Minitor V Firmware Update

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:51 pm

I located the firware update (2.8 I believe) for the Minitor V on the MOL website. I downloaded and installed it but when I choose the HEX file that they gave me, I get an error message that tells me I'm not in "Flash Mode". I can read from and write to the pager fine. I am using Motorola's OEM programming cradle. Is there a different cradle just for that? Knowing Motorola it would not surprise me.

Al · Post by Al » Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:04 am

Have you followed the Motorola instructions *exactly*? I.e., including connecting the wallwart PS to the programming cradle as directed. According to M, the same cradle is used for reflashing as is used for programming.

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:12 am

Yes I did. At first I didn't see what difference it would make plugging in the PS after but when it didn't work, I followed their instructions TO THE LETTER. I can read it, write it but if I try to flash it a window pops up that says "Unable to enter flash mode" or something similar. Appreciate the help...

jt118f4 · Post by **jt118f4** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:22 am

Are you sure you are plugging the PS into the cradle (pager holder) and not into the interface?

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:55 pm

Thanks to a good friend at a nearby radio shop we figured out the problem. You have to supply power to BOTH the programming interface AND the programming cradle. Firmware update to version 2.8 didn't solve the falsing problem so I still have a Minitor V paper weight and my old reliable Minitor IV. GO MOTO!!!

The Pager Geek · Post by **The Pager Geek** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:11 pm

Try 3.0, it has a falsing fix...

tpg

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:12 pm

You've gotta power the programming cradle? What, is that for flash operation only? I've never had to power it for programming alone...

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:09 pm

No matter what I did before, all I could get was an "UNABLE TO ENTER FLASH MODE" message. I had the PS that came with the programming interface plugged into the programming interface. Then I set the pager to the program mode and plaved it in the cradle. That is where (according to the vague directions) you plug in the power supply. What I misunderstood was you need the PS from a regular charger to plug into the cradle itself. As soon as I did that, I ran the flash upgrade and it went fine. Power to both the cradle and the interface solved my issue. Is there a version 3 to the firmware? Is it posted on MOL? I'll try anything at this point.

The Pager Geek · Post by **The Pager Geek** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:37 pm

Yes, 3.0 was released Dec 1st. It's on MOL and their main website also for everyone.

tpg

kdean7 · Post by **kdean7** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:15 am

Just to add: I upgraded my firmware using the instructions from MOT using only one power supply which I connected to the cradle. There was no power to the interface and it worked fine.

jt118f4 · Post by **jt118f4** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 4:50 am

That is correct. You only have to power the cradle for firmware upgrade.

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 3:01 pm

NEWSFLASH! I upgraded to firware revision 3 and PPS 1.2.2 and my Minitor V falsed less that 20 minutes later. Now I'm getting aggravated with /\/\ !!!

The Pager Geek · Post by **The Pager Geek** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:13 pm

Send me the archive to your pager.

thepagergeek@aol.com

tpg

HRN · Post by **HRN** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:17 pm

I have update the firmware (v3) on several Minitor V pagers and have not noticed any difference. However, I updated the firmware on another pager and reprogrammed it directly after, taking the pager out of programming mode and entering programming mode again befroe reprogramming. I made no changes to the frequencies in the pager, however, I changed the tone sets and turned up the squelch to 5, which I always do when I reprogram the 5, and now the reception on the pager is awful. I know you can't go back to the old firmware, but is there anything I can do to try to get the reception back? I have tried changing the squelch to 1, writing to the pager, turning the pager off and then reprogramming the pager with a higher squelch setting and I am not finding any difference.

aaknitt · Post by **aaknitt** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:36 pm

Just as an FYI, plugging in the wall-wart to the programming cradle applies +5VDC to the power pin of the pager. Apparently this is all that is needed to flash firmware. Either the 5 volts tells the pager to allow firmware flashing, or (more likely), the EEPROM actually needs 5 volts (as opposed to the 3V from the batteries) in order to "burn" properly. So if you're interested in building your own programmer, that's how to make it capable of upgrading firmware. More details at http://andyknitt.googlepages.com/minitorprogrammer

Andy

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:24 am

I spoke to someone to a shop that works near the Motorola plant. They did some field tests with a Motorola product manager. They said that no one else complains about the falsing issue (searching this board indicates that many have the issue).
If you have a falsing issue, maybe give the Motorola product manager a call.
His name is Ron Gemmer at 1 954 723- 8610. (Don't tell him where you got his number, might be a problem for my friend as he works a little close to him)

Let us know what he says.

ffexpCP · Post by **ffexpCP** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:38 pm

Mines falsing all the time. It seems to do it the most when I stand in a certain spot in my station. I thought it was getting interference from other close by electronics but then I threw that theory out the window when it alerted in the middle of my backyard.

