If turning the knob clockwise lowers the frequency, your firmware configuration has the encoder pins reversed. You may need to use an alternate version of the firmware or edit the source code lines specifying encoder direction. Conclusion

What (like SSB stability or a better UI) are you most excited to unlock?

Ensure you have the CH340 or CP210x drivers installed so your PC recognizes the radio's USB port.

Why should you upgrade? Here are the standard improvements found in the most popular custom builds:

Unlocks missing bands and optimizes upper sideband (USB) and lower sideband (LSB) reception.