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K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

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John Gaynard

K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade. I know it was
possible but after the loader was originally upgraded there was a possible
glitch that would cause the firmware load to fail. My firmware is at 2.38
and I think it is time to come out of the Dark Ages once again.

John

K8WDN K3 #157

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Dick Dievendorff

Re: K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

Please don't do firmware upgrades through the microHAM router.

You may sometimes succeed if you tell the router that the radio type is
"none".

Please don't start this unless you have an alternate USB to Serial adapter
or an RS-232 connection available.

The K3 Utility doesn't see responses to a K3 in "boot load" state when it's
connected through a microHAM router.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Gaynard
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 7:21 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade. I know it was
possible but after the loader was originally upgraded there was a possible
glitch that would cause the firmware load to fail. My firmware is at 2.38
and I think it is time to come out of the Dark Ages once again.

John

K8WDN K3 #157

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

In reply to this post by John Gaynard

> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.

No.

You might get lucky with a complicated set-up; set Radio to
"No Radio," use only one CAT port, set the K3 to 38,400 bps and
set the K3 Utility to "keep speed at 38,400 bps. However, the
chance of errors is so high that it is not worth the risk.

I keep a real serial port/cable handy for firmware updates and
I've still had intermittent upload failures.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Gaynard
> Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 10:21 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII
>
>
> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.
> I know it was possible but after the loader was originally
> upgraded there was a possible glitch that would cause the
> firmware load to fail. My firmware is at 2.38 and I think it
> is time to come out of the Dark Ages once again.
>
>
>
> John
>
> K8WDN K3 #157
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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John Gaynard

Re: K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

Thanks. Guess I'll use the serial cable. Not worth the risk of failure.

John K8WDN

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Subich, W4TV [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:08 PM
To: 'John Gaynard'; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.

No.

You might get lucky with a complicated set-up; set Radio to
"No Radio," use only one CAT port, set the K3 to 38,400 bps and
set the K3 Utility to "keep speed at 38,400 bps. However, the
chance of errors is so high that it is not worth the risk.

I keep a real serial port/cable handy for firmware updates and
I've still had intermittent upload failures.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

Richard Thorne

Re: K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Thats the only bummer about he MKII. On my operating table its a bit of
a challenge to have to swap out cables on the back of the rig. I guess
an extension off of the K3 could be made so one doesn't have to drag the
rig out to make the change.

Rich - N5ZC

Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

>
>> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.
>>
>
> No.
>
> You might get lucky with a complicated set-up; set Radio to
> "No Radio," use only one CAT port, set the K3 to 38,400 bps and
> set the K3 Utility to "keep speed at 38,400 bps. However, the
> chance of errors is so high that it is not worth the risk.
>
> I keep a real serial port/cable handy for firmware updates and
> I've still had intermittent upload failures.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Gaynard
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 10:21 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII
>>
>>
>> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.
>> I know it was possible but after the loader was originally
>> upgraded there was a possible glitch that would cause the
>> firmware load to fail. My firmware is at 2.38 and I think it
>> is time to come out of the Dark Ages once again.
>>
>>
>>
>> John
>>
>> K8WDN K3 #157
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.24/2449 - Release Date: 10/20/09 18:42:00
>
>

Henk PA5KT

Re: K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

I always use my MKII to do the upgrade.

Followed the procedure as Joe describes. No problems.
If you are in doubt first try to save the configuration to test the
communication.

I know this procedure is not recommended.

73 Henk PA5KT

Richard Thorne schreef:

> Thats the only bummer about he MKII. On my operating table its a bit of
> a challenge to have to swap out cables on the back of the rig. I guess
> an extension off of the K3 could be made so one doesn't have to drag the
> rig out to make the change.
>
> Rich - N5ZC
>
>
> Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.
>>>
>>>
>> No.
>>
>> You might get lucky with a complicated set-up; set Radio to
>> "No Radio," use only one CAT port, set the K3 to 38,400 bps and
>> set the K3 Utility to "keep speed at 38,400 bps. However, the
>> chance of errors is so high that it is not worth the risk.
>>
>> I keep a real serial port/cable handy for firmware updates and
>> I've still had intermittent upload failures.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: [hidden email]
>>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Gaynard
>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 10:21 PM
>>> To: [hidden email]
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII
>>>
>>>
>>> Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.
>>> I know it was possible but after the loader was originally
>>> upgraded there was a possible glitch that would cause the
>>> firmware load to fail. My firmware is at 2.38 and I think it
>>> is time to come out of the Dark Ages once again.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> K8WDN K3 #157
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.24/2449 - Release Date: 10/20/09 18:42:00
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

--
Henk Remijn PA5KT
email: [hidden email]
www: www.remijn.net

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Lu Romero - W4LT

Re: K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII

In reply to this post by John Gaynard

John:

I wouldnt try it. Both Elecraft and MicroHam disclaim it.

Here is what I do:

My Ham Radio computer has a dedicated Serial port. I have
two MicroKeyers (an original and a 2) which I use to drive
my K3 and my secondary TS570. Both of these are driven by
single USB cables.

Since the K3 requires exclusive access to the serial port
for config and upgrades, I have purchased a very inexpensive
($8 new), RS232 one by two data switch. I plug the
MicroKeyer 2's serial CAT connector into one section and the
serial line from my computer's single serial port to the
second connector. I then place a gender changer on the
common DB9, then place a RS232 cable from that DB9 to the K3
CAT connector.

When I need radio control from my logging programs, I
"patch" the MicroHam control through to the K3, when I need
to upgrade software, I place the switch in the other
position and "patch" the serial port directly from the
computer into the radio.

No issues and no problems in two months of K3 operation
(with many software upgrades accomplished).

Lu-W4LT
K3 # 3192

Message: 8
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:21:06 -0400
From: "John Gaynard" <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 firmware upgrade via Microham MKII
To: <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <028401ca51f5$2554c3f0$6ffe4bd0$@rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Can the Microham MKII be used to do the K3 Firmware upgrade.
I know it was
possible but after the loader was originally upgraded there
was a possible
glitch that would cause the firmware load to fail. My
firmware is at 2.38
and I think it is time to come out of the Dark Ages once
again.

John

K8WDN K3 #157

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

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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