strange update, updating to 3.8.21 now it shows two radios ML-9600 and FLEX 8600

James Kennedy-WU5E

I was operating at 3.8.20 and I saw a update for .21 and I installed it on the radio and after 30 minutes it showed two radios ML-9600 and FLEX 8600 what gives?

what should I do?

Jim

wu5e

Mike-VA3MW

This is a known bug that slipped out. Rebooting the radio usually resolves it and it will be fixed in v3.9.

James Kennedy-WU5E

after a cold reboot the Radio only shows 3.8.21 now

Trucker

The ML-9600 is the commercial version of the Flex radios. I had a similar experience when I did an update several versions ago. Some extra test software appeared in SmartSDR on the front panel of my 6600M. Rebooting got rid of it. ( but, not before I explored the test software first!) It may not be exactly the same thing, but since this is listed as a "hot fix" it's possible someone didn't clean up the software payload before making it available.

James

WD5GWY

Ken Wells

FlexRadio always recommends doing a COLD Boot (remove power from radio for a minute before rebooting) after updating the software.

Pat W5VY

8600 3.8.21 Update.png

Restarted the Windows 11 PC and 8600, applied 3.8.21 update and SmartSDR pop-up appeared with connect button. I pushed the connect button and the radio connected. Everything seemed normal but a 6M Slice on ANT 2 had no RF input. I decided to power off radio and do a cold boot. Short press of power button didn't shut down the 8600….after a few seconds it went into software upgrade mode (Solid Purple). After a few minutes Pop-ups for Smart SDR, CAT and DAX appeared with ML-9600 as radio type. I didn't attempt to connect…warnings about license, etc. Radio stayed in Software Update mode for more that 15 minutes. I removed power to 8600 and let it rest for five minutes. Reapplied power and after about 3 minutes it powered up on its own (no pressing of power button). Reconnected to SmartSDR and and everything came up in good shape. Stopped SmartSDR and did a momentary press of 8600 Power Button. Radio did a normal shut down. Waited a minute and did a momentary press of 8600 Power Button. Radio powered up and I reconnected SmartSDR. All seems well now.

Is it wrong to let the Radio connect following an upgrade? Should the radio be "cold booted" as soon as the SmartSDR Pop-up appears after the software upgrade is finished…instead of connecting then powering down and cold booting (remove power, wait, etc)? Guessing there is some snippet of code in 3.8.21 that can cause the wrong radio type to be reported to the client…or absent ID as 8600 the client defaults to ML-9600?

Pat, W5VY

KD0RC

Hi Pat, I usually do a cold boot right after an upgrade (Flex 6400). I have occasionally forgotten and just opened SmartSDR immediately. Never had a problem that way, but I think Flex wants us to do the cold boot. On this most recent update, I did remember to do the boot, and did not get the ML-9600 logon screen.

My guess is that Flex will find a small bug somewhere and fix it before long. Since a cold boot fixes it, I would guess that there is an area of memory that is left over from the previous version that is accidentally executed or otherwise being used. A cold boot will ensure that this is empty and therefore cannot cause mischief.

James Kennedy-WU5E

I did a cold reboot 2 plus minutes it working great now