Radarcape:EMMC Howto
Scope
Beaglebone Black based devices of the Radarcape and FR24 box are working on an internal storage called eMMC while the elder Beaglebone White based units directly work with an SD card. In case of problems the contents of the eMMC can be restored with a recovery SD card. This can be done as often as you like, since the contents of the recovery SD card are not destroyed during the process.
Source of Recovery Data
Recovery Kit
If you have received such one, the recovery kit contains a Torx TX-10 screwdriver bit and a SD card.
Not necessarily the SD card is a 8GB and it will be labeled with the product to restore as well as probably with a version.
On request we can put recovery SD card images to our server so that you can make your own recovery SD card with a SD card writer.
Download SD Card Image
The recovery image can be downloaded from our server and be written to a standard SD card with WinDiskImager.
Radarcape Recovery Image
- download RC-BBB-Angstrom-Writer.xz
- download the MD5SUM RC-BBB-Angstrom-Writer.img.md5sum
- Perform a md5sum check before uncompressing and verify the integrity of the file.
The image currently is made for a 4GB Sandisk SD card and most probably will not fit to a 4GB Kingston card. However, flashing to a larger SD card seems to work fine.
- write the image to a SD card and then perform as below
Recovery Process
Unplug the unit from power
The other cables may be left connected or removed for convenience.
Open the front panel
Using a Torx TX10 screwdriver or the torx bit we've delivered open the two front panel screws. Due to machine tightening, it may be hard at the starting point. Don't use a drill and please don't use doubtful 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 SD 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
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.
Remove SD Card
Remove the SD card.
Reset Boot Switch to eMMC Boot
Reset the boot switch to eMMC boot.
Finalize
First, plug your unit to the antenna and check that it is working, after you have verified this fix the front panel again and keep the recovery SD card in a safe place so that you can restore the system anytime again.