ATU PIC not programmed

[Maurizio Brameri]

Hi,

after trying to upgrade ATU with VE7VXO code, using mikroBootloader with PIC16 setting and the linear USB connection to PC, I have now the ATU that is no more recognized by firmware of linear amplifier.

Is there any way to program again the ATU?

Best 73s,

Maurizio I2NOY

[Geert Jan PE1HZG]

You need a Microchip programmer - PICkit3 or 4 or 5. Do you have one or can you loan one? The header to connect the PICkit programmer is on the ATU so it is a matter of "plugging it" but you do need one

[Geert Jan PE1HZG]

Let me follow-up on this thread to document some experiences.

First, I've been in contact with Maurizio and he was able to restore the programming of the PIC on the ATU using a PICkit programmer. Some ATU's have been shipped without being programmed; I've had questions a few times from some HR500 builders and that is how other cases were solved. My tuner had the same issue and for me the PICkit programmer solved it.

Second, with the introduction of Joe's v7.02 version of the firmware (https://github.com/ve7vxo/ve7vxo-HR-500-v7.02-custom-firmware ) there also is new firmware for the tuner. This was for me the first time to use the tuner firmware update procedure as per page 34 (onwards) of the HR500 manual and the first time for me to try it.
It worked, but there are a few comments:

• You need to go through the manual and push "select" a few times until the display says the option is active
• The serial communication speed is 19200, even if the "USB baudrate" was set differently
• The HR500 firmware does not exit from the ATU firmware update option. You need to establish a connection using the mikro bootloader (it will say "connected" in step 2), you select the firmware image and "start uploader". The mikro bootloader will tell if the upload and programming is finished; I have found no way to exit the ATU firmware update other than power-cycling the HR500
• The mikro uploader has a "show activity" button. I found that useful to see "what happens" during the connection and programming phase.

If you haven't tried Joe's improvements, you should. I found the improvements quite impressive.

73, Geert Jan PE1HZG