Thank you Bob for clarifying your original post. Your position is clearer now.
However, I still don't understand why it is necessary to change the update mechanism. You have made it clear that there are dangers, that unofficial firmware is not supported, you are not concerned with IP infringment and that new firmware is imminent.

If new firmware was released soon I don't think any sensible person would try unofficial firmware nor would anyone go to the effort of trying to modify firmware again.

As I first posted, I believe it was purely done because of frustration due to no updates for an extremely long period and lack of communication from Meridian.

I hope this can be a learning experience for us all.

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