K3/0 Firmware

[Dennis Egan]

I have had a K3/0 for about 5 years now.  In that time, I don't recall ever
doing a Firmware update on it.  Does it require one?

What is the current firmware for the K3/0?

Dennis W1UE
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[Hisashi T Fujinaka]

Did you hear anything? I'm wondering the same thing.

On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Dennis Egan wrote:

> I have had a K3/0 for about 5 years now.  In that time, I don't recall ever
> doing a Firmware update on it.  Does it require one?
>
> What is the current firmware for the K3/0?
>
> Dennis W1UE

--
Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email]
BSEE + BSChem + BAEnglish + MSCS + $2.50 = coffee
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[Nr4c]

I don’t think there is much in the box to update.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Jul 26, 2018, at 11:27 AM, Hisashi T Fujinaka <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Did you hear anything? I'm wondering the same thing.
>
>> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Dennis Egan wrote:
>>
>> I have had a K3/0 for about 5 years now.  In that time, I don't recall ever
>> doing a Firmware update on it.  Does it require one?
>>
>> What is the current firmware for the K3/0?
>>
>> Dennis W1UE
>
> --
> Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email]
> BSEE + BSChem + BAEnglish + MSCS + $2.50 = coffee
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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[Elecraft mailing list]

Hisashi:
Dennis:

As far as I can tell, there have been no firmware updates specifically released for the K3/0 or the K3/I0-mini on the Elecraft website.

In the “Firmware and Software” page (http://www.elecraft.com/software/elecraft_software_page.htm <http://www.elecraft.com/software/elecraft_software_page.htm>), there aren’t any firmware packages specifically identified for the K3/0 and K3/0-Mini.

In the Manuals and Downloads page (http://www.elecraft.com/K2_Manual_Download_Page.htm <http://www.elecraft.com/K2_Manual_Download_Page.htm>) there is a “K3-Remote” selection:

-The latest K3-Remote Owners Manual (PDF) was released on 3 APR 14 (http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3%20Remote%20Owner's%20Manual%20%20Rev%20D.pdf <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3%20Remote%20Owner's%20Manual%20%20Rev%20D.pdf>)

-The manual (Page 22) makes clear that the K3 Utility is compatible with the K3/0 and K3/0-Mini:

"From time to time, new features may be made available to K3/0, K3/0-Mini and K3 owners via firmware upgrades that you can download and install. Please visit the Elecraft K3 software page (www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm) to obtain our free firmware download application, the K3 Utility. This program runs on PCs, Macs, and Linux platforms.”



The document on page 22 also explains how to determine the unit’s firmware and serial number:

"Use the K3/0, K3/0-Mini or K3 CONFIG menu’s FW REVS menu entry to determine your firmware revision. The serial number of your K3/0, K3/0-Mini or K3, if needed, can be obtained using the SER NUM menu entry. This is the serial number of the K3/0, K3/0-Mini or K3 at the control site. It is not the serial number of the equipment used at the remote site.”

By “remote site” this is defined as the K3 that the K3/0 or K3/0-Mini is connected and the “control site” is where the operator is located (K3/0 and K3/0-mini). See “List of Terms” on page 4 of the “K3-Remote Owners Manual.”

Since the “K3-Remote Manual” is now over four years old and an updated document has not been released, it would also seem that the firmware installed on the K3/0-Remote devices hasn't been updated.  

That said, the manual does not clearly state whether a separate firmware package is used by the K3/0 and K3/0-Mini versus the K3/K3S.  The wording could be interpreted to suggest that the same firmware package is used for both the “Remote” and “Control” devices.  Perhaps Wayne, N6KR or Don, W3FPR can clarify this for us.


73,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW







 

> On Jul 26, 2018, at 11:27 AM, Hisashi T Fujinaka <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Did you hear anything? I'm wondering the same thing.
>
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Dennis Egan wrote:
>
>> I have had a K3/0 for about 5 years now.  In that time, I don't recall ever
>> doing a Firmware update on it.  Does it require one?
>>
>> What is the current firmware for the K3/0?
>>
>> Dennis W1UE
>
> --
> Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email]
> BSEE + BSChem + BAEnglish + MSCS + $2.50 = coffee
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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[Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN / K7DX-2]

Dennis and Hisashi,

I have updated my K3/0 from time to time using the newest firmware for
the K3. Just connect the PC directly to the COM port and the K3 Utility
will recognize and update it.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

--
Mitch Wolfson  K7DX / DJ0QN
10285 Boca Cir, Naples, FL 34109
Skype: mitchwo
USA: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]
Germany: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]

On 26.07.2018 19:37, Barry Baines via Elecraft wrote:

