P25RX-II P25RX-II Firmware Updates / Testing

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maus92

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There is a new version 12-05_1612 available. RX Model 3 has some major changes in this version. If you are one of the remaining people having issues with P25 reception, please give this version a try with default settings first. (manually reset to defaults). You can set the BB VGA gain to a fixed value with this version (try 30-36 dB). This sets the threshold level for when the LNA gain start to be adjusted. Probably best to leave the LNA and Mixer gains to automatic for testing. In a future version, I will add something to aid in determining how to set these values. For reference, with the AGC Target set to 60dB, the LNA and Mixer gains set to auto, and an input signal of -95 dBm, try to adjust the BB VGA gain such that the LNA gain is around 20dB. The other major changes for rx-model 3 are related to frequecy/phase error correction. Hopefully this is the improvement that is going to resolve the remaining issues (I have good reason to believe this). I was able to play back some of the worst IQ files with much more decoded audio. Because the IQ files I currently have already were frequency corrected with prior methods, the files are not a complete indication of how this version will operate. Mobile and fixed testing was done with this version. Fixed testing was done with multiple receivers. It is working excellent here.
Cool. I'll load it up tomorrow morning. I was having good performance with the last two versions at my office / stationary location; somewhat worse when mobile. Could be the antenna in the vehicle though as it is intentionally attenuated for other testing.
 
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kb8q

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There is a new version 12-05_1612 available. RX Model 3 has some major changes in this version. If you are one of the remaining people having issues with P25 reception, please give this version a try with default settings first. (manually reset to defaults). You can set the BB VGA gain to a fixed value with this version (try 30-36 dB). This sets the threshold level for when the LNA gain start to be adjusted. Probably best to leave the LNA and Mixer gains to automatic for testing. In a future version, I will add something to aid in determining how to set these values. For reference, with the AGC Target set to 60dB, the LNA and Mixer gains set to auto, and an input signal of -95 dBm, try to adjust the BB VGA gain such that the LNA gain is around 20dB. The other major changes for rx-model 3 are related to frequecy/phase error correction. Hopefully this is the improvement that is going to resolve the remaining issues (I have good reason to believe this). I was able to play back some of the worst IQ files with much more decoded audio. Because the IQ files I currently have already were frequency corrected with prior methods, the files are not a complete indication of how this version will operate. Mobile and fixed testing was done with this version. Fixed testing was done with multiple receivers. It is working excellent here.
I'll install and run this new version. _04_2005 has been running here since last night without issue.

(y)(y)(y)
 
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pcman67

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Going to test this latest version Monday A.M. and will report back.
 
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pcman67

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RX model 3 seems to be an improvement over RX model 0 in my testing, although Model 0 was perfectly acceptable as it was. The testing was done from a fixed location only, mobile operation was not tested (yet). Model 3 sounds fantastic on P1 and P2 broadcasts -- I did not test the other supported modes such as DMR, etc.

The Signal Insights tab while operating in RX model 3 mode seems to be slightly improved over the RX model 0, although there isn't a huge noticeable difference between the two but the graphing plots do look slightly better in model 3 when comparing the two.

In my opinion in the environment I'm in, Model 3 is working and sounding absolutely fantastic. Even though there was nothing wrong with RX model 0, the RX model 3 seems to improve upon the RX model 0 in terms of sound quality, signal plots, reception and clarity.
 
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N_ALSCAN

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I received my P25RX-II this week. I tried it on both my Windows 10 Laptop and Desktop, and I'm unable to get BTconfig 2021-12-9 to connect - I'm stuck at "discovering device" and pressing connect does nothing. The P25RX-II was showing up in Device Manager with no issues and I had disabled the antivirus on both machines.. However, in following some of the troubleshooting steps on this forum, I now have the unit in "bootstrap" mode, where the SIG and TG LEDs are rapidly pulsing. Is there a way to cancel this mode?

My next step is to retask a Raspberry Pi4 as a desktop machine long enough to see if I can get it to connect to this P25RX-II.
 

btt

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I received my P25RX-II this week. I tried it on both my Windows 10 Laptop and Desktop, and I'm unable to get BTconfig 2021-12-9 to connect - I'm stuck at "discovering device" and pressing connect does nothing. The P25RX-II was showing up in Device Manager with no issues and I had disabled the antivirus on both machines.. However, in following some of the troubleshooting steps on this forum, I now have the unit in "bootstrap" mode, where the SIG and TG LEDs are rapidly pulsing. Is there a way to cancel this mode?

