K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
 
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Help Please!
I have researched the Reflector emails and cannot find any postings with a similar problem to the one I have! I do not have a proper readout of either the MENU or CONFIG options on my K3. All the MENU entry names show a row of question marks, although the line above appears to show the actual entry for each function correctly. Some of the CONFIG entry names also show a row of question marks but others shows lettering which does not bear any resemblance to the different functions, (ie the TECH MD function displays LPAGE T and VCO MD (T) displays RQDIGOU). Some of the entry settings appear to be correct but others show an unreadable combination of letters and/or partly formed letters. The only way I know I am in a particular menu function is by going through the options, backwards or forwards and one at a time, from one that I know is correct ie the baud rate or serial number. I arrived at this situation as follows: I have K3 serial 819 which, until yesterday, has been working fine. It was last updated on 11 September 2008 with MCU 2.38, FPF 0.02 and DSP1 1.90 (I don't have the second RX fitted). Yesterday I tried to update it with the latest firmware: MCU 4.25, FPF 1.14 and DSP 2.71 and that is when the problem occurred. The MCU and FPF firmware loaded ok but the DSP 1 showed an error message that it had failed, and displayed ERR DSE. I tried reloading DSP1 2.71 several more times and each time got the same error message. I then noticed that when I changed bands I was getting the ERR PL1 message. I tried reloading DSP1 2.71 with a different computer and it loaded ok but I still got the ERR PL1 message. ( I am using a serial to USB connector and read in the Reflector archives that this can sometimes cause a propblem when loading firmware to the K3.) I have tried doing the following: 1. Switching the K3 off, waiting five seconds and switching on. 2. Reloading the firmware - the K3 utility program shows it loaded successfully. The program also shows the K3 firmware and Available Firmware are identical: MCU 4.25, FPF 1.14 and DSP 2.71. DSP2 and DVR are shown as N/A. 3. Re-calibrating VCO MD - after going through the procedure the display shows E 00005 and ERR VCO. 4. Restoring the K3 to the previous configuration. 5. Restoring the K3 to the default options using EE INIT. When I switch the K3 on now, I get the ERR PL1 message. It goes off after a second but reappears each time I change bands. I would be grateful for any other suggestions and/or ideas, please? Thanks and 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Shooting in the dark, but you did not indicate the version of the K3
utility. Particularly since you went so long without updating the firmware, did you upgrade the K3 utility as well? That would be required before updating the firmware. 73, Guy. On Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 9:30 AM, Chris Page <[hidden email]> wrote: > Help Please! > > I have researched the Reflector emails and cannot find any postings with a > similar problem to the one I have! I do not have a proper readout of > either > the MENU or CONFIG options on my K3. > > All the MENU entry names show a row of question marks, although the line > above > appears to show the actual entry for each function correctly. > > Some of the CONFIG entry names also show a row of question marks but others > shows lettering which does not bear any resemblance to the different > functions, > (ie the TECH MD function displays LPAGE T and VCO MD (T) displays RQDIGOU). > Some of the entry settings appear to be correct but others show an > unreadable > combination of letters and/or partly formed letters. > > The only way I know I am in a particular menu function is by going through > the > options, backwards or forwards and one at a time, from one that I know is > correct ie the baud rate or serial number. > > I arrived at this situation as follows: > > I have K3 serial 819 which, until yesterday, has been working fine. It was > last updated on 11 September 2008 with MCU 2.38, FPF 0.02 and DSP1 1.90 (I > don't have the second RX fitted). > > Yesterday I tried to update it with the latest firmware: MCU 4.25, FPF 1.14 > and > DSP 2.71 and that is when the problem occurred. > > The MCU and FPF firmware loaded ok but the DSP 1 showed an error message > that > it had failed, and displayed ERR DSE. I tried reloading DSP1 2.71 several > more > times and each time got the same error message. > > I then noticed that when I changed bands I was getting the ERR PL1 message. > > I tried reloading DSP1 2.71 with a different computer and it loaded ok but > I > still got the ERR PL1 message. ( I am using a serial to USB connector and > read > in the Reflector archives that this can sometimes cause a propblem when > loading > firmware to the K3.) > > I have tried doing the following: > > 1. Switching the K3 off, waiting