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ESN ERROR after firmware upgrade on NX-300

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winikeh

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I was given the newest Hex file for firmware on my NX-300 from a dealer. After running the software it seems to complete successfully and tells me to verify the checksum and restart my radio. I verify the checksum and turn the radio off and on. At this point all I get on screen is "ESN ERROR." I have pushed the firmware multiple times. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions? Thanks!
 
mmckenna

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Which version of firmware did you load?

If you do the firmware version display function (turn radio on while holding side button 1), what does it show?

Also, what is the first 3 digits of the radio serial number.
 
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LTR

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Sounds like you were given PassPort firmware instead of NexEdge, (unless you are using NX radios on a PassPort system). If the checksum is 8BFC, or 2A12 then you have PassPort firmware with no PassPort ESN in the radio (hence the ESN Error).
 
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winikeh

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1. HEX file was "NX-200K_FIRM_SH04_REL03.HEX"
2. If I try the show firmware version, it just shows "ESN ERROR"
3. First three of serial number is "A99"
4. The new checksum is 0D15

The only thing I can do now (besides stare at ESN ERROR) is start the radio in programming mode and switch speeds and look at the checksum. Did I miss something in the restart radio step? Or is it the wrong firmware?
 
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LTR

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That is not PassPort firmware. When my NX radios had PassPort added to them, they showed that same "ESN ERROR" after the firmware, but before the ESN was installed, so that is why I thought it might be that.

Good luck!
 
mmckenna

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Yep, that is the MPT firmware with checksum 0D15.

Depending on the version of your radio (version 1, 2 or 3) you need a different firmware. I -think- yours might be a version 1, in which case you need version 1.25, checksum 2C39

I'd call your dealer and ask them to send you the correct firmware.
 
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winikeh

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Resolved!

Issue was resolved by my dealer. They mistakenly sent me the wrong firmware. The one they sent me was for trunking. We have a conventional system. Got the new firmware and installed without issue. Now I am going to upgrade all the radios!
 
ramal121

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"ESN ERROR" had me scratching my head. Luckily I've not made that goof yet. Will have to file that one away for future use. Glad to got it all straightened out!
 
mmckenna

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Finally had a chance to sit down and go through all the information on the new firmware.

This is important:

If you update to the latest firmware (3.2) you MUST use the KPG-111DN software to program. The big issue there is that the KPG-111DN only lets you do 12.5KHz narrow bandwidth channels. You cannot program any 25KHz wide bandwidth channels after you upgrade. There is a way to get a key to unlock wide band, but you have to go through Kenwood, and it doesn't look like they make it really easy to do.

So, before you upgrade, you need to decide...

If you are an amateur radio operator, you probably wouldn't want to do this.
If you use them on GMRS, you'd need to decide if you want to put up with narrow band. It's just fine for some, but others, specifically those that use a lot of repeaters, may not want it.
 
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TECHRAD

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mmckenna said:
Finally had a chance to sit down and go through all the information on the new firmware.

This is important:

If you update to the latest firmware (3.2) you MUST use the KPG-111DN software to program. The big issue there is that the KPG-111DN only lets you do 12.5KHz narrow bandwidth channels. You cannot program any 25KHz wide bandwidth channels after you upgrade. There is a way to get a key to unlock wide band, but you have to go through Kenwood, and it doesn't look like they make it really easy to do.

So, before you upgrade, you need to decide...

If you are an amateur radio operator, you probably wouldn't want to do this.
If you use them on GMRS, you'd need to decide if you want to put up with narrow band. It's just fine for some, but others, specifically those that use a lot of repeaters, may not want it.
Click to expand...

111DN allows programmaing of the AR bands in WIDE. The narrowbanding issue only occurs in the commercial bands. TESTED and CONFIRMED.
 
mmckenna

mmckenna

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TECHRAD said:
111DN allows programmaing of the AR bands in WIDE. The narrowbanding issue only occurs in the commercial bands. TESTED and CONFIRMED.
Click to expand...

Excellent. Thanks for checking that! I don't really have a need to update my VHF radio, so I'll leave it as is. I am currently only using it for analog.

My 800MHz radios will get updated, however, eventually.....
 
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