My next step is to retask a Raspberry Pi4 as a desktop machine long enough to see if I can get it to connect to this P25RX-II.
What version of java do you have installed? The bootloader mode will only be cancelled by the BTCFG software once the installed firmware version is verified to be correct. It does sound like it could be a cable issue. I do test every cable that ships. If you have another cable available, it would be good to give that a try.
 

dcr_inc

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Todd.. The latest version works for a few hours then locks up.. No received signal, not doing anything but searching for a device.. Running win10.. Have to close and open the BTconifg and cycle the power to the P25RXII.. I have rolled back to 11_24_226 which works great
 
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btt

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Todd.. The latest version works for a few hours then locks up.. No received signal, not doing anything but searching for a device.. Running win10.. Have to close and open the BTconifg and cycle the power to the P25RXII.. I have rolled back to 11_24_226 which works great
Thank you for posting this. There are many changes between those versions, but there one that really sticks out. The JSerialComm USB-Serial driver was updated from version 2.6.2 to 2.7.0. @N_ALSCAN, I wonder if this could be related to the issue you are having? Would you please try version 11-24_2226 and see if that will connect for you? There is also a new version 12-12_0606 available that has the older version of the serial driver. Otherwise, it is the latest firmware/software.

I received my P25RX-II this week. I tried it on both my Windows 10 Laptop and Desktop, and I'm unable to get BTconfig 2021-12-9 to connect - I'm stuck at "discovering device" and pressing connect does nothing. The P25RX-II was showing up in Device Manager with no issues and I had disabled the antivirus on both machines.. However, in following some of the troubleshooting steps on this forum, I now have the unit in "bootstrap" mode, where the SIG and TG LEDs are rapidly pulsing. Is there a way to cancel this mode?

My next step is to retask a Raspberry Pi4 as a desktop machine long enough to see if I can get it to connect to this P25RX-II.
@N_ALSCAN, re-reading your post, I noticed that you are referring to BTConfig software (vs BTCFG-II software). That would explain the issue you are having. The P25RX software will not detect a P25RX-II device. There is a separate page for the P25RX-II software here:
P25RX-II Software / Firmware You can verify which model the software is for. When the BTCFG/BTConfig software starts you will see either a bold P25RX or P25RX-II next to the Bluetail Technologies logo depending on the model it will work with.
 

N_ALSCAN

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Thank you for posting this. There are many changes between those versions, but there one that really sticks out. The JSerialComm USB-Serial driver was updated from version 2.6.2 to 2.7.0. @N_ALSCAN, I wonder if this could be related to the issue you are having? Would you please try version 11-24_2226 and see if that will connect for you? There is also a new version 12-12_0606 available that has the older version of the serial driver. Otherwise, it is the latest firmware/software.


@N_ALSCAN, re-reading your post, I noticed that you are referring to BTConfig software (vs BTCFG-II software). That would explain the issue you are having. The P25RX software will not detect a P25RX-II device. There is a separate page for the P25RX-II software here:
https://bluetailtechnologies.com/pages/p25rx-ii You can verify which model the software is for. When the BTCFG/BTConfig software starts you will see either a bold P25RX or P25RX-II next to the Bluetail Technologies logo depending on the model it will work with.

edit: I made some changes to the web site to make it easier to find the correct software/firmware for both receiver models.


I AM A DOLT!! I had somehow downloaded the incorrect version of the software, I was not running the P25RX-II software. I had not noticed that there were separate versions for both the original and the P25RX-II hardware versions. Instead, I had followed down the rabbit hole of possible firewall or antivirus blocking the communications.

Thank you to the author (btt) for taking time out of their busy schedule to assist.
 
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btt

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Thank you to the author (btt) for taking time out of their busy schedule to assist.
No problem sir! I needed to make it more clear which software/firmware was correct for each model on the web site. Don't hesitate to contact if you run into any other issues!
 

freqseeker

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I had the serial driver problem last night. The application would freeze and not shut down, I had to stop it in task manager. Not sure if that's related.12-12_0748 is working normally again. Task manager shows moderate to high resource usage still. I never checked before so not sure if that's normal. I did have a Java update last week.
Thank you for rolling back the driver.
 
