Another Cambridge 302 logger bug

darryl.ramm@ wrote:
> Apparently there is a bug in all Cambridge 302 units (maybe also 302A
> units, I don't know) that can stop log file being downloaded once the
> logger memory gets full of flights, there is a workaround to clear all
> of the logger memory (losing any undownloaded flights). My frustration
> with Cambridge is that they admitted to having known about this problem
> "for quite a while" but apparently don't consider their
> customer's important enough to let everybody know about the
> workaround before this problem bites them. (boy you can tell I'm grumpy
> and have not had my caffine this morning...)

It's apparently not that simple, as it hasn't happened to our 302 in the
3 or 4 years we've had it, despite the fact that we never issue a "clear
log" command. The memory fills, and the older flights simply disappear
from the list as time goes on...

Marc

David

Thanks for your suggestions. My understanding rom talkign to Cambridge
is what I'm describing is not related to space on the PDA. I have a two
large PDAs (iPAQ hx4700) with almost 1GB free on the SD cards, most of
the iPAQ flash store and most of RAM free and the problem occurs with
both PDAs.

How much the 302 stores before wrapping depends on the sample rate and
how many hours you fly. In my case I'm very lucky to be flying enough
that the Cambridge (or any other logger) won't store "a years worth of
flights" before wrapping (and even if it does wrap the problem I am
describing does not affect all 302s).

Thanks


Darryl Ramm

Hi Brian

Although as another poster pointed out there have been other causes of
FAT errors in the past (lack of space on your PDA), however I suspect
you saw the same intermittent failures I did, especially if they just
cleared themselves up without you having to make more space on your
PDA. So while I definitely do not speak for Cambridge support I'd
suggest you do clear the log memory.

The workaround is to type the "clear log" command at the 302 command
prompt, and to do this again if you suspect you are getting close to
filling the log memory space - that should be a while. There is no way
to do this from within the standard Cambridge utility software (a good
idea given you don't want to do this accidently). To do this you need a
terminal emulator hooked up to the 302 serial port and literally type
"clear log" at the "cmd>" prompt. Cambridge can supply you with a
terminal emulation utility for an iPAQ/Windows Mobile PDA. I would
expect other terminal emultors, including things like hyperterm on a
Windows PC should work fine. If you have problems I'm sure Gary at
Cambridge support can help or post back here.

Cheers


Darryl Ramm