Daktronics

Troubleshooting HUB - FLXR3 Radios Intermittent or No Communication

Topic

  • Assist in troubleshooting intermittent or no communication for FLXR radios for Fuelight displays.

Environment

  • Product Family: Digit and Price Displays
  • Products: Fl-3000, FL-4500
  • Components: FLXR3 radios
  • Control Systems: DM-100

Steps

  1. Press Update Display from the DM-100 and verify problem replicates.
    • If seeing error "DM-100 RADIO PORT ERROR, DISPLAY ERROR NO RESPONSE -5" ignore error and proceed to step 2.
    • If any other error is received on the DM-100, search the KB accordingly for the issue.
  2. Verify the server radio is receiving a reliable/steady power.
  3. Verify that there is only one power supply being used and going to the server radio as the DM-100 receives its power from the server.
    • Yes, continue to step 4.
    • No, remove additional power supply.
  4. Detect Displays from DM-100 Diagnostics Menu and verify # of networks found matched number of client radios.
    • Yes, continue to step 5.
    • No, the clients may not have been configured in the server configuration.  Connect via Ethernet to server radio and configure properly, reference step 5.
  5. Connect laptop to server radio to verify settings.  See "Server Radio Setup" section within DD3306966 for instructions.
    • Verify that TX power is set to 30 dBm on older firmware radios and 27dBm on newer firmware radios(version 2187).
    • Note Network # and SU ID #'s for comparison with client settings later
    • Continue to step 6.
  6. Verify the following, and correct as needed:
    • Antenna cable to access point is secured properly? Reference Installation Quick Guide.
    • Visually verify server antenna is the right one, is mounted vertically, and is not obviously damaged.
    • Visually verify client antenna is the right one, is mounted vertically, and is not obviously damaged
    •  123123.png
    • Continue to step 7.
  7. If a replacement server kit is available, use the parts to isolate the issue.
    • Try the new antenna and cable temporarily - put the antenna in a window, out a door, etc.  Detect displays.
      • Success - Isolate issue to the cable or antenna by swapping parts.
      • Fail - Configure and install new server radio, using new cable and antenna.
        • Success - Isolate problem by swapping individual parts to determine exact component failure
        • Fail - Re-install original server parts and proceed to step 8.
  8. If there are multiple clients, isolate to only one by disabling the other clients within the server radio configurations and powering down the associated displays (if possible).
    • If multiple clients are failing, isolate one at a time for troubleshooting issue out
    • Continue to step 9.
  9. Access the sign and check/correct the following items:
    • Verify power to client radio.
    • Verify that client radio LCD shows signal strength bars (2 or more bars).
    • Verify SU # of client radio.
    • Check antenna for damage.
    • Check antenna orientation (needs to be in upright vertical position).
    • Check that the antenna cable is secured, and not damaged
    • Check radio connections to the driver.  If issue is still present continue to step 10.
  10. If client replacement parts are onsite, start replacing client radio parts.
    • Attempt to isolate and narrow down the part one at a time to determine what is causing the issue. If issue is still present continue to step 11.
  11. Verify that the master drivers 6-pin input port is good by unplugging the client radio and moving the base of the displays J-Box/access port wiring (if available) temporarily to the master drivers 6-pin input port for testing.
    • If direct communications is good, and radio communications still isn't then continue to step 12.
    • If unable to communicate, verify REV on part.
  12. Change the Network # on both the client and server radios.  Default is 1, so change to any other number to eliminate the possibility of interference from a nearby system using the same radios.  See FLXR3 server is showing 0 for RSSI for one of the client radios; Network Interference for possible symptom.
  13. Call Daktronics Technical Support for further assistance.

KB ID: DD3824996

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