[Elecraft] [K3] [KRC2] Is there a KRC3 in the works?

Fri Oct 14 15:59:19 EDT 2011

Somehow ONCE two plus years ago I managed after maybe 100 trys to 
get the KRC-2 programmed to do what I wanted with it.

Now I would love to reprogram it for 6 meters but am scared to death to 
attempt it. If somehow the KRC-2 does get reprogrammed but incorrectly
I fear I would never get it back at least to where it is today.

This really needs to be addressed with a new or modified program that 
WORKS.

John k9uwa

> To be clear, I have no issues with interfacing the KRC2 with external
> devices.
> 
> The only issue I've had is using the Windows-based program provided on
> the Elecraft web site to attempt to configure the behavior of the KRC2. 
> It always fails to connect to the KRC2, no matter what settings I try,
> on both the KRC2 and the computer, including using two different
> varieties of USB to serial cables (both of which work with all my other
> equipment, including the K3 and P3), and a laptop from work that has a
> real serial port.
> 
> On the other hand, the re-flash program works just dandy.  I can
> re-flash the KRC2 at will, over and over again, ad infitum, ad nauseum. 
> So, I don't think the problem lies in the computer to KRC2 interface. 
> I've been tempted to reverse-compile the KRC2 code file, which is rather
> small, so I could just patch the configuration table in the flash image,
> recompute the checksum and re-flash.  Maybe if I wasn't putting in 50+
> hours a week at my day job, and about 15 hours commuting a week on top
> of that, I'd feel like I had more time to spend on such a fascinating
> adventure.  I have 30+ years embedded software development experience,
> so it really wouldn't be all that hard for me.
> 
> As it is, I'd rather spend what spare time I have building my station
> and operating, instead of debugging the KRC2 configuration software.
> 
> 73,
> 
> -- Dave, N8SBE
> 
> P.S. Everyone at Elecraft has been really nice when I talk to them about
> my KRC2 issues, and offer to help, then it just seems to fall into a
> black hole.  It seems to me that the KRC2 support is really just not on
> anyone's priority list.  I guess that would be fine with me, and I could
> just go about figuring out how to work around it.
> 
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
> > From: W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com>
> > Date: Fri, October 14, 2011 1:25 pm
> > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> >
> >
> > I have had issues with my KRC2 much of it is the poor operations manual
> > and interfacing to the K3.  Jack at Elecraft and Gary have been great to
> > work with.  Many of my problems appear to have been from jumper issues.
> > The documentation needs some major work in the way of examples of how to
> > hook up the unit to other devices etc.
> >
> > I had issues with the Array Solutions band decoders and Don, Jack and
> > Gary were all very helpful in solving them.  There are many answers due
> > to the fact that there are absolutely no standards when it comes to
> > devices such as bandpass filters etc.  Some companies put pull up
> > resistors in their devices others do not.
> >
> > If you want a device that can control your bandpass filters and multiple
> > antenna boxes look at the Microham Station Master.  It gathers band data
> > from the Aux line and looks pretty slick.  If I needed a box that did
> > more than just drive my bandpass filters I would own one!
> >
> > Mike W0MU
> >
> > J6/W0MU November 21 - December 1 2011 CQ WW DX CW
> > W0MU-1 CC Cluster w0mu.net
> >
> >
> > On 10/14/2011 10:26 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
> > > Don't hold your breath.  I've been waiting literally for years to get
> > > the configuration code fixed.  Apparently because it works for some
> > > folk, then it must be my fault I haven't been able to get it to work on no
> > > less then three different computers, some with real serial ports.
> > >
> > > I need to program it to drive a 3 of 8 encoded Ameritron head.  I
> > > ordered just the head figuring that I didn't need their control box.
> > > I'm about to order the Ameritron control box now, because it will accept 1
> > > of 8 from an external box (which the KRC2 does normally) and encode it into
> > > 3 of 8 for the remote head.  As a bonus, it will allow me to manually select
> > > the antenna, if needed.
> > >
> > > I have to say that my experience with the KRC2 is the only really
> > > negative experience I've had with Elecraft gear.  Everything else I've
> > > gotten from them has run just fine, and I've gotten superb support.  The
> > > KRC2 is the only glaring exception, and I suppose I'll just have to chalk it
> > > up to an old kit that simply isn't on the company's radar any more for
> > > proper after-sales support.  If they no longer want to spend the manpower on
> > > it any more, they should officially retire it.
> > >
> > > 73,
> > >
> > > -- Dave, N8SBE
> > >
> > >> -------- Original Message --------
> > >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Is there a KRC3 in the works?
> > >> From: Roger D Johnson<n1rj at roadrunner.com>
> > >> Date: Thu, October 06, 2011 1:07 pm
> > >> To: Larry K1UO<k1uo at uninet.net>
> > >> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I just built the KRC2 and it supports 60m. Unfortunately, the software is
> > >> buggy and won't talk to the KRC2 for programming! I'm going to send it back
> > >> if I can't get it running soon.
> > >>
> > >> 73, Roger
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On 10/5/2011 5:48 PM, Larry K1UO wrote:
> > >>>     I believe a KRC-3 Band decoder than is fully compatible with the K3 is
> > >>>     now
> > >>> in order? :-)   Its getting so that half the available Band decoders (or
> > >>> more)do not support 6M or even 60 meters for that matter and those that do
> > >>> lack provision for manual band selection so if something happens with the
> > >>> pc or serial port one cannot even change antennas.  The software and
> > >>> documentation seem to have not fully caught up to use the KRC2 with a K3
> > >>> and various remote relay switch boxes.
> > >>>
> > >>> Just thinking out loud.
> > >>> 73
> > >>> Larry  k1UO
> > >>>
> > >>> --
> > >>> View this message in context:
> > >>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Is-there-a-KRC3-in-the-works-tp686
> > >>> 3979p6863979.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at
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John Goller, K9UWA & Jean Goller, N9PXF 
Antique Radio Restorations
k9uwa at arrl.net
Visit our Web Site at:
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