Hopefully someone can help me understand my issue with my PowerFlarm Core.

My PowerFlarm (IGC, ENL) has issues writing IGC files and logging my flights. I found the flarmdev.csv file and there I find suspicious differences after updating the firmware.

3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.09,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
USBH
XPDR
DLED
BARO
RFB
ENL
IGC,OBST:0
AUD:0
ENL:1
AZN:0
IGC:1
RFB:1
TIS:0
GND:0
ADSR:0,2,469,,
3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.21,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
USBH
XPDR
DLED
BARO
RFB
ENL
IGC,ENL:1
IGC:1
RFB:1,2,469,,

After updating from 7.09 to firmware version 7.21 I see differences in the content in the lines. Does someone know what happend?

THX, Rob

Hi Rob - I don't see anything suspicious in the output below;
what lines are you concerned about?
You say "PowerFlarm has issues writing IGC files and logging my flights"
Do you mean it isn't logging, or not writing correctly to USB stick?
Get a new high-quality USB stick and make sure it is freshly formatted,
and likely you'll have better results - the USB stick is often the
cause of difficulties...
Hope that helps!
Best Regards, Dave

On 1/14/2024 6:31 PM, Rob Flantua wrote:
> Hopefully someone can help me understand my issue with my PowerFlarm
Core.
>
> My PowerFlarm (IGC, ENL) has issues writing IGC files and logging my
flights.
> I found the flarmdev.csv file and there I find suspicious differences
after updating the firmware.
>
>
> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.09,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> USBH
> XPDR
> DLED
> BARO
> RFB
> ENL
> IGC,OBST:0
> AUD:0
> ENL:1
> AZN:0
> IGC:1
> RFB:1
> TIS:0
> GND:0
> ADSR:0,2,469,,
> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.21,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> USBH
> XPDR
> DLED
> BARO
> RFB
> ENL
> IGC,ENL:1
> IGC:1
> RFB:1,2,469,,
>
> After updating from 7.09 to firmware version 7.21 I see differences
in the content in the lines.
> Does someone know what happend?
>
> THX, Rob

On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 12:27:10 PM UTC-5, Dave Nadler wrote:
> Hi Rob - I don't see anything suspicious in the output below;
> what lines are you concerned about?
> You say "PowerFlarm has issues writing IGC files and logging my flights"
> Do you mean it isn't logging, or not writing correctly to USB stick?
> Get a new high-quality USB stick and make sure it is freshly formatted,
> and likely you'll have better results - the USB stick is often the
> cause of difficulties...
> Hope that helps!
> Best Regards, Dave
> On 1/14/2024 6:31 PM, Rob Flantua wrote:
> > Hopefully someone can help me understand my issue with my PowerFlarm
> Core.
> >

Hi Dave, general USB stick question. Typically, what is max size for the various devices we use in Soaring. Things like flight computers, loggers, etc.. I don't normally see that listed, but I believe 32mb is a common Max stick capacity.
Thoughts?

Charlie.

> > My PowerFlarm (IGC, ENL) has issues writing IGC files and logging my
> flights.
> > I found the flarmdev.csv file and there I find suspicious differences
> after updating the firmware.
> >
> >
> > 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.09,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> > USBH
> > XPDR
> > DLED
> > BARO
> > RFB
> > ENL
> > IGC,OBST:0
> > AUD:0
> > ENL:1
> > AZN:0
> > IGC:1
> > RFB:1
> > TIS:0
> > GND:0
> > ADSR:0,2,469,,
> > 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.21,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> > USBH
> > XPDR
> > DLED
> > BARO
> > RFB
> > ENL
> > IGC,ENL:1
> > IGC:1
> > RFB:1,2,469,,
> >

>
> > Does someone know what happend?
> >
> > THX, Rob

I typically use 8 or 16 GB sticks but, IIRC, I've used one as big as 64
GB.  Of course, that could be failing memory...

Dan 5J
On 1/15/24 10:54, Charlie M. (UH, Pi & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 12:27:10 PM UTC-5, Dave Nadler wrote:
>> Hi Rob - I don't see anything suspicious in the output below;
>> what lines are you concerned about?
>> You say "PowerFlarm has issues writing IGC files and logging my flights"
>> Do you mean it isn't logging, or not writing correctly to USB stick?
>> Get a new high-quality USB stick and make sure it is freshly formatted,
>> and likely you'll have better results - the USB stick is often the
>> cause of difficulties...
>> Hope that helps!
>> Best Regards, Dave
>> On 1/14/2024 6:31 PM, Rob Flantua wrote:
>>> Hopefully someone can help me understand my issue with my PowerFlarm
>> Core.
> Hi Dave, general USB stick question. Typically, what is max size for the various devices we use in Soaring. Things like flight computers, loggers, etc. I don't normally see that listed, but I believe 32mb is a common Max stick capacity.
> Thoughts?
>
> Charlie.
>
>>> My PowerFlarm (IGC, ENL) has issues writing IGC files and logging my
>> flights.
>>> I found the flarmdev.csv file and there I find suspicious differences
>> after updating the firmware.
>>>
>>> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.09,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
>>> USBH
>>> XPDR
>>> DLED
>>> BARO
>>> RFB
>>> ENL
>>> IGC,OBST:0
>>> AUD:0
>>> ENL:1
>>> AZN:0
>>> IGC:1
>>> RFB:1
>>> TIS:0
>>> GND:0
>>> ADSR:0,2,469,,
>>> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.21,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
>>> USBH
>>> XPDR
>>> DLED
>>> BARO
>>> RFB
>>> ENL
>>> IGC,ENL:1
>>> IGC:1
>>> RFB:1,2,469,,
>>>
>>> Does someone know what happend?
>>>
>>> THX, Rob

Op maandag 15 januari 2024 om 19:26:57 UTC+1 schreef Dan Marotta:
> I typically use 8 or 16 GB sticks but, IIRC, I've used one as big as 64
> GB. Of course, that could be failing memory...
>
> Dan 5J
> On 1/15/24 10:54, Charlie M. (UH, Pi & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> > On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 12:27:10 PM UTC-5, Dave Nadler wrote:
> >> Hi Rob - I don't see anything suspicious in the output below;
> >> what lines are you concerned about?
> >> You say "PowerFlarm has issues writing IGC files and logging my flights"
> >> Do you mean it isn't logging, or not writing correctly to USB stick?
> >> Get a new high-quality USB stick and make sure it is freshly formatted,
> >> and likely you'll have better results - the USB stick is often the
> >> cause of difficulties...
> >> Hope that helps!
> >> Best Regards, Dave
> >> On 1/14/2024 6:31 PM, Rob Flantua wrote:
> >>> Hopefully someone can help me understand my issue with my PowerFlarm
> >> Core.
> > Hi Dave, general USB stick question. Typically, what is max size for the various devices we use in Soaring. Things like flight computers, loggers, etc. I don't normally see that listed, but I believe 32mb is a common Max stick capacity.
> > Thoughts?
> >
> > Charlie.
> >
> >>> My PowerFlarm (IGC, ENL) has issues writing IGC files and logging my
> >> flights.
> >>> I found the flarmdev.csv file and there I find suspicious differences
> >> after updating the firmware.
> >>>
> >>> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.09,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> >>> USBH
> >>> XPDR
> >>> DLED
> >>> BARO
> >>> RFB
> >>> ENL
> >>> IGC,OBST:0
> >>> AUD:0
> >>> ENL:1
> >>> AZN:0
> >>> IGC:1
> >>> RFB:1
> >>> TIS:0
> >>> GND:0
> >>> ADSR:0,2,469,,
> >>> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.21,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> >>> USBH
> >>> XPDR
> >>> DLED
> >>> BARO
> >>> RFB
> >>> ENL
> >>> IGC,ENL:1
> >>> IGC:1
> >>> RFB:1,2,469,,
> >>>
> >>> Does someone know what happend?
> >>>
> >>> THX, Rob

