Lockup Issue Report
When I initially received my new FTM-350R mobile (and yes... it is a "blue dot" updated model) - I didn't do much programing; instead waiting for the software to be released.
I received the RT Systems software and USB cable last Tuesday and have slowly been adding functionality to the radio - in steps. This software really does an excellent job of understanding the functions of the FTM-350R; making memory channel entry & function setting a breeze.
Everything was working perfectly until I activated the weather ALERT function. Once that was set to function, everything was fine until I started a memory channel scan on the half of the radio that I had the weather ALERT activated on.
The radio started the memory channel scan by looking at my first memory channel - then the next channel it went to was the WX channel to look for the alert tone - and then was supposed to continue on and look at my second memory channel... and so on.
When it checked the wx channel the first time, the radio locked solid. None of the buttons or dials would work; the screen was stuck showing the the WX channel. The power-off button wouldn't even work; I had to resort to un-plugging the 12v source to the radio.
When I connected the power source back to the radio; it did power up - but hung on the VS logo. I had to do that "two button" reset procedure; which unfortunately wiped all my programing clean. Nice, though that I was able to transfer everything back via the RT Systems program.
I did some more testing and came to the conclusion that these three things had to occur inorder for the locking-up to happen;
On the Settings - Radio Menu Settings - DTMF/Internet/Weather tab screen
1. WX ALERT ON activated
2. all WX channels set to "off"; a value in the "Selected Channel" field... in my specific it was WX channel 3.
3. go back to the main channel screen & invoke memory channel scan - on the specific half of the radio where you have the alert function set for.
I contacted RT Systems with this info and they bricked two of their FTM-350Rs in a similar fashion. They then tried this on a radio - setting all these specifics via the front panel (absent of their software) and it also locked up.
For now, I am leaving the weather channel ALERT function disabled.
I did perform the MARS/CAP mod on my radio initially; I do not know if the RT Systems radios they tested this on did or did-not have the same mod.
If anyone finds their FTM-350R locked up and can't get it reset using the two-button procedure; email me for another way to un-brick your rig.
Mike Mercury Ham Radio Page
When I initially received my new FTM-350R mobile (and yes... it is a "blue dot" updated model) - I didn't do much programing; instead waiting for the software to be released.
I received the RT Systems software and USB cable last Tuesday and have slowly been adding functionality to the radio - in steps. This software really does an excellent job of understanding the functions of the FTM-350R; making memory channel entry & function setting a breeze.
Everything was working perfectly until I activated the weather ALERT function. Once that was set to function, everything was fine until I started a memory channel scan on the half of the radio that I had the weather ALERT activated on.
The radio started the memory channel scan by looking at my first memory channel - then the next channel it went to was the WX channel to look for the alert tone - and then was supposed to continue on and look at my second memory channel... and so on.
When it checked the wx channel the first time, the radio locked solid. None of the buttons or dials would work; the screen was stuck showing the the WX channel. The power-off button wouldn't even work; I had to resort to un-plugging the 12v source to the radio.
When I connected the power source back to the radio; it did power up - but hung on the VS logo. I had to do that "two button" reset procedure; which unfortunately wiped all my programing clean. Nice, though that I was able to transfer everything back via the RT Systems program.
I did some more testing and came to the conclusion that these three things had to occur inorder for the locking-up to happen;
On the Settings - Radio Menu Settings - DTMF/Internet/Weather tab screen
1. WX ALERT ON activated
2. all WX channels set to "off"; a value in the "Selected Channel" field... in my specific it was WX channel 3.
3. go back to the main channel screen & invoke memory channel scan - on the specific half of the radio where you have the alert function set for.
I contacted RT Systems with this info and they bricked two of their FTM-350Rs in a similar fashion. They then tried this on a radio - setting all these specifics via the front panel (absent of their software) and it also locked up.
For now, I am leaving the weather channel ALERT function disabled.
I did perform the MARS/CAP mod on my radio initially; I do not know if the RT Systems radios they tested this on did or did-not have the same mod.
If anyone finds their FTM-350R locked up and can't get it reset using the two-button procedure; email me for another way to un-brick your rig.
Mike Mercury Ham Radio Page
Last edited:
