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Firmware Update Process... Not So Fast, but finally SUCCESS

 

So, I started the firmware update process.? I downloaded the Update Utility file "LAB599 updatefirmware 1.0.0(x64)" and the "mtrx1.05.00" file to my Windows 10 laptop.

When I executed the file, I got a "Windows protected your PC" warning me about unknown software, which is scary in today's computer environment.? I 'crossed my fingers' and went ahead and allowed the software to run.

The TX-500 manual instructions say "select the com port to which the TX-500 transceiver is connected."? The update firmware 1.0 window only has COM3 available and there is no way to change it.? And this is before plugging in the USB CAT cable from the TX-500.? I have 2 USB ports and 2 USB-C ports on the laptop.

After connecting the USB CAT cable to the laptop and TX-500, there was still only the COM3 port available.? I selected the Open button, then selected the "mtrx1.05.00" file in my laptop's download folder.? Then turned on the TX-500 as instructed and got the "loader is waiting..." message on the display.? Then selected "UPDATE!"

After about 10 seconds I get "ERROR:3 Device does not respond!"? I restarted the laptop and shutdown all other programs and tried again...same story.

Wondering if maybe something was wrong with the USB CAT cable, I tried the Update without the cable connected and got the same Error message.? This tells me that the cable is bad or there is an internal radio problem.

So, I disassembled the USB CAT cable GX12 connector and found the wires tightly twisted together right where the wires were soldered to the connector pins.? I carefully untwisted the wires and made sure there were no shorts, then carefully inserted the black connector piece into the TX-500.? Started the update process again and found that there was now a COM7 option, which worked!

I now have the latest 1.05.00 installed.

This whole process took more time than I ever anticipated.? I am just glad that there was nothing wrong inside the radio.

73,
Henry - K4TMC
Eric Adams
 

Next time, try restarting the software after the usb cable is plugged in. It¡¯s likely that the software only scanned for serial ports once and didn¡¯t auto update the list when you plugged it in.

On Fri, Feb 5, 2021 at 11:38 AM Henry Pollock - K4TMC <kilo4tmc@...> wrote:
So, I started the firmware update process.? I downloaded the Update Utility file "LAB599 updatefirmware 1.0.0(x64)" and the "mtrx1.05.00" file to my Windows 10 laptop.

When I executed the file, I got a "Windows protected your PC" warning me about unknown software, which is scary in today's computer environment.? I 'crossed my fingers' and went ahead and allowed the software to run.

The TX-500 manual instructions say "select the com port to which the TX-500 transceiver is connected."? The update firmware 1.0 window only has COM3 available and there is no way to change it.? And this is before plugging in the USB CAT cable from the TX-500.? I have 2 USB ports and 2 USB-C ports on the laptop.

After connecting the USB CAT cable to the laptop and TX-500, there was still only the COM3 port available.? I selected the Open button, then selected the "mtrx1.05.00" file in my laptop's download folder.? Then turned on the TX-500 as instructed and got the "loader is waiting..." message on the display.? Then selected "UPDATE!"

After about 10 seconds I get "ERROR:3 Device does not respond!"? I restarted the laptop and shutdown all other programs and tried again...same story.

Wondering if maybe something was wrong with the USB CAT cable, I tried the Update without the cable connected and got the same Error message.? This tells me that the cable is bad or there is an internal radio problem.

So, I disassembled the USB CAT cable GX12 connector and found the wires tightly twisted together right where the wires were soldered to the connector pins.? I carefully untwisted the wires and made sure there were no shorts, then carefully inserted the black connector piece into the TX-500.? Started the update process again and found that there was now a COM7 option, which worked!

I now have the latest 1.05.00 installed.

This whole process took more time than I ever anticipated.? I am just glad that there was nothing wrong inside the radio.

73,
Henry - K4TMC
 

Can confirm I updated your radio when I repaired it, so it had to be a cable issue.


So, I disassembled the USB CAT cable GX12 connector and found the wires tightly twisted together right where the wires were soldered to the connector pins.? I carefully untwisted the wires and made sure there were no shorts, then carefully inserted the black connector piece into the TX-500.? Started the update process again and found that there was now a COM7 option, which worked!

I now have the latest 1.05.00 installed.

This whole process took more time than I ever anticipated.? I am just glad that there was nothing wrong inside the radio.

73,
Henry - K4TMC



--
John Byerly
mailto:mtnlion@...
 

Eric,

Thanks for the follow-up.? Yes, that may have been my problem.? However, from the looks of the GX12 connector wires, I suspected a short.? Plus, I had already found a shorted wire in the MIC/SP/PTT Adapter connector when first receiving the radio that prevented the external speaker from working through the adapter, but worked OK through the handheld Mic jack.

It would be more helpful if the TX-500 manual was more specific about the proper sequence to perform actions.? My work involves quality audits of processes at manufacturing and service suppliers for the nuclear power industry.? Correct procedures are critical to getting things done right the first time, and mitigates the opportunity for human errors.

73,
Henry - K4TMC


On Fri, Feb 5, 2021 at 12:41 PM Eric Adams <adamse@...> wrote:
Next time, try restarting the software after the usb cable is plugged in. It¡¯s likely that the software only scanned for serial ports once and didn¡¯t auto update the list when you plugged it in.

On Fri, Feb 5, 2021 at 11:38 AM Henry Pollock - K4TMC <kilo4tmc@...> wrote:
So, I started the firmware update process.? I downloaded the Update Utility file "LAB599 updatefirmware 1.0.0(x64)" and the "mtrx1.05.00" file to my Windows 10 laptop.

When I executed the file, I got a "Windows protected your PC" warning me about unknown software, which is scary in today's computer environment.? I 'crossed my fingers' and went ahead and allowed the software to run.

The TX-500 manual instructions say "select the com port to which the TX-500 transceiver is connected."? The update firmware 1.0 window only has COM3 available and there is no way to change it.? And this is before plugging in the USB CAT cable from the TX-500.? I have 2 USB ports and 2 USB-C ports on the laptop.

After connecting the USB CAT cable to the laptop and TX-500, there was still only the COM3 port available.? I selected the Open button, then selected the "mtrx1.05.00" file in my laptop's download folder.? Then turned on the TX-500 as instructed and got the "loader is waiting..." message on the display.? Then selected "UPDATE!"

After about 10 seconds I get "ERROR:3 Device does not respond!"? I restarted the laptop and shutdown all other programs and tried again...same story.

Wondering if maybe something was wrong with the USB CAT cable, I tried the Update without the cable connected and got the same Error message.? This tells me that the cable is bad or there is an internal radio problem.

So, I disassembled the USB CAT cable GX12 connector and found the wires tightly twisted together right where the wires were soldered to the connector pins.? I carefully untwisted the wires and made sure there were no shorts, then carefully inserted the black connector piece into the TX-500.? Started the update process again and found that there was now a COM7 option, which worked!

I now have the latest 1.05.00 installed.

This whole process took more time than I ever anticipated.? I am just glad that there was nothing wrong inside the radio.

73,
Henry - K4TMC
 

Thanks for the post. I had to fiddle for a while too to get it working.?
In my case the cables were just fine, the issue was a older version of the Prolific driver which only worked after several repair/remove/reinstall/reboot manoeveurs. Not sure what finally did the trick but I was able to update firmware as described.?

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