KG4LNE | GE-Flash

GE-Flash Programming Software

Phoenix, Delta and Ranger programming for Windows/XP

RELEASE 1.00.25

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.

Many years of development effort in MFC/C++ have gone into the GE-Flash programming system. GE-Flash programs X2212 and X2444 EPROM chips using a standard motherboard with integrated parallel port 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. Note the driver only works with parallel ports on the motherboard and does not support PCI type add parallel port cards or other drivers.

GE-Flash Screenshot

(click on image for large view)

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.

Clipboard support allows copy/paste operations of eprom memory bank images.

DO-IT-YOURSELF BARE PROGRAMMER PCB's AND SOFTWARE LICENSES

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Note the REV-A PCB is no longer available and has been replaced by the new REV-B layout.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)

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-Flash125C.zip (17 MB)	The latest 125 build with updated documentation and schematics for the latest rev-c parallel programmer board.
GE-Flash125.zip (17 MB)	The latest release with VX2212 support added. See the README.PDF file for additional changes and bug fix history.
PSXProg-B.pdf (rev-b programmer)	REV-B PCB programmer schematic, DigiKey parts list and assembly instructions for use with GE-Flash.
PSXProg-A.pdf (rev-a programmer)	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.