XG-100M/CH-721 HELP! 'SER Downld Please Wait'?!?!

[zirrus213]

I seem to have got myself in a pickle. I was developing a personality in RPM and troubleshooting encryption keys using Key Admin to load keys and I *HOPE* I only temporarily bricked it.

To recap the events that produced the issue:
1) Programmed through the CH-721 serial port
2) Keyloaded through the CH-721
3) Keyloaded from the radio serial port
4) Attempted to program through radio serial port (forgot to switch the cable back)

At this point RPM seamed to hang. Radio showed no sign of activity. When I power cycled the radio/control head, I was presented with the following message:
"SER Downld
Please Wait"

Tried everything I can think of and I can't recover
Any help is appreciated

 

[ElroyJetson]

Connect to the radio serial port and use the radio maintenance utility to JUMP the radio. This should clear the hang-up and restore it to normal operation IF firmware has not been corrupted.

 

[zirrus213]

Connect to the radio serial port and use the radio maintenance utility to JUMP the radio. This should clear the hang-up and restore it to normal operation IF firmware has not been corrupted.

I appreciate the reply ElroyJetson,
I just tried 'Jump' and no joy. If the firmware is corrupted, are there any options?

 

[ElroyJetson]

Radio recovery is required. "Burn your boots", which is how I remind myself that the order of operations is to first run burnapp then bootapp then radio code. Check the help files for more information. It has been a long time since I've done this myself so I'm going to tell you to check the manuals for instructions rather than take my sketchy instructions as gospel.
You will need the appropriate firmware files for your radio. Do you have any?

 

[zirrus213]

I don't have the appropriate firmware files, unfortunately
Are we talking the Radio Maintenance Utility manuals? I have yet to come across those.

 

[prcguy]

I don't have the appropriate firmware files, unfortunately
Are we talking the Radio Maintenance Utility manuals? I have yet to come across those.

You run these from regular RPM.

 

[redbeard]

Serial Download should mean the control head is waiting for firmware and is stuck in burnapp. You can probably use a serial console to connect to the head and type a command to restart it, perhaps atz. Baud rate is 19200, 8N1, None.

 

[wa8pyr]

Radio recovery is required. "Burn your boots", which is how I remind myself that the order of operations is to first run burnapp then bootapp then radio code. Check the help files for more information. It has been a long time since I've done this myself so I'm going to tell you to check the manuals for instructions rather than take my sketchy instructions as gospel.
You will need the appropriate firmware files for your radio. Do you have any?

"Burn your boots." I am totally going to have to remember that; right now it's a post-it note stuck on the dead space at the lower left of my laptop keyboard.

 

[zirrus213]

Serial Download should mean the control head is waiting for firmware and is stuck in burnapp. You can probably use a serial console to connect to the head and type a command to restart it, perhaps atz. Baud rate is 19200, 8N1, None.

Appreciate the suggestion redbeard
I've tried sending commands to both the control head and the radio via a serial terminal attempting multiple baudrates and still no joy.

 

[redbeard]

Try connecting to the head directly via serial and then using RPM to load new control head main app firmware. Current is 7.17

 

[zirrus213]

Try connecting to the head directly via serial and then using RPM to load new control head main app firmware. Current is 7.17

I do not have the firmware files and not sure where to obtain them.
Sorry, I'm not well versed in this radio or the Harris ecosystem. I bought this radio on eBay, I've only played with Motorola XTS's until now.

 

[redbeard]

I'll PM, I have it for you to try.

I do not have the firmware files and not sure where to obtain them.
Sorry, I'm not well versed in this radio or the Harris ecosystem. I bought this radio on eBay, I've only played with Motorola XTS's until now.

 

[splinter34]

If all else fails PM me I can fix it, No matter what. I would like to be the last option though.

Splinter

 

[zirrus213]

So, redbeard helped me out with the firmware upgrade files but now I'm getting "Timeout occured waiting for CH response" errors. Has anyone here seen this and know what the issue could be?

 

[ElroyJetson]

Guessing....sounds like you need to reload the control head firmware. How to do that exactly, I am not certain. I've never had to do that. But someone will probably tell you within a day.

 

[prcguy]

So, redbeard helped me out with the firmware upgrade files but now I'm getting "Timeout occured waiting for CH response" errors. Has anyone here seen this and know what the issue could be?

I upgraded a few control heads recently and the Harris system heads worked fine but an older M/A-COM scan head did not. What brand and model head is giving you trouble?

 

[zirrus213]

I upgraded a few control heads recently and the Harris system heads worked fine but an older M/A-COM scan head did not. What brand and model head is giving you trouble?

It's branded Harris and I believe the model is CU23218-004

 

[prcguy]

It's branded Harris and I believe the model is CU23218-004

It's branded Harris and I believe the model is CU23218-004

That's the scan head type that I had problems upgrading but at least you have a Harris brand. I would read the upgrade instructions several times, double check your setup and keep trying to upgrade it. Some heads will upgrade when connected to the brick and some need to be disconnected. Make sure your serial cable is into the head and not the brick.

 

[zirrus213]

That's the scan head type that I had problems upgrading but at least you have a Harris brand. I would read the upgrade instructions several times, double check your setup and keep trying to upgrade it. Some heads will upgrade when connected to the brick and some need to be disconnected. Make sure your serial cable is into the head and not the brick.

I was under the impression the CAN couldn't be connected to the brick. I will attempt it with it connected

 

[prcguy]

I was under the impression the CAN couldn't be connected to the brick. I will attempt it with it connected

My understanding is for control head upgrades you must connect serial to the head and newer heads can be upgraded with CAN connected, older heads maybe not.