Important - Please read before installing the latest Production Firmware

MCU 3.02 / DSP 1.52, 4-8-2022

All KX2’s ordered today will have Production Firmware loaded as they come out of the box. Monitor the Elecraft Email Reflector where announcements are made when new releases become available.

Elecraft delivers new features in firmware. As a result, you should consider the Release Notes as an extension of the Owners Manual. Documentation for the new features will be found there and will not appear in the Owner’s Manual until the next major manual revision is released.

 

Current Production KX2 Firmware Release Notes

MCU 3.02 / DSP 1.52, 3-18-2022

• MORE OPERATIMG TIME AT 10 W IN CW MODE:  In CW mode, we now allow up to 10 W output as long as the supply is above 9 V (key-down). In other modes the criteria for 10 W output is still 10 V. This is required to preserve low transmit IMD.

MCU 3.01 / DSP 1.52, 11-20-2021

• KXIBC2 INTERNAL BATTERY CHARGER SUPPORT:  If a KXIBC2 is installed, set MENU: KXIBC2 to NOR. This will allow the operator to optional monitor battery voltage by tapping DISP and selecting the “BT XX.X” display (by rotating the VFO B/OFS knob). Internal battery charging is automated and can be done with or without the radio turned on. When charging is in progress, the KXIBC2’s yellow LED is illuminated. For further details, refer to the KXIBC2 manual.

• See KX2 Firmware Release Notes for complete revision history
• Download the latest KX2 Firmware.

 

Important - Please read before installing the latest Production Firmware

 

Production Firmware Installation Instructions are found in the Utility Help Facility

• All Production Firmware is loaded with the KX2 Utility. It will take care of the download and installing Production Firmware
• Before loading Production Firmware, please ensure you have installed the latest version of the KX2 Utility.
• See the Help → Getting Started pull-down menu in the KX2 Utility for the steps to install firmware in your radio.

 

Download and Install the KX2 Utility for your Operating System Follow the links below to download and install the latest version of the Utility for your Operating System. You will be using the KXUSB cable to connect the KX2 to a computer. This was shipped with the KX2 from the factory. Minimum Operating System Requirements for Elecraft Utilities Microsoft Windows: XP Service Pack 3 or later, including Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 and 10. Apple Mac: OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or later Windows KX2 Utility (Windows Version 1.23.5.22)  June 7, 2023 Note: This KX2 Utility version can be used to load KX2 Firmware versions 0.27 and above to your KX2. Macintosh KX2 Utility 64 BIT (MAC OS X Version 1.23.4.23) June 7, 2023 Note: This KX2 Utility version can be used to load KX2 Firmware versions 0.27 and above to your KX2. X86 Linux KX2 Utility 64 BIT (Linux .tgz Version 1.23.4.23) June 7, 2023 Note: This KX2 Utility version can be used to load KX2 Firmware versions 0.27 and above to your KX2. Files are in TAR archive (gzip-compressed) format. Dependencies The following libraries and dependencies should be installed on your Linux distro: GTK+ 2.8 or later, glibc-2.4, libstdc++.so.6 and cURL. 64-bit Linux requires 32-bit compatibility libraries. Installing the FTDI driver Follow this link to the FTDI Site for drivers: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm Depending on the Operating System you have, the driver needed for the Utility to communicate with the KX2 will need to be loaded. All Elecraft products in production use the FTDI chipset for this function. The FTDI driver allows your computer to create a virtual COM port so that the Utility can communicate with the Elecraft product.

 

KX2 Beta Firmware Installation and Release Notes

KX2 Beta Test Firmware Release Notes

No Update At This Time

Beta Test Firmware Installation Procedures

NOTE: Beta test firmware may have new issues that we haven't caught during field testing. Please report them to support@elecraft.com.

A little more detail

We make it a little harder to load Beta firmware mainly because we want you to be sure you want to do this.  Beta firmware means that, while the KX2 engineering team has fully tested the firmware, it has not yet been deemed ready for Production status.   You can always return to the last firmware you have downloaded by following the steps in the KX2 Utility’s Help section.

To load Beta Firmware, follow the steps below:

1. Create a new folder for the beta firmware on your Desktop or some other easily found location. Use the a different folder than the default folder found in the Firmware tab of the Utility. In this way, you can revert to the last Production firmware easily.

2. Now, we will download the firmware in Zip file format. In a web browser, type in this URL:

https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX2/firmware/beta/

If you do not see the correct version of the zip file, press the RELOAD/REFRESH button on our browser to update your browser cache.

3. Right-click on the .zip file containing the beta firmware (e.g. k3fwXrYZ.zip for revision MCU X.YZ and all associated files). Save the file to your beta folder you just created.

4. Unzip the files into the beta folder.

5. Enter the path to the beta folder in KX2 Utility → Firmware tab → "Local folder for firmware files".

6. After you have made the change in Step 5, make sure you *DO NOT* check the KX2 Utility box titled "Copy new files from Elecraft server". This will overwrite the Beta firmware if clicked.

7. Connect the KX2 to your computer and be sure it is turned on. Select the Firmware tab and Click on "Check versions now" button.

8. Review the release notes. To find them, select the "Help" pull-down menu.

9. Click "Send all firmware to KX2." This will cause the firmware to be sent to the KX2. You will see that the KX2 appears to restart itself. Monitor the Activity Log until it is complete.

10. After completing a new software download to your product, please power cycle the KX2 OFF and then back ON before using it.

11. Please report any new firmware issues to support@elecraft.com