Will a service shop update firmware under warranty?

123 · Post by **123** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:00 pm

I am trying ot upgrade to version 3.0

I have tryed everything you guys have posted here to try, I still get the following msg "Can NOT Open COM4" (That is the Comport I use)

I am stumped.

RFguy · Post by **RFguy** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:14 pm

Will a service shop update firmware under warranty?

No. Motorola does not provide warranty at the service shop level. You must return to Motorola for warranty service.
Having said that, some shops provide some "warranty" service as a customer service to their customers. Motorola does not cover this is any way and it comes out of the dealer pocket for any work/handling that they do.

radio64 · Post by **radio64** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:16 am

If I may ask, what was corrected with the v3 firmware? Trying to decide if it is worthwile to do the upgrade... Thanks

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:25 am

Personally I don't think the firmware did anything to address the problem. I will say I have had far less problems since word circulated about the "hidden" menu option in the software that adjusts the squelch level. If I remember right, read the pager, press "s" on the keyboard and you should get a window with a slide bar that allows you to adjust the squelch sensitivity. A band-aid fix but still a fix. I have version 1.4 of the software. Hope this helps.

radio64 · Post by **radio64** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:58 am

Oops, maybe I didn't ask the question the way I needed to... I don't have any problem with any of the 5's we have, I was mearly wondering what the firmware upgrade was supposed to do (differently than what we have now) Thanks, Ben

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:13 am

I'm sorry. I misunderstood. I'm not sure what it was supposed to fix. I upgraded in hopes of curing a well documented "falsing" problem.

123 · Post by **123** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:15 am

I have version 2.8 in mine. No falsing & the minitor V works well no problems.

Post by **areharrt** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:42 am

lej512 wrote: If I remember right, read the pager, press "s" on the keyboard and you should get a window with a slide bar that allows you to adjust the squelch sensitivity. A band-aid fix but still a fix. I have version 1.4 of the software. Hope this helps.

How does this differ from the squelch adjustment located under the Model Options tab after reading in the cap code?

lej512 · Post by **lej512** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:35 pm

I guess I never really looked that closely. The "s" command displays a 3 position sliderth "DEFAULT, LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 2" for options. The squelch slider under "model Optios" gives you 5 choices. I suppose they do the same thing but I don't know that for sure.

Lake Effect · Post by **Lake Effect** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:54 pm

The "S" option changes the response time to a tone. I did some testing in the shop some time ago and don't remember the exact response times. But, for example, given an 8-second group call, default setting may start alerting after 5 seconds. Setting it to "1" may alert after 6 to 7 seconds. And "2" may only give a very brief beep alert so it takes the full 8 seconds of tone. Similar timing changes happen to the normal 2-tone page. If you are using Plectron timing on your encoder, you can make the Min 5 not respond at all by going to setting "2"

L.E.

ki4ccz · Post by **ki4ccz** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:29 am

What wall wart are you guys using? The wall wart that came with the programmer that I have will not go into the pager cradle. The pins are different sizes.
I tried a wall wart from a regular Minitor V charger and it is the same as the first. Pins are different sizes. The pin on the programmer pager cradle has a slightly larger pin size.

Thanks

Post by **Mfire39** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:11 am

ki4ccz wrote:What wall wart are you guys using? The wall wart that came with the programmer that I have will not go into the pager cradle. The pins are different sizes.

Try plugging the wall wart into the rib/programming box, and not into the cradle.

-Marc

Post by **Mfire39** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:18 am

Nevermind my last post, I just had a mental moment and forgot that you plug into the cradle for firmware..

-Marc

northstarfire0693 · Post by **northstarfire0693** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:41 am

Is there a new firmware out yet or is it still 3.0 ? I cant find it on big M sight

Al · Post by Al » Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:19 pm

3.0 is still the current firmware revision.

northstarfire0693 · Post by **northstarfire0693** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:15 pm

Al wrote:3.0 is still the current firmware revision.

where can i get 3.0 ? cant find it on big M at all

Al · Post by Al » Sun Jan 16, 2011 7:33 pm

https://businessonline.motorola.com if you have an account.