FLEX-5000 & FLEX-3000 EEPROM / Firewire Diagnostic Tool?

[DJ0MDJ]

Hi,

the FRS Knowledge Center mentions the existence of a "FLEX-5000 & FLEX-3000 EEPROM / Firewire Diagnostic Tool", which can be used to backup and restore the eeprom with all configuration data.

http://kc.flexradio.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50051.aspx

The link to the file FLEX-5000_EEPROM_Tool.zip does not work.

Does anyone have this software and can provide it for me?

73, DJ0MDJ Chris

[ke9ns]

See attached

[ke9ns]

I copied the page, just in case it ever disappears.

The Windows executable available for download below is a diagnostic tool that can be used to verify that your FLEX-5000 / FLEX-3000 Firewire device driver is loaded properly and you computer is properly communicating with the FLEX-5000/3000 transceiver. There are two procedures documented here

Reading EEPROM Data From the FLEX-5000 or FLEX-3000
Exporting EEPROM Data to a CSV File

CAUTION: There is also an IMPORT function for importing data from a CSV file into your EEPROM. Do not use this feature unless you are 100% certain that the data you are importing is compatible with your radio or explicitly instructed to do so by the FlexRadio Development Team. Importing invalid data could possibly lead to EEPROM data corruption that can only be remedied by sending in your radio to the Service and Repair Department for repair. Correcting this problem would not normally be covered under warranty repair. CAVEAT UTILITOR!

Reading EEPROM Data From the FLEX-5000

To use the FLEX-x000_EEPROM_Tool to read EEPROM data, use the following instructions:

Download the FLEX-x000_EEPROM_Tool.exe file
Turn on the FLEX-5000 or FLEX-3000
Double left click on the executable file, FLEX-x000_EEPROM_Tool.exe
Select the proper model of SDR in the upper left hand box
Then click on the READ button to query the EEPROM data.

If your computer is properly communicating with the FLEX-5000/3000, then a screen will be displayed showing the current SDR model, and the serial number and revision numbers for installed hardware components (uninstalled hardware will be grayed out):

Transceiver Board (HTRX)
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU)
Second Receiver (RX2)
Power Amplified (HPA)
Radio Frequency I/O (RFIO)
2 meter transverter (XVTR)




Exporting EEPROM Data to a CSV File

To use the FLEX-5000_EEPROM_Reader to export EEPROM data, use the following instructions:

Download the FLEX-5000_EEPROM_Tool.zip file from the FlexRadio web site (See associated links below)
Turn on the FLEX-5000 or FLEX-3000
Double left click on the extracted file, FLEX-5000_EEPROM_Tool.exe
Select the proper model of FLEX-5000 in the upper left hand box
Then click on the EXPORT button to query the EEPROM data.
The button will turn RED and the application will loose focus (grayed out) while the EEPROM data is being read and the CSV (comma separated values) file for 45-60 seconds.
When complete the EXPORT button will revert back to the original color and the program will come back into focus.
Once completed, there will be a CSV file in the folder from which you ran the program. It will have a file name like xxxx-xxxx.csv where xxxx-xxxx is the radio's serial number.


The file will have a series of hexadecimal values written out. This file can be used by FlexRadio Software Development Team to diagnose possible EEPROM data integrity issues.

[DJ0MDJ]

Hi Darrin,

thank you for providing this tool.

Unfortunately, this does not run on my Windows 7 computer.
I tried to run it as Administrator and even tested some compatibility modes.

I get an "Error communicating with Flex-5000. Please reseat firewire plug and try again".

PowerSDR is running fine, so I dont see a reason for a communications problem.

Maybe it does only work with older firmware?

73,
Chris

[ke9ns]

See up above attached file EEPROM.ZIP I found the correct EEPROM.EXE file. It works.

It needs to be unzipped and placed in your folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\FlexRadio Systems\PowerSDR v2.8.0
And run in Admin mode, in order for it to work.

Darrin

[DJ0MDJ]

Hi Darrin,

thank you verry much!
Copying the EEPROM.exe to C:\Program Files (x86)\FlexRadio Systems\PowerSDR v2.8.0 did the trick.

73,
Chris