This page is used to obtain firmware files from Elecraft, display the firmware versions currently installed in your K3, and to send firmware to your K3.
Firmware is the programming code and data for the microcontrollers (small computers) within the K3.
Each K3 front panel board contains a "MicroController Unit" (MCU), that controls the overall function of the K3.
Each K3 front panel board also contains a "flash" memory device, called the Front Panel Flash (FPF), that contains large tables of data.
The main DSP board contains a Digital Signal Processor, called DSP1, or sometimes the "Main" DSP.
If your K3 has the KRX3 Second Receiver Option, there is a second DSP board that contains another Digital Signal Processor, called DSP2, or sometimes the "Aux" DSP.
The combination of the MCU, FPF, DSP1, and DSP2 are a firmware "version". The firmware "version" is named the same as the version # of the MCU firmware file.
Each firmware version is complete. It is not necessary to install intermediate versions.
There are often dependencies between the MCU, FPF, and DSP firmware files that are released together. You should always install the complete set when upgrading. Don't replace an MCU file with an earlier version without also replacing the corresponding FPF and DSP files.
The K3 Utility provides a way to send just "newer" firmware files that is intended for users moving from a version to a later version. If you're moving to an earlier version, be sure to send ALL the firmware files Don't mix files that come from different version releases.
The KDVR3 Digital Voice Recorder Option has firmware, and the K3 Utility displays its version. At this time there is no need or K3 Utility capability to update KDVR3 firmware.
Firmware files are copied from an Elecraft file server to a firmware folder (a file directory) on your personal computer before they are sent to your K3. This section helps you choose the folder on your computer to store firmware files.
The K3 Utility creates a folder for this purpose. You may use this folder or choose another by using the Browse button to start a Browse for Folder dialog.
Click to navigate to the default folder for K3 Firmware.
Click to start a Browse for Folder dialog. Navigate to the folder of your choice and then click "OK".
Elecraft makes new K3 firmware available by placing files on an Elecraft-provided file server. The K3 Utility uses the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to copy new firmware files from Elecraft to the folder you have selected on your computer.
Your computer must be connected to the internet to use this K3 Utility function. See the Manual File Transfer section for a technique to update K3 firmware when your computer is not connected to the internet.
When this check box is selected, the Check Versions Now button copies the most recent firmware files from the Elecraft file server to your firmware folder.
Click to compare the firmware versions installed in your K3 with the most recent firmware available in your folder. If the Copy new files from Elecraft server into local folder check box is selected, the copy is performed before comparing versions.
Check Versions Now opens the Serial Port if it was closed.
When selected, the K3 Utility periodically compares firmware versions and informs you if a new firmware version becomes available. The Copy new files from Elecraft server into local folder check box should be selected to use this option effectively. You may Check Versions at any time by clicking Check Versions Now.
This section shows the firmware versions currently installed in your K3 and the newest versions available in your computer's firmware folder.
The Microcontroller Unit on the K3 front panel board that manages the operation of the K3.
The Front Panel Flash memory on the K3 front panel board.
The main receiver's Digital Signal Processor.
The sub receiver's Digital Signal Processor, present only if the KRX3 Second Receiver Option is installed and enabled through the K3 CONFIG:KRX3 menu selection.
The Digital Voice Recorder, present only if the KDVR3 Digital Voice Recorder Option is installed and enabled through the K3 CONFIG:KDVR3 menu selection.
The KDVR3 comes preinstalled with firmware whose version is shown in the "Installed" column. There is no DVR firmware file.
Indicates the firmware versions installed in the K3 for each of these processors. N/A indicates that the option is not installed or has not been enabled through the related K3 CONFIG menu selection.
Indicates the most recent (highest version number) firmware files in the firmware folder. Missing indicates that the firmware folder does not contain all of the firmware files necessary to load the processor.
See Missing Files for a description of the files required for each processor.
Select Advanced Mode from the View Menu to show the Load check boxes. You may send firmware by selecting the appropriate processors and clicking the Send Checked Items to K3 button. The available file version may be the same or even earlier than the version installed in the K3.
Sends all firmware to the K3, whether or not the Available Version is newer than the Installed Version.
This button is changed to "Send Checked Items to K3" when in Advanced Mode.
(Advanced Mode only) Sends firmware to the K3 for the processors you have selected, whether or not the Available Version is newer than the Installed Version.
Sends all new firmware files to the K3 if the Available Version is newer than the Installed Version, without regard to the check boxes.
The Activity Log is a series of messages that show what you've done and the responses to your requests.
You may be asked to send the Activity Log in an e-mail message to resolve a support issue. Use copy and paste to copy the Activity Log content into a new e-mail message.