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K3 Firmware Update.

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kd1na

K3 Firmware Update.

Phil,

It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good.
Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going to use.

When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time slice in the process which can corrupt data.

Enjoy your K3!

73
Dave KD1NA
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 Firmware Update.

True, BUT - K3 Utility's Port tab contains a "Test Communications"
button that works very well to confirm that the computer is connected to
the K3 and the right port is selected on the computer.

Yes, HRD will do that verification too, but it is much more involved to
set up than K3 Utility. If you are going to actually use HRD, then
Dave's suggestion is a good one.

73,
Don W3FPR

David Robertson wrote:

> Phil,
>
> It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good.
> Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going to use.
>
> When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time slice in the process which can corrupt data.
>
> Enjoy your K3!
>
>

Gary Slagel

Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by kd1na

I want to get a K3 and wonder if I'm as well off buying an older K3 as getting the latest and greatest straight from elecraft.

If I get an older serial# and make sure all firmware updates are in place is it essentially the same radio as the newer version?

Thanks,

Gary Slagel/N0SXX

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Older Serial# K3

I suggest you get a brand new K3 kit. Building the kit (no soldering) is a very good exercise to know how to add options or even hardware updates at a later time since you will be familiar with the internals.

Older equipment though can always be updated but from what I gather by reading this forum, I bet most K3 owners keep their rigs up to date anyway. Another thing to consider -- judging by the prices I have seen, you do not save enough on buying an older K3 to sacrifice the great advantage of putting the kit together yourself. I am not a kit builder and I was somewhat anxious when I took on the task of building my K3 but Elecraft could not have made it any easier -- indeed, building a K3 is worth the feeling of awe that you get in appreciating the engineering design that has been put into it.

And, one advantage of ordering it new, you can get exactly what you want (I submit you want everything).

73, phil, K7PEH

On Apr 3, 2010, at 7:27 AM, Gary Slagel wrote:

> I want to get a K3 and wonder if I'm as well off buying an older K3 as getting the latest and greatest straight from elecraft.
>
> If I get an older serial# and make sure all firmware updates are in place is it essentially the same radio as the newer version?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gary Slagel/N0SXX
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Joe Planisky

Re: Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by Gary Slagel

Hi Gary,

Whether it's the same or not depends on whether the previous owner
kept up with the hardware mods that Elecraft has published (see http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_app_notes.htm)
. Depending on how old the K3 is and what mods might have already
been done to it, there could be up to 15 or so hardware changes to
bring it up to the "latest and greatest", although it would have to be
a pretty low serial number to require all 15.

In making a decision, you should factor in your willingness and
ability to do any hardware mods that haven't already been done. Most
of them are well documented and can be done by someone with average
soldering skills, common hand tools, and an ESD-safe work mat and
wrist band. If doing surgery on the rig isn't your cup of tea, you
might want to either make sure the used rig is up to date before
buying it, find someone to make the mods for you (Elecraft will do it
for a price), or just get a new rig.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Apr 3, 2010, at 7:27 AM, Gary Slagel wrote:

> I want to get a K3 and wonder if I'm as well off buying an older K3
> as getting the latest and greatest straight from elecraft.
>
> If I get an older serial# and make sure all firmware updates are in
> place is it essentially the same radio as the newer version?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gary Slagel/N0SXX

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Dick Dievendorff

Re: K3 Firmware Update.

In reply to this post by kd1na

There should be no data corruption caused by using other programs while the
K3 Utility is sending firmware to the K3. Closing the K3 Utility during a
firmware update (which should cause an "are you sure" sort of dialog) will
require that you send that firmware file again, and if it's the MCU, the MCU
goes into a "boot loader" state which looks different and may require a K3
power cycle by removing the power plug.

The protocol used during firmware update doesn't have really tight timing
requirements. There is a checksum test and an acknowledgement on each block
sent.

Most Windows systems are sharing time with a whole lot of processes even
when you're not actively doing anything on the desktop.

I routinely go through e-mail or compile other programs while firmware is
loading, and I probably load firmware more often than anyone except perhaps
Wayne and Lyle.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Robertson
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:54 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.

