Here is a "fix" that forces updates to swissflarm, ozflarm, minioz. The trick is to power up the flarm before connecting the "data" line:
1. do not connect the flarm to the cable - leave it powered down 2. download the flarmtool from the flarm website http://flarm.com/support/firmware-updates/ 3. install and run the flarmtool 4. select "Flarm" - "Recover" from the menu 5. if your flarm has got a button: press that whilst connecting to power only (well, if there is no button like on the mini-oz - don't press anything). Use a flarm update cable that allows to connect power to the flarm - do not connect the serial cable as yet. 6. wait for 20 seconds (keep the button pressed) 7. connect the data cable (to your serial port on the computer) and let go of the button 8. the update will run Laurie gained a bachelor degree with honors in SwissFlarm, Colibri2, and Oudie on the weekend... David Kinlan's SwissFlarm is now running version 6 as well. There is no more commercial hardware support available for original flarms to my knowledge. If you have trouble doing the above procedure: maybe someone in your club can help. I am happy to help. Worst case scenario: you will have to get the flarm to me somehow and I will try my best. Unless you have money to throw around: try to keep your original flarm operational - powerflram is not the answer to all problems. My personal opinion: flarm is a great idea. It's great when it works. But I am someone that heavily relies on the latest version of LookOut®. I update LookOut® continually when flying. One problem is that LookOut® is out of date as soon as you look somewhere else. However, you can keep updating Lookout® completely free and I do so. One BIG drawback with flarm / powerflarm is: there is no automated range / function test. All that flarm gives you are green lights. I always try to get my hands on as many flarm files as possible to check them with the flarm range analyzer http://flarm.com/support/tools-software/ It's amazing how many flarms give all green lights - but the range stops somewhere at the wingtip and has got gaps due to obstacles close to the antenna. You just don't know if your ham-sandwich interferes with the reception on the flarm antenna. The only useful files to upload to the range analyser are flarm files that had plenty of interaction with other flarms (comp files are particualry good). I have flarm connected to XC-Soar - it gives you an idea where other gliders are, inclusive of cimb rate ;-) But flarm is useless as soon as there is another flarm with crappy antenna. And always remember: very few general aviation aircraft are fitted with flarm. They will most likely be fitted with a transponder. Is PowerFlarm the answer? PowerFlarm will give you a "transponder" alert - but no direction or height indication. Very few RA-Aus aircraft are fitted with a transponder, let alone flarm. I am with Laurie, the mandatory requirement to fit flarm for all gliders is somehow questionable. OK for comp jockeys - but still: LookOut® is tool number 1 even in comps. ASI, altimeter, vario, radio and compass are checked as part of the Form 2. Maybe it is a good habit to check flarm files on a regular basis as well - it's free! Erich On Tue, Mar 17, 2015 at 8:59 AM, Laurie Simpkins <lahi...@hotmail.com> wrote: > Hi, Might be best if i let the guys who fixed it explain as out of my > depth. i know one follows this forum. > On another note i also run a PCAS , hasn't needed updating yet, and i have > found very handy around the circuit and on cross country's for any GA > running a transponder. Neither my Flarm or PCAS picks up the rest of sports > aviators sharing the sky with us so still have to trust old fashion > eyeballs. Got 52 years out of them before first upgrade and > confirmed warranty expired as soon as i left home! > > cheers > laurie > > > From: aus-soaring-requ...@lists.internode.on.net > > Subject: Aus-soaring Digest, Vol 138, Issue 27 > > To: aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 23:38:23 +1030 > > > > Send Aus-soaring mailing list submissions to > > aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > > aus-soaring-requ...@lists.internode.on.net > > > > You can reach the person managing the list at > > aus-soaring-ow...@lists.internode.on.net > > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > > than "Re: Contents of Aus-soaring digest..." > > > > > > Today's Topics: > > > > 1. Flarm support non existant (David Kinlan) > > 2. Re: Flarm Update (Chris Runeckles) > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > Message: 1 > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 23:06:48 +1000 > > From: David Kinlan <dkin...@hotmail.com> > > Subject: [Aus-soaring] Flarm support non existant > > To: "aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net" > > <aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > Message-ID: <dub127-w683a02817ad62c739c3b1da4...@phx.gbl> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > > I can only add to Laurie Simpkins concerns. > > Recently y 4yr old SwissFlarm had a defect and could no longer receive a > signal. On contacting Flarm in Switzerland they informed me that they no > longer support any of the purported 25,000 flarm units out there (they > referred to these as the 'classic' flarms they will only service > powerflarms. So once your classic flarm has an issue it it effectively > worthless and beyond repair. I am guessing everyone out there is not aware > of this as it is not clear from their website. > > > > David Kinlan > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > URL: < > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/private/aus-soaring/attachments/20150316/04347dd6/attachment.html > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 2 > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:08:16 +0800 > > From: Chris Runeckles <cmruneck...@gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Flarm Update > > To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." > > <aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > Message-ID: > > <cag02_klkkqiutekoegx+wbd7npjywv02qdwu-vw4lde_yk4...@mail.gmail.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > > > Hi Laurie > > > > So before I make the same error with my Swiss flarm, what was the > problem? > > and could you share the fix with the forum please > > > > Many thanks > > > > Chris Runeckles > > GCWA > > > > On Mon, Mar 16, 2015 at 8:34 PM, Laurie Simpkins <lahi...@hotmail.com> > > wrote: > > > > > Hi, > > > Just attempted to updated my Swiss Flarm this weekend and turned it > into > > > an expensive paperweight. Fortunately two well known members of WGC ( > > > thanks again) pooled their combined knowledge and many hours later it > > > became a semi useful part of the airframe again. Was about to scrap all > > > electronics and install my cosim vario and make my own beeping > noises??? > > > It will be a sad day IMHO when we mandate any form of electronic device > > > for all gliders as standard equipment. I appreciate their use for > gliders > > > and tugs ( I used to tow ) in comps etc but as the owner of some > vintage > > > gliders ( including my open cirrus) i challenge their relevance in all > > > parts of our sport. > > > I still believe we could help ourselves more by encouraging more anti > > > collision marking ( read all the arguments) and keeping our heads out > of > > > the cockpit where they belong. > > > Before you crucify me ( as happens occasionally here) please justify > your > > > comments with why you think i need a Flarm or equivalent in a vintage > or > > > training aircraft mostly operating in the CTAF. Soon we will be asked > these > > > questions as a body and i hope we answer wisely. > > > I say again i support and understand the relevance in a comp situation > for > > > devices likes Flarms however we will need to make future decisions and > > > rules for all the gliding community. > > > Currently i probably couldn't operate at some local clubs due to an > > > insistence an Flarms for all aircraft??????????? > > > > > > cheers > > > Laurie > > > > > > GMO,GDW,GEF,GHJ,GTG > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: aus-soaring-requ...@lists.internode.on.net > > > > Subject: Aus-soaring Digest, Vol 138, Issue 25 > > > > To: aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:22:52 +1030 > > > > > > > > Send Aus-soaring mailing list submissions to > > > > aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > > > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > > > > aus-soaring-requ...@lists.internode.on.net > > > > > > > > You can reach the person managing the list at > > > > aus-soaring-ow...@lists.internode.on.net > > > > > > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > > > > than "Re: Contents of Aus-soaring digest..." > > > > > > > > > > > > Today's Topics: > > > > > > > > 1. Re: FLARM update (Mike Borgelt) > > > > 2. Easter Comp 2015 cancelled (Erich Wittstock) > > > > 3. Re: Easter Comp 2015 cancelled (Ian Downes) > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > > Message: 1 > > > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 11:47:29 +1000 > > > > From: Mike Borgelt <mborg...@borgeltinstruments.com> > > > > Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] FLARM update > > > > To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." > > > > <aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > > > Message-ID: <77bbc2$v9j...@ipmail07.adl2.internode.on.net> > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed" > > > > > > > > As a standalone device a Flarm is merely an expensive GPS data > source. > > > > > > > > Flarm is a *system* and requires other devices > > > > and compatibility between devices to function. > > > > The usefulness also degrades rapidly as the > > > > proportion of potential targets either is not > > > > equipped or the unit isn't working or is non compatible. > > > > > > > > Analogies with parachutes aren't useful. There > > > > are many parachute manufacturers and I'm not > > > > aware that licence fees are being paid by the > > > > others to one manufacturer and while there may > > > > be airworthiness directives from time to time on a particular brand > or > > > type of > > > > > > > > parachute there aren't potential fleet wide problems every year. > > > > > > > > Not a problem until use is mandated as in contests or some clubs. > > > > > > > > The serious parts of aviation seem to go to lots > > > > of trouble to maintain backwards compatibility. > > > > i.e. continuing use of pressure altitude instead > > > > of GPS altitude, Mode A transponders are > > > > compatible with Mode C and mode S and ADSB co-exists with these on > the > > > same > > > > > > > > frequencies. Except in the USA where the > > > > potential congestion means they have gone to > > > > 978Mhz for ADSB for small aircraft and maintained > > > > the