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K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

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Joe Malloy

K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

Hi, all, hope someone can help! I have updated my K3 with just about
all firmware that has come along since I put the rig together in March,
2008 (ser no 584) and never had trouble -- until now. The K3 Utility
suddenly reported that no K3 communications are available. I've done
some of the updates (the RXA board, CW Rise time, KIO3 Remote Module,
LINE OUT and Speaker amplifier) and have had the rig on the workbench a
few time looking for an obvious error I have made. To date, the error
remains elusive.

Anyone have an idea of what I should look for? TIA!

73,

Joe, W2RBA
w2rba(at)arrl(dot)net

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Matt Zilmer

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

Hi Joe,

Did you make sure that it's opening the correct serial port? If
you're using a USB hub, sometimes the COMx port id moves around. If
this is the case, you'll have to sniff it out.

If it's a REAL serial port, sorry. No clues here on that.

You can set the COMx port from the K3 Utility, using one of the tabs.

Also, make sure the digital part of the KIO3 is plugged in and
properly aligned to the connector. Try another serial or USB cable
too if you have them around.

GL,
matt W6NIA
K3 #24

On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:09:54 -0400, you wrote:

>Hi, all, hope someone can help! I have updated my K3 with just about
>all firmware that has come along since I put the rig together in March,
>2008 (ser no 584) and never had trouble -- until now. The K3 Utility
>suddenly reported that no K3 communications are available. I've done
>some of the updates (the RXA board, CW Rise time, KIO3 Remote Module,
>LINE OUT and Speaker amplifier) and have had the rig on the workbench a
>few time looking for an obvious error I have made. To date, the error
>remains elusive.
>
>Anyone have an idea of what I should look for? TIA!
>
>73,
>
>Joe, W2RBA
>w2rba(at)arrl(dot)net
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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

Joe Malloy

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

Hi, Matt, I'm not using a USB hub, my system used to work with a
straight cable from a com port to the K3 or with the Elecraft/Prolific
USB to rs-232 cable but no go, no matter which of four port I have. I
also have checked for proper mating of the KIO3 but no go. It still
confounds me why it worked for over a year and then stopped -- on three
different computers!

Thanks for your suggestions. Any others? :)

73,

Joe, W2RBA

Matt Zilmer wrote:

> Hi Joe,
>
> Did you make sure that it's opening the correct serial port? If
> you're using a USB hub, sometimes the COMx port id moves around. If
> this is the case, you'll have to sniff it out.
>
> If it's a REAL serial port, sorry. No clues here on that.
>
> You can set the COMx port from the K3 Utility, using one of the tabs.
>
> Also, make sure the digital part of the KIO3 is plugged in and
> properly aligned to the connector. Try another serial or USB cable
> too if you have them around.
>
> GL,
> matt W6NIA
> K3 #24
>
> On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:09:54 -0400, you wrote:
>
>> Hi, all, hope someone can help! I have updated my K3 with just about
>> all firmware that has come along since I put the rig together in March,
>> 2008 (ser no 584) and never had trouble -- until now. The K3 Utility
>> suddenly reported that no K3 communications are available. I've done
>> some of the updates (the RXA board, CW Rise time, KIO3 Remote Module,
>> LINE OUT and Speaker amplifier) and have had the rig on the workbench a
>> few time looking for an obvious error I have made. To date, the error
>> remains elusive.
>>
>> Anyone have an idea of what I should look for? TIA!

Matt Zilmer

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

OK Joe. Sorry none of that worked out.

When you buy Elecraft, you also buy excellent customer support. I'd
suggest you contact [hidden email].

Given these symptoms, it's possible that the digital part of the KIO3
failed. This happens even in the best-designed systems. Or they may
have troubleshooting advice for you.

Don't give up. All problems can be overcome. Call or email Elecraft,
and they'll help you get it figgered out.

73,
matt zilmer, W6NIA

On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:27:57 -0400, you wrote:

>Hi, Matt, I'm not using a USB hub, my system used to work with a
>straight cable from a com port to the K3 or with the Elecraft/Prolific
>USB to rs-232 cable but no go, no matter which of four port I have. I
>also have checked for proper mating of the KIO3 but no go. It still
>confounds me why it worked for over a year and then stopped -- on three
>different computers!
>
>Thanks for your suggestions. Any others? :)
>
>73,
>
>Joe, W2RBA
>
>
>Matt Zilmer wrote:
>> Hi Joe,
>>
>> Did you make sure that it's opening the correct serial port? If
>> you're using a USB hub, sometimes the COMx port id moves around. If
>> this is the case, you'll have to sniff it out.
>>
>> If it's a REAL serial port, sorry. No clues here on that.
>>
>> You can set the COMx port from the K3 Utility, using one of the tabs.
>>
>> Also, make sure the digital part of the KIO3 is plugged in and
>> properly aligned to the connector. Try another serial or USB cable
>> too if you have them around.
>>
>> GL,
>> matt W6NIA
>> K3 #24
>>
>> On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:09:54 -0400, you wrote:
>>
>>> Hi, all, hope someone can help! I have updated my K3 with just about
>>> all firmware that has come along since I put the rig together in March,
>>> 2008 (ser no 584) and never had trouble -- until now. The K3 Utility
>>> suddenly reported that no K3 communications are available. I've done
>>> some of the updates (the RXA board, CW Rise time, KIO3 Remote Module,
>>> LINE OUT and Speaker amplifier) and have had the rig on the workbench a
>>> few time looking for an obvious error I have made. To date, the error
>>> remains elusive.
>>>
>>> Anyone have an idea of what I should look for? TIA!