Hi everyone,
Some of you suggested the USB Stick could be the origin of the failures. So I’ll try a fresh and formatted usb stick. Hopefully that’ll solve the problem.
Also I learned the way the licences are listed changed since firmware version 7.21. I don’t realy understand the code but as it explains the differences in the flarmdev.csv file I trust the Core and suppose it’s not bricked.
My LX ERA80 reported IGC failure, I was afraid the IGC seal got broken.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress after using the fresh usb.

Per the PF manual.

PowerFLARM Core has a built-in USB A 2.0 connector for a memory stick. The stick
is used for device updates and readout of device information and flight records.
See chapters 6, 7 and 8 for details. Maximum supported size is 32GB.

On 1/16/2024 10:11 AM, Craig Reinholt wrote:
> Per the PF manual.
>
> PowerFLARM Core has a built-in USB A 2.0 connector for a memory stick. The stick
> is used for device updates and readout of device information and flight records.
> See chapters 6, 7 and 8 for details. Maximum supported size is 32GB.

Thanks Craig.
Also note FAT32 formatting (not NTFS or other file system).

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 10:11:04 AM UTC-5, Craig Reinholt wrote:
> Per the PF manual.
>
> PowerFLARM Core has a built-in USB A 2.0 connector for a memory stick. The stick
> is used for device updates and readout of device information and flight records.
> See chapters 6, 7 and 8 for details. Maximum supported size is 32GB.

Having gone through a very painful update process last year, I'll second (or third) the recommendation to start with a "clean" USB stick. Also, the manual explains the error "messages" which are displayed during the start sequence via various interfaces.

It would be nice if there was a better user interface for the Flarm. Little blinky LED lights really don't tell me much. Do any instruments (LXNav, ClearNav, etc.) display what the little box is doing? How about an interface to clear files, update the Config file or anything like that?

I've got a FlarmView stuck to my panel with Velcro.  The website only
shows the circle of lights and height differential display. Mine shows
my glider in the center and all aircraft reporting positioned around me
at their respective azimuth and range.  I can select any target I want
via push buttons and it will be tracked with its identification,
azimuth, altitude and range displayed along with climb rate, etc.  It
only cost around $250 and it's connected to my PowerFlarm portable via
what amounts to a telephone cord which also powers the device.  The cord
was included so it may be non standard wiring.

Of course, for a few $ more, you could install a Trig ADS-B module.  It
doesn't cost that much (for an experimental glider, Certificated is a
different story).  That, along with your moving map of choice will show
you everything.  The FlarmView also displays ADS-B targets as does my PF
portable and ClearNavII.

Dan 5J
On 1/20/24 11:07, Mark628CA wrote:
> It would be nice if there was a better user interface for the Flarm. Little blinky LED lights really don't tell me much. Do any instruments (LXNav, ClearNav, etc.) display what the little box is doing? How about an interface to clear files, update the Config file or anything like that?

Op maandag 15 januari 2024 om 00:31:50 UTC+1 schreef Rob Flantua:
> Hopefully someone can help me understand my issue with my PowerFlarm Core..
>
> My PowerFlarm (IGC, ENL) has issues writing IGC files and logging my flights. I found the flarmdev.csv file and there I find suspicious differences after updating the firmware.
>
>
> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.09,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> USBH
> XPDR
> DLED
> BARO
> RFB
> ENL
> IGC,OBST:0
> AUD:0
> ENL:1
> AZN:0
> IGC:1
> RFB:1
> TIS:0
> GND:0
> ADSR:0,2,469,,
> 3,PowerFLARM-Core,FLAPFC11E-005922,7.21,EUR,D-KEDI,1,DP2
> USBH
> XPDR
> DLED
> BARO
> RFB
> ENL
> IGC,ENL:1
> IGC:1
> RFB:1,2,469,,
>
> After updating from 7.09 to firmware version 7.21 I see differences in the content in the lines. Does someone know what happend?
>
> THX, Rob