Extended squitter transponder 1090 Mhz use > > > > for large aircraft. That means ground stations > > > > and being in range of one for the two > > > > > > > > sets of users to know about each other. Wonderful! > > > > > > > > TCAS as used in airliners also has the feature > > > > that the system logic is known to the users and users are trained in > it. > > > > > > > > A couple of years ago I analysed a mid air > > > > between two gliders in Austria. Both Flarm > > > > equipped and both Flarms were working. The pilots > > > > frantically scanned and still failed to see each > > > > other whereupon one turned left - right across > > > > the other glider's flightpath and the > > > > > > > > collision occurred. Otherwise they'd have missed. > > > > Fortunately both managed to land safely. > > > > > > > > Mike > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > At 10:56 AM 16/03/2015, you wrote: > > > > >Hi Tim, > > > > >As you have reminded many in the past, - this is > > > > >a Gliding Forum. Keep the politics and political comments out of it. > > > > >Glenn > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >On 14/03/2015 8:32 PM, Tim Shirley wrote: > > > > >>Hi all, > > > > >> > > > > >>Flarms are standalone devices. They won't stop > > > > >>working tomorrow, because there is nothing to > > > > >>stop them working. A Flarm on V5 will see a > > > > >>Flarm on V5 just the same for ever, so it is > > > > >>probably better for the upgrade at a club, or > > > > >>in an area where gliders often fly together, to > > > > >>be co-ordinated. Making an instant change to > > > > >>your own Flarm might simply disable yours :) > > > > >> > > > > >>Flarm is being 100% consistent in its policy, > > > > >>and if that is irresponsible well then more > > > > >>irresponsibility from Tony Abbott would be good > > > > >>(if that is possible). They have NEVER > > > > >>guaranteed that a major version upgrade is > > > > >>backward compatible, in fact they have always > > > > >>said that any backward compatibility between > > > > >>major versions is coincidental. I make no > > > > >>comment on the reasons or the necessity for this policy. > > > > >> > > > > >>There's nothing wrong with a Flarm, except for > > > > >>the far too high expectations we have of it. > > > > >> > > > > >>Just look out the window - no version changes > > > > >>required but make sure your specs are up to spec. > > > > >> > > > > >>Cheers > > > > >> > > > > >>Tim Shirley > > > > >> > > > > >>tra dire ? fare c' ? mezzo il mare > > > > >>On 14/03/2015 6:54 PM, Matthew Scutter wrote: > > > > >>>FYI: > > > > >>>FLARM has now published it's latest update - v6. > > > > >>>It's available here: > > > > >>><http://flarm.com/support/firmware-updates/> > > > http://flarm.com/support/firmware-updates/ > > > > >>> > > > > >>>The protocols in the current version (v5) and > > > > >>>new version (v6) are supposedly totally > > > > >>>incompatible, so please update your FLARMs > > > > >>>before next flight or you won't be able to see pilots with the > other > > > version. > > > > >>> > > > > >>><soapbox opinion> I think it's very > > > > >>>irresponsible of FLARM to publish a backwards > > > > >>>incompatible upgrade like this. I am glad I am > > > > >>>not flying in the Alps this weekend. </opinion> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>> > > > > >>>_______________________________________________ > > > > >>>Aus-soaring mailing list > > > > >>><mailto:Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > > Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > >>>To check or change subscription details, visit: > > > > >>><http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring> > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >>_______________________________________________ > > > > >>Aus-soaring mailing list > > > > >><mailto:Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > > Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > >>To check or change subscription details, visit: > > > > >><http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring> > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > > > > > > >_______________________________________________ > > > > >Aus-soaring mailing list > > > > >Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > >To check or change subscription details, visit: > > > > >http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > > > > > Borgelt Instruments - design & manufacture of > > > > quality soaring instrumentation since 1978 > > > > www.borgeltinstruments.com > > > > tel: 07 4635 5784 overseas: int+61-7-4635 5784 > > > > mob: 042835 5784 : int+61-42835 5784 > > > > P O Box 4607, Toowoomba East, QLD 4350, Australia > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > > > URL: < > > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/private/aus-soaring/attachments/20150316/97c4f1e8/attachment.html > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > > > > > Message: 2 > > > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 19:19:16 +1100 > > > > From: Erich Wittstock <deepb...@gmail.com> > > > > Subject: [Aus-soaring] Easter Comp 2015 cancelled > > > > To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." > > > > <aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > > > Message-ID: > > > > <caph3ingu9naf3qd9syosnusgocnb6z6dzxvcxnu_2bjsm0n...