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K3 Utility Reload issues

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Roger Huntley-2

K3 Utility Reload issues

I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up with
dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations ending with
still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer and the power to
K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232 outlet direct to COM
port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power and tried to reload
software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU LD showing without back lit
screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
Roger, W7VV

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Dick Dievendorff

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

Please carefully go through the steps listed in K3 Utility Help,
Troubleshooting, MCU Load Failure.

If you are using a different COM port than you were using before, be careful
that you've selected the correct new COM port

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Roger Huntley
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 9:43 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: 'Bob Sampson'; 'Chuck Jones'
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues

I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up with
dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations ending with
still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer and the power to
K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232 outlet direct to COM
port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power and tried to reload
software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU LD showing without back lit
screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
Roger, W7VV

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Roger Huntley-2

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Roger Huntley-2

We did just what you described and it will not take the correct firmware
version. We are trying to load K3 Utility 1.12.10.10. and it stays in the
TX flashing and MCU LD on the screen without backlite.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11:05 AM
To: 'Roger Huntley'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues

From the K3 Owner's Manual:

Forcing a Firmware Download
If you accidentally load an old or incompatible
firmware version and find the K3 unresponsive, do
the following: (1) unplug the K3 from the power
supply and wait 5 seconds; (2) plug the power
supply back in; (3) hold the K3's POWER switch
in; after about 10 seconds, you'll see the TX LED
flash (you'll also see MCU LD on the LCD); (4)
load the correct firmware version.

------------------------------------------

73, Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up with
dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations ending with
still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer and the power to
K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232 outlet direct to COM
port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power and tried to reload
software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU LD showing without back lit
screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
Roger, W7VV

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N7US

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

I have a microKEYER II but rather than disconnecting the K3 from it I use a
DB9 A/B switch for firmware updates. The K3/P3 is connected to the switch,
and the A position is connected to the MKII and the B position is connected
to a serial port on the computer (really a COM port on an Edgeport/4).

That way no time is spent re-cabling, and it's just a flip of the switch. I
flip to the serial port on the Edgeport every time I use the K3 or P3
utility, which is fairly often as I like to save a new configuration file
after I change a menu selection.

I found a Belkin DB9 switch on eBay.

73, Jim N7US

-----Original Message-----

Please carefully go through the steps listed in K3 Utility Help,
Troubleshooting, MCU Load Failure.

If you are using a different COM port than you were using before, be careful
that you've selected the correct new COM port

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up with
dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations ending with
still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer and the power to
K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232 outlet direct to COM
port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power and tried to reload
software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU LD showing without back lit
screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
Roger, W7VV

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Cady, Fred

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Roger Huntley-2

I recently had a problem loading firmware when I was going through the
P3 which has an SVGA. At a reset the P3 takes too long to gather itself
together and the Utility times out. N1AL said to turn the SVGA data
display off but I haven't tried that. Connecting the K3 directly to the
computer without the P3 works (and I was a happy camper).

73,
Fred KE7X

Fred Cady
fcady at ieee dot org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:elecraft-
> [hidden email]] On Behalf Of Roger Huntley
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 2:23 PM
> To: 'Ron D'Eau Claire'; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues
>
> We did just what you described and it will not take the correct
> firmware
> version. We are trying to load K3 Utility 1.12.10.10. and it stays

> the
> TX flashing and MCU LD on the screen without backlite.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11:05 AM
> To: 'Roger Huntley'; [hidden email]
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues
>
> From the K3 Owner's Manual:
>
> Forcing a Firmware Download
> If you accidentally load an old or incompatible
> firmware version and find the K3 unresponsive, do
> the following: (1) unplug the K3 from the power
> supply and wait 5 seconds; (2) plug the power
> supply back in; (3) hold the K3's POWER switch
> in; after about 10 seconds, you'll see the TX LED
> flash (you'll also see MCU LD on the LCD); (4)
> load the correct firmware version.
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> 73, Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up
> with
> dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations ending
> with
> still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer and the power
> to
> K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232 outlet direct to
> COM
> port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power and tried to reload
> software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU LD showing without
> back lit
> screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
> Roger, W7VV
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Roger Huntley-2

Roger,

In the K3 Utility, press F1 to bring up Help, then expand
(double-click on) "K3 Utility Help", then "Troubleshooting", then
click on "MCU Load Failure". You should find detailed steps to
complete the firmware load.

GL!