five seconds and switching on. > > 2. Reloading the firmware - the K3 utility program shows it loaded > successfully. The program also shows the K3 firmware and Available > Firmware > are identical: MCU 4.25, FPF 1.14 and DSP 2.71. DSP2 and DVR are shown as > N/A. > > 3. Re-calibrating VCO MD - after going through the procedure the display > shows > E 00005 and ERR VCO. > > 4. Restoring the K3 to the previous configuration. > > 5. Restoring the K3 to the default options using EE INIT. > > When I switch the K3 on now, I get the ERR PL1 message. It goes off after > a > second but reappears each time I change bands. > > I would be grateful for any other suggestions and/or ideas, please? > > Thanks and 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > 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 |
Re: K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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In reply to this post by Chris Page-3
Sorry Guy, I should have said, but yes, I am using the latest version (1.4.1.8)
of the K3 Utility program. 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) On 25 Mar 2011 at 9:44, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: Shooting in the dark, but you did not indicate the version of the K3 utility. Particularly since you went so long without updating the firmware, did you upgrade the K3 utility as well? That would be required before updating the firmware. 73, Guy. ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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Chris,
I would try loading ALL the firmware again - using a real serial port if that is possible. You could have a bad USB to serial adapter that corrupted the load. If all else fails, there is always EEINIT - hopefully you have a saved configuration! 73, Don W3FPR On 3/25/2011 10:22 AM, Chris Page wrote: > Sorry Guy, I should have said, but yes, I am using the latest version (1.4.1.8) > > of the K3 Utility program. > > 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) > > On 25 Mar 2011 at 9:44, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > > Shooting in the dark, but you did not indicate the version of the K3 utility. > Particularly since you went so long without updating the firmware, did you > upgrade the K3 utility as well? That would be required before updating the > firmware. 73, Guy. > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > 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 |
Re: K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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In reply to this post by Guy, K2AV
This often indicates that some, but not all of the required firmware files were installed. The menu strings are in the FPF firmware file. There are dependencies between MCU, FPF, and DSP firmware files released at the same time. Install all new firmware, not one at a time
Long time, Chris! 73 de Dick, K6KR (ex G0MFO) Dick On Mar 25, 2011, at 6:44, Guy Olinger K2AV <[hidden email]> wrote: > Shooting in the dark, but you did not indicate the version of the K3 > utility. Particularly since you went so long without updating the firmware, > did you upgrade the K3 utility as well? That would be required before > updating the firmware. 73, Guy. > > On Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 9:30 AM, Chris Page <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> Help Please! >> >> I have researched the Reflector emails and cannot find any postings with a >> similar problem to the one I have! I do not have a proper readout of >> either >> the MENU or CONFIG options on my K3. >> >> All the MENU entry names show a row of question marks, although the line >> above >> appears to show the actual entry for each function correctly. >> >> Some of the CONFIG entry names also show a row of question marks but others >> shows lettering which does not bear any resemblance to the different >> functions, >> (ie the TECH MD function displays LPAGE T and VCO MD (T) displays RQDIGOU). >> Some of the entry settings appear to be correct but others show an >> unreadable >> combination of letters and/or partly formed letters. >> >> The only way I know I am in a particular menu function is by going through >> the >> options, backwards or forwards and one at a time, from one that I know is >> correct ie the baud rate or serial number. >> >> I arrived at this situation as follows: >> >> I have K3 serial 819 which, until yesterday, has been working fine. It was >> last updated on 11 September 2008 with MCU 2.38, FPF 0.02 and DSP1 1.90 (I >> don't have the second RX fitted). >> >> Yesterday I tried to update it with the latest firmware: MCU 4.25, FPF 1.14 >> and >> DSP 2.71 and that is when the problem occurred. >> >> The MCU and FPF firmware loaded ok but the DSP 1 showed an error message >> that >> it had failed, and displayed ERR DSE. I tried reloading DSP1 2.71 several >> more >> times and each time got the same error message. >> >> I