Firmware — Ats20
The ATS-20 and its upgraded sibling, the ATS-20X, have become ubiquitous in the world of amateur radio and shortwave listening. As incredibly affordable, portable HF (High Frequency) receivers, they offer a lot of functionality for the price. However, many users find the out-of-box experience lacking—quirky menus, limited frequency steps, or a user interface that feels unfinished.
This is where the world of ATS20 Firmware steps in, transforming a cheap gadget into a capable receiver.
Updating the ATS20 firmware is the single most effective modification you can make to this radio. It corrects the manufacturing flaws of the stock software and introduces features found on receivers costing ten times as much.
While the process involves opening the case and using a programmer, the reward is a highly capable, portable SDR that fits in your pocket. Start with the ATS20-Enhanced build for stability, move to the PU2CLR library for the spectrum scope, and never suffer distorted SSB again.
Flashing bricked many early units because users didn't read the pinouts. Follow this carefully.
First, erase the chip:
avrdude -c usbasp -p m328p -e
Then, write the new firmware:
avrdude -c usbasp -p m328p -U flash:w:ATS20_New.hex
The ATS20 firmware is essentially an Arduino sketch on steroids. It leverages the powerful SI4732 DSP chip to provide features usually found in $200+ radios (like SSB reception and bandwidth filtering) in a $30 device. The ability to re-flash the firmware via USB (using the STM32 bootloader) makes it a favorite for hackers who want to add their own features or fix bugs. ats20 firmware
(and its successor, the ) is a popular, budget-friendly DSP radio based on the Si4732 chip. While the stock firmware (typically version 1.1.5) is functional, the community has developed custom alternatives that unlock significant features, turning the device from a basic receiver into a capable tool for amateur radio enthusiasts. Why Upgrade Your ATS-20 Firmware?
Upgrading the firmware is often described as a "game changer" for this hardware. Key benefits include: Enhanced Tuning
: Finer steps (as low as 10Hz) and improved SSB (Single Sideband) tuning logic. Better Display
: Improved layouts with signal strength meters and clearer frequency readouts. Reduced "Chuffing"
: Soft mute is significantly reduced, making scanning through bands much smoother. New Features
: Access to synchronous AM mode, adjustable bandwidths, and battery-saving CPU frequency settings. Popular Firmware Options ATS_EX by Goshante (v1.18)
: Currently considered one of the best for the ATS-20+. It offers the most advanced menu system and fine-tuning options, though it pushes the Arduino's flash memory to its absolute limit. You can find the source and instructions on the Goshante GitHub PU2CLR Firmware The ATS-20 and its upgraded sibling, the ATS-20X
: The foundational library for many ATS-20 variations. It is reliable and often serves as the "stable" baseline for those who want a clean, bug-free experience. How to Flash the Firmware The ATS-20 is essentially an Arduino Nano Arduino Uno connected to a radio chip. Lets upgrade the ATS 20+
The story of the firmware is one of a community-driven transformation, where independent developers turned a simple "toy" radio into a versatile tool for amateur radio enthusiasts. The Evolution of the Firmware The Original (V1.1.5): Most ATS-20 units ship with stock firmware based on the PU2CLR Si4735 library
. While functional, it is often viewed as basic, providing standard broadcast AM/FM and shortwave reception. The Game Changer (Goshante/ATS_EX):
Developer Goshante released a "re-imagined" firmware that pushed the hardware to its absolute limits. This version introduced a completely reworked interface, replaced "ugly" stretched fonts with readable ones, and added advanced features like SSB (Single Side Band) and CW (Morse code) support with tuning steps as low as 10Hz. The Memory Wall:
The ATS-20's Arduino-based hardware has hit its physical flash memory limit. Because the Goshante firmware is so optimized and takes up nearly all available space, the developer has stated no new features can be added without removing existing ones. ATS20 SUPER FIRMWARE INSTALL,Goshante v1.18
The ATS20 (often the ATS-20+ or Plus model) is a popular, budget-friendly "all-band" radio receiver based on the SI4732 chip and Arduino hardware. Firmware updates are a frequent topic for users looking to unlock features like SSB (Single Side Band) support, improved scanning, or custom band presets. Recommended Firmware Options
PU2CLR (Ricardo Caratti): Often considered the gold standard for stability. Version V1.1.5 is a common factory-loaded or stable baseline for many units. Then, write the new firmware: avrdude -c usbasp
Goshante (goshante/ats20_ats_ex): A popular alternative that expands the radio's capabilities. Version 1.18 is frequently cited, though some users find the installation more complex due to screen scaling or hardware compatibility issues.
Pro Tip: A "simplified" guide for the Goshante 1.18 update is available on the G4ZAL Blog. Critical Hardware Warnings
Updating the ATS20 is notoriously tricky due to manufacturing variations:
Bad USB Ports: Many ATS-20+ models shipped with Arduino Nano clones that have faulty USB ports or incompatible CH340 drivers. If your computer doesn't recognize the radio, you may need to replace the Nano or use an external programmer.
External Programmers: If the standard USB cable fails, users often resort to using a USBasp or a second Arduino Uno/Nano acting as an ISP programmer.
Battery Voltage Bug: Some firmware updates cause the radio to stop displaying battery voltage correctly. A common hardware fix involves a "solder blob" between specific pins (ADC1/ADC2) on the Nano board. How to Update Uno ISP programmer for ATS20 firmware update? - Facebook
Here’s a short, interesting take on the ATS20 firmware — written in a style that’s part technical insight, part discovery log.
