Gateware update struggles

[JK1QLQ]

I'll try to not write a novel of my efforts.

BLUF: No matter what computer, W10/11/RSPi, SPARKSDR/Quisk, .rbf version, over network LAN/direct LAN, or even HL2, I just cannot seem to change gateware; even when programming shows successful-complete.

Goal: Update 1 of my 2 HL2 to CICRX gateware for skimming.

Observation: Download hl2b5up_cicrx.rbf file from GITHUB (have tried 3 versions), run SPARKSDR (orQuisk), choose upload new firmware/program from RBF file, select .rbf file, click program.  Watch erase, program %, complete.  Hard reset power to HL2, open SPARKSDR, check version....remains unchanged.

I have tried uncounted variations of the above, without success.  I feel like I'm missing one stupid "ah, no kidding doofus" step.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

JK1QLQ

[Ed Grafton]

Don't you need to short the Key plug or something? Check into that.

Ed

[JK1QLQ]

Thanks for the idea.

I felt that was more of a "nuclear option", but seeing nothing else is working just executed the Force Factory Image Reboot as outlined in the Wiki.  Result: both HL2's showed no change after performing this.  It was clear that some form of reset occured as IP & MAC settings defaulted; but, Firmware Version & Patch remained unchanged.  Trying an upload of new firmware after this 'reset' caused the exact same result; no change.

FYI I have 1 HL2 from Jan23; v73p2 BoardID 5, and brand new (arrived 2 days ago); v74p2 BoardID 5.

I find it extremely queer that two HL2's, clearly from two different batches over the last two years, are exhibiting the exact same failure.

Scott

[Alan Hopper]

Hi Scott,

do you by any chance have both radios connected at the same time with the same mac address, if so that can cause all sorts of weird things to happen.  

73 Alan M0NNB

[JK1QLQ]

Excellent question; however, sadly not the problem.  I've tried via 1 networked LAN connection and the other direct-connect LAN, as well as, both networked LAN with different MAC addresses programmed thru SPARKSDR.  Thanks

Scott

[Alan Hopper]

Hi,

there may be a clue in the spark errorlogs (location in the help).  I can't remember if you need to turn extended logging on in the general settings for logging of this(I don't think so but if you don't see anything try it). What version of spark are you using? There were some betas that did not progam firmware, the ones on the download page are all fine.

73 Alan M0NNB

[JK1QLQ]

Alan,  I did find the logs (user\AppData\Roaming\m0nnb\SparkSDR2\errorlogs) in one of my Windows boxes.  I tried another programming to get fresh logs, but sadly didn't see anything unusual.  

Typical "Sending Discovery...Received Discovery".

Here is the programming portion of the log:

8/17/2024 7:32:18 PM v2.0.975.0
Programing C:\Users\RTT\Documents\Hermes Lite 2 Gateware\hl2b5up_cicrx.rbf
8/17/2024 7:32:22 PM v2.0.975.0
Programming 174402 bytes 682 blocks
8/17/2024 7:32:23 PM v2.0.975.0
Programming Complete

As you can see, the SparkSDR verision is 2.0.975 (Avalonia v11.0.5.0).

Should I be seeing log data showing the HL2 firmware loading in the logs when connecting?  If so, I am not.

Thanks

Scott

[Alan Hopper]

Hi Scott,

well that looks like as far as the software is concerned it all worked perfectly, the data is sent in packets and each is acknowledged. So something else odd is happening. I wonder if something is wrong with the way you are downloading the rbf file, I just tried and it is 364kb which is bigger than the log reports for your file.

73 Alan M0NNB

[JK1QLQ]

Alan,

This was an area where I was thinking there may be something amiss.  The programming from the above log was a slightly older version (73p2 cicrx variant) I tried in hopes that it may work.  I just tried the most current stable variant (without change):

https://github.com/softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2/blob/master/gateware/bitfiles/stable/20231230_74p2_883a338/variants/hl2b5up_cicrx/hl2b5up_cicrx.rbf

And the log shows:

Programing C:\Users\RTT\Documents\Hermes Lite 2 Gateware\hl2b5up_cicrx.rbf

8/17/2024 8:30:12 PM v2.0.975.0
Programming 309330 bytes 1209 blocks
8/17/2024 8:30:13 PM v2.0.975.0
Programming Complete

I'm interested the location you pulled a 364KB version.

Thanks

Scott

[Alan Hopper]

Hi Scott,

I went to  Hermes-Lite2/gateware/bitfiles/stable/20231230_74p2_883a338/variants/hl2b5up_cicrx/hl2b5up_cicrx.rbf at master · softerhardware/Hermes-Lite2 · GitHub and clicked the 'download raw file' icon.

73 Alan M0NNB

[JK1QLQ]

You sir, are hero of the day!

My ignorance of how GITHUB works was my downfall.  I was saving the file directly instead of downloading RAW.

I now have a HL2 74p2 with 10 receivers.

Many thanks for your time

Scott

On Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 8:40:26 PM UTC+9 Alan Hopper wrote:

Hi Scott,

[Paul Mcl]

Scott not Steve - sorry my typo!

On Sat, 17 Aug 2024 at 11:39, Paul Mcl <paul...@gmail.com> wrote:

Steve,

Not sure if this will help but happy to share as I also received a new HL2 this week.  It is my first HL2 so it was not possible to compare with previous experience.   My PC for install is Windows 10, the windows firewalls are all turned off to allow easy comms over the LAN, no AV installed except Windows Defender.  Both PC and HL2 are plugged into the same unmanaged gigabit LAN switch, PC is on a fixed IP and HL2 was getting a DHCP address from my router.

