Updating HOST and DSP version on Astro

[zoulas]

Hello, I know that one can send it in to /\/\ but is there a way the end user can do this themselves? I know it may be a bad analogy but I picture the procedure like updating the firmware on your home router.

Any thoughts, thanks

Aristotle, W2ZOU

[escomm]

Yes an end user can do it themselves. An order for a refresh key will need to be placed with Motorola. You get a flash key and a CD with the CVN file on it, the upgrade is very simple and straightforward and of course you'll need the latest CPS in order to flash since Motorola will only send the latest firmware file and that will be mated to the latest CPS

[akardam]

Add a dash of SRIB, and you're good to go.

[RKG]

Also add a fair measure of patience.

The software will warn you that it takes 6 minutes to flash a portable and 20 minutes to flash a mobile. My experience is that it takes longer, particularly with the mobile. Worse, the program appears to hang (on Step 14, as I recall) for what seems an eternity, tempting one to abort with unknown consequences.

Go out for a smoke and walk around the block and, hopefully, when you come back the flash will be finished.

[akardam]

The software also warns you that it could take 30+ minutes if it has to load the firmware to the SRIB (e.g. the particular SRIB you're using wasn't previously used with the same CVN you're using).

[wavetar]

Yes, 14 is the SRIB loading step, and then 16/17 for the actual radio loading step. The first unit takes the longest, but once the SRIB is loaded the rest go much quicker with only step 16/17 taking a while. The time needed also depends on whether you're doing a simple firmware lift, or a true flashport upgrade & adding features...they take longer.

Of course, the newer Astro 25 models don't use the SRIB and are therefore faster as well.

[RKG]

. . . .Of course, the newer Astro 25 models don't use the SRIB and are therefore faster as well.

"Faster" is relative.

[escomm]

Especially when using a serial cable, the newer Astro25 CVNs are 4-6 times larger than the Astro CVNs.

[wavetar]

Especially when using a serial cable, the newer Astro25 CVNs are 4-6 times larger than the Astro CVNs.

Yes, but even with the serial cable they run at the maximum serial rate of 115,200kbs, whereas the SRIB limits it to 9600. Average times I've experienced for an Astro 25 refresh has been 6 minutes for serial cables, 3 minutes for USB.

[escomm]

Especially when using a serial cable, the newer Astro25 CVNs are 4-6 times larger than the Astro CVNs.

Yes, but even with the serial cable they run at the maximum serial rate of 115,200kbs, whereas the SRIB limits it to 9600. Average times I've experienced for an Astro 25 refresh has been 6 minutes for serial cables, 3 minutes for USB.

That might be the potential port speed but it's not the speed that radio gets written at. Watch the flashzap screen when upgrading and you'll see an actual transfer rate of about 2 kilobytes per second when host/DSP are being written.

[mancow]

9k usually

[dsheli]

Hey guys would a refresh key from the astro 25 line work for the astro spectra?
David

[n7maq]

Hey guys would a refresh key from the astro 25 line work for the astro spectra?
David

Yes for a refresh key.