Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
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IK0YYY
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:22 pm

Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by IK0YYY » Sat Apr 16, 2022 8:42 am

Hi all,

little question:

Portsdown 4
Pluto Rev. C, with firmware V031-4-g9ceb-dirty

It works only from 325 Mhz to 3,8 Ghz.

I have tried to upgrade freq (with 3 lines command directly to Pluto and reboot), but it doesn't work.

May I have an help from you ?

Luca IK0YYY, Rome.

g0mjw
Posts: 2311
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:15 am

Re: Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by g0mjw » Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:20 am

Luca,

Firstly, lets be clear, you bought a device that has a specification to work between 325 MHz and 3.8 GHz. There was a hack to open this up and another to enable a second CPU but there are no guarantees this will continue with newer firmware or hardware.

This is not a BATC issue, I suggest asking on the Analog Devices forum why this hack no longer works for you

https://wiki.analog.com/university/tool ... ustomizing

It still works for others but perhaps the method is not exactly the same. Ten seconds googling came up with this page from André F1ATB:

https://f1atb.fr/index.php/2021/03/09/f ... pluto-sdr/

Which implies it worked for him.

A useful resource for firmware patches is Christian F5UUIs pages

https://www.f5uii.net/

Mike

Edit - for clarity here is the sequence for Rec C according to the AD custom page above

# fw_setenv attr_name compatible
# fw_setenv attr_val ad9361
# fw_setenv compatible ad9361
# fw_setenv mode 2r2t
# reboot

IK0YYY
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:22 pm

Re: Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by IK0YYY » Sat Apr 16, 2022 1:02 pm

Hi Mike,
thank you for your reply.
However, it does not take into account what I wrote.

The problem I have occurs only when I install the latest firmware for Portsdown 4 (031-4-g9ceb-dirty).

With all other versions, for example 0.34, it works regularly from 48 Mhz to 6 Ghz.

The few seconds googling you did, brings up an old article, with commands that are no longer valid. I think it's for Pluto rev B

Instead, I tried your directions, with your 4 command lines, which is the first time I've seen it and I thank you for it.
Alas, it doesn't work either!

There is no further information on the net, not even on the Analog Device site.

That's why I took the liberty to write here, as there should be many people here who are using Portsdown 4 with the Pluto Rev C and maybe I can get some help from them.

Otherwise, what's the point of a forum?

I wish you a happy Easter, in the hope that someone else can help me understand where I'm going wrong.

Luca IK0YYY, Rome.

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G3GJA
Posts: 337
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:44 pm

Re: Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by G3GJA » Sat Apr 16, 2022 1:27 pm

Luca

Try running the Satsgen spectrum analyser software on the Pluto. Download from here: http://www.albfer.com/satsagen-download-page/

Apart from turning the Pluto into a usable tracking spectrum analyser for Windows, it automatically upgrades the Pluto. Once upgraded the changes are permanent and can be used with the Portsdown.

I have used it to expand version D and B Plutos.

Clive G3GJA

g0mjw
Posts: 2311
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:15 am

Re: Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by g0mjw » Sat Apr 16, 2022 1:46 pm

Luca

I only pointed out that a) - it has worked for someone who claims to have the rev c, and that b) - where the instructions are for getting it working with the latest firmware. It won't immediately work with PD4 because that was designed for the original Pluto. You have to use the recommended hardware and firmware or it is likely you will face incompatibility problems. That's the risk you take using later hardware.

It might be worth looking here https://hf5l.pl/en/adalm-pluto-revision-d/ to get F5OEO's latest firmware working with Rev C Pluto. Then you need to get it to work with Dave's PD4 software. That might be possible if you set it up correctly, there are some parameters that need to be set in the setup menu. I have not got a Rev C Pluto to test with.

Your alternative is to use the Pluto with the older firmware and accept limited frequency coverage.

Mike

IK0YYY
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:22 pm

Re: Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by IK0YYY » Sat Apr 16, 2022 2:18 pm

OK, Mike,

then, my lack of computer skills aside, I think I understand that it's a matter of compatibility between versions.
Thanks anyway, see you soon.

Luca IK0YYY, Rome.

IK0YYY
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Mar 28, 2019 12:22 pm

Re: Port 4... problem with upgrade freq

Post by IK0YYY » Sat Apr 16, 2022 3:39 pm

Hi all,

I close this discussion, because I have found the ... problem.

Now, it works also with Portsdown 4, form 48 Mhz to 6 Ghz.

Thank you.

Luca IK0YYY, Rome.

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