Old XTL5000 upgrade question/problem

[Forts]

Hi folks,

I've got a remote mount XTL5000 with a W7 that I'm trying to bring up to modern firmware. The current version in the radio is R05.00.00, which is pretty much ancient from what I understand. I can read/write the radio no problems from the rear USB but I can't get it to take a firmware update (using a legit iButton). I've seen conflicting information saying that firmware updates via USB may not be supported in this old firmware... ok, fair enough. So I home brewed a rear serial cable... and I can't get it to do anything at all. Period. Does anyone have the pinout for the HKN6160B serial cable? From what I understand it's just RXD/TXD/RTS/CTS going to pins 5, 6, 10 & 11 on the rear connector. Am I missing something else? Any tips or suggestions muchly appreciated!

 

[xts2500]

http://www.hkra.org/5kp/L5K_prog.htm
Don't forget ground between radio(j2 p1) and PC(p5).

 

[Forts]

That's excellent, thanks!!

 

[tuckerm]

I believe it has to be R7 or higher to support the USB prog cable.

 

[Forts]

From looking at the pinout in the link xts2500 provided, I'm reasonably sure I had it hooked up correctly... I'll have to double check tonight though. I did NOT have a common ground between the PC and radio however....

 

[JMR061]

Yes I am also pretty sure you need newer firmware to support usb firmware upgrading. I just had that issue with someone else and they had to buy a serial cable.

 

[Hexem]

There is a sticky reference to making the J2 rear accessory programming lead however, I found that the pin reference was a little off. Refer to the last post in this thread by me http://communications.support/threads/8186-XTL-programming-cable-help. I had exact same issues and home brewed my serial cable to the J2 26pin connector at the rear of the brick. Works like a dream. When you open the J2 connector make sure there is a white wire jumping 2 pins as well.

My rear J2 connector now supports both USB and Serial connections as there is plenty or room to have both cables. I use the USB option for CPS programming and the serial for firmware upgrades. I was also told that if your updating the firmware (XTS or XTL) updating via serial maybe a safer method, less chance of bricking the radio.

 

[Forts]

I was able to somewhat update the radio via rear serial (thanks to all for the pin out help). FW and DSP updated, but the tuning partition and Nautilus did not... The radio also seems like it's constantly trying to tx... The red led stays lit and eventually I get a constant tone like it's tx denied. I was told it was suspected that this radio maybe took a lightning tickle at some point and I'm really thinking there are bigger issues at hand here.