Phil,

It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a
RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good.
Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the
highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going to
use.

When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the
up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other
applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time slice
in the process which can corrupt data.

Enjoy your K3!

73
Dave KD1NA
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Don Cunningham

Re: Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by Gary Slagel

Gary,
Others have hit right on the head the two main reasons I selected buying the
new K3. 1. I could select only the options I wanted and not buy things I
won't use, BUT still have the option of adding them later if I changed my
mind. 2. The price of used K3's is not low enough yet to entice me to buy,
when the kit is so much a pleasure to build. I managed it quite well with a
vision impairment by taking my time!! Also, one thing we are forgetting,
sales is what keeps Elecraft in business and providing that fine customer
service that they do!! Whatever you decide, you will enjoy the rig. Now I
have to decide if I keep two nice rigs sitting here next to the K3 doing
nothing, hi.
73,
Don, WB5HAK

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Dave, G4AON

Re: Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by Gary Slagel

Gary, I would go with a brand new kit. There have been several changes
to the K3 and not all of them published. The early PA and driver were
replaced around Jan 2008 with no accompanying mods, there are quite a
few changes since then and not all owners of the early K3 will have done
a neat job of the surface mount work.

Older isn't better!

73 Dave, G4AON
K3 #80 from Nov 2007
----------------------------

I want to get a K3 and wonder if I'm as well off buying an older K3 as
getting the latest and greatest straight from elecraft.

If I get an older serial# and make sure all firmware updates are in
place is it essentially the same radio as the newer version?

Thanks,

Gary Slagel/N0SXX

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Julian, G4ILO

Re: K3 Firmware Update.

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

Dick Dievendorff wrote

There should be no data corruption caused by using other programs while the
K3 Utility is sending firmware to the K3.

I hate to disagree with the author of the K3 Utility but the only time I ever had a firmware update fail was when I was surfing with Firefox while waiting for the update. Granted, my PC was pretty old. So perhaps it's OK to do this if your computer is new and has plenty of spare CPU cycles. But I always play safe and let the updater have full use of the available resources.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

Jeff Herr

Re: Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by Dave, G4AON

Unpublished mods?

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dave, G4AON
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 10:55 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3

Gary, I would go with a brand new kit. There have been several changes
to the K3 and not all of them published. The early PA and driver were
replaced around Jan 2008 with no accompanying mods, there are quite a
few changes since then and not all owners of the early K3 will have done
a neat job of the surface mount work.

Older isn't better!

73 Dave, G4AON
K3 #80 from Nov 2007
----------------------------

I want to get a K3 and wonder if I'm as well off buying an older K3 as
getting the latest and greatest straight from elecraft.

If I get an older serial# and make sure all firmware updates are in
place is it essentially the same radio as the newer version?

Thanks,

Gary Slagel/N0SXX

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Grant Youngman

Re: Older Serial# K3

So .. I guess the point of this thread is to kill the used market for the K3. That's seems a bit like pointing a gun at once's own head.

Obviously if some guy has attempted to do hardware mods with a Black Beauty soldering iron or a blow torch and a pair of vice grips you have a problem. Or if he had to use a rubber hammer to seat the front panel board, because it "just wouldn't fit right"?That's true of any radio, from a 75A-1 to a K3. But for all purposes, a low serial K3 with the appropriate mods and updates done is the same radio as a new one.

It seems as though perhaps I should dump my own 2K serial K3 and just buy a new one? Since the new ones are better? Huh?

Grant/NQ5T

On Apr 3, 2010, at 3:22 PM, Jeff Herr wrote:

>
>
> Older isn't better!
>
>
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kd1na

Re: K3 Firmware Update.

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

Dick,

Thanks for the input and I stand corrected. I myself have never had a
problem with an up-date. However, I still maintain that be safe when
up-dating by leaving the system alone during the process. Having worked on
software operated atomic particle accelerator systems and having the
software people assure me that there is no way to lock the system up while I
am at the customer's site with a 4 million dollar tool that is off line with
locked up software.