~iain / N6ML

On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 1:23 PM, Roger Huntley <[hidden email]> wrote:

> We did just what you described and it will not take the correct firmware
> version. We are trying to load K3 Utility 1.12.10.10. and it stays in the
> TX flashing and MCU LD on the screen without backlite.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11:05 AM
> To: 'Roger Huntley'; [hidden email]
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues
>
> From the K3 Owner's Manual:
>
> Forcing a Firmware Download
> If you accidentally load an old or incompatible
> firmware version and find the K3 unresponsive, do
> the following: (1) unplug the K3 from the power
> supply and wait 5 seconds; (2) plug the power
> supply back in; (3) hold the K3's POWER switch
> in; after about 10 seconds, you'll see the TX LED
> flash (you'll also see MCU LD on the LCD); (4)
> load the correct firmware version.
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> 73, Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up with
> dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations ending with
> still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer and the power to
> K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232 outlet direct to COM
> port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power and tried to reload
> software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU LD showing without back lit
> screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
> Roger, W7VV
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

N0AZZ

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Cady, Fred

HI HI Now I read this just yesterday I upgraded to the latest firmware "460"
without a single problem smooth as silk. I forgot to disconnect the P3/SVGA
from my K3 NOW I see that I should have done this I guess that I was just
extremely lucky is all.

I will not tempt the gods and do that again guess I need a post-it just
above the P3 reminding me.

Thanks Fred for passing this along, I knew better it says not to do so but
your bringing it up helped me and others I sure from making a mistake when
uploading.

73,
Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Cady, Fred
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 3:33 PM
To: Roger Huntley; Ron D'Eau Claire; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues

I recently had a problem loading firmware when I was going through the
P3 which has an SVGA. At a reset the P3 takes too long to gather itself
together and the Utility times out. N1AL said to turn the SVGA data display
off but I haven't tried that. Connecting the K3 directly to the computer
without the P3 works (and I was a happy camper).

73,
Fred KE7X

Fred Cady
fcady at ieee dot org

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:elecraft-
> [hidden email]] On Behalf Of Roger Huntley
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 2:23 PM
> To: 'Ron D'Eau Claire'; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues
>
> We did just what you described and it will not take the correct
> firmware version. We are trying to load K3 Utility 1.12.10.10. and
> it stays

> the
> TX flashing and MCU LD on the screen without backlite.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11:05 AM
> To: 'Roger Huntley'; [hidden email]
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Reload issues
>
> From the K3 Owner's Manual:
>
> Forcing a Firmware Download
> If you accidentally load an old or incompatible firmware version and
> find the K3 unresponsive, do the following: (1) unplug the K3 from the
> power supply and wait 5 seconds; (2) plug the power supply back in;
> (3) hold the K3's POWER switch in; after about 10 seconds, you'll see
> the TX LED flash (you'll also see MCU LD on the LCD); (4) load the
> correct firmware version.
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> 73, Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> I tried to download latest K3 utility version 1.12.10.10 and ended up
> with dead radio. I tried the help advise and their recommendations
> ending with still nothing working. I disconnected MicroHAM keyer
> and the power to K3, connected radio direct to computer with RS 232
> outlet direct to COM port, turned power off to radio, reapplied power
> and tried to reload software and still only flashing TX LED with MCU
> LD showing without back lit screen. Any suggestion appreciated.
> Roger, W7VV
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Mike Reublin

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Roger Huntley-2

Roger,

I'm confused. You can't load K3 Utility 1.12.10.10. That is the version of the utility you use to load MCU version whatever into the K3.

73, Mike NF4L

On Nov 21, 2012, at 1:23 PM, Roger Huntley <[hidden email]> wrote:

KH7T

Re: K3 Utility Reload issues

In reply to this post by Roger Huntley-2

I had the k3 flashing red light MCU load lockup problem this week.
Tried all the recommended clean up of cables and so on with no results.
Very frustrating over a couple of days.

Using the utility V 1.12.10.10 and Beta K3fw4r60.

I think I found a "Feature".

When the Utility program starts, with port selected it reported that the
program is waiting for K3 to respond. If you click OK it then reports
that k3 is not responding.

If you immediately switch to the firmware window and start the download
all files button within the 3 or 4 seconds before the utility reports
that the K3 is not responding then it starts loading the firmware and
all is well. If you wait until the few second window is up then the
download button greys out and the utility continually looks for the K3
without finding it.

All is well now, with the latest Utility and Beta working well. By the
way the new CW decode design appears to work VERY well.

Howard at support suggested that the most recent compilation may have a
slightly different communications timing and might be unique to XP
machines. This is not necessarily proven and may be in work.

I hope this helps someone.
Aloha and 73,
John KH7T

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