[Elecraft] K3 Dead MCU Load

[Dick Dievendorff]

Another thing you might try is to change the microHAM router so that the
radio type is "None".

This is discussed (briefly) in the K3 Utility Help, Troubleshooting section
under "USB to Serial Adapter Troubleshooting".  It's the last item on that
page.

The microHAM router acts as if it's talking to a K3 that understands just
the documented K3 command structure.  The microHAM router doesn't faithfully
pass through data sent to or from the PC program.  The firmware load process
uses data streams that are not part of the K3 command structure.

The K3 doesn't understand the K3 command set until its MCU firmware is
loaded.  You'll have to get the microHAM router out of the way so that it
doesn't attempt to manipulate the data being sent to or from the K3 during
firmware load.  

The most straightforward way to do that is to cable the PC directly to the
radio with an RS-232 serial cable or a USB to Serial Adapter that doesn't
change the data stream.

The microHAM router has provided an "escape" string that supposedly gets the
router out of the way so that programs like the K3 Utility can load through
the router. It doesn't work at this point.  The router seems to be confused
by the sequence of commands the K3 Utility sends as it attempts to determine
the K3's baud rate and firmware inventory.  I'll continue to pursue this (I
own a microHAM device), but at this point in time it just doesn't work.

Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of TMorton
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 7:57 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Dead MCU Load

After using 2.57 for several months I decided to upgrade to latest 
software. Started the K3 Utility, V 1.1.6.3 and had it check the website 
for upgrade.
This is from the K3 Utility log:

13:31:24 K3 Utility Version 1.1.6.3
13:34:18 Opening connection to ftp.elecraft.com
13:34:18 Connected to Elecraft server. Please be patient, this takes a 
few seconds.
13:34:24 Copying files to C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application 
Data\Elecraft\K3 Firmware
13:34:31 Copied hmcu0278.hex from Elecraft
13:34:35 Copied HDSP0198.HEX from Elecraft
13:34:40 Copied HAUX0198.HEX from Elecraft
13:34:43 Copied hfwnotes.rtf from Elecraft
13:34:45 Copied K3UtilityVersionInfo.txt from Elecraft
13:34:45 Copied 5 files from Elecraft to C:\Documents and 
Settings\Owner\Application Data\Elecraft\K3 Firmware
13:34:45 Ready
13:37:28 K3 failed to enter MCU firmware load mode
13:37:36 MCU programming failed. Verify file source and version.
Turn the K3 off and back on, then re-try the firmware load.
13:37:42 Ready
13:42:31 K3 is not responding
13:42:31 K3 is not responding
13:42:33 Ready
13:43:57 K3 is not responding
13:43:57 K3 is not responding
13:43:59 Ready
13:49:50 K3 is not responding
13:49:54 K3 is not responding

 I tried turning on and off the rig, of course by having to kill the 
power supply and holding the Power switch on until MCU LD 
reappears...along with flashing TX led.
I am using the microKeyer II as my interface and went to the K3 port (3) 
and clicked on the "disable router inquiries" before starting the 
upgrade process.
I did save the previous config using the K3 utility but now the K3 is 
not responding to the com port so K3 utility is essentially dead...

Help!
Tom
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