UPDATE 21012024
After reading your advises and suggestions (and reading TFM) I took a fresh USB stick, formatted in FAT32 and placed only the newest firmware file and config file (including the DEV reset) in the root. The Powerflarm wrote some missing IGC files and updated the config. -> It seems to be working ok now. I can't wait to test it in real life. THX for helping!
Rob

From my experience carrying USB thumb drives around in my pocket as a quick way to get files from other computers or transfer data to them, I can attest that USB sticks degrade and corrupt files easily. Proximity to things like magnets and even arc welding can spoil files. The presence of even moderate electrical fields can scramble data, JPG files, and anything else on the stick. Have your data backed up so you aren't depending on that "one" USB stick. We change batteries in our radios and EDS oxygen systems regularly. Maybe we need to think of USB drives as another "consumable" that needs annual replacement.

On Sunday 21 January 2024 at 20:44:52 UTC, Mark628CA wrote:
> From my experience carrying USB thumb drives around in my pocket as a quick way to get files from other computers or transfer data to them, I can attest that USB sticks degrade and corrupt files easily. Proximity to things like magnets and even arc welding can spoil files. The presence of even moderate electrical fields can scramble data, JPG files, and anything else on the stick. Have your data backed up so you aren't depending on that "one" USB stick. We change batteries in our radios and EDS oxygen systems regularly. Maybe we need to think of USB drives as another "consumable" that needs annual replacement.

Or carry it in a Faraday cage? Wrapping it in aluminium foil should do the trick.
J.

> Or carry it in a Faraday cage? Wrapping it in aluminium foil should do the trick.

Uhhh... I don't think so.

https://www.google.com/search?q=spinal+tap+zucchini&sca_esv=600400644&source=hp&ei=psauZZ-AO6-70PEPgquw-Ag&iflsig=ANes7DEAAAAAZa7Ut_4umk9yR1B-7mDR05saCVjKQTa5&oq=spinal+tap+zucchin&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhJzcGluYWwgdGFwIHp1Y2NoaW4qAggAMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDMgsQABiABBiKBRiGAzILEAAYgAQYigUYhgMyCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDSPlrUJwMWKVScAF4AJABAJgBzgGgAcQSqgEGMC4xNy4xuAEByAEA-AEBqAIKwgIQEAAYAxiPARjlAhjqAhiMA8ICEBAuGAMYjwEY5QIY6gIYjAPCAg4QABiABBiKBRixAxiDAcICERAuGIMBGMcBGLEDGNEDGIAEwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICERAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGMcBGNEDwgILEC4YgAQYxwEY0QPCAggQABiABBixA8ICCxAuGNQCGLEDGIAEwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAgUQLhiABMICCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BwgILEC4YgAQYsQMY1ALCAgYQABgWGB4&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:dc034968,vid:dAargSCXQaQ,st:0

On 1/22/2024 11:51 AM, Mark628CA wrote:
>
>> Or carry it in a Faraday cage? Wrapping it in aluminium foil should do the trick.
>
> Uhhh... I don't think so.
>
> https://www.google.com/search?q=spinal+tap+zucchini&sca_esv=600400644&source=hp&ei=psauZZ-AO6-70PEPgquw-Ag&iflsig=ANes7DEAAAAAZa7Ut_4umk9yR1B-7mDR05saCVjKQTa5&oq=spinal+tap+zucchin&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhJzcGluYWwgdGFwIHp1Y2NoaW4qAggAMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDMgsQABiABBiKBRiGAzILEAAYgAQYigUYhgMyCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDSPlrUJwMWKVScAF4AJABAJgBzgGgAcQSqgEGMC4xNy4xuAEByAEA-AEBqAIKwgIQEAAYAxiPARjlAhjqAhiMA8ICEBAuGAMYjwEY5QIY6gIYjAPCAg4QABiABBiKBRixAxiDAcICERAuGIMBGMcBGLEDGNEDGIAEwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICERAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGMcBGNEDwgILEC4YgAQYxwEY0QPCAggQABiABBixA8ICCxAuGNQCGLEDGIAEwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAgUQLhiABMICCxAuGIAEGMcBGK8BwgILEC4YgAQYsQMY1ALCAgYQABgWGB4&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:dc034968,vid:dAargSCXQaQ,st:0

