Satlink WS6906 upgrade (mine)

[doorguru]

I wouldn’t waste the time and energy pursuing the workings of this meter. SD broadcasts only, It doesn’t like sunlight either. Impossible to see the screen. Unless you possess the original serial to USB cable it will be impossible to upload the firmware file. Believe me I tried it. I’m just curious to know what happens when you press the Menu button

Thanks, but I happen to like the 6906, It has served me well throughout the years. This same thing happen a couple years ago or so.. (I found my old post in another satellite forum) I don't know how I resolved it back then, but I did. It's just a matter of getting the right cable set up. I know I never had the original cable back the either. Others have done it in this very thread without the original cable, but I don't quite understand their set up. I will reread this thread. I will figure it out sooner or later as I usually do. Most of the time anyway.

 

[Satspot]

Thanks, but I happen to like the 6906, It has served me well throughout the years. This same thing happen a couple years ago or so.. (I found my old post in another satellite forum) I don't know how I resolved it back then, but I did. It's just a matter of getting the right cable set up. I know I never had the original cable back the either. Others have done it in this very thread without the original cable, but I don't quite understand their set up. I will reread this thread. I will figure it out sooner or later as I usually do. Most of the time anyway.

Good look with that so. It was only ever a portable satellite receiver. You can always watch it under the covers in a darkened room Mine acts as a bookend on the shelf these days.

 

[doorguru]

Explained In case another dummy like me comes to this thread in the future
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got the upgrade program to connect to the 6906. Here's what I ended up doing to make it work.

Converted my USB port on my PC to a RS232 port with a:

USB TO RS-232 MALE 9 PIN DB9 SERIAL CABLE 2 FT WIN10/8.1/8/7 MFG'D BY PERFECT VISION
(had internal firmware and was recognized by Windows 11)

I made a straight through USB to RS232 cable wired like this:



and after adding a:

DB9 M/F Serial AT Null Modem Adapter Changer RS232 Crossover
(I could have got along without this and wired the straight through cable differently,
but I had this adapter laying around.)

I plugged everything together.



I realized after a few failed attempts that you have to run the software program first,
and then power up the 6906. It will then connect and does it's thing.

I was able to upgrade the satellite program..

Bad news is, I still get the "no tv program".

Maybe I have to create a tv program?

 

[Satspot]

Explained In case another dummy like me comes to this thread in the future
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got the upgrade program to connect to the 6906. Here's what I ended up doing to make it work.

Converted my USB port on my PC to a RS232 port with a:

USB TO RS-232 MALE 9 PIN DB9 SERIAL CABLE 2 FT WIN10/8.1/8/7 MFG'D BY PERFECT VISION
(had internal firmware and was recognized by Windows 11)

I made a straight through USB to RS232 cable wired like this:

View attachment 149938

and after adding a:

DB9 M/F Serial AT Null Modem Adapter Changer RS232 Crossover
(I could have got along without this and wired the straight through cable differently,
but I had this adapter laying around.)

I plugged everything together.

View attachment 149941

I realized after a few failed attempts that you have to run the software program first,
and then power up the 6906. It will then connect and does it's thing.

I was able to upgrade the satellite program..

Bad news is, I still get the "no tv program".

Maybe I have to create a tv program?

As I mentioned earlier this will break your heart. You’ll probably find some background useful on this post. Help Required - SATLINK 6906. Lock light is always ON

There was a version 1 and 2 of these units. It’s a case of determining which version you have. On version 1 if I remember correctly looking at the keypad there is a red power button bottom right. It looks like you may have version 2. Just ensure you have the correct firmware (bin file) to match the model you have. To further complicate matters there was a number of clones circulating at the time

Your only friend here is Google. You just might be lucky to find a fellow sufferer who found a cure for your problem.

 

[jeallen01]

As I mentioned earlier this will break your heart. You’ll probably find some background useful on this post. Help Required - SATLINK 6906. Lock light is always ON

There was a version 1 and 2 of these units. It’s a case of determining which version you have. On version 1 if I remember correctly looking at the keypad there is a red power button bottom right. It looks like you may have version 2. Just ensure you have the correct firmware (bin file) to match the model you have. To further complicate matters there was a number of clones circulating at the time

Your only friend here is Google. You just might be lucky to find a fellow sufferer who found a cure for your problem.

Sometime in the distant past in this thread by "Piltdown Paul", or my own subsequenct one, I think I posted illustrations of the front panels of both versions 1 & 2 to show the visible differences - IIRC, the locklight problem was caused by trying to load V1 f/w onto a V2 box, and the only "solution" to that was to do a Factory Reset and start all over again!!

