How to: Upload RF Explorer firmware from MacOS X computer
RF Explorer device firmware can be upgraded under MacOS X.
The how-to instructions below are tested in MacOS 10.11 El Capitan and 10.14 Mojave and is expected to work in any version between them.
This software is not compatible with macOS Catalina, Big Sur or newer.
For running RF Explorer software in Catalina or newer please use our free VM: www.rf-explorer.com/vm which includes all firmware upgrade tools inside the VM.
Installing required drivers
Prerequisite: Please follow indications of this article MacOS drivers before using the Firmware Uploader tool. This includes Mono and USB drivers installation.
Download the Firmware Uploader tool
IMPORTANT: Please make sure you use the right firmware and options for your device:
You should NOT upload Signal Generator firmware into a Spectrum Analyzer device!
You should NOT upload Spectrum Analyzer firmware into a Signal Generator device!
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Latest Firmware for RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer standard
RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer firmware for standard models (not PLUS models). For Vantage users, please contact www.RFVenue.com to confirm the specific firmware upgrade version is supported. Only for Handheld Spectrum Analyzer - DO NOT INSTALL THIS IN SIGNAL GENERATOR Firmware Upgrade Instructions included in the downloaded package |
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Latest Firmware for RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer PLUS
RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer WSUB1G PLUS and ISM COMBO PLUS firmware. Only for Handheld Spectrum Analyzer - DO NOT INSTALL THIS IN SIGNAL GENERATOR Firmware Upgrade Instructions included in the downloaded package |
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Latest Firmware for RF Explorer Signal Generator
RF Explorer Signal Generator firmware. Only for Handheld Signal Generator - DO NOT INSTALL THIS IN SPECTRUM ANALYZER models Firmware Upgrade Instructions included in the downloaded package |
Running the Firmware Uploader tool
Download the firmware file and uploader from above links and open the dmg contents.
- Before connecting the RF Explorer device to your Mac computer, make sure the baudrate in the device is set to 500kbps in the RF Explorer internal CONFIG MENU.
- Make sure you do not have any RF Explorer device connected to your Mac computer
- Follow instructions described in this video below to install the Firmware Uploader tool.
- Note: Make sure to drag the application to the desktop or to the dock before using it, otherwise it will appear to be hung, depending on permissions.
- Note: You may need to authorize the application explicitly in your system, reported by MacOS Sierra users. To do so, go to Security & Privacy panel in System Preferences, then hit the ALLOW button after completing installation.
Important troubleshooting comments contributed by users:
- If the application does not work as expected, hung and force-quit, drag the app to the desktop and relaunch it from there.
- For Sierra users, you may need to authorize it by going to Security & Privacy panel in System Preferences, then hit the ALLOW button after completing installation. This may be required for Mono, USB drivers and the Uploader tool. If the software is not running correctly, please visit Security & Privacy panel in System Preferences and make sure to ALLOW everything that may be pending.
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Mono is installed, all usb drivers installed. Vantage is not seeing RF explorer either.
http://j3.rf-explorer.com/62-rfe/troubleshooting/178-troubleshooting-usb-drivers-3
https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/Mac_OSX_VCP_Driver.zip
I have installed all of the above links. Firmware Update Loader opens fine, followed all steps, and I'm hung up on the third step... and it does not see my "Com" port. I have tried 3 separate USB cables, USB Bauds rate is at 500 Kbps. I've made sure the correct Mono version from this page in the above link was used. Any help out there?
Please open a ticket in support.rf-explorer.com so we can follow up HW and SW details from your computer.
Do you get any error while installing the drivers?
Also please try the very latest from the manufacturer website: https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/Mac_OSX_VCP_Driver.zip
Mono is installed, all usb drivers installed. Vantage is not seeing RF explorer either
thanks
Other question: What does 'pre-calibration' mean when displayed? Can it be calibrated? I see nothing about jhat in the manual.
Thanks
We are still testing the Mac environment for firmware v1.26, it will be available soon.
For your second question please check this article: http://j3.rf-explorer.com/42-rfe/faq/112-firmware-v111-shows-qpre-calibratingq-on-screen
I had the same problems as others with getting the updater to run. Click on updater, it would act like it was opening, and then absolutely nothing happened.
Here’s how I got the 1.26 updater to run under OSX 10.13.5:
•Download the updater (duh!) and put it somewhere besides the disk image. I happen to put it in the Applications folder (more about that in a moment…).
•Install the USB SiLabs drivers.
•Install the Mono libraries.
From the page at http://j3.rf-explorer.com/downloads/43-rfe/how-to/205-h2-macosx-drivers it says “Some software tools produced by RF Explorer requires Mono libraries installed in your Mac computer.” Not sure why it phrases it that way, but you need the Mono libraries installed! It’s sure not optional here. Wish I had realized that before wasting a bucketful of time..
(cont...)
I used Mono 4.8.0. That’s what the link above said to do, even though they are up to v.5.12. No idea if something bad would happen with a later version.
After installing the drivers & Mono, the updater would try to launch, with spinning beach ball. Needed for force quit at that point.
•RUN THE UPDATER FROM THE COMMAND LINE!
I figured out how to get it to run from the command line as the result of desperate screwing around. I could explain, but let me save you the hassle:
1) Connect your RF Explorer, in update mode. Make sure it says “500Kbps”. Don’t do anything else.
2) Open the Mac Terminal.
3) Copy and paste this entire block of text into Terminal, and hit return:
/Applications/Firmware\ Spectrum\ Analyzer\ v1_26.app/Contents/MacOS/RFEUploaderMac /c /d:analyzer
(cont...)
(Keep in mind I put the app in the Application folder, which is where this command is looking for the uploader code. I suppose you could put it elsewhere but seriously, do you need MORE pain?)
If it is all going well, you should see plain English instructions from the updater, and no inscrutable error messages.
The options at the end of the command runs the updater in “console” mode and looks for the specified device. Analyzer or generator. If you need/want to see more options, just run it in console mode, but don’t specify the device. You’ll get instructions on how to set the options.
(cont...)
If you’ve done it the way I described above, you’ll get a message to press the UP button on the analyzer. Magic will now happen! The device should update, and switch back to normal analyzer operation when finished. I think it took maybe 1-1/2 minutes max. Check firmware version in the About menu of the analyzer to verify the version.
God I hope this helps someone else…
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