Rumors of new firmware...

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W8UAB
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Rumors of new firmware...

Postby W8UAB » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:06 pm

I have posted previous issues that lead me to suspect firmware as the culprit.

Is there a projection for an update to the current 1.3?
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby w-u-2-o » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:51 pm

Please remind us of what those issues were. Did other people report them as well?

Thanks,

Scott
KC3ELE
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby KC3ELE » Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:15 pm

I have a 100-B which has the "High SWR" issue that was introduced in 3.3.14 and not corrected in 3.3.15.

Steve
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby w-u-2-o » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:59 pm

Unread postby KC3ELE » Sun Apr 09, 2017 4:15 pm
I have a 100-B which has the "High SWR" issue that was introduced in 3.3.14 and not corrected in 3.3.15.

That would be a PowerSDR problem, then, not a firmware issue.

73,

Scott
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby W8UAB » Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:15 pm

ANAN 100B
Serial# 100B1034
Firmware 1.3
PowerSDR OpenHPSDR PS v3.3.9-v3.3.14
(ALEX set to MANUAL (Firmware)


Symptom: Drastically reduced RX sensitivity (Panadapter display sensitivity/gain is drastically reduced as well)

Occurrence: When switching bands

Pattern: I can reproduce the symptom on a repeated albeit irregular basis by switching between bands with ATT values that do not match (ie 80m w/20dB ATT to 40m w/10dB ATT)

Temporary fix: To resolve the issue and restore RX sensitivity and Panadapter gain I can do any one of the following:

1) Change attenuation setting
2) Switch Bands
3) Select a different ANT in SETTINGS>GENERAL>ANT/FILTERS>ANTENNA>RECEIVE
4) From any MODE (LSB/USB/AM etc) select FM mode
5) Enable/Disable HPF BYPASS for the currently selected band in SETTINGS>GENERAL>ANT/FILTERS>HPF/LPF
6) Actuate TUNE function
7) Enter TX MODE by engaging MOX/PTT
8) Enable/Disable ALEX
9) Enable/Disable RX2
10) Enable/Disable VAC
11) Select BYPASS/55MHz HPF in SETTINGS>GENERAL>ANT/FILTERS>HPF/LPF
12) Select alternate SAMPLE RATE in SETTINGS>AUDIO>PRIMARY
13) Select then deselect EXT2 or EXT1 for the current band in SETTINGS>GENERAL>ANT/FILTERS>ANTENNA>RECEIVE
14) Cycling POWER on/off

Interesting observation: Once one of the above actions have been executed to restore RX sensitivity, cycling through any combination or sequence of the actions listed in #1 thru #14 will not cause the problem to return.

NOTE: The issue does not seem to occur when ALEX is set to AUTO.
NOTE: The issue does not seem to occur when switching between bands using the same ATT value.
NOTE: The issue occurs regardless of antenna/band preset combinations.
NOTE: When switching between 80m/60m with DIFFERENT ATT settings the issue does not occur.
NOTE: As expected, when functioning properly, two distinct, simultaneous clicks (relays) can be heard when switching between bands when ATT is engaged with unequal values. When the RX fails, only a single click sounds, audibly indicating one relay (function) has failed.
Last edited by W8UAB on Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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w-u-2-o
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby w-u-2-o » Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:03 am

I remember you reporting this issue previously. However nobody else is reporting this issue (yet). It is possible that it is a hardware issue with your radio. Have you tried reloading the firmware?

73,

Scott
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W8UAB
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby W8UAB » Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:52 am

I suspect the issue is well hidden as the software defaults with ALEX in AUTO. When in AUTO the problem never occurs.

I have not reloaded the firmware. Is this a common approach or is it a Hail Mary?
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby w-u-2-o » Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:15 am

It's a last resort, certainly, but, sadly, not as much of a hail Mary as you might think.

It would be really good if someone else could duplicate this behavior on their 100B.

Dumb question: what it the motivation for running with ALEX off?

Thanks,

Scott
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby W8UAB » Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:29 pm

Ha! Not a dumb question at all! It's a very nice way of finding out what the heck am I thinking?

When ALEX is implemented you can not monitor 6m on the second receiver without an extreme drop in first receiver sensitivity when it is tuned to any band below 6m.

I posted this request on the Yahoo Group:
With ALEX in AUTO, when RX2 is tuned to 50.000.001 or higher (RX2 does not need to be ON, just tuned to 50.000.001 or above) RX1 gain drops by 10dB to 15dB (not a scientific measurement).
Could someone with a 10E or 100B please confirm that this behavior is consistent with mine?

And got this reply:
I have a 100-B and performed the RX2 test and mine does the exact same thing when I tune to 50.001. The relay clicks and the RX1 gain drops substantially.
Steve, KC3ELE

Scott, this is not related to my search for a solution to the erratic behavior of band switching with ALEX in the FIRMWARE (off) position but was discovered when doing the extensive troubleshooting before presenting my problem to the forum.
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Re: Rumors of new firmware...

Postby w-u-2-o » Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:44 pm

Ok, I understand. I do the same thing when using RX2 in a way that conflicts with Alex filter assignments.

It could be either a software or firmware issue. The source of the problem could be identified by doing a Wireshark trace showing what the software is telling the firmware when the various changes are made.

73,

Scott

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