Radarcape:Recovery

Required computer skills to execute this task: Intermediate

Scope

This procedure can be used for a complete restore of the device as it is delivered from factory.

The currently supported recovery image is based on Debian 10 and Linux 5.4.

All our device variants are fully supported for the latest software. To recover your device download the recovery image below and continue to the flash instructions.

• Radarcape 1st generation (based on Beaglebone White)
• Radarcape 2nd generation (based on Beaglebone Black)
• Air!Squitter

If you are unsure of which Radarcape version you own, you can peek into the small hole in the back and check if the board on the bottom is white or black.

Devices

Radarcape 1st generation

The Radarcape internally contains a microSD card of at least 2GB. This SD card can be reflashed or replaced by any any other SDHC microSD of size between 2GB and 32GB.

For this operation you need to open the front panel of the Radarcape using a Torx TX-10 screwdriver and you need a microSD card reader, or eventually a adapter to full SD card size available in most readers.

Download the recovery image here.

Flashing procedure:

• Disconnect all cables from the device.
• Open the front panel using the Torx TX-10 screwdriver.
• Remove the microSD card.
• Flash the recovery image using a PC.
• Install the microSD card back into the device.
• Power the device.

The device takes about 5 minutes to complete the restore and will reboot during this process.

Radarcape 2nd generation

For this operation you need to open the front panel of the Radarcape using a Torx TX-10 screwdriver, and you also need a SDSC or SDHC microSD card of any size between 256MB and 32GB.

Download the recovery image here and flash it into the microSD card.

Flashing procedure:

• Open the front panel

Using the Torx TX-10 screwdriver open the two front panel screws. Due to machine tightening, it may be hard at the starting point. Don't use a power tool and don't use a weared screwdriver.

• Set Boot Switch to SD Card Boot

There is a little slide switch on the top board. Shift this to the left hand position.

• Insert the microSD card

Insert the SD card. The label and text towards the upper side. Push in as far as it locks in the slot.

• Apply power to the unit

It is strongly recommended to have a network connection with a DHCP service connected to the LAN port while performing this procedure.
You shall connect the network before applying power.

Replug the power supply. You then should see the blue LEDs in the back flashing.

The recovery process takes about 1min for the Flightradar24 box and little longer for the Radarcape. If successful, the Radarcape/Flightradar24 receiver automatically powers off. All LEDs will be off then.

If it has not powered off automatically, something is wrong with your update process.
Eventually you forgot to connect a network cable providing DHCP?

• Remove SD Card

• Reset Boot Switch to eMMC Boot

Reset the boot switch to eMMC boot and unplug the power.

Air!Squitter

The Air!Squitter internally contains a microSD card of at least 8GB. It is not required to open the case for a full recovery.

Download the recovery image here.

Flashing procedure:

• Disconnect all cables from the device
• Connect a cable between your PC and the microUSB port in the back of the device.
• Press and keep pressed the front button while you connect the Power DC jack. The device will show on the display "RECOVERY".
• The internal microSD card will be mounted on your PC as if it was plugged directly. You can now flash the image you downloaded.
• After flashing is complete (typically takes about 3 minutes), eject the device from your PC if possible. If not, disconnect all cables and reconnect the Power DC jack.

The display will show the several steps of the internal recovery which can take about 5 minutes.

Flash the image into a card

Some PC operating systems can flash the compressed images (.img.xz) by default. If your operating system does not support it or you don't know how to do it, we recommend you install and use Etcher