[Elecraft] Fwd: K3 Failed DSP Firmware Download

[Don Wilhelm]

  Craig and all,

Dick has indicated several times that the firmware does have checking 
data bits, and they are used for validity checks and as an indication 
that the firmware downloads are successful.

What is happening in the discussion that has ensued is that the MicroHam 
device is adding (or changing) bits in the stream of firmware data that 
is being sent to the  K3.  Yes, when an incorrect write is detected by 
K3 Utility, it will stop and indicate a failure,

Unfortunately, that corrupted data has already scrambled the K3's 
"brain", and it cannot operate, so you have to follow the "Unplug the 
power" recovery procedure and try again.

I do not know how any additional degree of "robustness" in K3 Utility 
could correct for that condition.

For an analogy of what is happening, I think of a water pipe.  There is 
a clean pump (akin to K3 Utility) that checks and puts clean water (the 
firmware data bits) in the pipe.  Further down that pipe is an opening 
(akin to the Microham) where dirt and other unwanted stuff is inserted. 
  No way could one expect clean water out of the far end under that 
situation - and it is not the pump's fault.

Bottom line - don't load firmware through a Microham device and expect 
good results.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/6/2011 2:41 PM, Craig - AE6RR wrote:
>
> It would be nice if the upgrade installation software was a bit more robust
> and didn't just give up if it gets a bad record (the records do have
> checksums or some other validity check, I hope).  If it would try again
> after a bad record, it could probably recover.
>
> 73,
> - Craig, AE6RR
>