73
Dave KD1NA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]>
To: "'David Robertson'" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Cc: "'Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 11:36 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.

> There should be no data corruption caused by using other programs while
> the
> K3 Utility is sending firmware to the K3. Closing the K3 Utility during a
> firmware update (which should cause an "are you sure" sort of dialog) will
> require that you send that firmware file again, and if it's the MCU, the
> MCU
> goes into a "boot loader" state which looks different and may require a K3
> power cycle by removing the power plug.
>
> The protocol used during firmware update doesn't have really tight timing
> requirements. There is a checksum test and an acknowledgement on each
> block
> sent.
>
> Most Windows systems are sharing time with a whole lot of processes even
> when you're not actively doing anything on the desktop.
>
> I routinely go through e-mail or compile other programs while firmware is
> loading, and I probably load firmware more often than anyone except
> perhaps
> Wayne and Lyle.
>
> Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Robertson
> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:54 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: Elecraft
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.
>
> Phil,
>
> It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a
> RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good.
> Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the
> highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going
> to
> use.
>
> When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the
> up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other
> applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time
> slice
> in the process which can corrupt data.
>
> Enjoy your K3!
>
> 73
> Dave KD1NA
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by Grant Youngman

On Sat, 3 Apr 2010 15:49:56 -0500, Grant Youngman wrote:

>Huh?

I think the point is that as far as resale is concerned, a used K3 is worth
less than a new K3. Why is that a surprise? In what way is that different
from the car or HDTV or computer that I just bought? All drop in value the
minute I drive or carry them away from the showroom. They carry a warranty
that is probably worth more to me as the original purchaser than to someone
I sell them to. And who knows what I might have broken that causes me to
want to sell it. :)

A guy who bought a K3 a few months ago, uses it for a while and wants to
sell it, is dreaming if he thinks he can sell it for what he paid for it.
That might have been true when there was a six month waiting list, but
those days are gone. :)

73,

Jim K9YC

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Guy, K2AV

Re: K3 Firmware Update.

In reply to this post by kd1na

Sorry, Dick

Plenty of others have had that "killed it by starting a browser"
experience, including myself. It WAS a P4 with memory being stretched
by security patches, etc.

I now have a PC based on a quad-core Intel I7 920 with 6 gig of almost
cache speed 3 channel memory. I don't worry about it now.

If you are running a PC with a single core processor and/or limited
memory (as in an older PC which you have kept to use for logging
programs), better to not tempt fate. PC's and Windows can do strange
things when swapping a lot of memory in and out to disk, which could
not be blamed on the utility, apparently including overwriting memory
in use by the utility. It's Windows blowing the multitasking, not
Elecraft.

73, Guy.

On Sat, Apr 3, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Dave & Jeanne Robertson
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Dick,
>
> Thanks for the input and I stand corrected. I myself have never had a
> problem with an up-date. However, I still maintain that be safe when
> up-dating by leaving the system alone during the process. Having worked on
> software operated atomic particle accelerator systems and having the
> software people assure me that there is no way to lock the system up while I
> am at the customer's site with a 4 million dollar tool that is off line with
> locked up software.
>
> 73
> Dave KD1NA
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]>
> To: "'David Robertson'" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "'Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 11:36 AM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.
>
>
>> There should be no data corruption caused by using other programs while
>> the
>> K3 Utility is sending firmware to the K3. Closing the K3 Utility during a
>> firmware update (which should cause an "are you sure" sort of dialog) will
>> require that you send that firmware file again, and if it's the MCU, the
>> MCU
>> goes into a "boot loader" state which looks different and may require a K3
>> power cycle by removing the power plug.
>>
>> The protocol used during firmware update doesn't have really tight timing
>> requirements. There is a checksum test and an acknowledgement on each
>> block
>> sent.
>>
>> Most Windows systems are sharing time with a whole lot of processes even
>> when you're not actively doing anything on the desktop.
>>
>> I routinely go through e-mail or compile other programs while firmware is
>> loading, and I probably load firmware more often than anyone except
>> perhaps
>> Wayne and Lyle.
>>
>> Dick, K6KR
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Robertson
>> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:54 AM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Cc: Elecraft
>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.
>>
>> Phil,
>>
>> It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a
>> RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good.
>> Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the
>> highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going
>> to
>> use.
>>
>> When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the
>> up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other
>> applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time
>> slice
>> in the process which can corrupt data.
>>
>> Enjoy your K3!
>>
>> 73
>> Dave KD1NA
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Older Serial# K3

