[Elecraft] Information on K3/P3 Utility

[Dick Dievendorff]

Early versions of P3 firmware required that the P3 be turned off for all K3
firmware installation. The K3 Utility determines the P3 firmware version,
and it displays a P3 firmware version dependent warning dialog if needed.

However if the K3's firmware load is interrupted, and the K3 powers up into
its boot loader (MCU LD on the LCD when you apply power), you'll need to
follow the instructions in K3 Utility Help, Troubleshooting, MCU Load
Failure.  In that circumstance, the P3 must start and stay off when the K3
is powered on until the K3 firmware is reloaded.

The problem is that P3 initialization issues K3 commands (from the K3
Programmer's Reference) that can't be interpreted by the K3's bootstrap
loader, and they put the bootstrap loader into a state that cannot be
recovered without power cycling the K3.  microHAM's router software does the
same thing.  This is why both microHAM and Elecraft recommend not loading
firmware through port sharing software that multiplexes the K3 serial port.
It works some of the time, but not all of the time.

The K3 requires firmware to behave as its programmer's reference describes.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lee Buller
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 7:51 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Information on K3/P3 Utility


Just got my new P3 working on my K3.  Several years ago, there was an issue
of updating the K3 with the P3 connected.  Is that still true?  What is the
procedure for update either devices?  I have the latest P3 and K3 utilities
loaded and they talk to each device while all is connected for use.

Thank you

Lee - K0WA


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don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you
can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
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mind. 
-  John W. (Kansas)

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