Since 3.9.18 firmware for 6600M radio freeze/reboot/lock-out doing 2BSIQ

David Jaffe

Ever since updating to 3.9.18, I have been having a recurring problem, as described below. Note that before this, I was running not on the previous firmware version, but the one before that (sorry, I can't see the firmware versions for the reason you're about to hear about).

I am operating a 6600M remotely, using a Maestro and SmartLink, doing 2BSIQ. I am running N1MM remotely (not at radio site) and generating CW from N1MM. I am using a RemoteRig for audio and manual keying (though I usually don't use the paddle.) I have been doing this for several years. In the last 6 months or so, it was very solid. But ever since the 3.9.18 upgrade, it has been basically unusable. Here's what happens:
I operate with two keyboards and CQ on alternating bands, interleaving QSOs. I am fairly careful to hit ESC before switching, if the other TX is not done. (I can't 100% swear that I don't sometimes type on the other keyboard while TX is still in progress, but this used to interrupt fine and work properly.)

I start the CWT and within a few minutes, the following happens:
The transmission stops and N1MM gets stuck thinking it's sending a message (box remains bordered by red). The Maestro screen goes blank (panadapters disappear). A few seconds later, "Select Radio" comes up and it shows me as still connected and the radio as "in Use". Precisely, it says "In Use (multiFLEX disabled WD6T)". (A similar message appears if I don't disable multiFLEX). If I then try to connect to the radio, I am unable to do so. I can select "Disconnect …" and then it shows the radio. I click on it, and then "Disconnect Station". Nothing happens. I am stuck in this state until I reboot the radio.
I also tried logging into a computer at the radio site and launching SSDR from there. It too is not able to disconnect the radio. So it is clearly the radio that is in a bad state.

Again, this is a NEW problem and I'm about 80% sure that it's a bug in the latest firmware because nothing else has changed.

I've heard it is not advisable to back-rev the firmware, so I can't try that.
If you have experienced a similar problem, please let me know.

Flex, if you are listening, I would be happy to provide more diagnostics if you can tell me how to do so. Perhaps there is some log on the radio itself that could provide a clue?
I can be reached via the email on QRZ.COM

73
Dave
WD6T

KD0RC

Hi Dave, I would submit a help desk ticket.

David Jaffe

Done. By the way, the previous firmware version that worked fine was 3.8.21.

LZ2BE

David, check if multiflex is turned On. Mine was Off after upgrade.

73 Boyan

Sergey KN7K

Mine stopped freezes/lockups as soon as I removed TGXL latest SW and went to a previous version.

Sergey, KN7K

Russ Ravella

Yup, there's definitely a problem with the new TGXL integration feature causing lockups, freezes and crashes. It's greatly exacerbated by operating in MultiFlex mode but can happen in normal mode too.

The problem is essentially eliminated by reverting back to TGXL v1.2.11 as you indicate.

I communicated this through a helpdesk ticket several weeks ago (still waiting to hear back from Tim) and directly to Eric here as well. I've also submitted a ticket to 4O3A who says they're sure the problem is on the Flex side of the interface.

I just discovered another odd aspect of this: running TGXL v1.2.17 causes SliceMaster to fail to start properly. It gets into an infinite loop trying to connect to the radio. Revert to v1.2.11 and it works perfectly. Surely there's a clue in that ?

I sure hope they can figure out what's going on and fix it!

GL Russ KR6W