In reply to this post by Grant Youngman

Grant,

I don't think the point is to kill the used market. If I were to see a
used K3 priced a bit below the price I am willing to pay for *my* K3 and
the options I want - I certainly would be tempted, but if there were
options that I did not want included with the used K3, I still would not
be willing to pay more than a new K3 that is configured with my
particular option set.

On top of that, I would build my own, it is not much work, so I would
only be willing to consider the kit price.

In other words, the present owner would have to sell it below the kit
price of my preferred K3 configuration, and I would further discount my
offering price if it were not upgraded to the latest level. It is a
value vs. price consideration. An older upgraded K3 is just as good as
a brand new one - there are no "hidden mods", but the mods may have been
added using leaded components (as instructed) while the changes on the
K3 line have been implemented with SMD - the functionality is the same
and you can't tell the difference from the outside of the box.

73,
Don W3FPR

Grant Youngman wrote:

> So .. I guess the point of this thread is to kill the used market for the K3. That's seems a bit like pointing a gun at once's own head.
>
> Obviously if some guy has attempted to do hardware mods with a Black Beauty soldering iron or a blow torch and a pair of vice grips you have a problem. Or if he had to use a rubber hammer to seat the front panel board, because it "just wouldn't fit right"?That's true of any radio, from a 75A-1 to a K3. But for all purposes, a low serial K3 with the appropriate mods and updates done is the same radio as a new one.
>
> It seems as though perhaps I should dump my own 2K serial K3 and just buy a new one? Since the new ones are better? Huh?
>
>
> Grant/NQ5T
>
>
> On Apr 3, 2010, at 3:22 PM, Jeff Herr wrote:
>
>
>> Older isn't better!
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
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>
>

Phil LaMarche-2

Re: Older Serial# K3

I just sent my K3 back to have the 144 module installed and asked that all
hardware mod's be made to bring it up to the current serial number. I'll
have it back Tuesday. That's what make Elecraft so great. S/W mod's take
care of them self from you station. While the K3 was gone, I used a friends
775DSP. Nice radio but hated it. Spinning the dial and not knowing what's
on the band. With my LP_PAN, it's so simple and easy to operate. I've
owned this radio for 3 years and that's the longest I've ever owned a radio
and I've had them all. It's not going away.

Phil

Philip LaMarche

LaMarche Enterprises, Inc

727-944-3226
727-937-8834 Fax
727-510-5038 Cell

www.w9dvm.com

K3 #1605

CCA 98-00827
CRA 1701
W9DVM

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 6:22 PM
To: Grant Youngman
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3

Grant,

I don't think the point is to kill the used market. If I were to see a used
K3 priced a bit below the price I am willing to pay for *my* K3 and the
options I want - I certainly would be tempted, but if there were options
that I did not want included with the used K3, I still would not be willing
to pay more than a new K3 that is configured with my particular option set.

On top of that, I would build my own, it is not much work, so I would only
be willing to consider the kit price.

In other words, the present owner would have to sell it below the kit price
of my preferred K3 configuration, and I would further discount my offering
price if it were not upgraded to the latest level. It is a value vs. price
consideration. An older upgraded K3 is just as good as a brand new one -
there are no "hidden mods", but the mods may have been added using leaded
components (as instructed) while the changes on the
K3 line have been implemented with SMD - the functionality is the same and
you can't tell the difference from the outside of the box.

