3.9 update

Mike

How long should this update take? It seems to have hanged up with just a sliver to go. I hate to shut things down and start over.

Eric-KE5DTO

If the purple light is stuck on and it has been >10 min, you're safe to pull the plug and reboot (see the release notes as this is covered there). The update should continue.

If you are attempting to update to v3.9 -AND- this is your first update on a Maestro or M model -AND- you get an exception like below, I have good news and bad news.

The bad news is that the update is not going to work without some extra steps. The good news is that once you have followed these steps, you won't have to do anything like this in the future. The steps are fairly easy to follow, but need to be followed carefully. The steps are as follows:

1. Phase 1: Attempt to load v3.9
   1. Boot the Maestro/M model.
   2. Select the radio (or click Operate on the M model)
   3. Select v3.9 (top option) and click Update.
   4. If this process succeeds, you're done.  Otherwise...
   5. Click dismiss on any permission errors until you see a blank/black screen.
   6. Press the power button to shut down.
2. Phase 2: Attempt to load v3.8 (will fail)
   1. Boot the Maestro/M model.
   2. Select the radio (or click Operate on the M model)
   3. Select v3.8 (not the top option) and click Update.  This will likely fail.
   4. Click dismiss on any errors until you see a blank/black screen.
   5. Press the power button to shut down.
3. Phase 3: Attempt to load v3.8 again (will succeed)
   1. Boot the Maestro/M model.
   2. Select the radio (or click Operate on the M model)
   3. Select v3.8 (not the top option) and click Update.  This will likely succeed.
   4. It is important to get to the main operating screen in this process where you can tune a Slice, etc.
   5. Reboot or select Switch Version/Radio from the Menu>Radio Tab.
4. Phase 4: Attempt to load v3.9 (will succeed)
   1. Boot the Maestro/M model, if necessary.
   2. Select the radio (or click Operate on the M model)
   3. Select v3.9 (the top option) and click Update.  This will likely succeed.

While this process is inconvenient, it beats having to ship the unit in to correct the problem.

For the more technically inclined, this problem was caused by folder permissions setup in the Maestro/M image that prevented access to the folder that contains the radio firmware update. This has since been corrected in our image for new units, but this means that any units in the field that have this problem will need to use these steps the first time they attempt to update (and only that time).

If you attempt this procedure and still have trouble, please open a helpdesk ticket and we will help you to the best of your ability.

Mike

I am hung up with the light purple.

David Decoons, wo2x

read the release notes. This is covered.

https://www.flexradio.com/documentation/smartsdr-v3-9-18-release-notes/

If the radio hangs during upgrade, remove DC power for at least one minute then reapply. The upgrade should continue.

After the upgrade completes, shut down and remove DC power again to cold boot the radio.

73 Dave wo2x

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Mike

You can safely pull power and reboot the radio after about 20 minutes. If you have an issue beyond that (I don't think you will) get a support ticket opened and we will get you sorted out.

Mike

Carl N8VZ

I had an "unhandled exception" trying to upgrade to 3.9x. I then thought the logical thing to do was to try to downgrade. Got the same error. I'm now letting it cool it heals for 20mintues with the power cord disconnected. I'm hoping that this will solve the problem, but I'm a little skeptical. Not a confidence booster to have this happen the first time I try to upgrade the software in my Flex 8600M! — 73 de Carl N8VZ

Erik Carling EI4KF

Just to say my 8400M had the same issue when attempting the upgrade from the radio, i.e selecting the update from the version screen. If you did that, reboot the radio, update SmartSDR if not already done, launch SSDR and update from the radio chooser. For me this worked when otherwise all I got were variances on "unhandled exception" and "updater not found".

Carl N8VZ

Erik: Please post more detail on what you did. I don’t know any other way to update than the update screen when using an M model. Tnxs for your help! — 73 de Carl N8VZ

Erik Carling EI4KF

Hello Carl. I don't know what to add. If you update ie download and install the latest SmartSDR version, and if you have not successfully updated the radio from the version screen, when you launch SSDR it will show the Radio Chooser boxes - one each for SSDR, CAT and DAX. In the SSDR box there will be a yellow 'UPDATE' button.

So for me, I had a new out-of-the-box 8400M. I had downloaded to Windows 11 the new SmartSDR. I powered the radio and the version selector window showed the new version. The update failed. First I had "unhandled exception". I powered off, unplugged, waited 10 minutes, tried again but got "updater not found". Repeated the power off /wait and power up. I launched SSDR, pressed the update button in the radio chooser and the update to the radio proceeded without issue.

Erik.

Carl N8VZ

OK, Erik, I think you are talking about having a computer connected to your 8400M. At this point, I don't have a computer connected to my 8600M, but I do have a Maestro. I can try installing the new update through that. I'll let you know if that works. — 73 de Carl N8VZ

Erik Carling EI4KF

If that does not work for you Carl, open a Help Desk ticket. Flex will get it fixed for you.

Carl N8VZ

Erik: Using your suggestion, and my Maestro, I was able to do the upgrade. Thanks for your suggestion! — 73 de Carl N8VZ