[Elecraft] [K3] Workaround for FPF Firmware Load Failure: Cool it down in the fridge first

[Andrew Siegel]

Agreed. It's a workaround, not a fix.


On 11/26/16 6:38 PM, Bill Johnson wrote:
> That is usually a technique for determining a board or component issue.
> Been around a long time.  You have a component issue.  Good luck.  Me, I
> would send it to the factory for troubleshooting.
>
> 73,
> Bill
> K9YEQ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andrew
> Siegel
> Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2016 3:49 PM
> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Workaround for FPF Firmware Load Failure: Cool it
> down in the fridge first
>
> My K3 (s/n 6000+) has developed the FPF Load failure problem: the K3 Utility
> times out after a few minutes when trying to update the FPF firmware,
> leaving "FPF Load" showing on the K3 display, and leaving the
> K3 unusable.
>
> This happens on Windows, Mac, and Linux, using three different high-quality
> USB-to-serial adapters: Keyspan USA-19HS, Tripp Lite U209-000-R, and
> Plugable PL2303-DB9. I can upgrade the MCU and DSP firmware without a
> problem. The FPF load fails regardless of the version of the K3 utility I
> use, the version of MCU or DSP firmware already installed on the K3, or the
> version of FPF firmware that I am attempting to install.
>
> In a panic after seeing the FPF load failure just before this past Field
> Day, I came up with a workaround that has worked twice now:
>
> ==> Put the K3 in the fridge for an hour or two before doing the FPF
> firmware upgrade.
>
> On my K3, the FPF load fails when the front panel temperature is even at my
> relatively low house temperature of 19C (as displayed on the front panel).
> The longer the K3 has been powered up, the warmer the FP gets, and the less
> time it takes for an FPF firmware load to fail. When I activate View->Trace
> in the K3 Utility and watch the serial interaction under these conditions, I
> observe that the rig starts taking longer and longer to acknowledge packets
> sent, until finally it stops ACKing completely, at which point the utility
> gives up.
>
> When I refrigerate the K3, the reported FP temperature drops to 9C, and the
> FPF firmware load works reliably. There are no dropped ACKs.
>
> Your mileage may vary; refrigerate your K3 at your own risk, and definitely
> do not freeze it.
>
> 73,
> Andy, N2CN
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