[TenTec] Be Careful Updating

[George, W5YR]

Since the Jupiter is per Ten Tec a "software defined radio" why cannot
they merely send you a diskette or CD or download a file containing
the original firmware for your Jupiter?

The exact firmware contents may differ from one set to the next due to
minor hardware component tolerances, but knowing the serial number, I
would expect that they would be able to reconstruct the same file they
placed in the firmware at manufacture so that you could download  it
and get your Jupiter back to original form. That would avoid you
having to return the set to the factory where they will, in all
likelihood, simply do the same thing.

I must be missing a point - perhaps that the firmware is considered
trade secret and not available for distribution, even to a customer?

I know that my Kachina - which I bought while Doug Smith, its
designer, was still with them, used a configuration file which was
generated in final assembly and test that contained all the numeric
data that defined varactor settings, etc unique to that particular
radio, plus the control code, etc. The fellow to whom I traded the
Kachina had to return it to the factory where they found the
configuration file was corrupted. They restored it and returned the
radio with a copy of the correct file on a floppy so that he could
take care of any recurrence of the problem.

Interesting, this interplay between the hardware and software worlds
in today's radios.

73/72, George
Amateur Radio W5YR -  the Yellow Rose of Texas
In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better!
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe
K2 #489  IC-765 #2349 IC-756 PRO  #2121 IC-756 PRO2 #3235

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Kirkley" <no4d at charter.net>
To: "Duane Grotophorst" <n9dg at yahoo.com>; <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 8:43 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Be Careful Updating


> Hey Duane,
> Thanks for the note...have tried what you suggested plus have tried
a master
> reset. I still get that same blank stare from the Jupiter. It is as
if it is
> accusing me of killing it. <g> Don't know anything else to try...
>
> Ken/NO4D
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Duane Grotophorst" <n9dg at yahoo.com>
> To: "Ken Kirkley" <no4d at charter.net>
> Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Be Careful Updating
>
>
> > Ken,
> >
> > This is a bit puzzling since the two radios use
> > different baud rate serial connections, wouldn't have
> > though it was possible to cross load firmware between
> > a 516 and a Jupiter.
> >
> > Have you confirmed that the port speed for the
> > firmware loader is set for 57600 baud for the Jupiter?
> > Another thing to try is click the OK to update and
> > then immediately turn the Jupiter on within a second
> > or less. I have found for the Peg's I have here that
> > works best to get the coms to start consistently when
> > updating firmware. Good luck.
> >
> > 73
> > Duane
> > N9DG
> > EN53bj
> >
> >
> > --- Ken Kirkley <no4d at charter.net> wrote:
> > > Just a note to remind each of you to be careful when
> > > updating your TenTec radios. I was updating my
> > > Argonaut V yesterday when I absend-mindedly left the
> > > serial cable connected to the Jupiter. Just as I
> > > told the computer to begin the process I realized
> > > what I had done...): ugh
> > >
> > > Sorry to say my Jupiter is now dead in the water. It
> > > dosen't know what to do with the Argonaut V code. I
> > > talked to Paul at TenTec after trying what I could.
> > > Bottom line...I have to ship back for them to
> > > unscramble its brain. I goofed by not being sure
> > > that the serial cable was connected to the right
> > > rig.
> > >
> > > I have asked Scott/Stan to look into possilbly
> > > having the updating software to query the radio
> > > before starting the process to be sure that the
> > > right code is going to the right rig. Not sure if
> > > this is possible, but thought I would at least ask.
> > >
> > > PLEASE be sure you have the right rig connected
> > > before updating, or you may be shipping back to
> > > TenTec.
> > >
> > > Ken/NO4D
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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>
>
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