[Elecraft] K3 MCU LD

[Jim Miller KG0KP]

I had made several JT65 contacts and a phone contact just prior to this 
problem.

K3 hung up (became constant errors appearing to be communications problems) 
during load of new code from non-updated Utility Program.  Went to website 
and downloaded new Utility and re-downloaded code.  K3 was now in MCU LD 
mode.  Utility indicated during port test that the K3 needed a MCU LD.  This 
only happened once.  After that it was just trying different baud rates on 
the comm port.  Disconnected PC to P3 cable at P3 and connected directly to 
K3.  No change.  Removed that cable and used the cable had gone from the P3 
to the K3.  No change.  Used another PC with a real Comm port and downloaded 
the K3 Utility to it and tried it direct.  That did not work either. 
Different PC, different cable, new loads of Utility and K3 code to each PC 
each direct from the Elecreaft site.  The only common piece here is the K3.

The K3 initially had to have power unplugged as it was totally froze up 
after the initial incident.  When powered on, it came up in MCU LD mode on 
its own.  That is the only time the Utility program said it needed MCU LD. 
The PCs had been rebooted numerous times during this procedure to insure 
there wasn't something being assumed by the PC OS or the Utility program. 
All future times it simply could not communicate, repeatedly trying 
descending baud rates.

Looking at the Utility help files on force loading the MCU, it says to leave 
the K3 without power connected for longer than a few seconds.  This was done 
for a 35 minute period, no change.  Power on was done by procedure of 
holding the power switch in until the transmit light starts blinking and the 
darkened panel shows MCU LD.

I also removed the top cover and removed and reinstalled the KIO3 bd and the 
KXV3 bd.  No loose connections.

I CANNOT talk to it.  Anybody with any ideas, please respond.

Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP