KX3 Current Production Firmware

MCU 3.02 / DSP 1.52, 4-8-2022

All KX3’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 Owner's 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 KX3 Firmware Release Notes

MCU 3.02 / DSP 1.52, 2-21-2022

• FIXED TX INHIBIT PROBLEM WITH ACC IO OUTPUT:  Previously, when ACC IO was used as a TX inhibit output, keying in CW mode could lead to a “stuck” sidetone. This has been corrected for both the LO=INH and HI=INH settings of the ACC IO menu entry.
• MORE OPERATIMG TIME AT 10 W IN CW MODE:  In CW mode, the KX3 now provides up to 10 W output as long as the supply is above 9.0 V (on key-down). In other modes the criteria for 10 W output is still 10.0 V. This is required to preserve low transmit IMD. 

MCU 2.98 / DSP 1.52, 4-28-2019

• ATU TUNING IMPROVED WITH LOW SUPPLY/BATTERY VOLTAGE:  ATU tuning should now be reliable down to as low as 8.5 V. Also increased relay settling time.
• See KX3 Firmware Release Notes  for a complete revision history
• Download the latest KX3 Firmware.

These are the most Release Notes since the last Production firmware release. Please see your KX3 Utility → Help → Release Notes for all Release Notes listed in order of release.

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 KX3 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 KX3 Utility.
• See the Help → Getting Started pull-down menu in the KX3 Utility for the steps to install firmware in your radio.

Download and Install the KX3 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 that was shipped with the KX3 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 KX3 Utility for Windows (Version 1.23.5.22)  June, 7, 2023 Note: This KX3 Utility version can be used to load KX3 Firmware versions 0.27 and above to your KX3. Macintosh KX3 Utility for Mac OSX (64bit Version 1.23.4.23) June, 7, 2023 Note: This KX3 Utility version can be used to load KX3 Firmware versions 0.27 and above to your KX3. X86 Linux KX3 Utility for Linux (64bit Version 1.23.4.23) June, 7, 2023 Note: This KX3 Utility version can be used to load KX3 Firmware versions 0.27 and above to your KX3. 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 for the KXUSB cable: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm Depending on the Operating System you have, the driver needed for the Utility to communicate with the K3/K3s 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.

 

 

KX3 Beta Test Firmware Installation and Release Notes

KX3 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 KX3 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 KX3 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/kx3/firmware/beta/

If you do not see the correct version of the zip file, press the RELOAD/REFRESH button onyour 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 KX3 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 KX3 Utility box titled "Copy new files from Elecraft server". This will overwrite the Beta firmware if clicked.

7. Connect the KX3 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 KX3." This will cause the firmware to be sent to the KX3. You will see that the KX3 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 KX3 OFF and then back ON before using it.

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