@mail.gmail.com> > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > > > > > > > Regretfully the decision has been made to cancel this years Easter > > > > Competition that was to be held at Goondiwindi. The principal reason > was > > > > a lack of competitors. There were not sufficient entrants to justify > the > > > > commitment of the organisers, it was a risk financially and the small > > > > numbers in the classes gave little competition. > > > > > > > > It is unfortunate however we felt it better to cancel rather than > try to > > > > run a sub-standard event. We will commence planning in a couple of > months > > > > for Easter 2016. Watch for our announcements. > > > > > > > > For those who have made the commitment to go to Goondiwindi this > year all > > > > is not totally lost for you. Warwick Club intend to fly all week and > > > > offer non-competitive scored soaring for those interested. If you are > > > > interested contact Warwick club www.warwickgliding.org.au > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Lindsay Mitchell > > > > President > > > > Queensland Gliding Assoc. Inc. > > > > 0419 280 811 > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > > > URL: < > > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/private/aus-soaring/attachments/20150316/770436f8/attachment.html > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > > > > > Message: 3 > > > > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:52:43 +1100 > > > > From: "Ian Downes" <iandow...@optusnet.com.au> > > > > Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Easter Comp 2015 cancelled > > > > To: "'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'" > > > > <aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net> > > > > Message-ID: <000801d05fd7$560db290$022917b0$@optusnet.com.au> > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > > > > > > > Good evening all > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sorry to hear about the need to cancel this years event at > Goondiwindi. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > As well as our friends at Warwick, Lake Keepit is also operating over > > > the Easter break as part of our full time operation. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Whilst accommodation at the club and the adjoining caravan park is > > > pretty tight, we do have plenty of camping spots available. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > If you can't make Warwick we would love to see you at Keepit. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Ian Downes. > > > > > > > > Lake Keepit Soaring Club > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net [mailto: > > > aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net] On Behalf Of Erich > Wittstock > > > > Sent: Monday, March 16, 2015 7:19 PM > > > > To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. > > > > Subject: [Aus-soaring] Easter Comp 2015 cancelled > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Regretfully the decision has been made to cancel this years Easter > > > Competition that was to be held at Goondiwindi. The principal reason > was a > > > lack of competitors. There were not sufficient entrants to justify the > > > commitment of the organisers, it was a risk financially and the small > > > numbers in the classes gave little competition. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is unfortunate however we felt it better to cancel rather than > try to > > > run a sub-standard event. We will commence planning in a couple of > months > > > for Easter 2016. Watch for our announcements. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > For those who have made the commitment to go to Goondiwindi this year > > > all is not totally lost for you. Warwick Club intend to fly all week > and > > > offer non-competitive scored soaring for those interested. If you are > > > interested contact Warwick club www.warwickgliding.org.au < > > > http://www.warwickgliding.org.au/> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Lindsay Mitchell > > > > President > > > > Queensland Gliding Assoc. Inc. > > > > > > > > 0419 280 811 <tel:0419%20280%20811> > > > > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > > > URL: < > > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/private/aus-soaring/attachments/20150316/28148f67/attachment.html > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > Aus-soaring mailing list > > > > Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > > > > > End of Aus-soaring Digest, Vol 138, Issue 25 > > > > ******************************************** > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Aus-soaring mailing list > > > Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > > To check or change subscription details, visit: > > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > > URL: < > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/private/aus-soaring/attachments/20150316/066bd3af/attachment.html > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Aus-soaring mailing list > > Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring > > > > End of Aus-soaring Digest, Vol 138, Issue 27 > > ******************************************** > > _______________________________________________ > Aus-soaring mailing list > Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net > To check or change subscription details, visit: > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring >
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