[Elecraft] K3 Stuck in MCU LD

[Vic Rosenthal]

You should either get the usb to serial cable that you have working, get another one, or use a real serial port if the computer has one. The computer needs to be connected directly to the P3 with no intervening devices when you load firmware.

Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO 

> On Aug 21, 2015, at 3:12 PM, pastormg2 at verizon.net wrote:
> 
> Vic,
> The Digi-Keyer II is connected to the computer via USB. And then there is a cable connected between the Digi-Keyer II and the P3. Then from the P3 to the K3. I think it is a com port issue. Perhaps I should uninstall the interface program and reinstall it again. I have a USB to Serial Port Male cable, but windows 10 told me that it didn't have a driver for it. I will have to try this once I get home from work. Thanks! Mark Griffin, KB3Z 
>  
>  
> On 08/21/15, Vic Rosenthal<k2vco.vic at gmail.com> wrote:
>  
> Hi Mark, 
> 
> For firmware loading you should connect the K3 (or P3 if you have one) directly to the computer, not via the Digi Keyer or any similar device.
> 
> Vic K2VCO/4X6GP
> Sent from my phone
> 
>> On Aug 21, 2015, at 2:39 PM, pastormg2 at verizon.net wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Vic,
>> Nice to hear from Israel. I haven't visited your country since the late 90's. I read about the forcing of the Firmware on page 45 of the manual. My problem is that with my computer keeps polling for a connection with my K3. Either I have to purchase a direct cable from my PC to the K3 or make some changes with my Digi Keyer. I have been running the connection between the Digi Keyer II and my K3 on Com Port 6. But it keeps searching different speeds on Com Port 6 and cannot connect. I'm sure once I solve that issue I will be able to force load the new firmware. Computer are just so much fun!!!  HA HA. Thanks again! Mark Griffin, KB3Z 
>>  
>>  
>> On 08/21/15, Vic Rosenthal 4X6GP/K2VCO<k2vco.vic at gmail.com> wrote:
>>  
>> There's a procedure described in the K3 Utility Help menu under 
>> 'troubleshooting' called Forcing the K3 into "Firmware Load Required" 
>> Mode. Follow this procedure.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Vic, 4X6GP/K2VCO
>> Rehovot, Israel
>> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
>> 
>> 
>> On 21 Aug 2015 10:37, pastormg2 at verizon.net wrote:
>> > I am sending this message again, as it seems my first message never
>> > made it to the board. I was trying to load the new Firmware into my
>> > K3. Well for some reason we had a power blip during a storm and now
>> > my K3 is stuck in MCU LD. Right now the screen in dark when power is
>> > applied and MCU LD is on the screen. The Red TX light is flashing and
>> > after a period of time it will then go to the Delta F light which
>> > will flash yellow. I cannot connect to my K3 via my computer because
>> > I'm sure it's because it is stuck in the MCU LD error. How does one
>> > reset their K3. I read about the EE Init where I Held in the Shift/Lo
>> > button while pressing the Power button and nothing Plus to get the
>> > K3 out of this state I need to shut off the power supply. Every
>> > button is totally useless. Perhaps I need to call the people at
>> > Elecraft once I get home from work this afternoon. Hopefully someone
>> > on the board will have a solution or someone from elecraft will see
>> > this message and help! Thanks! Mark Griff in, KB3Z