Which base image to use for latest release?

[MRIIOT]

Does it matter which base image is used before patching with 6.6.50?

[kdoren]

No, it shouldn't matter. My procedure installs an additional kernel that is selectable at boot time in the config file. The kernel is largely independent of the user space above it (especially if you aren't doing kernel mods).

It's least risky to stay in same kernel family, i.e. 6.6.x.

If anything is too far out of whack, I expect that apt would fail to install the package. And if it installs but doesn't boot, you can always revert back to the stock kernel.