Problem using the UV008 Flasher tool

[rogerclarkmelbourne]

I just got my DM-32, and trying to use the UV008 Flasher tool to backup the memory chips I always get an "Communication error" popup.

I found by trial and error that I need to run the UV008 then press the Read button.
Then turn on the DM-32 while holding the PTT and the button below it.
I then briefly see a message displayed "Bootloader Init"
But it then displays a popup saying Communication Error

I've tried 2 different cables. One was the cable that came with the radio, which contains a CH340 USB Serial in the plug, and also another cable which I made myself and use with the Quansheng UV-K5 which uses a different USB Serial chip.

The CPS works OK, to read and write codeplugs, but I've not tried updating the firmware in the radio yet
The radio is definitely in bootloader mode, because the Green LED is permanently on and there is nothing displayed on the screen

Am I doing something wrong when using the UV008 flasher tool?

[didotb]

Start by making sure the app gets the proper baud rate, sadly it doesn't always work, but I found a way to do it around 60% of the time.

1. open the cps
2. open com settings
3. make sure you open each dropdowns and select the proper settings for the radio (i.e. radio's comm port, 115200)
4. turn off radio
5. read from openuv008
6. press SK1 (top side-button). do not press PTT, nor SK2
7. turn on radio

Why do the first 3?

I have no idea as well, it's either

• windows changes it and the CPS only shows what it'll apply before a read/write, therefore manually selecting it sets the COM port to respect what the app chose.
• the app reads the default or tries to read from radio, but because certain UART commands haven't been set in the radio, it doesn't respond (or couldn't respond).
• could be a parity or flow control that the CPS knows but OpenUV008 doesn't. If this is the case, you can probably bruteforce the parity and flow control paring in-order to read from the radio without the CPS itself.

[didotb]

I've tried reading from radio on the CPS first as well just to make sure the connection is solid before I read from OpenUV008.
Just became my practice over the months, I can cancel from there anyway compared to the uncancellable read from OpenUV008.

[rogerclarkmelbourne]

Thanks.
I worked out the problem.

The UV008 flash tool only works if you turn off your radio before you run that application, and don't turn on the radio until after you have selected the operation to backup the memory, and set file name to save to, and the flasher tool is ready for the radio to start.

The radio must NOT be in bootloader mode for the UV008 flash tool.
The C7000 chip seems to have a built in bootloader, i.e not the Baofeng bootloader which is used to load the official firmware.

[didotb]

that's weird, I just tried this now, and it doesn't work on me.
just to be clear, when I turn on the radio like you said, I have to press on both PTT + SK1 like you said in your first comment?

[rogerclarkmelbourne]

No.
The UV008 Flash tool is not used in bootloader mode (PTT + SK1)
just turn the radio on with nothing pressed

[didotb]

this still doesn't work for me unless both cps and uv008 tool are both open and I pressed the sk1 button before turning on

[rogerclarkmelbourne]

UV008 tool and CPS can't both use the COM port at the same time.

Did you try turning off your radio, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, and also unplugging and replugging the USB cable at the PC.

Then run UV008 tool, select the memory you want to backup, select a file name. UV008 tool should then display something like "Init".
Then turn on the radio. Don't hold in any buttons

[didotb]

I've taken my time and exhaustively did the things below just to make sure I did not miss anything:

• radio off and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio without pressing anything.
• radio off and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK1 + PTT.
• radio off and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK1 only.
• radio off and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK1 + SK2.
• radio off and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK2 only.
• radio off and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK2 + PTT.
• radio on and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn off radio, then turn on again without pressing anything.
• radio on and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn off radio, then turn on again while pressing SK1 + PTT.
• radio on and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn off radio, then turn on again while pressing SK1 only.
• radio on and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn off radio, then turn on again while pressing SK1 + SK2.
• radio on and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn off radio, then turn on again while pressing SK2 only.
• radio on and connected -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn off radio, then turn on again while pressing SK2 + PTT.

All of the above did not work.

What has consistently worked for me was to:

• radio off and connected -> open cps -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK1 + PTT. (works 60% of the time)
• radio off and connected -> open cps -> open uv008 -> click read -> save file -> uv008 waiting -> turn on radio while pressing SK1 only. (works if the above doesn't)

don't get me wrong, I just have to open the CPS. It doesn't have to do anything, just there in the background.
The CPS only uses COMM ports if it is actively reading, and releases access the moment it's finished. Otherwise, the radio would not reset to normal operation.

What I am curious is why it's different for both of us, and my theory is it has something to do with the firmware available due to different hardware designs, requiring different firmware sets. (e.g. firmware with the HR_VOCODER in the name, VS. the firmware without). I happen to be using DM32.01.02.046 (the firmware without the HR_Vocoder), which firmware edition do you have? in addition to that, which firmware version are you using?

[rogerclarkmelbourne]

AFIK. The OpenUV008_Flasher does not interact with the bootloader in the radio. It connects directly to the HR-C7000 internal bootloader.

This is the version of the Flash tool that I'm using