Flex radio 6600 removing 3.9.18 back to 3.8.23

stevenab

Has anyone removed the 3.9.18 update and re-installed 3.8.23? I'm having remote issues with 3.9.18?

KD0RC

Hi Steven, I would submit a help desk ticket before downgrading.

Mike-VA3MW

You can downgrade if you wish. It is pretty simple. If you having issues, we want to hear about them. But, you'll want to reset your radio first to see if that clears up any issues.

• Start SmartSDR 3.8.23 - Unless you uninstalled it, it is still on your computer - Each SmartSDR Version is a separate installation.
• Connect to the radio - you will be asked if you want to Downgrade - you can safely accept that. It should take less than 5 minutes
• Now, reset the radio: https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020078612-How-to-Completely-Reset-a-FLEX-8000-6000#:~:text=Press%20and%20hold%20the%20OK,radio%20to%20continue%20booting%20normally.
• Start SmartSDR 3.8.23 and you should be good to go.

Russ Ravella

Hi Stevenab,

I'd be interested in hearing your reason for considering downgrading. I and several others have had quite a bit of difficulty with what has turned out to be a bug in the new TGXL integration feature using 4O3A's v1.2.17 update which seems to be exacerbated by MultiFlex mode. If by any chance you're having a similar problem, just downgrade the TGXL version back to v1.2.11 first and see if that fixes it. It completely fixed mine and some other folk's too.

As always, Len KD0RC above has solid advice; whatever it is, try submitting a help desk ticket first before downgrading the radio software. Tim, as usual, did a great job helping me get to the bottom of my problem.

GL Russ KR6W

stevenab

Thanks Russ and Len, Tim has replied, great guy as usual, I need to hard boot the 6600 first. But I will try a reboot and shutting off both Amp and Tuner. That’s would be easy to try. Thanks!

Russ Ravella

Yup, Tim's the man !

stevenab

So, interesting update. Took the firmware in the tuner back and now the radio will work locally but can’t connect with Smartlink. I’ll try a cold reboot when I’m at the shack this week. Any other ideas for smartlink on my Maestro to work? Thanks Len and Russ!

Mike-VA3MW

To build on Russ's comments, he brings up some valid points, and it's clear that a few users are encountering similar issues. That said, many others are not seeing the same behavior, which suggests it’s not a widespread or systemic problem.

In my own setup, I’ve been running various versions of 3.9.xx with my PGXL on 3.8.9, TGXL on 1.2.17, and AG on 4.1.16, and overall things have been running smoothly. The only recurring hiccup I've seen is the AG GUI occasionally losing communication with the amp, requiring a quick restart of the Windows AG client. I’ve been hoping to reproduce the issue so I can dig into it with Wireshark or capture some more detailed diagnostics.

Russ Ravella

Hi Stevenab,

Yeah, that’s important ! I should have said that - sorry ! When I did the TGXL downgrade, I powered it down and even unplugged it though that’s probably unnecessary, waited several minutes, powered back up holding the stby button to reset, then performed the downgrade, then repeated all of that again. Then resetup via the utility. A full factory reset of the radio probably isn’t actually necessary but it’s always a good idea in general and is definitely a necessary step given what you describe.

Gl Russ KR6W

stevenab

MIchael, Thank you for the comments…..

stevenab

Update, working with Tim. Replaced SD card in 6600. First, powered down tuner and Amp, also removed cat 5 cable. Removed coax, loaded 3.8.23, that was working when this started. Connects locally not Smartlink. Upgraded to 3.9.18, everything else off. Won't connect to Smartlink. Added everything back together, Amp and tuner. Still the same. Waiting to hear from Tim. BTW, 8600 is back at the mother ship on similar issue? Also, tuner is at software level 1.2.11.

Russ Ravella

Man, whatever's going on there sure is stubborn. Well, you've got "The Man" (Tim) on the job so it can only end in success. But it's still so frustrating to have to go through everything you are to get there. Been there, done that - about 50 times or so over the years. I hope it converges soon !

GL Russ KR6W

stevenab

Thank you!

stevenab

So, after many attempts at different solutions. I un-registered from SmartSDR and then re-registered. Then, put everything back to Auto, then rebooted router. Last step made it work… I'm to give it a few days but 6600 is working remotely. I think the tuner software started the problem but time will tell! Thank you to all that gave there input! 73, Steven