Warning for 7000DLE MKII owners

[w-u-2-o]

Introduction

As of the date of this post there have been at least two unfortunate "bricking" incidents when programming new firmware onto 7000DLE MKII units. Bricking is a slang term for a situation where both the normal and Bootloader FPGA images in non-volatile memory are corrupt and none of the normal programming tools (HPSDR Programmer or Bootloader) will work. The only way to reprogram a bricked unit is to open it up and use a JTAG programming pod (aka "USB blaster") with special software to reload the Bootloader image.

This post will explain the problem and how to avoid it.

Background

All electronic designs suffer from the problem of obsolescent parts. The Orion MKII SDR board in the 7K and 8K series radios is no different. When a part goes obsolete and is no longer available there is usually a simple answer in the form of a newer replacement part. Such is the case for the Orion MKII board when the original EPCS128A memory IC went obsolete. The board was revised with an almost identical EPCQ128A memory IC and these later revision boards are the ones used in the 7000DLE MKII units. In order for the unit to work properly with both kinds of memory ICs there is a jumper, J14, that must be correctly configured. For the older EPCS128A no jumper should be placed. For the newer EPCQ128A a jumper shoud be in position.

The Problem

If the jumper is incorrectly configured and an attempt to reprogram the unit with either HPSDR Bootloader or HPSDR Programmer is made, the contents of the memory will be corrupted and the normal programming tools will no longer work.

In this case the specific issue is that at least two 7000DLE MKII units were shipped from the factory with J14 missing when it should have been installed. The owners of those radios tried to upgrade firmware and were left with bricked units. Both were able to recover them using a JTAG programming pod but this is probably something best avoided for most people!

What you can do to avoid this situation

If you are worried that your unit may be missing its jumper you can remove the bottom cover of the chassis and look at the Orion MKII SDR board to confirm that the memory IC part number and J14 configuration is correct. J14 should be jumpered if the memory is an EPCQ128A. Below are two photos that show the location of the memory IC and of J14 (the blue jumper next to U15, it may not be blue in your unit).

OrionMKII_EPCQ128A.jpg (1.3 MiB) Viewed 14151 times

OrionMKII jumper.jpg (1.59 MiB) Viewed 14151 times

[w3ub]

Can we assume that if we have previously updated FW on our 7000 that the jumper is correct, or should everyone check it?
Is there a procedure somewhere for removing the covers?
Thanks (from a new user)
Doug

[w-u-2-o]

Doug,

If you have already successfully updated firmware then there is nothing to worry about.

I'm not aware of a procedure to take the bottom off. I have an 8000 here so I'm no help on that part of it

73,

Scott

[Tom-KJ4WQ]

Thanks, Doug, for the most helpful pictures of the chip and the jumper location.

Having just received a 7000DLE MKII, I was very relieved to read about the resolution to the trouble Gordon N1MGO had trying to flash his unit. I had followed his well-reported saga with great interest and some concern.

I found that my radio, S/N 117, delivered 30 April, has the EPCQ128A chip but lacked the jumper on J-14. Fortunately, I hadn't tried to install any updates.

If you have a 2.5 mm hex driver bit (and a Phillips for the four feet), the bottom plate is very quickly removed. The Orion board is very accessible.

73,
Tom

[w3ub]

We can thank Scott!

And I just noticed this is only for the MKII, I have the original 7000DLE.

Doug

[w-u-2-o]

And I just heard about another user who received their 7000DLE MKII apparently pre-bricked, and with the jumper missing.

[Gary_Sitton]

Doug,
I haven't attempted a P2 firmware update ,nor have I looked to see if J14 has a jumper, nor have I looked to see if it is needed because of the reported possible EPROM memory change. I will open up my 7000DLE Mk-II this weekend and see what needs to be done. I assume that if the jumper is necessary, then putting it in will only effect future P2 firmware updates and nothing else. I am waiting on using the P2 compatible PSDR software for other reasons for the time being, but will eventually definitely want to go the P2 route.
Thanks, Gary

[w-u-2-o]

Gary,

The J14 jumper must be installed if you have the newer memory IC. This is true for any firmware you choose to load, P1 or P2, in any order, with any of the three firmware loading app's.

