ATU high SWR software bug

Mark NS9N

Neil, right question. And if this was an issue how could you ever use your station. Any time you tuned your radio it would trip your internet - remote or not? As others have stated, Flex is an outstanding remote radio but you still need to do your diligence. I use a pi to switch my antennas, radio, and power supply mains. This link is made to the outside world via VPN. If anything interrupts the VPN signal, the pi shuts down all the relays and such protests everything. It does not matter who’s radio you are using. Faults will happen and as the operator you are responsible for ensuring safety backups are in place to shut down the station.

Ken AG2K

Bill -VA3WTB

Ken, it is too bad Gerald did not get back to you. I think he should have. If you read my early post I mentioned that Flex has in the past correct things that are considered critical just days after a new release. I also think that correcting the ATU problem must effect things in the radio that makes it a difficult task, witch means lots of work and taking a while to test all the little areas the ATU touches. I think this is why a hot fix did not happen. Understanding your frustration, it would have been great for Gerald to explain the complications and background for what your asking.

I could be way off on my view of the ATU fix, But seeing you drop through the cracks the way you are is not historically how Gerald does business.

The policy to not give information on any updates on Fixes, or features is not there to slight the customer, there are some very good reasons for it. Flex learned the hard way that it is not a good idea to share this info to the public.

I am not here to defend Flex, I feel you have been avoided. I think though some understanding is needed.

Steve Killeen

Bill -VA3WTB

Steve, if you can't get on the air without the ATU then you should revert back to v2. but I can't remember what update you need to find to clear it up.
I think 2.5.1 should be ok.

Steve Killeen

Ok thanks Bill.

Erika - KØDD

Steve Killeen

Can anyone else confirm what version is SAFE to install in order to have zero impact on ATU. Is it 2.5.1 like Bill mentions ? Thanks

Erika - KØDD

NO ITS 2.4.9

Steve Killeen

So how do I install and older version like 2.5.1 and use the improved DAX in recent version ? Flex Radio is making me really confused now ...

Erika - KØDD

Best read up the documents on rolling back the radios, I read them this morning.  It explains everything step by step.  Just search for it on the flex site

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Tim - W4TME

@Steve - it is not going to damage the hardware using the ATU with the issue where it cannot find a match on the first try.

How you roll back to SmartSDR v2.4.9 is relatively straightforward.  I'll outline the process.

• Install SmartSDR v2.4.9 on your PC BEFORE installing SmartSDR v3 or SmartSDR v2.5 and greater.  If you have created any profiles using v2.4.9 or BELOW and have NOT installed any version of SmartSDR GREATER than v2.4.9, Export your profiles and save them in a location where you know it is a v2.4.9 profile.
• Install SmartSDR v3 or SmartSDR v2.5 and greater on your PC, this will install the new DAX drivers.
• Do NOT uninstall any version of SmartSDR.
• Start SmartSDR v2.4.9 and allow it to do a firmware DOWNGRADE
• Shut down your radio and then do this reset procedure:

Perform a cold boot and Factory Reset of your radio

• Power off the radio by pressing and releasing the power button. Allow it to completely power down before continuing. If pressing and releasing the power button does not work, press and hold the power button until it shuts down.
• Once the radio is powered off, wait for 2 minutes to allow for all processors to properly shut down.
• Remove the power cable from the radio for at least 30 seconds and then reconnect it.  It is also important to remove the power cable from the radio and not just turn off the power supply. 

For FLEX-6700 and FLEX-6500:

• Press and hold the OK button while pressing and releasing the Power button.
• Release the OK button once the power LED turns white and allow the radio to continue booting normally.

For FLEX-6300, FLEX-6400(M) and FLEX-6600(M):

• Press and hold the Power button for approximately 5 seconds until the power button or power LED turns white. Release the power button and allow the radio to continue booting normally.

• Now restart SmartSDR v2.4.9 and connect to your radio

At this point you are running SmartSDR v2.4.9, you have the latest DAX driver and your radio's database has been reset and is fully compatible with SmartSDR v2.4.9

CAUTION: If you run a version of SmartSDR greater than v2.4.9 and upgrade your radio firmware, then you will have to repeat the process at the 4th bullet down.

Ken AG2K

Bill, I'm not feeling frustration as much as disappointment. I didn't expect this lack of support from Flex. An American run company and American built hardware and software. The software shouldn't be an after thought. In the case of a SDR system the S (software) is a significant part of the over all product. 

Bill -VA3WTB

There simply is no reasons to think Flex has not the staff to fix this. Pure speculation.

Steve Killeen

Tim, thanks for the procedure. What is " CAUTION: If you run a version of SmartSDR greater than v2.4.9 and upgrade your radio firmware, then you will have to repeat the process at the 4th bullet down." Looking for the 4th bullet . Also, can I install V3 and try the radio and ATU and if I encounter problems with the ATU then and only then do the procedure you mention to go to 2.4.9 ? Thanks

Tim - W4TME

Steve Killeen

Much appreciated.

