This forum is for discussions regarding System Infrastructure and Related Equipment. This includes but is not limited to repeaters, base stations, consoles, voters, Voice over IP, system design and implementation, and other related topics.
Does anyone know of a way to extract firmware from a Quantar into a file format that is readable by the RSS. I have seen a few get scrambled (lightning, or who knows) such that all you get is psycho lights. Moving the flash simm from another machine results in the previously broken controller working - even the codeplug is still good. I'd like to be able push the firmware back in to the controller. Barring that - and this is absolutely NOT a request for RSS - we have multiple subscriptions, they just don't come with the firmware files ......? Anyway, I'm running 20. something for the conventional machines. Something newer - I don't know offhand exactly what for the trunked units.
Also, I've been told that I shouldn't try upgrading to anything higher for the ham machines because certain flexibilty is eliminated.
This should probably be in infrastructure - maybe Alex will move it, but anyway - here goes.
In the current world of Quantar, Motorola wants to be sure they get their revenue on upgrades. So - when they sell you a firmware upgrade, you have to have a machine specific "backplane ID" which you get from the station [with a computer]. You send that ID to Motorola with your order and they send you an upgrade kit that will only work for that station.
So, how does this help you??? It seems there was a serious problem with the Q4-2003 Quantar firmware [ver 12.6 or somesuch]. To fix that, Motorola made available [at Motorola online] a new firmware download [ver. 12.7] that fixed the problem. Then they found that 12.7 had a problem, they 'stop-shipped' that and replaced it with 12.7.2 [I think these numbers are right, but I'm going from memory]
Solving the problem apparently is important enough that the free download will load into any station - regardless of backplane ID. Sooo, you could get Quantar firmware in the form of a PC file - and free at that.
To use this your stations will have to be "download capable", which I think means newer than ver 10.x. AND EPIC station control board. Also, you would need either the latest Quantar RSS [12.6 I think] AND the FTD download software package OR the latest base station CSS.
The CSS is a sort of CPS like [Windows] type product for SZ 6 systems [STR3000 stations]. It also does Quantars that are Intelli-site repeaters. It does not do other Quantars [yet] BUT, it will upload firmware into them.
BTW, I think the firmware numbers that the RSS reports ALL start with 20. - it is the rest of the numbers that are the real version number.
Flash upgrade software is now available for both IntelliRepeater (IR) and SmartNet/SmartZone Quantar/Quantro stations to resolve this issue. The SER 1Q04 software (V12.7) is available for downloading from the businessonline.motorola.com website. After signing in, one can download the Flash upgrade for a SmartNet/SmartZone (12.07.02_sn) or an IntelliRepeater (12.7_ir) station. When downloaded and unzipped, run the install.exe program to install the Flash software on the laptop computer that contains the RSS/FTP application to upgrade Quantar stations. This upgrade software is designed to work with all stations, no station backplane ID is required.
As an alternative to the RSS, Quantar Flash upgrades can also be performed with the DLN6455A Configuration Service Software (CSS), which was designed to service APCO 25 stations/Astro 6.X System releases. The Software Download feature of the CSS software will allow you to successfully flash any Quantar/Quantro station with the serial cable or with an Ethernet connection without the need for the CVN1077A DOS-based FTP utility software; however, it currently will not allow you to configure/service non-APCO 25 stations. The CSS is also available from http://businessonline.motorola.com website. The Windows installation instructions are available by downloading the Windows_Setup_For_CSS_Serial_SWDL.pdf.
What does upgrading to 12 take away from 9? I was told there were things (in conventional) that could be done in 9 that, if I upgraded to 12, I wouldn't be able to do anymore.
What does upgrading to 12 take away from 9? I was told there were things (in conventional) that could be done in 9 that, if I upgraded to 12, I wouldn't be able to do anymore.
I can't answer your question, but it wouldn't be the first "upgrade" that turned out to be a step backwards.
It's getting to be storm season here and going though the spare quantar boards for the system, I see different firmware versions on the various boards.
Is there a sheet listing the compatibility of rev's? Like Exciter, reciever, control, wireline and codeplug?
Is it simple (and cost effective) to buy new firmware for all the boards to ensure compatibility.
I don't want to be pulling my hair out at 2am swapping boards that are incompatible. We are just doing analog voice, nothing special.
......? Anyway, I'm running 20. something for the conventional machines. Something newer - I don't know offhand exactly what for the trunked units. 