73,

Scott

[ramdor]

Just received a new 7000dleMKII from ML&S in the UK today (no embedded i5/i7), looks to be serial #19. Arrived with firmware 2.4. The jumper was missing, but I only found out after hours of head scratching after a failed 2.7 update using programmer. Found this thread, checked chip ident and added the jumper that was missing. So added a jumper and used bootloader. Managed to get it back to life with 2.7... shhheeesh, what a nightmare first day. Hopefully things will improve

Totally amazed there was absolutely no paperwork in the box, not even a sheet of paper saying 'go to this quick start up guide' or anything, or even slip of paper with a reference to this thread.... bit of an eye opener to be honest considering this issue has been known about for a while. Just the radio and a clear bag with powercable + fuse. Oh and a free magazine offer card and an invoice !

73 Richie - MW0LGE

[Tony EI7BMB]

I'm surprised MLS were not aware of this

[ramdor]

I'm surprised MLS were not aware of this

Have just spoken to them and they were very grateful for the feedback. I think this is very rare, but something does need to happen in the way of informing new owners with regards to very important info. This jumper problem being one, and the attenuation critical update requiring at least firmware v2.6.

Anyway, clogging the thread. All working great, fantastic bit of kit/software

[Tony EI7BMB]

Hope it goes well Richie , hoping to get one myself if I can sell my current Anan 100.
73

[Tony EI7BMB]

Just got my 7000 MK11 but in my excitement forgot about this thread . I was able to re write the IP address using bootloader without a problem is it safe to assume that i can safely update firmware too ?

[w-u-2-o]

No, I would check the jumper and the IC part number as described above before writing any firmware.

[Tony EI7BMB]

Thanks Scott, will do

[Tony EI7BMB]

Just checked mine and jumper is in place . Found a piece of plastic cable tie lying on the board too

[FM5GB]

Friday afternoon job or poor workmanship...

73s Phil

[PaulManc]

Great post tnx. Im new here and reading to get familiar......warts n' all.

Ordered today the 7000DLE MKII Black edition, I wonder if this should be checked on arrival, I guess so ?

[w-u-2-o]

Wouldn't hurt. Cheap insurance and all that sort of thing.

[PaulManc]

Wouldn't hurt. Cheap insurance and all that sort of thing.

Thanks.

So, the radio arrived with v2.7 loaded so PowerSDR mRX PS is working fine. On this black edition it has six CSK screws holding the brushed aluminium base cover in place, would it be best to remove the rear/front cover plate or both in order to check the board?

Would my warranty be void if I went inside this radio if only to confirm the "jumper". Wondering if I provided Apache Labs with the serial if they could confirm.

Im feeling the pressure

[K1LSB]

I have the black model too, it arrived in February. I just fired it up and "put the hammer down". Been running fine ever since so I assume the factory has the jumper issue sorted.

One thing I did do was tighten all of the chassis screws and all of the nuts on the rear panel connectors. They were all quite loose (some weren't even finger tight!).

[PaulManc]

I have the black model too, it arrived in February. I just fired it up and "put the hammer down". Been running fine ever since so I assume the factory has the jumper issue sorted.

Not exactly sure of your response. I presume it came with P1 and you just went ahead and installed P2 without checking. If so, which method did you use was it Programmer V2 nopcap or Bootloader.

One thing I did do was tighten all of the chassis screws and all of the nuts on the rear panel connectors. They were all quite loose (some weren't even finger tight!).

I have not found anything loose or anything wrong with this radio, everything is marked up including the BL switch underneath. I am very impressed with the overall quality its excellent.

TIA

[K1LSB]

Paul,

Sorry for my lack of clarity, You are correct, it came with P1 and I just took the chance and installed P2 without checking anything.

I can't recall which method I used to flash P2. My BL switch was not marked.