power SDR 1.X.X

Alan C

Anyone out there have a version 1.x.x of Power SDR?

Flex website starts with Ver 2.x.x

Alan C

Actually, I found a location that it should be - Flex Knowledge Base. However, the downloads link is dead. I need 1.18 Power SDR and associated Firmware. My 5000A has really old firmware and needs updating manually - just once. After this update, I can load the latest.

Jay Nation

Alan

I just now downloaded PowerSDR v1.18.6, from the support / downloads portion of the Flexradio website. I bet you can too.

Click Below ...
https://www.flexradio.com/downloads/powersdr_v1-18-6_installer/?wpdmdl=5110&refresh=5c9c2b9aaa6cf1553738650 

     SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC Chat

   73, Jay - NO5J

N9VC

I found the same thing, same place.

DH2ID

Alan is looking for PowerSDR, not SmartSDR :-)
It's under "Discontinued Products"

N9VC

Whoops

Alan C

OK thanks to Jay and Alex!! I have the Power SDR that I need.  Now, I need the Firmware 1.3.0.8 associated with that Power SDR 1.18.6

I can't find 1.3.0.8 Firmware anywhere.

After Power SDR 2.x.x.x - the Firmware is automatically loaded with the software. My old 5000A has the oldest Firmware, and needs to be upgraded the old fashioned way (manually)

Jay Nation

Alan

It's included in the 1.18.6 installer. Just install it. 

     SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC Chat

   73, Jay - NO5J

Alan C

Thanks Jay. Where is the firmware located, then?

When I open 1.18.6 PSDR is says: "found Firmware 1.2. looking for 1.3"

I'm looking for 1.3, too

Jay Nation

Alan

Part of it will be installed in the radio, by the installer. The other part will be the matching PowerSDR Firewire Driver that will be installed to your PC along with PowerSDR. The version numbers of both part's have to match. Sounds like you might need to do a clean reinstall of PowerSDR v1.18.6. because the firmware upload to the radio doesn't seem to have occurred. in effect the pc part expects to connect with firmware 1.3, but the radio still has firmware 1.2 installed in it. you may need to contact Flexradio support if the installer can't solve the mismatch problem.

     SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC Chat

   73, Jay - NO5J

Alan C

According to my research, Firmware is only loaded (automatically) with PSDR Ver 2.x.x.x

So, I presume that prior to 2.x.x.x, manual Firmware uploading is required?

I submitted a helpdesk ticket

Jay Nation

Alan

Your research, and my experience differ, the Helpdesk ticket is your best bet, now.

     SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC Chat

   73, Jay - NO5J

Alan C

Jay, I will try your suggestion and do a clean install. I deeply appreciate your guidance here.

Jay Nation

Alan 

Keep in mind I'm trying to help from memory. So I can be wrong. I fought this exact issue with my 5000a back when PowerSDR v2.x.x.x was first released. but there was a workaround that solved it back then. I just don't remember the details. Maybe Dudley might. Maybe he will see this thread. 

     SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC Chat

   73, Jay - NO5J

Alan C

OK, Jay. Understand.

I was able to open PSDR (even though it is not talking to the 5000A correctly). I do see that there is some communication as seen by this screen shot

Alan C

After looking at http://kc.flexradio.com It looks like all I need is 5000A Firmware 1.3.0.8.exe or 1.3.0.8.bin

Hopefully someone has that.

This will (hopefully) get PSDR 1.18.6 up and running

I can easily upgrade once 1.18.6 is up and running...

thx to all

Dudley WA5QPZ

Alan,

First you need to get your radio and computer talking together correctly.   For this with the 1.8.6 PSDR,  you need the FireWire radio driver version 3.5.0.7171.    I don't see the FW driver on the Flex downloads any longer,    I still have this FW Driver,  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s1NjMFapOJKS1FlofsMm9H_bh2z32pJY/view?usp=sharing

First turn the radio off,  uninstall the version of PowerSDR and the "FlexRadio"  driver that you have listed in your Programs and Features,  then reboot the computer.  

Next install the FlexRadio FW Driver,  and PowerSDR 1.8.6  ,  these should be the only FlexRadio SW showing in your Programs and Features..   REBOOT again .. 

Once the computer has rebooted, then power on the radio and wait for the FW driver to install .   It only installs when the radio is recognized as a valid device.    You can open the FlexRadio Icon (NOT PowerSDR icon)   You should get the Global Settings window with the radio shown as installed.   Now open PowerSDR 1.8.6 , and you should now get the Firmware update message ,  and it should complete now...   Once done and PowerSDR 1.8.6 is working ,  again uninstall PowerSDR and the FlexRadio driver,  REBOOT again ..   Install the version of PowerSDR you want to use now,  In later versions, the FW driver got automatically installed,  be sure you REBOOT again before turning on the radio to install the latest FW driver.. 

Hope this helps. 

Dudley
WA5QPZ

Alan C

Wow! Thanks Dudley. Exactly what I was looking for!

I will report back...

Alan C

OK - performed the process. Still no go. Here are a couple of screen shots from the 'Flex Radio' app.
Looks like this app does not see a 1394 card.

Strangely, I do get the proper PC 'install' sounds when I install the Firewire Card (by turning on the 5000A). Never got that before.

DH2ID

Your OS and Firewire card? Not all cards are supported, 
you'll need one with a Texas Instruments or Lucent chipset:

https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/202118708-Verifying-Firewire-Card-Compatibility-wit...
https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/206605796-Selecting-High-Performance-Firewire-Cards...

Here is one:
https://www.amazon.de/Informatique-Controller-Professionelle-Komponenten-vorinstallierten/dp/B01N766...

Alan C

ok, thx Alex. I have another Firewire Card - I'll try that one. Not sure if it is Texas Instrument chipset or not.

DH2ID

I hope you get your 5000A running. Firewire still is a bit problematical with Windows, as it is prone to latency issues. Running a latency checker program can be helpful. As I use my Flex3000 for EMCOMM and fieldday work, I run PowerSDR 2.8 on rugged notebooks. Both the GETAC S400 and the Toughbook CF-52 are on the used notebook market here for about 400€ and both work faultlessly with Firewire and the Flex3k.

Alan C

Tried my other Firewire card - (VIA chipset) - same results. I get the proper PC 'install sounds' when I turn on the 5000A.

I think all I need is 5000A Firmware 1.3.0.8.exe or 1.3.0.8.bin

I'll bet that will fix everything

Surely, someone has that (I have asked Flex - support ticket for it, too)

Dudley WA5QPZ

Alan, In the Global Settings window, go to System -> select “Show Additional Details”. -> “Scan Now”. You can save the text or give me the info. Also your buffer size should be 2048. Also what OS are you using? Dudley

Alan C

SUCCESS!!!

Flex sent me the 1.3.0.8.exe Firmware. Installed. Then installed PowerSDR 1.18.6 - Bingo, ll working!! The 2008 Firmware was so old (1.2), it had to be upgraded to 1.3.0.8 (and PSDR 1.18.6) before it could accept PSDR 2.x.x.x

I upgraded to 2.4.4, then 2.8.x.x

Working perfectly

This was probably the only instance of this occurring on Earth. How many NEW 5000A's exist from 2008?

Quite a challenge.

Kudo's to all who chipped in, indeed...

Alan, W4FBI

Dudley WA5QPZ

Glad you have it operational now. Just be extremely careful connecting the FireWire connections and nearby ESD events (lightning strikes and extremely large RF events). Dudley

Alan C

indeed. thx, Dudley.