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btt

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I had the serial driver problem last night. The application would freeze and not shut down, I had to stop it in task manager. Not sure if that's related.12-12_0748 is working normally again. Task manager shows moderate to high resource usage still. I never checked before so not sure if that's normal. I did have a Java update last week.
Thank you for rolling back the driver.
Thank you. I observed something similar on Linux before the rollback. I haven't seen it again since the fix. Thank you for reporting that it is fixed for you as well. There are some more fixes available. I would recommend version 12-12_1412. This is the version I'm planning on shipping with a couple of new receivers tomorrow morning.
 

freqseeker

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I have had 12-12_1412 running for a few hours. Great audio as usual. The problem is when I shut the program down using the X, the program stops but will not close. I have to shut it off in task manager still.
In task manager it lists as Java Platform SE binary. I reverted back to 11-30_0458 and this version will shut down properly. Not sure if it has to do with recent Java update or my computer (Windows 10).
Just wanted to post in case other people are having this issue.
 
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freqseeker

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Running 12-13_0707 now. Audio is great and freezing on shutdown has been resolved. I will be out most of the morning but will keep it running and report back. I don't expect any issues. Great work.
 
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maus92

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This FW 13-0707 version is working well for me, better than the last few. Model 1 and Model 3 work the best in my fixed environment. Eventually I'll get this out on the road to test site selection, as there are 50 sites on this system, so 100 control channels to program - is there a particular logic I should follow when entering, aka try to list adjacent sites first? Does the receiver perform any site NAC examination as there is frequency reuse?

Also, is it possible to show the RX Model in use of the Signal Insights page?
 
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btt

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This FW 13-0707 version is working well for me, better than the last few. Model 1 and Model 3 work the best in my fixed environment. Eventually I'll get this out on the road to test site selection, as there are 50 sites on this system, so 100 control channels to program - is there a particular logic I should follow when entering, aka try to list adjacent sites first? Does the receiver perform any site NAC examination as there is frequency reuse?

Also, is it possible to show the RX Model in use of the Signal Insights page?
Glad to hear the 12-13_0707 is working well for multiple people now. I have a request to add true "roaming". I will be adding this in a future release. It should be as simple as enabling an option to automatically keep track of adjacent and secondary sites and automatically switching on loss of signal. Until that is implemented, you will have to enter them all. I don't know if order will really make all that much difference. Maybe someone else who has experimented with this can answer that. Currently, NAC is used for the talk-group lookup and for initializing the scrambler for TDMA reception (in addition to WACN, SYS_ID). Is there something else that needs to be done with NAC? Ignore systems that have the incorrect NAC?

Yes, I will add the RX Model to the insights tab.
 

rr60

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Glad to hear the 12-13_0707 is working well for multiple people now. I have a request to add true "roaming". I will be adding this in a future release. It should be as simple as enabling an option to automatically keep track of adjacent and secondary sites and automatically switching on loss of signal. Until that is implemented, you will have to enter them all. I don't know if order will really make all that much difference. Maybe someone else who has experimented with this can answer that. Currently, NAC is used for the talk-group lookup and for initializing the scrambler for TDMA reception (in addition to WACN, SYS_ID). Is there something else that needs to be done with NAC? Ignore systems that have the incorrect NAC?

Yes, I will add the RX Model to the insights tab.
Perhaps consider if NAC wildcard might apply. $F7E or F7E..fuzzy memory.
 
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maus92

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I would want the NAC code to be precise to avoid tuning a far away site - I don't want to find any site, I want the appropriate site. It the mountainous areas in the western part of our state, I had a SDS200 locking a re-used control channel from another site located in the middle part of the state - traced the problem to no site NAC value set in the receiver. But in order for the site NACs to work properly, the radio would need to know its location to select the correct site NAC and control channel pair. Finding a neighbor site from the cch would be a easier solution since the P25RX / IIs don't have a GPS (as far as I know.)
 
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kb8q

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I'm at the 42+ hour mark now continuously running BTCFG version 13_0707 and the radio is sounding as good as ever and with no discernible issue. It's running alongside a P25RX-I model. Both are supported by a single MacBook Air. 2,880 TGID's are split between the 2 radios with the highest priority ones enabled on the RX-II. The audio for the higher priority TG's is directed to a portable Bluetooth speaker to enhance the listening. These radios have great programming and monitoring capability than my 7 other P25 receivers. Kudos to Todd for all the development and enhancement that's gone into this project.
 
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