Cortex is a software driven communications device which utilizes software updates that are pushed out over the Cortex Onboard mobile app. These updates provide improvements, fixes, and new features for Cortex users. 

Version 2.0 is one of the more substantial updates for the Cortex device since it was introduced. These changes are based around VHF reception improvements and refinements, as well as big changes in automatic and user defined squelch level.

Menu

One of the most dramatic changes is in the layout of the Menu settings. The menu is now found in one list of settings and is accessed by pressing the menu icon on the screen or the button on the handset.  Additionally, it now shows the ID of the Cortex it is connected to and a connection status icon (green/red).  Please note that the Collision Avoidance option has been removed from the menu list.

Collision Avoidance

The Collision Avoidance option has been added directly to the Plotter view.  Start by selecting a target on screen using either touch or the handset wheel.  From there, you can either touch the on-screen Collision Avoidance option to initiate the mode or you can push the center button of the handset to view the vessel details of your target and choose the 'Avoid' option from that page.

Settings

The settings menu has been modified in this software update. All of the settings are now accessed within this single list.

VHF View

Going to the VHF view by either the settings menu or by pressing the VHF key on the handset, provides a new and improved layout of the VHF screen.  From here you have the ability to access:

• Weather Shortcut
• Channel Pre-sets
• Screen Lock
• Activity and Channel Views

Presets/Watch

The Preset buttons and where the watch mode is selected. 

• Each Preset when touched will change the calling channel to the preset channel.
• The activity time is displayed underneath the channel number on the Preset button.
• If Presets Watch mode is selected then whenever a Preset channel breaks squelch, the button inverts its colors, and stays that way until squelch closes, or a higher priority watch channel breaks over the top of it.

Multi-watch Channel Scanning

Unlike traditional VHF radio scanning, dual and tri watch functions, Cortex Omni Watch scans all available VHF frequency channels simultaneously. 

• All: Scan all channels, maintain priority watch on 16
• Preset Channels: Watch all preset channels, maintain priority watch on 16
• 16 Only: Keep priority watch on 16
• Off: Only allow calling channel to break squelch

Channel Activity Tab  

A newly introduced channel activity indicator provides an at-a-glance indication of recent activity and allows you access a more detailed view. On the Channel Activity view you can do the following:  

• View the signal level history of a channel (3 minutes)
• Auto Squelch can be enabled/disabled with the top-right button
• Manual squelch can be utilized by touching the screen or using the wheel of the handset
• Playback or Download of Activity Recordings

Automatic Squelch With Manual Fine-Tuning

With Automatic Squelch turned on, background noise level detection on individual channels is done automatically and the Squelch level is set so that it stays just above the noise floor.  This is done without the need for user input.  When enabled, communications should be the only items that are breaking squelch and this level is shown visually by the grey 'Activity' line on the graph.  

VHF Recording and Playback

• Cortex will now record and store a period of 3 minutes of audio transmissions for any active channel, no matter what channel the user is listening to. Users will be able to navigate to any recorded channel and play back up to 3 minutes of historical voice traffic.
• The technical limitation on the number of channels that can be simultaneously recorded is 2 at any one time, with a third reserved for a selected weather channel. These will be prioritized to international distress channel 16, the 4 channels configured as presets on the device and the current active listening channel. Cortex will automatically record the 2 highest priority channels that are active at any one time.
• VHF recording is independent of the user set squelch level. Cortex will automatically determine an active transmission and process a recording.

 

Weather Shortcut and Channels Selection

A shortcut is now provided on the top left corner of the VHF view that allows quick access to the pre-set Weather Channel.  

If a weather channel has not be selected, users will need to select a single weather channel or broadcast channel before the shortcut will work.  Use the following path Menu> Settings >Weather Channel.