When Booting my Flex 6400M, it gets stuck on the SmartLink Screen

KA9HNT

When I boot my Flex 6400M, it will stop on the SmartLink screen. The radio does log into my registered account, but I have to manually select Operate, and then it will go to the Version screen. I do have version v3.7.4 download, but I have to manually select that version to run.
I didn't have this issue before - can you please tell me how to have the radio automatically run v3.7.4 without human intervention when powered on?
I don't see any mention of this in the Flex 6400M User Guide (around page 44).

Trucker

In the version chooser screen look in the lower left of the screen for a gear shaped icon. Touch it and a screen should appear with a selection that says to use the last version used. ( or something to that effect. I am away from my radio) If you touch that selection the next time you start the radio, it will bypass the version chooser screen and automatically start SmartSDR.

James

WD5GWY

KA9HNT

I did that a few times but no joy.
So, I tried more things, including logging out of my account, and then I logged back in. I reselected the radio and selected the "On Startup, Auto Connect Last Radio. That time it did work. But the next two times I tried it, it failed.
Any thoughts why it works every now and then, but not consistently?

KD0RC

How do you power off your radio? If you turn it off by cutting power, it won't always shut down gracefully. You should use the front panel button to shut down the radio. Wait a minute or two (I think the amount of time is specified in the User's Guide somewhere) before shutting down your power supply.

If that is not the issue, then it is time to submit a help desk ticket.

KA9HNT

Thank you WD5GWY and KD0RC for the valuable information.
I either use the rear panel power on/off connector, or the power button on the front of the radio to turn the Flex on or off. The radio itself has power to it all of the time (as long as the power supply and battery backup has power!)

Any other thoughts before I contact Support on Monday?

KD0RC

One other thing to try if you haven't already, is to do an export on your profiles, then perform a factory reset.

Trucker

Are you saying you reach around the back of your radio and physically pull the PowerPole connector out of the radio to turn off power to the radio? If that is the case, you are risking causing problems with the SD card in your radio and preventing it from booting up.

The radio need time ( usually less than a minute or so) to save settings etc to the SD card before you can safely remove power by turning off your power supply. First though, you need to push the power button and wait a minute or two for the radio to save settings. After that you can turn off the power supply and pull the PowerPole connector from the back of the radio.

I also agree you may need to do a factory reset. That may help clear up your problem with the inconsistent auto start of SmartSDR.

James

WD5GWY

KA9HNT

No, I normally use the Remote Power On RCA jack on the back of the radio to turn the radio on & off. It is figure 11 on the rear panel diagram.

The 12 V power to the radio's Power Poles is always on. I only disconnect that if I have to service the radio (safety first!). I understand the processors have to be properly shut down, otherwise the system can be corrupted.

I will try to save my profiles. Is there a way to save the memory? Once completed, I will try to reset the radio and then reload the profiles and (hopefully) the memories.

KD0RC

When you export your profiles, current persistence values are also saved. There are a few minor items that are not saved (front panel LED brightness, CW pitch, maybe another one or two).

WX7Y

When you EXPORT your profiles your memories will also be saved, You can EXPRORT and IMPORT just certain Profiles if you wish, and I have always found it a good Idea to NOT Import back in "Preferences" if the Radio is having Issues like your having, AND to test the Radio right after you do a RESET just to make sure the Radio Hardware itself isn't the issue before you IMPORT the settings back in.

David Decoons, wo2x

Once you have exported current profiles if the reset and import of profiles still has issue, do a reset but when importing profiles, uncheck preferences. Then import the profiles and set the radio from from panel to auto connect and try.

73

Dave wo2x