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Ray5x, 6x, 7x, 9x VHF Radio Software Update Using Axiom/a/c/e/eS/gS Series MFDs

|10/07, 2024

Ray5x, 6x, 7x, 9x VHF Radio Software Update Using Axiom/a/c/e/eS/gS Series MFDs

Updating your RAY50-91 VHF radio using Axiom/a/c/e/eS/gS series multifunction displays is a simple process that ensures your equipment is up-to-date with the latest software. In this blog post, we go through the steps you need to follow to perform the update safely and effectively.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

To proceed with the update, you need the following:

  1. At least one RAYMARINE:
    1. LH2 Multifunction Display
    2. LH3 Multifunction Display
    3. LH4 Multifunction Display
    4. or ELEMENT Chartplotter

  2. The multifunction display/chartplotter must be connected to a powered and terminated SeaTalk ng backbone.



Note: Best practice is to turn on all Raymarine equipment when performing a software update on the system to ensure all products are identified and updated as needed.

You can update the remote products in two ways:

  1. Using a microSD card.



  2.  By connecting your multifunction display/chartplotter to an internet connection.
    IMPORTANT: This method cannot be used to update a RAY60-70 when the Boot code is lower than v2.16.
    Either with a Wi-Fi hotspot or via a connected Yacht-Sense Link router.



The following instructions focus on using the microSD card:

Important safety information:

Before performing any software updates, you must put your AUTOPILOT and RADAR in standby mode. Also, make sure your vessel is in a safe location where you can get support if a device crashes during the update.


Step 1: Preparation / How to choose the right type and format for your microSD card.

Note that "software update information" is provided in each version of the LightHouse Advanced Operation instruction manual - we recommend that you always refer to the latest manual for any questions.

Important information about the microSD card:

  • Use the microSD card only on your Master MFD to update the system, never on the repeater MFD.
  • Use dedicated microSD cards for software updates. Never use chart cards to avoid corruption!
  • Raymarine Axiom & Element series can use microSD cards with a capacity of up to 2TB.
  • Raymarine a/c/e/eS/gS series MFDs can use microSD cards with a capacity of at least 1GB and up to 32GB.

Important information about the type and format of the microSD card you can use:

If your multifunction display/chartplotter is updated, you should be able to format your microSD card to exFAT. If you are unsure, see below all software versions that are compatible with exFAT.

Lighthouse OS Lighthouse 2 (a/c/e/eS/Gs) Lighthouse 3 (eS/gS) Lighthouse 4 (AXIOM) Lighthouse Sport (ELEMENT) .Software version compatible with exFAT v17.45 or higher v3.12.199 or higher All versions All versions

Below you can see the types of microSD cards that are compatible with your display, what card size and format you can use for each type.


For best performance, it is recommended to use brand name Class 10 or UHS (Ultra High Speed) class memory cards.

NOTE: If the card's original format does not match one of the display's supported formats, the card will not be recognized by the display. In this situation, it will be necessary to reformat the card with a separate device, such as a laptop or PC.


Step 2: Download the software files

Download the software:
Once you have formatted and prepared the microSD card, you need to download the latest software from the Raymarine website and copy the files to the card.

  1. Press the links below to download the software directly.
    1. RAY50-60-70
    2. RAY53-63-73
    3. RAY90-91
  2. See the files that will be downloaded for RAY53-63-73, RAY90-91 and RAY50-52-60-70 below.


  3. When you download the ZIP files from the links below, right-click on the file and select "Extract All".


  4. Then press "Extract" in the pop-up window.



  5. After the extraction is complete,
    1. For RAY53-63-73 and for 90-91 there will be a folder with the software update file (and a text file indicating the software version) inside. See below.



    2. And for RAY50-60-70 there will be a folder with the Boot code and the software update file (and a warning text file indicating that you should not put both files on the same card) inside. See below.



Step 3: Fill the microSD card.

IMPORTANT: When updating a RAY50-52-60-70 radio with Boot code below v2.16, you must first update the Boot code to v2.16 and then update the software. Otherwise, the update may corrupt the software and cause the radio to fail. To do this, you must perform the update process twice. First with the Boot code file and then with the software file.

If you are unable to perform this process, contact your local authorized dealer or product support for assistance.