73,
Don W3FPR

Grant Youngman wrote:
> So .. I guess the point of this thread is to kill the used market for the
K3. That's seems a bit like pointing a gun at once's own head.
>
> Obviously if some guy has attempted to do hardware mods with a Black
Beauty soldering iron or a blow torch and a pair of vice grips you have a
problem. Or if he had to use a rubber hammer to seat the front panel board,
because it "just wouldn't fit right"?That's true of any radio, from a 75A-1
to a K3. But for all purposes, a low serial K3 with the appropriate mods
and updates done is the same radio as a new one.
>
> It seems as though perhaps I should dump my own 2K serial K3 and just buy
a new one? Since the new ones are better? Huh?

>
>
> Grant/NQ5T
>
>
> On Apr 3, 2010, at 3:22 PM, Jeff Herr wrote:
>
>
>> Older isn't better!
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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> --
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.800 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2787 - Release Date:
> 04/03/10 02:32:00
>
>

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n7ws

Re: Older Serial# K3

And if you had a naked K3 without an LP-Pan how would they compare?

--- On Sat, 4/3/10, Phil LaMarche <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Phil LaMarche <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3
> To: [hidden email], "'Grant Youngman'" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
> Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010, 6:39 PM
>
> I just sent my K3 back to have the 144 module installed and
> asked that all
> hardware mod's be made to bring it up to the current serial
> number. I'll
> have it back Tuesday. That's what make Elecraft so
> great. S/W mod's take
> care of them self from you station. While the K3 was
> gone, I used a friends
> 775DSP. Nice radio but hated it. Spinning the
> dial and not knowing what's
> on the band. With my LP_PAN, it's so simple and easy
> to operate. I've
> owned this radio for 3 years and that's the longest I've
> ever owned a radio
> and I've had them all. It's not going away.
>
> Phil
>
>
> Philip LaMarche
>
> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>
> 727-944-3226
> 727-937-8834 Fax
> 727-510-5038 Cell
>
> www.w9dvm.com
>
> K3 #1605
>
> CCA 98-00827
> CRA 1701
> W9DVM
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 6:22 PM
> To: Grant Youngman
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3
>
> Grant,
>
> I don't think the point is to kill the used market.
> If I were to see a used
> K3 priced a bit below the price I am willing to pay for
> *my* K3 and the
> options I want - I certainly would be tempted, but if there
> were options
> that I did not want included with the used K3, I still
> would not be willing
> to pay more than a new K3 that is configured with my
> particular option set.
>
> On top of that, I would build my own, it is not much work,
> so I would only
> be willing to consider the kit price.
>
> In other words, the present owner would have to sell it
> below the kit price
> of my preferred K3 configuration, and I would further
> discount my offering
> price if it were not upgraded to the latest level. It
> is a value vs. price
> consideration. An older upgraded K3 is just as good
> as a brand new one -
> there are no "hidden mods", but the mods may have been
> added using leaded
> components (as instructed) while the changes on the
> K3 line have been implemented with SMD - the functionality
> is the same and
> you can't tell the difference from the outside of the box.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Grant Youngman wrote:
> > So .. I guess the point of this thread is to kill the
> used market for the
> K3. That's seems a bit like pointing a gun at once's
> own head.
> >
> > Obviously if some guy has attempted to do
> hardware mods with a Black
> Beauty soldering iron or a blow torch and a pair of vice
> grips you have a
> problem. Or if he had to use a rubber hammer to seat
> the front panel board,
> because it "just wouldn't fit right"?That's true of any
> radio, from a 75A-1
> to a K3. But for all purposes, a low serial K3 with
> the appropriate mods
> and updates done is the same radio as a new one.
> >
> > It seems as though perhaps I should dump my own 2K
> serial K3 and just buy
> a new one? Since the new ones are better? Huh?
> >
> >
> > Grant/NQ5T
> >
> >
> > On Apr 3, 2010, at 3:22 PM, Jeff Herr wrote:
> >
> >
> >> Older isn't better!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 9.0.800 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2787 -
> Release Date:
> > 04/03/10 02:32:00
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Phil LaMarche-2

Re: Older Serial# K3

The K3 would still be a better radio with advanced technology. I came from
a Flex 5000 and am hooked on SDR and so happy I can control my K3 that way.
If I'd never experienced SDR, I wouldn't know the difference. Isn't it sweet
to be able to do as you wished?