> Hisashi:
> Dennis:
>
> As far as I can tell, there have been no firmware updates specifically released for the K3/0 or the K3/I0-mini on the Elecraft website.
>
> In the “Firmware and Software” page (http://www.elecraft.com/software/elecraft_software_page.htm <http://www.elecraft.com/software/elecraft_software_page.htm>), there aren’t any firmware packages specifically identified for the K3/0 and K3/0-Mini.
>
> In the Manuals and Downloads page (http://www.elecraft.com/K2_Manual_Download_Page.htm <http://www.elecraft.com/K2_Manual_Download_Page.htm>) there is a “K3-Remote” selection:
>
> -The latest K3-Remote Owners Manual (PDF) was released on 3 APR 14 (http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3%20Remote%20Owner's%20Manual%20%20Rev%20D.pdf <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3%20Remote%20Owner's%20Manual%20%20Rev%20D.pdf>)
>
> -The manual (Page 22) makes clear that the K3 Utility is compatible with the K3/0 and K3/0-Mini:
>
> "From time to time, new features may be made available to K3/0, K3/0-Mini and K3 owners via firmware upgrades that you can download and install. Please visit the Elecraft K3 software page (www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm) to obtain our free firmware download application, the K3 Utility. This program runs on PCs, Macs, and Linux platforms.”
>
>
>
> The document on page 22 also explains how to determine the unit’s firmware and serial number:
>
> "Use the K3/0, K3/0-Mini or K3 CONFIG menu’s FW REVS menu entry to determine your firmware revision. The serial number of your K3/0, K3/0-Mini or K3, if needed, can be obtained using the SER NUM menu entry. This is the serial number of the K3/0, K3/0-Mini or K3 at the control site. It is not the serial number of the equipment used at the remote site.”
>
> By “remote site” this is defined as the K3 that the K3/0 or K3/0-Mini is connected and the “control site” is where the operator is located (K3/0 and K3/0-mini). See “List of Terms” on page 4 of the “K3-Remote Owners Manual.”
>
> Since the “K3-Remote Manual” is now over four years old and an updated document has not been released, it would also seem that the firmware installed on the K3/0-Remote devices hasn't been updated.
>
> That said, the manual does not clearly state whether a separate firmware package is used by the K3/0 and K3/0-Mini versus the K3/K3S.  The wording could be interpreted to suggest that the same firmware package is used for both the “Remote” and “Control” devices.  Perhaps Wayne, N6KR or Don, W3FPR can clarify this for us.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Barry Baines, WD4ASW
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Jul 26, 2018, at 11:27 AM, Hisashi T Fujinaka <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Did you hear anything? I'm wondering the same thing.
>>
>> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Dennis Egan wrote:
>>
>>> I have had a K3/0 for about 5 years now.  In that time, I don't recall ever
>>> doing a Firmware update on it.  Does it require one?
>>>
>>> What is the current firmware for the K3/0?
>>>
>>> Dennis W1UE
>> --
>> Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email]
>> BSEE + BSChem + BAEnglish + MSCS + $2.50 = coffee
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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[Elecraft mailing list]

Mitch:


> On Jul 26, 2018, at 3:45 PM, Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN / K7DX <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Dennis and Hisashi,
>
> I have updated my K3/0 from time to time using the newest firmware for the K3. Just connect the PC directly to the COM port and the K3 Utility will recognize and update it.th <http://it.th/> n

Thanks for the clarification on updating the K3/0 or K3/0-Mini firmware by using the K3 firmware.  

Question:   Once you updated the K3/0 or K3/0-Mini with new firmware, did you notice any changes in capabilities of the “control site” equipment (K3/0) or compatibility with the K3/K3S ‘remote site’ equipment (which presumably has newer firmware as well)?  

I ask because I’ve been fairly diligent about updating the K3 firmware from time-to-time but haven’t updated my K3/0-Mini devices at all (I have a device at two different locations).  The oldest K3/0-Mini was purchased in August 2014.  I’m wondering how critical the updates are to the “K3/0” devices.  From what I can tell, the K3/K3S firmware revision documentation doesn’t differentiate between features that impact the K3/K3S versus what impacts the “K3/0” devices.  

73,

Barry, WD4ASW

>
> 73,
> Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
>
> --
> Mitch Wolfson  K7DX / DJ0QN
> 10285 Boca Cir, Naples, FL 34109
> Skype: mitchwo
> USA: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]
> Germany: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]
>

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[Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN / K7DX-2]

Barry,

No, I didn't notice anything, but my understanding was that I needed to
make the update(s) to maintain compatibility between the control and
radio side.

Firmware updates have slowed way down over the last few years, but there
were a number of enhancements made within the period following the
release of the original K3/0 and then K3/0 Mini that required to update
both sides and keep them in sync. I can't remember the details or why,
but Wayne or Eric would remember. I still do my best to maintain them in
sync, although this may no longer be as critical as it was in the past
(I am not into taking risks and it only takes a couple of minutes).

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

--
Mitch Wolfson  K7DX / DJ0QN
10285 Boca Cir, Naples, FL 34109
Skype: mitchwo
USA: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]
Germany: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]

On 26.07.2018 22:39, Barry Baines wrote:

> Mitch:
>
>
>> On Jul 26, 2018, at 3:45 PM, Mitch Wolfson DJ0QN / K7DX <[hidden email]
>> <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>>
>> Dennis and Hisashi,
>>
>> I have updated my K3/0 from time to time using the newest firmware
>> for the K3. Just connect the PC directly to the COM port and the K3
>> Utility will recognize and update it.th <http://it.th> n
>
> Thanks for the clarification on updating the K3/0 or K3/0-Mini
> firmware by using the K3 firmware.
>
> Question:   Once you updated the K3/0 or K3/0-Mini with new firmware,
> did you notice any changes in capabilities of the “control site”
> equipment (K3/0) or compatibility with the K3/K3S ‘remote site’
> equipment (which presumably has newer firmware as well)?
>
> I ask because I’ve been fairly diligent about updating the K3 firmware
> from time-to-time but haven’t updated my K3/0-Mini devices at all (I
> have a device at two different locations).  The oldest K3/0-Mini was
> purchased in August 2014.  I’m wondering how critical the updates are
> to the “K3/0” devices.  From what I can tell, the K3/K3S firmware
> revision documentation doesn’t differentiate between features that
> impact the K3/K3S versus what impacts the “K3/0” devices.
>
> 73,
>
> Barry, WD4ASW
>
>
>>
>> 73,
>> Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX
>>
>> --
>> Mitch Wolfson  K7DX / DJ0QN
>> 10285 Boca Cir, Naples, FL 34109
>> Skype: mitchwo
>> USA: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]
>> Germany: Home:[phone] - Mobile:[phone]
>>
>

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