Astro25 programming cable for firmware and flash upgrades

[jeremyn]

Quick question: I recall reading somewhere that only the Astro25 serial cable will work for flashing radios. Is this true, and does it also apply to firmware updates?

Obviously I'd prefer the USB cable, but if I can't do firmware updates with it, I'll settle for serial.

[akardam]

You can use USB to flash, but as with all things Motorola, there's a few caveats:

- Any Astro25 radio (portable or mobile) prior to Host R06 will not support USB. You need to use serial to program or flash. (After it's upgraded, of course, you can use USB).
- If you run into a situation where you have to sync a control head on a mobile, sometimes USB does not work reliably.
- In my experience, USB at the control head GCAI port on the XTL2500's can be flakey when cloning - I usually stick with serial when doing it that way. Rear USB seems to work fine. Control head GCAI USB on an XTL5000 I've never had an issue with (except control head sync, above).

So, given that, here's the full kit-o-cables I recommend to anyone who has to do a lot of work on the Astro25 platform. All these cables can be used for programming, flashing, and tuning. 1x each:

- RKN4106 - Portable Serial
- RKN4105 - Portable USB
- HKN6183 - Mobile GCAI Serial
- HKN6184 - Mobile GCAI USB
- HKN6160 - Mobile Low/Mid Power Rear Accy (Port J2) Serial
- HKN6163 - Mobile Low/Mid Power Rear Accy (Port J2) USB

[Mfire39]

- Any Astro25 radio (portable or mobile) prior to Host R06 will not support USB. You need to use serial to program or flash. (After it's upgraded, of course, you can use USB).

Not Completely true.. I've read/write to portables with a Host as low as R02.20.00 using a USB cable. You will run into a problem with upgrades on the older firmware radios and a USB cable. The CPS will give you a specific error that says something along the lines of USB is not supported with this firmware version.. But a normal read/write is fine on portables.



-Marc

[akardam]

Not Completely true.. I've read/write to portables with a Host as low as R02.20.00 using a USB cable. You will run into a problem with upgrades on the older firmware radios and a USB cable. The CPS will give you a specific error that says something along the lines of USB is not supported with this firmware version.. But a normal read/write is fine on portables.

And I once performed a flawless pirouette whilst ice skating - doesn't mean that the next time I try it I won't fall flat on my ass. Regardless what anyone's personal experience has been in the past, Motorola strongly suggests using serial only on any Astro25 radio with firmware prior to R06, especially for the mobiles, and especially for flashing. For those of us who do this for a living, we generally tend to abide by those recommendations.

[Mfire39]

Motorola strongly suggests using serial only on any Astro25 radio with firmware prior to R06, especially for the mobiles, and especially for flashing. For those of us who do this for a living, we generally tend to abide by those recommendations.

I was just providing a little helpful imput to the board on what can actually be done vs what is recommended.. While yes, I was speaking from a personal experience, it has been done numerous times by myself and multiple people "who work on them for a living".. I think we all know that Motorola's recommendations can be taken with a grain of salt at times, as one hand usually doesn't know what the other is doing, and half of the time they don't even know what their own products are capable of..


-Marc

[spectragod]

Not Completely true.. I've read/write to portables with a Host as low as R02.20.00 using a USB cable. You will run into a problem with upgrades on the older firmware radios and a USB cable. The CPS will give you a specific error that says something along the lines of USB is not supported with this firmware version.. But a normal read/write is fine on portables.

And I once performed a flawless pirouette whilst ice skating - doesn't mean that the next time I try it I won't fall flat on my ass. Regardless what anyone's personal experience has been in the past, Motorola strongly suggests using serial only on any Astro25 radio with firmware prior to R06, especially for the mobiles, and especially for flashing. For those of us who do this for a living, we generally tend to abide by those recommendations.

X100, unless you like those $500 depot trips, if you brick one of these, your not going to use "lab" software on it. There are only a couple of ways to fix it, and the depot is one of them.

[jeremyn]

This response is a little late, but I just wanted to thank everyone for their insight concerning my inquiry. I'll put it to good use soon. This topic can be locked as far as I'm concerned.

PS: Yes, I LOL'd at the pirouette comment

[MotoFAN]

Guys,

HKN6160 will correctly perform firmware upgrade on XTL2500 in remote head config? Or I will face with conrol head sync problems?

What is the best option to perform firmware upgrade on XTL2500 in remote head config? HKN6183?

[escomm]

What is the best option to perform firmware upgrade on XTL2500 in remote head config? HKN6183?

Yes absolutely.