At this point in time, I would also say that neither box is worth the effort!

 

[Satspot]

Looks like you’ve been around the house on this subject including tacking the bamboo Satlink WS-6906 problems among others.

Obviously you are based in the US and once again there may be a completely different firmware applicable here. I’ve no idea. I’m Euro based.

Just two questions for you. With the antenna disconnected from the meter and then power up the meter what does the screen say. Now connect the antenna with the meter powered down, power it up and what does the screen say now.

With the unit powered on and pressing the Menu button can you navigate the menu. If so you’ll be able to manually enter the satellite details of the satellite you are chasing and just use the scan facility. If you can’t navigate the Menu I’d suspect a short possibly at the meter end lnb possibly by hot swapping the antenna while the meter was powered up.

 

[doorguru]

Just two questions for you. With the antenna disconnected from the meter and then power up the meter what does the screen say. Now connect the antenna with the meter powered down, power it up and what does the screen say now.

With the unit powered on and pressing the Menu button can you navigate the menu. If so you’ll be able to manually enter the satellite details of the satellite you are chasing and just use the scan facility. If you can’t navigate the Menu I’d suspect a short possibly at the meter end lnb possibly by hot swapping the antenna while the meter was powered up.

Answer to your questions: Antenna disconnected or connected from the meter and then powered up, screen says "no tv program"
(I discovered why if you read below. (bold text)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry if this is all gibberish.

I figured out what I did wrong and will try to explain it.

First (what started all of this), I was looking around the menu and found "default values" I clicked on it thinking it would be a good thing to do.

I didn't realize what I had done at the time, but this erased all my "Programmed" satellite and channels. That is why the screen would go to "No TV Program" , which was normal.

I could have just rescanned (my 6906 still had all the North American Satellites programmed) and everything would have been back to normal, but instead I "upgraded" the bin file.

I down loaded every WS-6906 bin file that I could find. 6 to exact. I tried everyone.


Here are the results of the only files I could find (if you know of more, please let me know.)

The first line is the name of the file.

1 2018-01-04 Data Dump 3
Blank Blue Splash Screen
no tv program (scanning required)
euro sat list (or from other parts of the world)

2 EU_satlink
1st gen 6906 Splash Screen
no tv program (scanning required)
LOCK LED STAYS ON
euro sat list (or from other parts of the world)

3 FEB2013DATADUMP
1st gen 6906 Splash Screen
no tv program (scanning required)
LOCK LED STAYS ON
euro sat list (or from other parts of the world)


4 WS6906 DUMP 512KB
No Splash Screen, Straight to channel then "no signal"
LOCK LED STAYS ON
One SAT programmed: INTELSAT902 62E

5 ws6906_satlinkmeters_germany
1st gen 6906 Splash Screen
no tv program (scanning required)
LOCK LED STAYS ON
euro sat list (or from other parts of the world)

6 SAT LINK-6906
"www.abuzerat.com" Splash Screen, Straight to channel "Al Shareia" then "no signal"
SAT example: Nilesat 102


Bin file #1 and #6 were the only two compatible with my 2nd gen 6906. The other four
were apparently for 1st gen 6906's as they kept the blue "Lock" LED on.

I should have downloaded the dump file from my 6906 before I started, because all
6 bin files have, what I think are European satellite lists. They sure aren't
North American.

The only ways I know how to resolve this:

Download a dump file from another North American 6906 and upload it to mine.

OR

Find the right bin file online (I have about given up.)

AND

I know I might be able to manually add a new satellite , but it would be a pain. I would love to just load a bin file.

 

[Satspot]

I’ve said it so many times here about dumping a firmware file on your unit and not knowing it’s provenance. You may well have bricked it but I recommend looking at this resource. It dates back to 2014 but it seems to have solved a number of users issues have been resolved with it. Read the full post carefully first though. As I always say, nothing guaranteed but if you have a brick it may be worth trying

satlink ws6906 tuning problem

hello everyone, I have a satlink ws-6906 i just did an upgrade for the software and after that the meter is not working anymore. the machine is booting and functional but the "lock" light is always on and when i try to scan a certain TP the quality and signal bars are both "0%". The...

www.digital-kaos.co.uk

 

[doorguru]

I’ve said it so many times here about dumping a firmware file on your unit and not knowing it’s provenance. You may well have bricked it but I recommend looking at this resource. It dates back to 2014 but it seems to have solved a number of users issues have been resolved with it. Read the full post carefully first though. As I always say, nothing guaranteed but if you have a brick it may be worth trying

satlink ws6906 tuning problem

hello everyone, I have a satlink ws-6906 i just did an upgrade for the software and after that the meter is not working anymore. the machine is booting and functional but the "lock" light is always on and when i try to scan a certain TP the quality and signal bars are both "0%". The...

www.digital-kaos.co.uk

Did you read my post?? It is not "bricked". I just need the USA .bin file of the satellites.