Just put the aluminum wrapped stick in the bucket, and you'll be fine.

On Monday 22 January 2024 at 19:51:50 UTC, Mark628CA wrote:
> > Or carry it in a Faraday cage? Wrapping it in aluminium foil should do the trick.
> Uhhh... I don't think so.
>

Sorry, the joke's lost on me. It could be that that Google search gives different results this (UK) side of the pond?
Of course, a Faraday cage will do little (if anything) against a magnetic field. But most of us don't have strong magnets near us, other than medics ... and technological historians playing with old TV sets!
J.

On 2024-01-22 18:33, metca...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Monday 22 January 2024 at 19:51:50 UTC, Mark628CA wrote:
>>> Or carry it in a Faraday cage? Wrapping it in aluminium foil should do the trick.
>> Uhhh... I don't think so.
>>
>
> Sorry, the joke's lost on me. It could be that that Google search gives different results this (UK) side of the pond?
> Of course, a Faraday cage will do little (if anything) against a magnetic field. But most of us don't have strong magnets near us, other than medics ... and technological historians playing with old TV sets!
> J.

See this at 3:54 https://youtu.be/ySvU6FWJkfg?t=234

On Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:07:03 AM UTC-8, Mark628CA wrote:
> It would be nice if there was a better user interface for the Flarm. Little blinky LED lights really don't tell me much. Do any instruments (LXNav, ClearNav, etc.) display what the little box is doing? How about an interface to clear files, update the Config file or anything like that?
Of course the new PowerFlarm Fusion has exactly that - a built in web server you can just log into with your laptop or phone. Also built it continuous range analysis.

On the old one, many people do not know that if there is a USB stick plugged in on power up, it writes a log file including its complete configuration onto the USB stick. Yeah you have to decode it, but it is human readable after a fashion and reasonably well documented.

On 1/23/2024 3:15 PM, metca...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Tuesday 23 January 2024 at 02:12:26 UTC, Tom BravoMike wrote:
>> On 2024-01-22 18:33, metca...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> On Monday 22 January 2024 at 19:51:50 UTC, Mark628CA wrote:
>>>>> Or carry it in a Faraday cage? Wrapping it in aluminium foil should do the trick.
>>>> Uhhh... I don't think so.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Sorry, the joke's lost on me. It could be that that Google search gives different results this (UK) side of the pond?
>>> Of course, a Faraday cage will do little (if anything) against a magnetic field. But most of us don't have strong magnets near us, other than medics ... and technological historians playing with old TV sets!
>>> J.
>> See this at 3:54 https://youtu.be/ySvU6FWJkfg?t=234
> Ho Ho Ho! I especially liked the bit from 2:05 to 3:30 ;-o)
> Ooops! Sorry, not relevant :-(
>

Back to the topic: "USB flash drives are completely resistant to
magnetic fields", according to:
https://bulkmemorycards.com/top-10-myths-on-flash-memory-debunked/
and many many other sources, e.g.:
https://superuser.com/questions/395876/is-flash-storage-affected-by-magnetic-fields

So far, over about 20 years of using flash cards/drives, I've had many
card adapters fail, but have never had flash memory fail. When the data
on such was corrupted, it was always the fault of the device writing
data to it. And the flash memory could always be re-formatted and used
again.