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[K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

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Nate Bargmann

[K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

Checking on the available K3 firmware this morning, I saw that a Beta
4.67 is available. After downloading and attempting the update, the MCU
load failed (first time for me). After a few more tries and failures I
successfully loaded MCU 4.61, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 so I knew the K3
was fine. :-)

Watching the K3 Utility dialog boxes I saw that file 'hmcu0467b.hex' was
being loaded. Looking in the directory, I saw that file 'hmcu0467.hex'
also was present and 17 minutes newer. "Hmmmm", sez I, so after
deleting 'hmcu0467b.hex', MCU 4.67, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 firmware
files all loaded correctly.

I am using the "Elecraft K3 Utility for Linux Version 1.12.9.22", if
that matters.

As the file size between 'hmcu0467b.hex' and 'hmcu0467.hex' is the same
(but the "diff" utility shows a lot of differences), the utility
apparently chooses 'hmcu0467b.hex' by determining that the extra
character makes it a later file. In this particular case, it happens to
be earlier and this K3, S/N 4762, didn't like it at all.

On the plus side, I now know how to recover from a bad MCU load, the
first time this has happened to me in over 2 1/2 years of owning my K3.
;-)

73, de Nate, N0NB >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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Grant Youngman

Re: [K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

As described in the release note for this update, perhaps the difference in the two hmcu files is that one is for the "b" revision of the display controller ...

Grant/NQ5T

On May 5, 2013, at 10:20 AM, Nate Bargmann <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Checking on the available K3 firmware this morning, I saw that a Beta
> 4.67 is available. After downloading and attempting the update, the MCU
> load failed (first time for me). After a few more tries and failures I
> successfully loaded MCU 4.61, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 so I knew the K3
> was fine. :-)
>

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Lyle Johnson

Re: [K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

In reply to this post by Nate Bargmann

Hello Nate!

The K3 Utility version that should be used is one that explicitly
supports the "b" files which are used for K3 FP boards that use a
different LCD controller than we have used in the past. In the case of
a Windows PC, that is version 1.13.4.15 available on the website. Mac
and Linux Utilities to support this version will be released soon.

Meanwhile, if you choose to load the K3 Beta and not use a Windows PC to
do it, it seems you will need to delete the "b" file from your directory
after you unzip it.

Thank you for your report on this behavior!

73,

Lyle KK7P

Nate Bargmann

Re: [K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

* On 2013 05 May 11:09 -0500, Lyle Johnson wrote:
> Hello Nate!
>
> The K3 Utility version that should be used is one that explicitly
> supports the "b" files which are used for K3 FP boards that use a
> different LCD controller than we have used in the past. In the case
> of a Windows PC, that is version 1.13.4.15 available on the website.
> Mac and Linux Utilities to support this version will be released
> soon.

While I have Win7 available on a laptop, it means I have to reboot. I
much prefer Debian so Win7 is much neglected and well behind on updates.
:-)

> Meanwhile, if you choose to load the K3 Beta and not use a Windows
> PC to do it, it seems you will need to delete the "b" file from your
> directory after you unzip it.

That makes sense that I swerved into doing the correct step. I did
find out that with FW 4.61 that tapping "1" as mentioned in the release
notes did nothing but change VFOs. With 4.67 it does report that I have
revision "A" of the FPF.

> Thank you for your report on this behavior!

Hopefully all versions of the utility will be sync'ed before this FW
goes into production status. :-)

73, de Nate, N0NB >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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N5GE

Re: [K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

In reply to this post by Nate Bargmann

Downloaded and installed this morning.

I see no problems, and yes I saw the hmcu0467b.hex, but I'm not a bit
worried about it. My machine and rig working great on my wonderful
Win 7.0 Pro SP1 machine.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member

Let's start giving Mr. Uda his due.
The Yagi antenna was designed by
Mr. Yagi AND Mr. Uda. It should
be called the "Yagi-Uda" antenna.

On Sun, 5 May 2013 10:20:48 -0500, Nate Bargmann <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>Checking on the available K3 firmware this morning, I saw that a Beta
>4.67 is available. After downloading and attempting the update, the MCU
>load failed (first time for me). After a few more tries and failures I
>successfully loaded MCU 4.61, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 so I knew the K3
>was fine. :-)
>
>Watching the K3 Utility dialog boxes I saw that file 'hmcu0467b.hex' was
>being loaded. Looking in the directory, I saw that file 'hmcu0467.hex'
>also was present and 17 minutes newer. "Hmmmm", sez I, so after
>deleting 'hmcu0467b.hex', MCU 4.67, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 firmware
>files all loaded correctly.
>
>I am using the "Elecraft K3 Utility for Linux Version 1.12.9.22", if
>that matters.
>
>As the file size between 'hmcu0467b.hex' and 'hmcu0467.hex' is the same
>(but the "diff" utility shows a lot of differences), the utility
>apparently chooses 'hmcu0467b.hex' by determining that the extra
>character makes it a later file. In this particular case, it happens to
>be earlier and this K3, S/N 4762, didn't like it at all.
>
>On the plus side, I now know how to recover from a bad MCU load, the
>first time this has happened to me in over 2 1/2 years of owning my K3.
>;-)
>
>73, de Nate, N0NB >>

Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

Dick Dievendorff

Re: [K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

Hi, Tom!

We tried to make this as smooth as possible, but had one problem with an
older Linux version of the K3 Utility.

We are starting to build K3s with a different LCD driver integrated circuit
(no better function, just a different supplier). The two LCD drivers
require different MCU firmware files, and the intent is that the K3 Utility
install the correct one without K3 owners having to worry about this detail.

The MCU firmware file for version 4.67 is hmcu0467.hex for almost all K3s
"in the field", and hmcu0467b.hex for K3s that use the new LCD driver IC.

We expected older versions of the K3 Utility to find hmuc0467.hex and ignore
hmcu0467b.hex.

Only users with the new LCD driver would be required to upgrade immediately
to the newest K3 Utility. That almost worked. But the older Linux version of
the K3 Utility somehow chose the "b" suffixed filename. The Windows and Mac
versions made the correct choice.

W4SMT quickly corrected the Linux version, and the K3 Utility has been
updated to revision 1.13.4.15 for Windows, Mac and Linux.

We recommend that all users install the latest K3 Utility version from
http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm#util

This is particularly important for users of the K3 Utility Linux version and
users with very recent K3s.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Tom H Childers
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2013 3:04 PM
To: Elecraft list
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Possible bad file in 4.67 ZIP archive

Downloaded and installed this morning.

I see no problems, and yes I saw the hmcu0467b.hex, but I'm not a bit
worried about it. My machine and rig working great on my wonderful Win 7.0
Pro SP1 machine.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member

Let's start giving Mr. Uda his due.
The Yagi antenna was designed by
Mr. Yagi AND Mr. Uda. It should
be called the "Yagi-Uda" antenna.

On Sun, 5 May 2013 10:20:48 -0500, Nate Bargmann <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>Checking on the available K3 firmware this morning, I saw that a Beta
>4.67 is available. After downloading and attempting the update, the
>MCU load failed (first time for me). After a few more tries and
>failures I successfully loaded MCU 4.61, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 so I
>knew the K3 was fine. :-)
>
>Watching the K3 Utility dialog boxes I saw that file 'hmcu0467b.hex'
>was being loaded. Looking in the directory, I saw that file 'hmcu0467.hex'
>also was present and 17 minutes newer. "Hmmmm", sez I, so after
>deleting 'hmcu0467b.hex', MCU 4.67, FPF 1.15, and DSP1 2.81 firmware
>files all loaded correctly.
>
>I am using the "Elecraft K3 Utility for Linux Version 1.12.9.22", if
>that matters.
>
>As the file size between 'hmcu0467b.hex' and 'hmcu0467.hex' is the same
>(but the "diff" utility shows a lot of differences), the utility
>apparently chooses 'hmcu0467b.hex' by determining that the extra
>character makes it a later file. In this particular case, it happens
>to be earlier and this K3, S/N 4762, didn't like it at all.
>
>On the plus side, I now know how to recover from a bad MCU load, the
>first time this has happened to me in over 2 1/2 years of owning my K3.
>;-)
>
>73, de Nate, N0NB >>

______________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________
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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