All functions are working normal. If I lived in Europe I would be good to go.

 

[Satspot]

By the way there’s no magic bin file as you refer to that will give you all the satellites you require. I’m afraid you’ll have to manually enter the relevant satellite details you are looking for in the region available to you. Most of the bin files with pre tuned satellites you see are Euro based. You’ve confirmed that your meter is working so that’s all that matters at this stage. It’s up to you to do the heavy lifting. Alternatively you can do what I did. Put it up on the bookshelf.

 

[Satspot]

Did you read my post?? It is not "bricked". I just need the USA .bin file of the satellites.

All functions are working normal. If I lived in Europe I would be good to go.

I read your post and I also read your post from 2020 on the other forum. I suggest you be a little more thankful when users here assist you being given only half the story. Do the heavy lifting and enter the details of the satellites you are looking. From your original post we were led to believe your meter was bricked and I’m not the only one who thought this. I don’t need a load of ??? aimed at me either.

 

[doorguru]

I read your post and I also read your post from 2020 on the other forum. I suggest you be a little more thankful when users here assist you being given only half the story. Do the heavy lifting and enter the details of the satellites you are looking. From your original post we were led to believe your meter was bricked and I’m not the only one who thought this. I don’t need a load of ??? aimed at me either.

Sorry if I hurt your feelings, but asking you if you read my post is not giving you a load of ##

And now I am unthankful to everyone here ??

What does the 2020 post in the other forum have to do with anything? Half the story?? Please explain..

btw, I never indicated that it was bricked.. go back and re-read my posts..

You apparently have a reading comprehension problem.

And how are you suppose to know the .bin files provenance ?? You find a bin file on the web and try it. They don't come with instructions.

I left more info in this thread than I learned. I contributed to this thread by:

Explaining exactly how to make the cable (figured it out on my own) to help others in the future.
Loading all the available bin files that I could find and explaining how my meter reacted to help others in the future.

And btw.. there is a magic .bin file. It can be obtained from a data dump from another WS-6906 which is where all
6 of the .bin files that I listed originally came from.

 

[Satspot]

Honestly hurt my feelings. This is a satellite forum not an agony aunt page.

I will say that if you continue to throw random firmware bin files at that meter you will indeed achieve something. Bricking it.

You may well be better served returning to the SatelliteGuys US forum if it’s just a list of preloaded satellite settings you are in search of.

You may have guessed from from the title of this forum the majority of users here wouldn’t have access to the satellites you require for your bin file.

Alternatively you could just do as suggested and enter the details yourself. Remember some user has to do it at some stage to create a bin file. Why not you.

Either way good luck with the bin search. Hopefully the meter doesn’t end up in the bin in the meantime.

 

[14GHz]

Hi All,
Need help. Working with 1.2m, 1.8m Prodelin Antennas, Windows Computer i7. I am here in the United States. I have a Satlink WS-6906 How do I update Firmware? Also, I am in the U.S. The Satellite displayed on my WS-6909 are over Europe. How we update the list of Satellite here in the U.S?

 

[doorguru]

I read some statements in the thread that made me cringe. Initially I just ignored them, but now, I have decided to address them in an attempt to correct untruths that could allow the spreading of misinformation.

"I will say that if you continue to throw random firmware bin files at that meter you will indeed achieve something. Bricking it."

Let's see.. I have loaded at least 7 different binary files at least 14 times into my WS-6906.. No bricking yet. The upgrade program will not let you load any binary file into the receiver. The file has to meet a criteria or it will get rejected. If the binary file that you loaded is incompatible due to being the wrong generation of WS-6906, it can be replaced with a compatible file. Don't be afraid to experiment.
The member making that statement has never changed the binary file in their WS-6906. They don't even have a cable, as indicated in this thread.

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"The cable you received with your WS6906 obviously had a built in chipset in the serial end of the cable otherwise it wouldn’t recognise the USB to serial connection"
The supplied cable does not have a chipset.. it is basically a straight through cable that is "nulled", meaning it has the tr and rx wires crossed. I made my own and it works,

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"Unless you possess the original serial to USB cable it will be impossible to upload the firmware file. Believe me I tried it."
This is not true I made my own cable and it worked just fine. Again as mentioned above, it is basically a straight through cable the has the tr and rx wires crossed. You must have a DB9/RS232 serial port from your computer, otherwise buy a cable or converter that turns your USB output to a DB9/RS232 serial port. That type of cable contains a chipset. The one that comes with the WS-6906 does not.