Rick WN2C

Arvind Mallya

I just upgraded to 2.6.1 and it has the same problem, it takes a few tries to tune. I measured the SWR using a Bird meter of the feed line to antenna, and it is under 3. I also find another strange problem, the MOX comes on randomly not frequently but it does and I have to hit PTT to stop.

Arvind Mallya

I just upgraded to 2.6.1 and I have the same issue with ATU not tuning even though the measured SWR is under 3. For some reason the MOX seems to come on occasionaly and I have to hit The PTT to stop.

WA2SQQ

Especially during this difficult situation we are all in, no one wants to be a “PITA” to FRS. It would seem that changes were made, and no explanation was offered why they can’t undo those changes. For me, it’s what’s not being said that continues to fuel this issue.

OH6OKSA

So this issue is still existing after 5 months?...thinking to go with 6600, but this ATU issue can be the deal braker for me...

Ken AG2K

It has been longer then that. The last version that the ATU worked with is version 2.4.9. They are great radios and I really enjoy it. If you buy one with an ATU you should understand that unless you use 2.4.9 the ATU will not work properly. That means you can not make use of ver 3.x which has the multi flex features among other needed and desired features. What is the most disappointing is that Flex refuses to comment on any aspects of their software fixes for defects. I think that is a horrible customer support policy especially for a US company that sells a product so dependant on software. SDR= SOFTWARE Defined Radio If you decide to purchase just understand that Flex's policy is they do not (will not) comment on updating or repairing the software that makes the radio operate properly. I'm asked all the time if I would purchase again and my answer before the release last week is YES with all of the above caveats. However after last weeks release came out without a fix for the ATU defect I would be much more cautious about purchasing, especially after I was assured back in September this defect was a priority and it would be included in the next release. Flex needs to change their policy and be more transparent when it comes to customer communications involving fixing software defects/bugs. Good luck you have a tough decision. Ken

Larry _ NY8T

The internal tuner works, I use it every day with the latest version of SmartSDR you just have to hit the ATU button a few times before it succeeds. Also the ATU memory feature works so once your tune succeeds the tune for that band segment will be saved. Its a temporary inconvenience and does not stop me from using my 6700 or 6500 in any way.

Chris DL5NAM

Do you use your Expert PA and the Flexradio tuner at same time ?

Chris

Erika - KØDD

Yes it "Does work" I find mine far more persnickety than what you describe.  Even with a 2:1 antenna situation it will take pushing the tune button endlessly on occasion and NEVER SEEM to find itself an answer, However Other times IT WILL almost instantly within a click or two go to 1.1:1....  There are however times the tuner comes up with success, and then on a test tune button press shows 201:1 SWR, or 6:1 or 8:1...  In all cases it pegs out the 3:1 max swr indicator on SSDR, I'm using the DDUTIL power and swr meter that will read digitally all the way up to the 201:1 which is indispensable for tuning on a manual balance feed antenna....  Fortunately once you get the first tune figured out the scales on the knobs help get you right in there for a second matching.  Its the non-repeatability of the tuner that really bothers me.  I'll get a happy tune say on 10 meters down from 2:3:1 to 1.7:1 with the tuner and it is repeatable for a half dozen pushes but I KNOW it WILL tune to 1.2.... 

Larry _ NY8T

Chris, no the 1k-fa was not turned on when the image was taken and never used at the same time with the internal ATU.

OH6OKSA

I have never had to push rigs tune button twice and I dont like the idea of runing relays extra times to get tuned. Also there was some issue if  you go just little bit side from frequency resulting HSWR warning...so how many tune spots I need to have one band without needing to push the tune again...my antennas are always SWR under 2.0 at workable band width. But I still like to get tuned so I am not loading the transmitter. I have using SDR receivers since day one and love them...

Ken AG2K

Larry, That's the problem you should not have to hit it numerous times. Flex has confirmed it is a defect/bug. My testing also showed even though it says it worked checking it with another SWR bridge showed it was unacceptably high. It is unknown if all that extra "button pushing" is good for the ATU. Again the lack of info from Flex as to whether it is good for the hardware to keep trying to tune and if it is causing any premature "wear and tear". The concern I am starting to have is since Flex is taking so long to fix the ATU defect does that mean it is not software but instead might it be a hardware problem. Something that is going to require a visit back to the shop for new hardware and/or modification? That is speculation but with the lack of transparency from Flex as to this situation it is hard to tell. Certainly for anyone who is looking to purchase a radio with ATU they should be cautious.
Again I want to stress I think Flex is a good US company with a great radio along with supportive and dedicated people. None of this criticism is personal to those people. It is a Management decision on policy and how the company interacts with their customers. I would suggest all owners read the warranty in reference to software. 
Would I buy another FlexRadio..... Probably, possibly, maybe, depends!

Ken