then noticed that when I changed bands I was getting the ERR PL1 message. >> >> I tried reloading DSP1 2.71 with a different computer and it loaded ok but >> I >> still got the ERR PL1 message. ( I am using a serial to USB connector and >> read >> in the Reflector archives that this can sometimes cause a propblem when >> loading >> firmware to the K3.) >> >> I have tried doing the following: >> >> 1. Switching the K3 off, waiting five seconds and switching on. >> >> 2. Reloading the firmware - the K3 utility program shows it loaded >> successfully. The program also shows the K3 firmware and Available >> Firmware >> are identical: MCU 4.25, FPF 1.14 and DSP 2.71. DSP2 and DVR are shown as >> N/A. >> >> 3. Re-calibrating VCO MD - after going through the procedure the display >> shows >> E 00005 and ERR VCO. >> >> 4. Restoring the K3 to the previous configuration. >> >> 5. Restoring the K3 to the default options using EE INIT. >> >> When I switch the K3 on now, I get the ERR PL1 message. It goes off after >> a >> second but reappears each time I change bands. >> >> I would be grateful for any other suggestions and/or ideas, please? >> >> Thanks and 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 >> > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 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 |
Re: K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Thanks Don but I have tried both loading all the software again,and the EEINIT
option! I haven't tried reloading the software from a computer with a proper serial port as I don't have one! 73 de Chris On 25 Mar 2011 at 10:30, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Chris, > > I would try loading ALL the firmware again - using a real serial port if > that is possible. You could have a bad USB to serial adapter that > corrupted the load. > > If all else fails, there is always EEINIT - hopefully you have a saved > configuration! > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 3/25/2011 10:22 AM, Chris Page wrote: > > Sorry Guy, I should have said, but yes, I am using the latest version > (1.4.1.8) > > > > of the K3 Utility program. > > > > 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) > > > > On 25 Mar 2011 at 9:44, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > > > > Shooting in the dark, but you did not indicate the version of the K3 > utility. > > Particularly since you went so long without updating the firmware, did you > > upgrade the K3 utility as well? That would be required before updating the > > firmware. 73, Guy. > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > 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 > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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Chris - Unless you are using a laptop, etc, it might be worth adding a
COM port to your computer. Most desktop motherboard have a COM header to which can be connected a rear COM plate. OTOH, ensure you have the up-to-date drivers for your USB>COM adapter. There is information about this on the Elecraft website. 73 de David G4DMP G-QRP 11046 ! In a recent message, Chris Page <[hidden email]> writes > >I haven't tried reloading the software from a computer with a proper serial >port as I don't have one! -- + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds. | | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk | + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
Re: K3 Firmware Problem - No Proper Menu Readout
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In reply to this post by Chris Page-3
Thanks Gary and Wayne.
I'm pleased to report that deleting and then downloading the files again from Elecraft to my computer and then re-loading them into the K3, cleared the problem with the MENU and CONFIG redout. I then did a VCO MD calibration and this cleared the ERR PL1 problem. All appears to now be working again. Thanks to Gary and Wayne plus G4DMP, K2AV and W3FPR for their helpful suggestions. Yet another example of what a wonderful Reflector this is. 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE) On 25 Mar 2011 at 9:29, Dick Dievendorff wrote: That is something to try. Delete the .hex files in the firmware folder and fetch them again with the K3Utility. That sounds the most likely.I wouldn't think it likely that the FP board suddenly failed. Although inability to write the serial EEPROM component might have symptoms like this. Dick On Mar 25, 2011, at 9:21, Gary Surrency <[hidden email]> wrote: Dick, I've never seen one quite like that. Sounds like a good case for an EEINIT (parameter initialization as called in the K3 manual). If it still is not right, the f/w files may have been corrupt and needs to be downloaded fresh from our site and reloaded into the K3. If still a no go, the front panel board should be replaced. --73, Gary AB7M ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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