorus board, in May 2006. The installation of a new microcomputer chip is required, to fix the problem. The problem only affects Pelorus displayed DF bearings for 256 to 359, bearings from 000 to 255 are OK.
For more detailed information about this problem, click here : More info for May 2006 recallPicoDopp DF Recall Notification : August 2007
The Problem
In August 2007, a moderate software flaw was discovered in the microcomputer code that runs the PicoDopp DF. The flaw caused reduced audio sensitivity to DF tone in one very specific model of FM receiver. ( a Hamtronics R302 ) Analysis of the problem indicates it can also occur on other recievers, if they exhibit VERY narrow bandwidths, typically less than 15 KHz.
The flaw apparently has been present since the first version of the PicoDopp was created. A public announcement was made on the Yahoo PicoDopp public forum on 13 August 2007, describing the problem, in detail. The PicoDopp public forum has over 150 members, most of them owners and user of a PicoDopp DF. After one week, no-one else had reported similar problems, ( and many reported exactly the opposite ) so this may very well be a "non-problem" that is so rare that it barely deserves mention... but it was definitely observed with the Hamtronics R302, which has 4 crystal filters and one ceramic filter, yielding over 100 db of attenuation for signals only 25 KHz from the passband center.
For more detailed information about this problem, click here : More info for August 2007 recall