diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1000f30..0fe78f1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ of Node.js and npm, the Node package manager. You can get those from
 
 You will also need the Node "serialport" package. Get that by typing:
 
-	npm install serialport
+	npm install serialport@8.0.5
+
+> Note: This library uses calls from before the breaking changes introduced in the newer versions of serialport, and still needs to be updated.
 
 Now you can run the test suite by typing the following:
 
diff --git a/client/MBFirmataClient.js b/client/MBFirmataClient.js
index 238153c..fbad220 100644
--- a/client/MBFirmataClient.js
+++ b/client/MBFirmataClient.js
@@ -95,7 +95,10 @@ class MicrobitFirmataClient {
 		this.MB_SCROLL_INTEGER			= 0x05
 		this.MB_SET_TOUCH_MODE			= 0x06
 		this.MB_DISPLAY_ENABLE			= 0x07
+		this.MB_COMPASS_CALIBRATE       = 0x08
+
 		// 0x08-0x0C reserved for additional micro:bit messages
+
 		this.MB_REPORT_EVENT			= 0x0D
 		this.MB_DEBUG_STRING			= 0x0E
 		this.MB_EXTENDED_SYSEX			= 0x0F; // allow for 128 additional micro:bit messages
@@ -515,6 +518,12 @@ class MicrobitFirmataClient {
 			this.SYSEX_END]);
 	}
 
+	compassCalibration() {
+		// Request that the micro:bit perform a compass calibration cycle
+		
+    	this.myPort.write([this.SYSEX_START, this.MB_COMPASS_CALIBRATE, this.SYSEX_END]);
+  	}
+
 	enableLightSensor() {
 		// Enable the light sensor.
 		// Note: When running, the light sensor monopolizes the A/D converter, preventing
diff --git a/client/mbTests.js b/client/mbTests.js
index abe6f94..fee8468 100644
--- a/client/mbTests.js
+++ b/client/mbTests.js
@@ -238,6 +238,8 @@ class Test5 {
 		}
 		mb.clearChannelData();
 
+		mb.compassCalibration();
+
 		clearScreen();
 		moveCursorTo(18, 0);
 		console.log('Analog streaming test (light sensor enabled)');
diff --git a/client/package.json b/client/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b2f86c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+  "dependencies": {
+    "serialport": "^8.0.5"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/firmware/buildv2.py b/firmware/buildv2.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index cc6ee30..6c9b787
--- a/firmware/buildv2.py
+++ b/firmware/buildv2.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
 
 # MIT License
 # 
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def fileutils_copytree(src,dst):
 # change directory and run the build
 
 os.chdir(V2ROOT)
-subprocess.call(["python", "build.py"])
+subprocess.call(["python3", "build.py"])
 os.chdir(BACK)
 
 #restore original source folder
diff --git a/firmware/source/mbFirmata.cpp b/firmware/source/mbFirmata.cpp
index 00e1cca..8ed3f4d 100644
--- a/firmware/source/mbFirmata.cpp
+++ b/firmware/source/mbFirmata.cpp
@@ -337,6 +337,10 @@ static void systemReset() {
 	samplingInterval = 100;
 }
 
+static void calibrateCompass() {
+	compass.calibrate();
+}
+
 // Pin Commands
 
 static void reportAnalogMapping() {
@@ -663,6 +667,9 @@ static void dispatchSysexCommand(int sysexStart, int argBytes) {
 	case SAMPLING_INTERVAL:
 		setSamplingInterval((inbuf[sysexStart + 2] << 7) | inbuf[sysexStart + 1]);
 		break;
+	case MB_COMPASS_CALIBRATE:
+		calibrateCompass();
+		break;
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/firmware/source/mbFirmata.h b/firmware/source/mbFirmata.h
index 91b2af9..c3f3ee4 100644
--- a/firmware/source/mbFirmata.h
+++ b/firmware/source/mbFirmata.h
@@ -60,7 +60,10 @@ SOFTWARE.
 #define MB_SCROLL_INTEGER		0x05
 #define MB_SET_TOUCH_MODE		0x06
 #define MB_DISPLAY_ENABLE		0x07
+#define MB_COMPASS_CALIBRATE    0x08
+
 // 0x08-0x0C reserved for additional micro:bit commands
+
 #define MB_REPORT_EVENT			0x0D
 #define MB_DEBUG_STRING			0x0E
 #define MB_EXTENDED_SYSEX		0x0F // can be used to add 128 additional micro:bit commands