Philip LaMarche

LaMarche Enterprises, Inc

727-944-3226
727-937-8834 Fax
727-510-5038 Cell

www.w9dvm.com

K3 #1605

CCA 98-00827
CRA 1701
W9DVM

-----Original Message-----
From: Wes Stewart [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 8:45 PM
To: Phil LaMarche
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3

And if you had a naked K3 without an LP-Pan how would they compare?

--- On Sat, 4/3/10, Phil LaMarche <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Phil LaMarche <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3
> To: [hidden email], "'Grant Youngman'" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
> Date: Saturday, April 3, 2010, 6:39 PM
>
> I just sent my K3 back to have the 144 module installed and asked that
> all hardware mod's be made to bring it up to the current serial
> number. I'll have it back Tuesday. That's what make Elecraft so
> great. S/W mod's take care of them self from you station. While the
> K3 was gone, I used a friends 775DSP. Nice radio but hated it.
> Spinning the dial and not knowing what's on the band. With my LP_PAN,
> it's so simple and easy to operate. I've owned this radio for 3 years
> and that's the longest I've ever owned a radio and I've had them all.
> It's not going away.
>
> Phil
>
>
> Philip LaMarche
>
> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>
> 727-944-3226
> 727-937-8834 Fax
> 727-510-5038 Cell
>
> www.w9dvm.com
>
> K3 #1605
>
> CCA 98-00827
> CRA 1701
> W9DVM
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 6:22 PM
> To: Grant Youngman
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Older Serial# K3
>
> Grant,
>
> I don't think the point is to kill the used market. If I were to see a
> used
> K3 priced a bit below the price I am willing to pay for
> *my* K3 and the
> options I want - I certainly would be tempted, but if there were
> options that I did not want included with the used K3, I still would
> not be willing to pay more than a new K3 that is configured with my
> particular option set.
>
> On top of that, I would build my own, it is not much work, so I would
> only be willing to consider the kit price.
>
> In other words, the present owner would have to sell it below the kit
> price of my preferred K3 configuration, and I would further discount
> my offering price if it were not upgraded to the latest level. It is
> a value vs. price consideration. An older upgraded K3 is just as good
> as a brand new one - there are no "hidden mods", but the mods may have
> been added using leaded components (as instructed) while the changes
> on the
> K3 line have been implemented with SMD - the functionality is the same
> and you can't tell the difference from the outside of the box.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Grant Youngman wrote:
> > So .. I guess the point of this thread is to kill the
> used market for the
> K3. That's seems a bit like pointing a gun at once's own head.
> >
> > Obviously if some guy has attempted to do
> hardware mods with a Black
> Beauty soldering iron or a blow torch and a pair of vice grips you
> have a problem. Or if he had to use a rubber hammer to seat the front
> panel board, because it "just wouldn't fit right"?That's true of any
> radio, from a 75A-1 to a K3. But for all purposes, a low serial K3
> with the appropriate mods and updates done is the same radio as a new
> one.
> >
> > It seems as though perhaps I should dump my own 2K
> serial K3 and just buy
> a new one? Since the new ones are better? Huh?
> >
> >
> > Grant/NQ5T
> >
> >
> > On Apr 3, 2010, at 3:22 PM, Jeff Herr wrote:
> >
> >
> >> Older isn't better!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 9.0.800 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2787 -
> Release Date:
> > 04/03/10 02:32:00
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

kd1na

Re: K3 Firmware Update.

In reply to this post by Guy, K2AV

Thanks Guy I appreciate the support. Elecraft Listen to your customers. It
is best to be safe and don't play with your computer while updateing your K3
firmwhare. It is only 15 minutes max.

73
Dave KD1NA
K3 #934
----- Original Message -----
From: "Guy Olinger K2AV" <[hidden email]>
To: "Dave & Jeanne Robertson" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.