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"From your original post we were led to believe your meter was bricked and I’m not the only one who thought this."
There was no one that thought my WS-6906 was "bricked" other than the poster of the above statement. I don't know where that conclusion came from.

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"I wouldn’t waste the time and energy pursuing the workings of this meter. "

"Alternatively you can do what I did. Put it up on the bookshelf."

Not everybody, but myself and others regard this meter, even with it's shortcomings, as a valuable tool. How can you give advice about something you don't even use ?

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"By the way there’s no magic bin file as you refer to that will give you all the satellites you require."
If you make a back up from a WS-6906 with the correct satellites and install it in another WS-6906 it would indeed give all the satellites required. Where do you think the WS-6906 binary files found on the web come from? They are dump files downloaded from a working WS-6906. And by the way, none of them explain the application as far as what generation WS-6906. You just have to try then.

 

[doorguru]

Hi All,
Need help. Working with 1.2m, 1.8m Prodelin Antennas, Windows Computer i7. I am here in the United States. I have a Satlink WS-6906 How do I update Firmware? Also, I am in the U.S. The Satellite displayed on my WS-6909 are over Europe. How we update the list of Satellite here in the U.S?

I have scoured the internet for many hours and days.. There is no US binary file available for the WS-6906, only European, Asian, Australian, ect..I tested all seven that I have downloaded.. It was a waste of time.

The only way (that I know of) to get the US binary file is:

1. Find it on the internet (I have downloaded 7 different files and none of them have US satellites, so good luck.)

2. Get another owner of a US WS-6906 to send you a dump file downloaded from their working unit. (good luck on that.. I have reached out on US satellite forums with no luck). If I saw a request like that and had a working US WS-6906, I would do that for anybody in a heartbeat.

3. Order a new WS-6906 from eBay, download the dump file, and then send the unit back using the return guarantee. (Just joking of course, but it is tempting.) But.. If you end up doing this, please send me a copy!

Until you can find the right binary file, there is no need in making the cable. If you find a binary file that you think will work, PM me and I will let you know. (Look at my previous post that lists 6 binary files that I have tried. If it is one of those, it will not work for US satellites.)

You can also delete all the European satellites in your WS-6906 and enter the ones you need manually. It is a PIA, but it is possible.

 

[doorguru]

I have all 7 binary files zipped (2.2 Meg). Five of the files(#2,3,4,5,7) I have, I assume, are for 1st generation WS6906, because when installed in a second generation WS6906, the lock LED stays lit. Two of them (#1, 6) work okay in my WS6906. No US satellites, only European, German, Australian and not sure what else. Also included is the upgrade app. I have uploaded all of these to my WS6906 at least twice and have always been able to revert back to my previous bin, but your results many vary, so use at your own risk. I can gladly email them to anyone that wants a copy.

Doubtful, but maybe there is someone, such as myself, who likes to experiment

 

[Satspot]

I have all 7 binary files zipped (2.2 Meg). Five of the files(#2,3,4,5,7) I have, I assume, are for 1st generation WS6906, because when installed in a second generation WS6906, the lock LED stays lit. Two of them (#1, 6) work okay in my WS6906. No US satellites, only European, German, Australian and not sure what else. Also included is the upgrade app. I have uploaded all of these to my WS6906 at least twice and have always been able to revert back to my previous bin, but your results many vary, so use at your own risk. I can gladly email them to anyone that wants a copy.

Doubtful, but maybe there is someone, such as myself, who likes to experiment

Effectively with all your pompous ramblings you’ve achieved nothing. As I originally stated a complete waste of time but by all means fill your boots and knock yourself out dumping firmware bin files into the meter or failing that put the time and energy into manually entering satellite details as applicable to your region.

Apparently Einstein was purported to say that Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Definitely applies here.

 

[Dario dak]

Effectively with all your pompous ramblings you’ve achieved nothing. As I originally stated a complete waste of time but by all means fill your boots and knock yourself out dumping firmware bin files into the meter or failing that put the time and energy into manually entering satellite details as applicable to your region.

Apparently Einstein was purported to say that Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Definitely applies here.

Hi I new member I need help I have ws-6906 and I can't find hotbird satellite can you tell me guys what I need to do

 

[Satspot]

Hi I new member I need help I have ws-6906 and I can't find hotbird satellite can you tell me guys what I need to do

Satlink WS6906 upgrade (mine)

Hello can someone give me a working link to The software upgrade Have you tried the Satlink site? I think you have to pay to get a working link..

www.satellites.co.uk