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Version: 26.10.1

Firmware Update

Status

Status: Experimental · Applies to: FlexRadio

AetherSDR can upload new firmware to a FlexRadio on Linux, macOS and Windows, using the SmartSDR installer you download from FlexRadio.

Caution: firmware update from AetherSDR is a highly experimental feature. Use it at your own risk. Updating with the SmartSDR for Windows application is still the recommended route.

Requirements​

  • A connected FlexRadio. Firmware update is a FlexRadio feature: the group is hidden while you are connected to any other radio family (see Supported Radios).
  • The SmartSDR installer from flexradio.com, or an extracted .ssdr firmware file.

Setup​

Open Settings → Radio Setup... (on macOS: AetherSDR → Preferences...), choose the Radio page, and find the Firmware Update group. It shows the radio's current FW Version and three buttons: Check for Update, Select Installer... and Upload Firmware.

Updating the Firmware​

Check for updates​

  1. Click Check for Update.
  2. AetherSDR asks the FlexRadio website for the latest version and compares it with the radio's firmware.
  3. The status line reads either "Firmware is up to date (vX.Y.Z)" or "Update available: vX.Y.Z", with a reminder to download the SmartSDR installer from flexradio.com.

AetherSDR does not download the installer for you.

Stage the firmware​

  1. Download the SmartSDR installer from flexradio.com.
  2. Click Select Installer... and choose one of:
    • the .msi installer (SmartSDR v4.2 and later);
    • the .exe installer (v4.1.x and earlier);
    • an already extracted .ssdr firmware file.
  3. AetherSDR extracts the firmware for your radio's model family and shows its progress. When staging finishes, Upload Firmware becomes available.

Upload​

  1. Click Upload Firmware.
  2. A confirmation names the file and the radio, and warns that the radio reboots after the update. Do not disconnect during the upload.
  3. The progress bar and status line follow the transfer.
  4. The upload ends in one of three outcomes:
OutcomeWhat it meansWhat to do
Succeeded (green)The radio confirmed the update.Wait for the radio to reboot, then reconnect.
Unconfirmed (amber)The bytes were sent, but the radio did not confirm the installation. It is probably rebooting to apply the image.Reconnect and check the firmware version. A retry is blocked until you reconnect.
Failed (red)The upload did not complete, or the radio rejected it.Read the status line, then try again.

Closing Radio Setup during an upload asks for confirmation first. Closing it stops the transfer; once the bytes have been sent, it does not undo the update.

Reference​

Where to find .ssdr files​

  • Windows, after installing SmartSDR: C:\ProgramData\FlexRadio Systems\SmartSDR\Updates\
  • Or let Select Installer... extract the file from the installer for you.

Firmware files​

FileModels
FLEX-6x00_vX.Y.Z.ssdrAll consumer radios (6000, 8000, Aurora series)
FLEX-9600_vX.Y.Z.ssdrGovernment only (FLEX-9600 / DragonFire)

All consumer FlexRadios (Microburst, DeepEddy, BigBend, Aurora platforms) use the same FLEX-6x00 firmware.

Firmware compatibility​

The active test target is FLEX-8600 firmware 4.2.18 (SmartSDR protocol v1.4.0.0). Earlier 4.x firmware works; v3.x is unsupported.

Known issues​

  • The transfer reaches 100%, but the radio does not apply the update or reboot, and can report that the installation failed (#5572).

Troubleshooting​

The Firmware Update group is missing​

You are connected to a radio that is not a FlexRadio, so the group is hidden.

  1. Connect to a FlexRadio.
  2. Open Settings → Radio Setup... → Radio again.

Upload Firmware stays unavailable after an Unconfirmed upload​

A retry is blocked until you reconnect, because the radio is probably rebooting to apply the image.

  1. Wait for the radio to come back, then reconnect.
  2. Check FW Version in the Firmware Update group.

The upload Failed​

The upload did not complete, or the radio rejected it.

  1. Read the status line for the reason.
  2. Try the upload again.

See also​