Now that you have downloaded the software:

  1. Go to the location you have chosen (below we have used the download folder as our location),
  2. Then go into the folder you have downloaded the software,
  3. [For "RAY50-52-60-70" with Boot code below v2.16 Copy the Boot code update file first and] - [For all "RAY5x-6x-7x-9x" with Boot code above v2.16 Copy the software update file and],
  4. then go to your microSD card (named USB Drive (D) on our computer) and,
  5. paste the file into the root directory (not into any folders) as seen below.



NOTE: Be careful:

  • Do not copy the ZIP file to the microSD card.
  • Do not extract the files from the compressed software file .ISO.
  • Do not change the name of the software file.
  • Do not copy the software file into any folders.


Step 4: Update the VHF radio.

Now that you have the software (or Boot code) loaded on your microSD card:

  1. Make sure your SYSTEM is turned off, then insert the card into the MASTER MFD/chartplotter and turn it on.

  2. Make sure ALL your wired handsets are turned on (using the soft button power switch at the top). Any wired handsets that are not turned on will NOT BE UPDATED!!!

  3. If your MFD/chartplotter software version is updated, the software update should be automatically recognized and a software update pop-up message will appear. If this does not happen, go into the following menu to access the software update:
    1. From the home screen:
    2. LightHouse2: press Set-up > Maintenance > Check Card for updates.
    3. LightHouse3/4/Sport: press Settings > Update Software > Check SD Card.
    4. Follow the on-screen instructions until you are presented with a table of connected products.
    5. Make sure the product(s) you want to update are checked



    6. Click the Install now or Update Selected button located on the right side of the screen as shown in the image above and wait while the update is installed.



    7. The MFD will show the update percentage and finally "Update Completed" for the product(s).


Step 5: Update the wireless handset.

(Skip this step if you do not have a wireless handset)

Once the software update process has been successfully completed:

  1. Reconnect all wireless handsets to the hub as usual. When you connect the wireless handset to the hub, it will say on the screen "new software available - do you want to install it now?".

  2. Click "Yes" and then insert the wireless handset into its charging cradle. Then wait for the on-screen instructions to indicate "Complete".

IMPORTANT: Do not interrupt the update, remove the remote from the charging station, or turn off the power while the update is in progress.

IMPORTANT: If the software update fails and your handset gets stuck in Boot Code mode, contact product support for advice on how to restore it.

IMPORTANT: If the software update fails to update any part of your system, you may need to reduce the amount of data on the STng network by disconnecting certain products or turning them off (e.g., AIS, autopilot, digital switching), then try flashing the application file again.

If the update continues to fail, contact product support for advice on how to proceed.


Step 6: Verify the software.

Finally, verify that the software on all parts of the system is now updated by going into the following menu on the radio.

IMPORTANT: A wired handset cannot display the software for any wireless handset and vice versa.

You must check the menu shown below from a wired handset to verify the software for all wired handsets and also from a wireless handset (if any are connected) to verify the software for all wireless handsets.

Press Menu>Set-Up>Maintenance>About this unit> and scroll down the screen to check that the application and second station handset (if installed) are on the latest versions.

Software / Boot Code for RAY90 / 91 systems

  • VHF Transmitter: v1.60app / v1.09boot
  • Wired Handset: 1.55app / 1.05boot
  • Hub: 1.26app / 1.09boot
  • Wireless Handset: 1.46app / 1.04boot

Software / Boot Code for RAY53 / 63 / 73 systems

  • Main Radio: v2.07app/v2.27b
  • Wired Handset= v1.55app/v1.05b
  • Hub= v1.26app/v1.09b
  • Wireless Handset= 1.46a/v1.04b

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If the second station handset has very old software and fails to upgrade to the latest version, it may be incompatible with a Ray60/Ray63/Ray70/Ray73/Ray90/Ray91 running the latest application. The symptoms you will see are a blank dark screen on the handset. The solution is to flash the application in the radio and ensure the second station handsets are turned on and if they have old software v1.26, also put them in programming mode.

Any second station handsets with software v1.55 and above, connected to a Ray60/70 with the latest software, will have minor incompatibilities such as missing letters on some pop-up messages. This is because Ray60/70s can no longer be updated further to maintain full compatibility. Also note that the second station handset when it has the latest software cannot be downgraded.