| GE-Flash
Programming Software
Phoenix, Delta and Ranger programming for Windows
2000 and XP
|
RELEASE 1.00.24 (07/18/07)
GE-Flash is a complete X2212/X2444 programming
system for programming Phoenix, Delta and Ranger
radios on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. A simple
parallel port adapter and kernel mode driver
allows direct programming of X2212 and X2444
EPROM's on your PC.
GE-Flash is designed to be a robust application
that allows working with any number of programming
files open at once. GE-Flash also contains a
standalone X2212 and X2444 programmer window
and supports multi-chip bank programming of
up to eight eprom image memory buffers at once
per window. Online help has been integrated
into the application and users are encouraged
to browse the online help for additional usage
information.
The initial release of GE-Flash involved over
a year of heavy C++ development work and contains
all of the original PSX200 functionality with
a number of enhancements over PSX200. GE-Flash
works with the existing PSX200 X2212/X2444 programming
hardware on Windows 2000 and XP only. The software
package includes a Win32 kernel mode driver
for direct parallel port I/O access that must
be installed. Since this driver requires Win2k
or better, the Windows 98 and lower platforms
are not supported.
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GE-Flash Screenshot
(click on image for large
view)
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GE-FLASH FEATURES:
 Banked
eprom programming support for up to 128 channel units.
Standalone
X2212/X2444 EPROM programmer and hex viewer window.
Complete
Niles Import/Export compatibility for multi-bank X2212
units.
Complete
PSX200 functionality PSX200 file import for Phoenix
programming.
Improved
multi-chip Phoenix programming with bank selectable
programming.
Multiple
Document Interface (MDI) supporting multiple file/programmer
windows.
Works
with existing PSX200/VO1CPU programming hardware.
Clipboard
support allows copy/paste operations of eprom memory
bank images.
DO-IT-YOURSELF BARE PROGRAMMER PCB's
AND SOFTWARE LICENSES
New REV-B Bare Programmer PCB!
The GE-Flash license and bare PCB kit includes an
unpopulated parallel port programmer PCB. Note these
are unpopulated PCB's - you supply the parts and stuff
the board using the assembly instructions and DigiKey
parts list provided below. The PCB's are super high
quality commercial built boards with all plated holes,
full ground planes and silkscreen legend. Building
your own X2212/X2444 programmer is very easy with
this PCB.
Note the REV-A PCB is no longer available and has
been replaced by the new REV-B layout. The REV-B version
is basically the same as the original but includes
some minor changes. Full top and bottom ground planes
were added for better shielding. The power switch
has been changed to a push button type. All resistors
were changed to through hole types rather than the
SMD types used in the original version.
The programmer PCB is designed to fit in a common
SerPac plastic enclosure with some minor hole cutting.
The PCB accepts a 28 pin ZIF socket to allow programming
the X2212 and X2444 chips. The programmer operates
from a 9V battery or standard 9V AC/DC power adapter.
The complete DigiKey BOM with part numbers is provided
in the PSXProg
schematic and documentation. The total parts cost
runs around $80 if you purchase everything from Digikey
(including the parallel printer cable).
(click on an images to view
a larger version - note this is the old rev-a version)
All Phoenix documentation is available on the Phoenix
page.
GE-Flash software licenses are $40 each. You can
download the latest software release below. The software
will run in demo mode for evaluation purposes. This
is the full release with EPROM write and file export
options disabled. However, you can still read EPROM
data and create files in memory for testing purposes.
The preferred method of payment is PayPal but I also
except checks and money orders if you prefer (please
email me
first for mailing instructions). Existing licensed
GE-Flash users may order additional bare PCB's for
$20 each plus postage (please contact me with your
license number).
ORDERING OPTIONS VIA
PAYPAL
| |
GE-Flash Software License ($40 each - Delivered
via Email) |
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GE-Flash Software
License and Bare Programmer PCB REV-B ($60 + $3
postage) |
LATEST GE-FLASH RELEASE AND FILE
DOWNLOADS
The latest release of GE-Flash is available in the
links below. Software license keys are sent via email
upon ordering. Registered users may activate the the
latest release using your license key. If you have
lost your license key file or experience any problems
please contact me for assistance.
The ZIP file contains the complete Windows installer
package. You must install the Windows 2000/XP parallel
port driver manually. The driver and driver installation
instructions are included in the install package.
Please read the release documentation
README.PDF
before starting!
NOTE - You must uninstall any existing
version before installing the current release. The
un-install does not remove your license key file or
any user created programming files. Therefore it is
recommended to reinstall in the same directory location.
Otherwise, you will need to copy the license key and
users files to any new directory manually.
| FILE |
DESCRIPTION |
| GE-Flash125.zip
(17 MB) |
The latest
BETA release with VX2212
support added. See the README.PDF
file for additional changes and bug fix history. |
| GE-Flash124.zip
(17 MB) |
The latest known good
working release of GE-Flash. See the README.PDF
file for change and bug fix history. |
| PSXProg-B.pdf
(currently shipping) |
REV-B PCB
programmer schematic, DigiKey parts list and assembly
instructions for use with GE-Flash. |
| PSXProg-A.pdf
(for rev-a users) |
REV-A PCB
Parallel port programmer schematic, parts list
and assembly instructions for use with GE-Flash. |
| README.PDF |
Notes on the latest
GE-Flash release changes and fixes. |
NILES AND SUPPORT SOFTWARE
| FILE |
DESCRIPTION |
| NILES2BIN.ZIP
|
Win32 command line utility in
to convert Niles hex format into binary format
for use with commercial standalone EPROM programmers
(BP Micro, etc). |
| NILES2BIN-Source.ZIP
|
This zip file contains the source
code for MS Visual Studio .NET if modifications
are required.
|
| NILES.ZIP |
Niles DOS based software for Ranger
and Delta support. |
SOFTWARE/PROGRAMMER ISSUES
Phoenix Model Compatibility
Currently GE-Flash is known to work with most all
PSX and SX UHF/VHF units. GE-Flash has been tested
with the SX 16 and 128 channel scanning units and
the SX 16 channel non-scanning units with no currently
known issues.
Please report any software issues via e-mail
so that I may apply fixes. I will also gladly accept
any loaner or donated radios for debugging purposes!
If you have additional programming information (the
worksheet or programming manual) for models not currently
supported by GE-Flash please let us know.
BUILDING A PARALLEL PORT PROGRAMMER
A hardware interface can be constructed using standard
components from your local electronics store for around
$10-$20. Follow the GE-Flash programmer schematic
or take a look at the original design from VO1CPU's
to get started. I added support on my VO1CPU programmer
to support the X2444 part as well. Below is a picture
of the programmer I hand wired which costs me around
$20 for everything.
The distribution package also contains the PARIO.EXE
utility that allows you to read and write data to/from
the parallel port a byte at the time. This is very
handy if you are hand wiring the programmer and wish
to verify proper operation with a logic probe or other
test gear. By writing and reading data to the ports,
you can toggle the various data pins and verify proper
wiring before installing an EEPROM. If you encounter
any difficulties getting your programmer working,
you WILL need to use the PARIO tool.
Check back soon for more updates....
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