Apr 13, 2025: Android app update v1.8.0, ESP32 firmware v13

Includes new v13 firmware.
Trying to tx outside ham band now shows a brief message.
Fixed calculation of tx limits related to bandwidth (narrow/wide) around band edges to be correct.
Ensured that tx limits are always applied, not just when after they're first set.
Fixed potential issue where physical PTT might be able to bypass tx limit in some circumstances.
Resolved several app-crashing exceptions reported in the Google Play developer console (race conditions people ran into in the wild).
Much more robust handshaking between Android app and kv4p HT firmware when device is first plugged in.
Clearer error message when the firmware can't contact the radio module (e.g. in case there's a bad solder joint).
APRS beacon locations no longer use cached GPS data, which can be VERY stale.
Major rewrite of firmware code by @dkaukov for: better code architecture overall, more standardized protocol between firmware and Android app, and more robust audio handling with the Opus library (we can now revert to 115200 baud, because audio bytes are much more efficient now).

Feb 10, 2025: Android app update v1.7.3

Major improvements to the built-in firmware flasher, no need to push buttons and it's much faster
Scan now skips memories outside the active ham band (VHF vs. UHF)
Improved squelch behavior
USB code improvements for better reliability
Fixed bug preventing tx within ham band close to the band edge but within part 97 limits
Other small fixes and improvements

Fixes audio tx quality and volume problems on Samsung devices.
The text content of APRS messages can now be selected and copied.
APRS location pins now use the "geo:" URI scheme, so it should open with your mapping app of choice (not just Google Maps).
Includes new firmware v6, which changes how sampled audio is attenuated, which may help with audio quality on certain ESP32s.
Fixes an issue that could cause PTT to misbehave (either not work at all, or get stuck on until runaway tx detector stops it).

Adds an S-meter (signal strength meter) to the main screen.
Adds the ability to beacon your position in the APRS chat. You can tap the map pin icon to beacon once, or you can turn on the "Beacon my position" setting to have it sent automatically every 5 minutes on the active channel. You can also adjust how precise your position is, either exact or approximate.
Increase audio sampling rate to 22050Hz, which significantly improves APRS encoding and decoding accuracy.
Got message ACK'ing working, so you now see a checkmark if you receive an ACK to a message you sent.
Renamed "Text chat" section to "APRS chat" to clarify that's what it is, so people realize they can go to 144.39MHz and watch all the APRS traffic.
Fixes a choppy audio bug on certain ESP32s.
Various small bug fixes.

Fixed significant audio issues on the majority of ESP32 dev boards (including most knockoffs).
Better enforcements of tx limits to amateur band.
Fix bug where APRS message ACKs could get stuck in a loop.
Cherry-picked an improvement to the third-party firmware flashing library, that should improve reliability.
Remove (now unecessary) sampling rate settings.

Screen now stays on as long as kv4p HT app is in the foreground, you can still turn screen off manually.
Add ability to tune to any frequency 134-174MHz (e.g. NOAA weather frequencies), while limiting tx to ham band.
Tx frequency is now displayed while holding down PTT, including any offset for the active channel memory.
Other small bug fixes.
Added an alternative 3D printed case design without the USB connector holder, for people using a wire intead.

Much better APRS UI when decoding APRS messages in the "Text chat" view (such as on 144.39 or your local APRS frequency).
Numerous bug fixes.

The Android app can now flash or upgrade firmware on your kv4p HT (no computer necessary).
Tuning in 500Hz increments is now possible, with a 4th decimal place allowed. This supports regions with 12.5kHz channel spacing.
You can set a maximum frequency in Settings, for regions with 146MHz as the top of the 2M amateur band.
Numerous bug fixes.
Website: Updated Quick Start page with latest hardware options, and a new 3D printable case that supports the new U-shaped adapter.

Now that the beta is complete, the app is approved for the Google Play store. It has been renumbered to 1.0.
Bug fix: APRS message IDs will no longer exceed what the APRS spec allows.
Published Guiding Principles for Contributors doc

Released PCB versions 1.7 and 1.7b, which have far better harmonic suppression than earlier PCB versions. Either version is fine to use, but 1.7b has components that are usually more readily available.

FIXED - [Android] Text chat input field may be obscured on phones with shorter screens
FXIED - [Android] 2 exceptions in the wild with beta version 11
FIXED - [Android] Fix PTT button for screen reader (TalkBack) users
Also removed PCB v1.6 tentative design from GitHub since harmonic filtering was worse. PCB v1.7 is under development now.

Expand beta to include US, UK, and Australia (was just US previously).
Bug fix: Address a couple more rare exceptions that Google Play automated testing found.
PCB: Significant improvement to harmonic suppression by tweaking some of the LC filter values. Not yet verified empirically, awaiting prototype PCBs.

Website full release and announced, with YouTube demo and quickstart videos.
Bug fix: Deleting a memory now automatically removes it from the UI (doesn't require restart).
Bug fix: Starting the app without the USB C connection in place, and then connecting it with app running, now detects the connection.
Bug fix: Add a couple guard conditions for rare corner cases that Google Play's automated testing found.

Initial closed beta release, which the Android Play Store requires until you have 20 installed users testing the app.
Got this website up and running, including the web-based firmware installer.