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8600 does not work with V4 (interlock, grey TUNE/MOX)

ED8M
ED8M Member ✭✭
in FLEX-8000 Signature Series

Hi,

If upgrading from 3.9.19 to ANY V4 the 8600 immidiatelt shows the INTERLOCK error and the TUNE and MOX buttons remain grey. Resetting the redio did not help. It only works on the pre V4 versions. NB. The other Flex - 6600 does not have that problem running the V4.

Thank you.

Comments

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭
    F.jpeg
  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭
    WhatsApp Image 2025-12-28 at 22.14.26.jpeg
  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    Flex 8600: only transmit under the V4 versions of the firmware. Namely, the buttons Tune and Mox are grey under the V4 (like the current one 4.1.5) as well as there appears the "Interlock" issue warning. Downgrading back to 3.9.19 does cure the issue. My other Flex 6600 works fine with the 4.1.5 ! HELP please

  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Did you read the release notes?

    Do you have a backup of your profiles from before upgrade?

    Perform the upgrade. Shut down the radio and remove DC for two minutes, then when powering up, hold the power button until it turns white, then release. This performs a factory reset.

    Test transmit with just the factory reset. Use the same client you use with the working radio. If it is working, import your profiles from the previous version but uncheck Preferences. Test again.

    If you continue to have problems, oper a Help Desk ticket

    https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/

    73 Dave wo2x

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    Hi Dave,

    No, it did not help: Tune and Mox are grey, and when attempting to click on the ATU on 8600 the interlock message comes up.

    I have opened a support ticket.

    73 !

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    PS.

    Tried to run the 8600 on a different PC where thee 6600 is connected (the 6600 works fine with any V4) - same result - grey TUNE / MOX…

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    Tried the 88600 on the 3rd independent PC - same story - Tune and Mox are gret. PTT inhibuit etc are OFF.

    20251229_151913.jpg 20251229_154010.jpg 20251229_154014.jpg 20251229_154106.jpg
  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited December 29

    Hi ED8M, they are not greyed out, they are just not active. Click one and you should see the radio go into transmit.

    Sorry, I just saw the Not Ready indicator. Hopefully Flex support will be able to help.

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    Equipment: 8600+PGXL 1+AG 1 ; 6600+PGXL 2 + AG 2; via a Gigabit HUB. Each Flex transceiver is connnected to each own powerful i7 laptop.

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭
    image.png
  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    I wonder what happens if you temporarily remove the PGXL and Antenna Genius from the network. Could one of them be keeping the radio in a Not Ready state?

    On another topic - I would remove the ferrite beads from your ground wires. With them on there, they provide a DC ground, but not an RF ground which is their intended purpose.

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    Hi Len,

    I have removed the 6600 + PGXL 2 and AG 2 from the network - no change. I will now remove all except the 8600, leaving just the DC lead and the LAN.

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭
    edited December 29

    No, it did not help :—(

    image.png

    Still, every time I come back to the V 3.9.19 on the 8600, everything works fine ! I have copied this thread to the Flex support. I do hope they can help.

    Chat GPT has now also given up: it said open a ticket (done!) :-)

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Sorry it wasn't something easy. Hopefully Flex Support will find the issue.

  • aa1ffradio
    aa1ffradio Member ✭✭

    Is it possibly something with "default " profile I see loaded is bad. Is it possible GNSS is not locked and no frequency reference???

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    "Is it possibly something with "default " profile I see loaded is bad. Is it possible GNSS is not locked and no frequency reference???"

    ****** I connected the GNSS antenna yesterday and moved the head away from the shack - and the magic did happen - MOX and TUNE came live ******

    But the setting has always been set for the TXCO and "locked".

    I will try to switch on today and see how it goes.

    A handy man is coming today to drill a hole in the wall so I could route the GNSS cable out.

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭
    edited 10:51AM

    NB: The 8600 came with the GNSS module installed; it has caused the issues before by making the 8600 frequncy drit (I never connected the GNSS antenna to 8600 before).

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    Switched the 8600 line on today - it is WORKING.

    So, the culptit was the GNSS module/setting/feature that was "thinking" that I am in the wrong region of something.

    I hope this thread helps others when this issue arises.

    73 and HNY !

    EA8BW

  • aa1ffradio
    aa1ffradio Member ✭✭

    Glad I could be of assistance . . . 73

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    Can you make sure you open a support ticket regarding this please. We would like to track it.

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭
    edited 4:33PM

    Hi Mike.

    I did open a ticket 2 days ago, it is still pending the response from Flex. I have copied everything there, too: https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/requests/77685?page=1

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    PS

    My region has changed from EUR 03 to NOR….Does it matter ?

    That said, I have today paid for the SDR+ but it did not update:

    https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/comment/20624166

  • ED8M
    ED8M Member ✭✭

    The 2nd issue has been sorted, too: the 8600 was NOT directly connected to the internet. Having connected it the update has been done in 1 click.

    Apparently, I have been running my Flexes solelt on the local network only all these years.

    73 !

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