Sorry, Dick

Plenty of others have had that "killed it by starting a browser"
experience, including myself. It WAS a P4 with memory being stretched
by security patches, etc.

I now have a PC based on a quad-core Intel I7 920 with 6 gig of almost
cache speed 3 channel memory. I don't worry about it now.

If you are running a PC with a single core processor and/or limited
memory (as in an older PC which you have kept to use for logging
programs), better to not tempt fate. PC's and Windows can do strange
things when swapping a lot of memory in and out to disk, which could
not be blamed on the utility, apparently including overwriting memory
in use by the utility. It's Windows blowing the multitasking, not
Elecraft.

73, Guy.

On Sat, Apr 3, 2010 at 5:29 PM, Dave & Jeanne Robertson
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Dick,
>
> Thanks for the input and I stand corrected. I myself have never had a
> problem with an up-date. However, I still maintain that be safe when
> up-dating by leaving the system alone during the process. Having worked on
> software operated atomic particle accelerator systems and having the
> software people assure me that there is no way to lock the system up while
> I
> am at the customer's site with a 4 million dollar tool that is off line
> with
> locked up software.
>
> 73
> Dave KD1NA
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]>
> To: "'David Robertson'" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "'Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 11:36 AM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.
>
>
>> There should be no data corruption caused by using other programs while
>> the
>> K3 Utility is sending firmware to the K3. Closing the K3 Utility during a
>> firmware update (which should cause an "are you sure" sort of dialog)
>> will
>> require that you send that firmware file again, and if it's the MCU, the
>> MCU
>> goes into a "boot loader" state which looks different and may require a
>> K3
>> power cycle by removing the power plug.
>>
>> The protocol used during firmware update doesn't have really tight timing
>> requirements. There is a checksum test and an acknowledgement on each
>> block
>> sent.
>>
>> Most Windows systems are sharing time with a whole lot of processes even
>> when you're not actively doing anything on the desktop.
>>
>> I routinely go through e-mail or compile other programs while firmware is
>> loading, and I probably load firmware more often than anyone except
>> perhaps
>> Wayne and Lyle.
>>
>> Dick, K6KR
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Robertson
>> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:54 AM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Cc: Elecraft
>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update.
>>
>> Phil,
>>
>> It is very important that you be certain that whatever you use to get a
>> RS232 connection from your computer to the K3 is good.
>> Running HRD (Ham Radio Deluxe) is a good test. Have your K3 set at the
>> highest baud rate it can do because that is what the K3 utility is going
>> to
>> use.
>>
>> When upgrading your firmware do not do anything on the computer until the
>> up-date is finished. Clicking around your Desktop or going to other
>> applications in your computer during the up-date can result in a time
>> slice
>> in the process which can corrupt data.
>>
>> Enjoy your K3!
>>
>> 73
>> Dave KD1NA
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Gary Slagel

Re: Older Serial# K3 - Thanks for comments.

In reply to this post by Phil LaMarche-2

Thanks for a lot of good comments. A new K3 is on the way... who wants to wait for the right used rig to show up anyway!

It looks to me like the early rigs are essentially the same rig as the new ones... the small hardware mods that have been made don't look like they'd be a concern to me even if they weren't applied. But... the things hold their value so well that I'd spend a long time waiting for the rig with the right options installed and then not save a lot anyway.

I did get a couple good tips for options I hadn't thought of. 1) get the extra prebuilt power cord... I have a bad time getting things like that crimped and built correctly. 2) if you want the digital recorder do it right away, its one of the first things in the building process and a little more of a hassle to do later.... I was on the edge on that one so that was enuff to put me over the edge.

I also got 'mouse happy' and added an extra filter at the last minute just cuz it was so easy to hit that extra checkbox on the order form. Had been intending to save some money by going with only one extra filter but added a 250hz at the last minute.

Anyway, thanks again for all the comments. I should be building soon!

73,

Gary Slagel/N0SXX
Hot Springs, SD
http://marina.fortunecity.com/sanpedro/351

______________________________________________________________
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