Tomorrow, I expect to release V0.5.0 of Expert Controller Plus as testing against simulated Expert 1k-fa and Expert 1.3k-fa amplifiers has gone well. It’s also seen hours of continuous, live, testing on my 2020 iMac, macOS 26.4.1 and with my Expert 1.3k-fa in the last couple of days as I’ve finally got myself back on the HF bands and am making SSB contacts around the world.

This version has refinements to the ‘Button panel’ window. I’ve now added information just above each button to identify its current state and a ‘Transmit’ / ‘Receive’ message that reflects the Tx/Rx state of a connected amplifier.

These updates make ‘Button panel’ windows much more informative and usable as an LCD or LED window is not also needed to monitor amplifier state. The ‘Button panel’ window occupies less screen space than other view windows and is ideal for those with more constrained screen real-estate.

The new ‘Button panel’ window is shown below:

The LCD panel only window has also been updated so that it can be resized from very small to very large! Drag to your preferred size!

And the last change in this release is a cosmetic one to the LCD and Buttons window. It now has a small grey rectangle surrounding the buttons to match the styling of changes made to the Buttons only window.

These last few days I’ve been hunting a bug in the communications code that caused the App to become sluggish when used on TCP/IP networks with levels of jitter higher than anticipated. I believe, it finally got squashed today, fingers-crossed!

It was pretty hard to find and impacted all amplifiers with the exception of the Expert 1k-fa. Over the last few days I’ve improved the code in this area and made a couple of releases (V0.4.1 and V0.4.2). This bug is squashed in version 0.4.3 Build 682 and can be download from the Downloads page or the App should detect this later version and offer it’s download and installation.

Andy

Expert Controller Plus v0.4.1 has been made available today. It contains improvements to the code that polls amplifiers for their status, resulting in greater robustness on networks with higher jitter and latency than with earlier versions.

Overall, Alpha testing hasn’t been as extensive as I’d like with little to no feedback from those with an Expert 1k-fa amplifier. But as feedback from those with other amplifier models has been positive, but limited, I’ve moved from an Alpha to a Beta test phase.

If you have downloaded Expert Controller Plus and are using it, it would be great to have some feedback as its the only way I know how well its working. If you would like to try it, then please go ahead, download it from here and let me have some feedback. There is no user documentation available yet, but please drop me a message if you have questions or issues.

Andy

In the latest Alpha test release of Expert Controller Plus (v0.4.0-620) there is now a window for each amplifier Connection that presents the forward RF Power, PA Volts, PA Amps and temperatures as reported by an Expert amplifier. The window is available from the ‘New’, top-level menu.

The new Gauges window is also available for the Expert 1k-fa amplifier. As it reports only a single temperature, only one temperature gauge is shown.

Another small change, but one that saves a little screen/display real-estate, is the removal of the text ‘Connection:’, a divider and a little white-space from all windows that allow selection of a Connection. The new design for these windows is reflected in the Gauges windows above.

This update is available through the ‘Check for updates…’ capability added in the previous release or as a new download from the downloads page.

I’m seeking testers, with any Expert amplifier but especially an Expert 1k-fa so, If you would like to get involved with testing and provide feedback please drop me a message using the Contact page on this website.

Further information about Expert Controller Plus including how to download the software can be found in the Software and Support sections of this website.

What’s the difference between Expert Controller and Expert Controller Plus? Click here to read about the key differences.

Expert Controller Plus v0.3.0-612 includes the ability to check for updates using the new ‘Check for Updates…’ menu-bar option. On its selection, the App checks to see if a newer version is available and if identified, downloads the update and starts the installation process. Installation requires user authorisation which must be granted for it to complete.

Additionally, the new update function also supports automatic checks for a later version and the ability to automatically download and install updates. The image below presents an example of a window notifying that an update is available.

Also included in this update are improvements to Apple Voiceover descriptions for Stepper aka Spinner controls. These are predominately used in Connection settings but are also in the Application settings.

The previous version introduced keyboard shortcuts for the top-level menu, View | Announcements, Activation | Groups and Activation | Connections options. These keyboard shortcuts have been changed in this version to the following: Shift+Command+A, Shift+Command+G, Shift+Command+C.

I’m seeking testers, with any Expert amplifier but especially an Expert 1k-fa so, If you would like to get involved with testing and provide feedback please drop me a message using the Contact page on this website.

Further information about Expert Controller Plus including how to download the software can be found in the Software and Support sections of this website.

What’s the difference between Expert Controller and Expert Controller Plus? Click here to read about the key differences.

Andy

Today it’s the end of January 2026 and I’m making available Expert Controller Plus, Version 0.2.3, Build 566 for Alpha testing. It contains the following changes.

• Keyboard shortcuts have been added to top-level menu options: Announcements, Activate | Groups and Activate | Connections
• The Apple Voiceover labels and hints for buttons have been reviewed and updated.
• Apple Voiceover now identifies keyboard shortcuts were they exist on buttons.
• Four Keyboard shortcuts have been added to buttons in the Activate | Groups and Activate | Connections windows:
  • Start – Command-S
  • Stop – Command-T
  • Wake – Command-W
  • Sleep – Command-P

I’m looking for testers, especially for the Expert 1k-fa so, If you would like to get involved with testing and provide feedback please drop me a message using the Contact page on this website.

Further information about Expert Controller Plus including how to download the software can be found in the Software and Support sections of this website.

What’s the difference between Expert Controller and Expert Controller Plus? Click here to read about the key differences.

Today I’m making available Expert Controller Plus, Version 0.2.2, Build 539 available for Alpha testing. It contains the following minor fixes.

• A Connection cannot now be Disabled using the Settings | Connection window if it is in use.
• The Amplifier selection may not be changed whilst its associated Connection is in use.
• The references to web pages ‘News’ and ‘Support’ under the Help menu have been updated.
• The Welcome window link to Support information at g0rvm.uk updated.

I’m looking for more testers, especially for the Expert 1k-fa so, If you would like to get involved with testing and provide feedback please drop me a message using the Contact page on this website.

Further information about Expert Controller Plus including how to download the software can be found in the Software and Support sections of this website.

What’s the difference between Expert Controller and Expert Controller Plus? Click here to read about the key differences.