Problem with channel editor for strong 6355

kerryman

I install FTA systems and what i like to do for my customers is to arrange all the channels from 1 to 34 e.g BBC 1 on 1 BBC 2 on 2 and so on.
But this takes time because you can only move one channel at the time, so i would like to be able to do is to create a file on my computer using a channel editor so all i have to do is upload the software on to the strong receiver. I know Iam lazy. I downloaded software of the strong site but it will not connect to my computer.. It is on the correct com port I followed the instructions on the strong site. I am just wondering have anyone any ideas

L1011

kerryman wrote:

I install FTA systems and what i like to do for my customers is to arrange all the channels from 1 to 34 e.g BBC 1 on 1 BBC 2 on 2 and so on.
But this takes time because you can only move one channel at the time, so i would like to be able to do is to create a file on my computer using a channel editor so all i have to do is upload the software on to the strong receiver. I know Iam lazy. I downloaded software of the strong site but it will not connect to my computer.. It is on the correct com port I followed the instructions on the strong site. I am just wondering have anyone any ideas

You are using a null-modem serial cable and not a serial cable from an external modem, right? The problems you're having are often from trying to use a modem serial cable

kerryman

I had another strong reciver that was updated with different frimware but the same model and this cable worked fine I was able download the channels on to my PC

L1011

Some receivers have an, erm, I think its called a "ZZ Adapter" on their internal serial line that can flick the pins around if you use the wrong type of cable - kinda like being able to use a patch lead as a crossover on most modern laptop network cards.

Other than that, or the receiver being set to not take commands, I have no idea.

watty

I have seen different models of radio fromn Yaesu use different serial cables.
There is Modem (straight through DCE DTE)
Null Modem (Swaps some pins). The PC to PC cable.
And semi Null Modem, typical in past for some printers (data wires cross over but handshake is wired different to null modem).

Some connections only need 3 wires some 2 more handshake and occasionally some devices need 2 data, ground and FOUR handshake wires.

Usually only a modem needs as many as 9 as one Ringing signal and one is Carrier Detect, they won't be needed for anything else.

Read the manual!

old boy

watty your a mine of info, i just wish i could use a third of it, t.y. very much

watty

If anyone stuck I can post the actual wiring connections for the 3 families of cable showing 9 pin and 25 pin connector numbers.

Zaphod

I had my own misadventure with upgrading a Strong some time back. A friend wanted the latest firmware installed on a Strong 4375 as a number of satellites were missing from the old version. First we tried doing an OTA upgrade on Hotbird, but it turned out that they were no longer transmitting any data on the TP.

I got my null modem cable ready to do a PC upgrade only to find that, unlike 95% of receivers on the market, the Strong required a male connector on one end of the lead. So we butchered another cable and tested it with a multimeter to check the pins were connected OK and downloaded the firmware from Strong's wesbite. Upgrade appears to proceed fine to 100%, but when the receiver was rebooted, we were met with a black screen and a single green dot on the LED panel. Oh F$%K!!

Various attempts at reflashing e.g. plugging in the receiver at the socket, holding the standby key, crossing our toes, pointing towards Mecca etc made bugger all difference. A two and a half hour trawl through the web finally turned up a post on a Dutch satellite site where they mentioned that the newest firmware would only work on receivers with a specific range of serial number, and that others (including ours) had to use a slightly older version. Downloaded the older firmware from the Dutch site, reflashed and everything hunkydory, with new satellites in place and USALS capability added.

Not wanting to have anyone else suffer a similar fate, I emailed Strong telling them of my experience and asking them to put the warning about firmware versions and serial numbers on their support page. Feck all acknowledgement from them subsequently. In fact, it took them a whole 3 months before they got around to updating their miserable website.

They'll be roasting snowballs in Hell before a Strong receiver will cast a shadow again on the door threshold of Chez Zaphod!

Bogger77

Zaphod,
do you recall the comag reciever (sl55) I purchased from yourself. Have to tried to update the firmware on it? I'd like to update and also, edit the channel list. Can you point me to any good site?

Tks
B