[Elecraft] Firmware, K3, large jump AB3JN

[Joseph McIntire]

Ok i have two transverse that I put together  a 144 MHz and a 50 MHz the 144 I finished think 2009 did the cals but  if I remember correctly  when I tried  testing  it when I keyed up it was like I got a carrier  or something  I had a hand held in the shack and I could here it key but did not get any audio. The six meter my father in law started  and he passed so we picked it all  up and put it in a box. And i recently  finished it but have not got to do the calibration  procedures or test it yet.

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________________________________
From: Keith Trinity WE6R <keith at elecraft.com>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 3:50:21 PM
To: Joseph McIntire <ki4lys at msn.com>; elecraft at mailman.qth.net <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>; support at elecraft.com <support at elecraft.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware, K3, large jump AB3JN

You must go into the config menu, set KPA3 to "nor" then cycle power. Then connect to the utility and the 50w should be available to run from there.
Set KXV3 to nor also, cycle power, then you can use the Utility to run the MW test too.
Looks like you DID do the 50 manually and the TXGN number most likely changed, (see next sentence). (The MW and 5w need to be run too).
You can do all the gain cals manually but the Utility is soo much easier. Manually you make sure TUN PWR is nor, then set power to 50w EXACTLY, (or 5w for the low cal), then long press XMIT and let it send a carrier for several seconds. You will see the TXGN number change from the default 10 to something (although 10 is a valid number too, just the default and should not be 10 on all bands). For MW, set KXV3 to "test" and set to 1.0mw exactly and TUNE for several seconds) DON'T FORGET TO TAKE IT OUT OF TEST, HI HI, there is NO indication and it will confound you, been there, ha ha.
Then Never, ever, EVER set your tx power to *exactly* 5watts, 50watts or 1.0MW ever again because you can inadvertently re-do the tx gain cal and if not into a flat dummy load, you can get it all fouled up.
Keith WE6R, Elecraft K3 Tech.

On 6/15/2020 1:33 PM, Joseph McIntire wrote:
Ok will do. Question though.  It is calling it the high power or 50 watt TX gain calibration. Turn off the ATU if you have one. I don't  wish  I did. But anyway select  each band  go to tune  and verify 50 watts out. Ok I had 50 watts on each. But have not seen in the manual  where you would  adjust anything  if it wasn't. To me thT verifing not calibrating. I also seen on the K3 utility under the calibration tab there is a button  for that  but it was grayed out and couldn't be selected. How does it work. I have not seen any instructions for doing it that way.

              Joe AB3JN

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

________________________________
From: Keith Trinity WE6R <keith at elecraft.com><mailto:keith at elecraft.com>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 2:30:06 PM
To: Joseph McIntire <ki4lys at msn.com><mailto:ki4lys at msn.com>; elecraft at mailman.qth.net<mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net> <elecraft at mailman.qth.net><mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>; support at elecraft.com<mailto:support at elecraft.com> <support at elecraft.com><mailto:support at elecraft.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware, K3, large jump AB3JN

Also we suggest setting the K3 Utility to the ADVANCED mode for more control.
Keith WE6R

On 6/15/2020 12:27 PM, Joseph McIntire wrote:
Ok wel will do that. I do not have the sub receiver  so that makes it a little easier.  I still  have all the original paper work and manuals.  I was going to  print  the latest manuals tonight.  I know that there's options in there I don't have but most the functions updated by firmware  should be in there.  Thank you for your assistance

         Joe AB3JN

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

________________________________
From: Keith Trinity WE6R <keith at elecraft.com><mailto:keith at elecraft.com>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 2:19:54 PM
To: Joseph McIntire <ki4lys at msn.com><mailto:ki4lys at msn.com>; elecraft at mailman.qth.net<mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net> <elecraft at mailman.qth.net><mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>; support at elecraft.com<mailto:support at elecraft.com> <support at elecraft.com><mailto:support at elecraft.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware, K3, large jump AB3JN

At this point, I would do the reset, then set RS232 to 38400 to continue on with the DSP load. (reset puts it at 4800 which is SLOW).
Then Reset again after FP & DSP have loaded, if you have a sub, you will have to turn it on in config menu, then cycle power, then load DSP2.
Then a reset again after all FW is loaded.
Then you will have to setup filters, options and do the TX gain cal.
The K3 kit build manual has all of that.  It will give you confidence you have a clean start.
Let us know ...
Don't forget to do a new configuration save when it is all setup!! (should you ever have to "go back").
Keith WE6R Elecraft Tech.

On 6/15/2020 12:07 PM, Joseph McIntire wrote:
Yes that is  what happened  I just  loaded  the latest FW the mcu and FPF firmware  update  went well but when it loaded the  DSP when it restarted  the radio for some reason it didn't  recognize  the 2.88 version  it had just installed.  You know  question marks ??.?? For the installed version  for the  DSP. The others  look  ok. And I get the ERR AT3. I have not searched  yet for other trouble codes.  I am at work right now.  I will  look at it again  when I get home.  I have  been  going through the release notes but  there is a lot to  go through. I will  look into  the parameter reset  also. I will  let you know how it goes.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

________________________________
From: Keith Trinity WE6R <keith at elecraft.com><mailto:keith at elecraft.com>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 1:54:34 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net<mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net> <elecraft at mailman.qth.net><mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>; ki4lys at msn.com<mailto:ki4lys at msn.com> <ki4lys at msn.com><mailto:ki4lys at msn.com>; support at elecraft.com<mailto:support at elecraft.com> <support at elecraft.com><mailto:support at elecraft.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware, K3, large jump AB3JN

Hi Joe;
That is a HUGE jump! ( from 1.96 to 5.67. The oldest I have seen come in
was 1.30!!)
It is rare, but I have seen a glitch or two in extreme jumps.
One is the ADC REF gets set to an invalid voltage of 4.00 which is OUT
of RANGE!!
Also any saved configs you might load could be an issue if you re-load.

I can send you some in-between FW, but it is a LOT OF WORK and is NO
guarantee that glitch won't happen.
Is there some feature that you are specifically avoiding??
If you don't go with the latest, the Manual etc will not match, nor
would any discussion with CS or other folks that are current.
Reading the release notes is an excellent idea if you want to look for
something specific, or ask me or CS.

I *HIGHLY* recommend loading the latest FW and then after do a
"Parameter RESET", (EE-INIT-ialization), and then setup and calibrate
from SCRATCH.
(IE don't load an old config).
**That is what I do in repairs (after checking with customer) for such a
large jump in FW.
Also, that old of a radio will need gold pins and MANY hardware updates,
feel free to send it in so I can get my hands on it, hi hi!
Keith WE6R, Elecraft K3 Tech