Plan is to use the HL2 with Skim Server to complement my Red Pitaya at MM0ZBH.  No plans for transmit so I would be loading the cicrx.rbf variant.  I am thinking this is a similar plan to you wishing to use the cicrx rbf.

In advance I read all the obvious information and SparkSDR seemed the easiest solution, just rename the rbf file to "hl2b5up_main.rbf" and do the upgrade. I downloaded SparkSDR version 2.0.33 which is the latest I could see and installed ok.  I downloaded the cicrx rbf from gateware/bitfiles/stable/20231230_74p2_883a338/variants/hl2b5up_cicrx.  I renamed the rbf file making sure it kept the rbf file extension.

I powered up the HL2 and started SparkSDR, it located the HL2 ok, reported the versions, board etc and 4 receivers so I right clicked to complete the upgrade, pointed it to the rbf file then clicked on the Program button, it showed "Erasing" for a minute then "Programming Failed".   I repeated this a few times with no change and started to look into answers online as it appears to be a simple activity with little option to make any mistakes.  I tried different versions of SparkSDR, different versions of the rbf file and also a fixed ip on the HL2 but everytime "Programming Failed" error.

Next I tried QUISK using the instructions in the Windows Installation section here: https://james.ahlstrom.name/quisk/docs.html#Installation   I followed the instructions exactly as I didn't have Python installed on my PC.  I started Quisk and upgraded the HL2 using the cicrx rbf file I had already names "hl2b5up_main.rbf".  The upgrade completed and I restarted the HL2 by removing the power cable.   I then closed Quisk and used SparkSDR to confirm the radio was running 10 receivers.

I then downloaded the KV4TT variant of the Skim Server dll from here HermesIntf.dll into the Skim Server which is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Afreet\SkimSrv" as this one is the updated version that works.   

Skim Server started ok, the HL2 lights changed to a single led rather than flashing across all four and the Skim Server started decoding the received signals.

Not sure if that helps, I am thinking you could try a different PC if possible or make sure AV, firewall etc are all off in case they are interfering   If this doesn't help apologies but hopefully my findings may help someone else with a similar issue in the future.

Regards

Paul MM0ZBH

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[Paul Mcl]

Steve,

Not sure if this will help but happy to share as I also received a new HL2 this week.  It is my first HL2 so it was not possible to compare with previous experience.   My PC for install is Windows 10, the windows firewalls are all turned off to allow easy comms over the LAN, no AV installed except Windows Defender.  Both PC and HL2 are plugged into the same unmanaged gigabit LAN switch, PC is on a fixed IP and HL2 was getting a DHCP address from my router.

Plan is to use the HL2 with Skim Server to complement my Red Pitaya at MM0ZBH.  No plans for transmit so I would be loading the cicrx.rbf variant.  I am thinking this is a similar plan to you wishing to use the cicrx rbf.

In advance I read all the obvious information and SparkSDR seemed the easiest solution, just rename the rbf file to "hl2b5up_main.rbf" and do the upgrade. I downloaded SparkSDR version 2.0.33 which is the latest I could see and installed ok.  I downloaded the cicrx rbf from gateware/bitfiles/stable/20231230_74p2_883a338/variants/hl2b5up_cicrx.  I renamed the rbf file making sure it kept the rbf file extension.

I powered up the HL2 and started SparkSDR, it located the HL2 ok, reported the versions, board etc and 4 receivers so I right clicked to complete the upgrade, pointed it to the rbf file then clicked on the Program button, it showed "Erasing" for a minute then "Programming Failed".   I repeated this a few times with no change and started to look into answers online as it appears to be a simple activity with little option to make any mistakes.  I tried different versions of SparkSDR, different versions of the rbf file and also a fixed ip on the HL2 but everytime "Programming Failed" error.

Next I tried QUISK using the instructions in the Windows Installation section here: https://james.ahlstrom.name/quisk/docs.html#Installation   I followed the instructions exactly as I didn't have Python installed on my PC.  I started Quisk and upgraded the HL2 using the cicrx rbf file I had already names "hl2b5up_main.rbf".  The upgrade completed and I restarted the HL2 by removing the power cable.   I then closed Quisk and used SparkSDR to confirm the radio was running 10 receivers.

I then downloaded the KV4TT variant of the Skim Server dll from here HermesIntf.dll into the Skim Server which is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Afreet\SkimSrv" as this one is the updated version that works.   

Skim Server started ok, the HL2 lights changed to a single led rather than flashing across all four and the Skim Server started decoding the received signals.

Not sure if that helps, I am thinking you could try a different PC if possible or make sure AV, firewall etc are all off in case they are interfering   If this doesn't help apologies but hopefully my findings may help someone else with a similar issue in the future.

Regards

Paul MM0ZBH

On Sat, 17 Aug 2024 at 10:51, 'Alan Hopper' via Hermes-Lite <herme...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

--

[JK1QLQ]

Paul,

         No worries.  Thanks for the comprehensive reply.  My problem was as I suspected; me simply being a dummkopf.  I was not downloading the .rbf files as RAW from GITHUB.

I noted similar program results with SPARKSDR to you, however, found if I included the full file path (not just the file name visible in the UPLOAD GATEWARE window) it worked every time.

Cheers

Scott

JK1QLQ