[Elecraft] KRC2 issues

[Don Wilhelm]

Wes,

I just checked the Elecraft website, and see only 3 files for the KRC2 - 
KRC2 Download Program, KRC2 Firmware V1.6 and KRC2ACC Firmware V1.6.  No 
older levels and no beta.

The F buttons behave differently in the KRC2ACC firmware, so if you want 
band selection via those buttons as indicated in the KRC2 manual (not 
the KRC2ACC manual) you should load the KRC2 Firmware.

What baud rate is your K3 set to.  The maximum rate for the KRC2 is 
19200, and the K3 must be set accordingly.

The KRC2 behaves better as a band decoder if you connect it to the 
AUXBUS on the ACC connector and frees your K3 RS-232 to be used at the 
38400 rate.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/28/2013 5:18 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:
> Someone else once called the KRC2 his least favorite piece of Elecraft equipment.  I would like to concur with that assessment.
>
> I have one of these, purchased used some years ago.  At that time I was attempting to use it with my TS-870 and despite some handholding and a "special" hex file sent to me by Elecraft, I was never satisfied with it and gave up.
>
> Since I apparently have too much time on my hands and/or am a glutton for punishment, I decided to give it another try with my K3.  I know that the "preferred" method of interfacing to the K3 is via the aux bus, but I want to use it via the serial port and not have yet another cable dangling off the back.
>
> Mine has the "ACC" mod (although I never added the speaker) KRC2ACC v1.5 PIC. The first problem is that there are various versions of software on the Elecraft website.  There are "old" versions that read hex files and a newer "beta" version (KRC Downloader 2.1.7) that is (I think) standalone.  The problem with this one is that the screenshot of what it should look like bears only passing resemblance to what the program interface actually looks like.
>
> Furthermore, from what I've seen, the "ACC" needs different firmware, but this new downloader has no option to select a file.
>
> As it stands, the new program reports "v1.6" when querying the KRC2 and when sending a bandmap declares that it was done successfully.  The "F1" and "F2" buttons will cycle through the bands and source the various outputs successfully, however, switching bands on the K3 does nothing.
>
> I've used a scope to look at the XCVR in connector and the RxD signal is toggling okay and getting through the MAX1406 to the Rx pin of the PIC.  From there, nothing appears to happen.
>
> All jumpers are installed per the tables.
>
> So, what is the correct firmware?  How about Elecraft trashing any obsolete firmware on the web page and making it clearer how this thing should be programmed.
>
> Wes  N7WS
>