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

In reply to this post by Joe Malloy

Joe,

Have you tried the steps in the "Forcing a Firmware Download" on page 44
of the K3 manual?
Before doing that, how about closing K3 Utility and reboot the computer
- sometimes that alone works wonders at cleaning things up.

73,
Don W3FPR

Joe Malloy wrote:

Greg - AB7R

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

In reply to this post by Matt Zilmer

Please use [hidden email] if the problem is specific to the K3.

Thanks
Greg
AB7R

----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Zilmer" <[hidden email]>
To: "Joe Malloy" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 4:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

> OK Joe. Sorry none of that worked out.
>
> When you buy Elecraft, you also buy excellent customer support. I'd
> suggest you contact [hidden email].
>
> Given these symptoms, it's possible that the digital part of the KIO3
> failed. This happens even in the best-designed systems. Or they may
> have troubleshooting advice for you.
>
> Don't give up. All problems can be overcome. Call or email Elecraft,
> and they'll help you get it figgered out.
>
> 73,
> matt zilmer, W6NIA
>
>
> On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:27:57 -0400, you wrote:
>
>>Hi, Matt, I'm not using a USB hub, my system used to work with a
>>straight cable from a com port to the K3 or with the Elecraft/Prolific
>>USB to rs-232 cable but no go, no matter which of four port I have. I
>>also have checked for proper mating of the KIO3 but no go. It still
>>confounds me why it worked for over a year and then stopped -- on three
>>different computers!
>>
>>Thanks for your suggestions. Any others? :)
>>
>>73,
>>
>>Joe, W2RBA
>>
>>
>>Matt Zilmer wrote:
>>> Hi Joe,
>>>
>>> Did you make sure that it's opening the correct serial port? If
>>> you're using a USB hub, sometimes the COMx port id moves around. If
>>> this is the case, you'll have to sniff it out.
>>>
>>> If it's a REAL serial port, sorry. No clues here on that.
>>>
>>> You can set the COMx port from the K3 Utility, using one of the tabs.
>>>
>>> Also, make sure the digital part of the KIO3 is plugged in and
>>> properly aligned to the connector. Try another serial or USB cable
>>> too if you have them around.
>>>
>>> GL,
>>> matt W6NIA
>>> K3 #24
>>>
>>> On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:09:54 -0400, you wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi, all, hope someone can help! I have updated my K3 with just about
>>>> all firmware that has come along since I put the rig together in March,
>>>> 2008 (ser no 584) and never had trouble -- until now. The K3 Utility
>>>> suddenly reported that no K3 communications are available. I've done
>>>> some of the updates (the RXA board, CW Rise time, KIO3 Remote Module,
>>>> LINE OUT and Speaker amplifier) and have had the rig on the workbench a
>>>> few time looking for an obvious error I have made. To date, the error
>>>> remains elusive.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone have an idea of what I should look for? TIA!
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Joe Malloy

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Don, the problem is that I have no connection to the K3 from my computer
anymore despite the fact that I *did* have one until a few weeks ago.
Neither the Prolific USB-serial nor real com ports -- and three
different computers! -- make any difference. I think it's a problem
with the K3 itself.

73,

Joe, W2RBA

Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Joe,
>
> Have you tried the steps in the "Forcing a Firmware Download" on page 44
> of the K3 manual?
> Before doing that, how about closing K3 Utility and reboot the computer
> - sometimes that alone works wonders at cleaning things up.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Joe Malloy wrote:
>> Hi, Matt, I'm not using a USB hub, my system used to work with a
>> straight cable from a com port to the K3 or with the Elecraft/Prolific
>> USB to rs-232 cable but no go, no matter which of four port I have. I
>> also have checked for proper mating of the KIO3 but no go. It still
>> confounds me why it worked for over a year and then stopped -- on
>> three different computers!
>>
>> Thanks for your suggestions. Any others? :)
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Joe, W2RBA
>>
>

Vic Goncharsky

Re: K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port

In reply to this post by Joe Malloy

Joe,Did you check the RS232 cable? Use the RS-232 Break-Out-Box (if avaliable) to see the serial port activity (especially on lines 2 and 3) Can you control the radio by, say, TRlog or TR4W? If not, check the K3 schematics and find where the COM port lines are going. The problem could be there.73, Vic US5WE/K1WE
K3 #2907
--- On Mon, 7/6/09, jmalloy <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: jmalloy <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Unable to update firmware by RS-232 port
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, July 6, 2009, 12:48 AM

Don, the problem is that I have no connection to the K3 from my computer
anymore despite the fact that I *did* have one until a few weeks ago.
Neither the Prolific USB-serial nor real com ports -- and three
different computers! -- make any difference. I think it's a problem
with the K3 itself.

73,

Joe, W2RBA

Don Wilhelm wrote:

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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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______________________________________________________________
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