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
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
