[Elecraft] K3 Problem Solved!!!!

[Don Wilhelm]

Mark,

I am glad to hear that you now have resolved the problem.  Sorry to hear 
of your frustration, but those computer COM port issues can indeed be 
frustrating at times.

The connection with the serial adapter cable to the P3 *should* have 
worked.  That means you may have to do some additional investigation.  I 
would first suspect the K3 to P3 RS-232 cable, or the connectors - make 
sure the jackscrews are properly fastened. Now that the crisis has 
passed, connect the K3 to P3 serial cable and connect your P3 to the USB 
to serial cable - then see if K3 Utility can find and connect with the 
K3.  If not, then troubleshoot that particular problem.

I would also suggest that you obtain another USB to serial adapter - 
preferably one with an FTDI chipset.  You should have a couple of USB to 
serial adapters on hand to use.  It is always good to have a spare to 
use just as a check - they are not that expensive and serve as good 
insurance when you can try an alternate.
I recall that you initially tried loading the firmware through a 
Microham device - that is a "NO-NO", disconnect the Microham and connect 
directly through a proper working USB to serial adapter when loading 
firmware.

I do not know anything about Windows 10 yet, but I recall reading 
somewhere that it is not always consistent in the COM port assignments 
when using USB to serial adapters - perhaps that was part of your 
problem - determining the correct COM port to be used in K3Utility.  
Yes, K3Utility can *usually* detect the correct COM port, but there are 
some occasions for 'false positive" responses that can occur when it 
does a port search, so it is best to determine which COM port your 
operating system has assigned for your USB to serial adapter and tell K3 
Utility to use that COM port.
In prior versions of Windows, it was as simple as going into Device 
Manager and looking at the Ports - unplug the adapter to see which port 
goes away, and then plug it back in and see which COM port is assigned 
to that adapter.  Windows 10 may be a bit different, but something 
similar should exist.

Howard may or may not see your post to the reflector - I don't know if 
he monitors the reflector in his "off hours".  It would be best to send 
him a direct email.  At this hour, he should be off enjoying his 
weekend, but I don't think he would not leave a customer "hanging" if 
you have had prior communications with him.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/21/2015 7:46 PM, pastormg2 at verizon.net wrote:
> Well, it seems that the prolific cables do work with windows 10 and the K3. Evidently you can't connect the cable to the P3 and then to the K3. It must be connected directly to the K3. Once I did that the firmware loaded and everything is back to normal. Hopefully Howard at Elecraft will read this. Thanks to all the people that told me to connect the cable directly to the K3. Mark Griffin, KB3Z
>