# Firmware

This page is used to obtain firmware files from Elecraft and to send firmware to your K3.

### Folder Location

Firmware files are copied from an Elecraft file server to a Local folder for firmware files (a file directory) on your computer before they are sent to your K3. This section helps you choose the folder.

The K3 Utility creates a folder for this purpose. You may use this folder or choose another by using the Browse button to browse for the folder.

#### Default

Navigate to the default folder for K3 Firmware.

- On Mac OS X - the default folder location is:
  Volume:Users:User:Library:Application Support:Elecraft:K3 Firmware:
- On Linux - the default folder location is:
  /USER$/Elecraft/K3_Firmware/

#### Browse

Navigate to your preferred folder, then click "OK".

#### Local folder for firmware files

The folder that receives files when you Copy new files from Elecraft and is used to send firmware to your K3.

Either choose the Default folder, or Browse for the folder.

### Check for New Files

Elecraft makes new firmware available by placing files on an Elecraft-provided file server. The K3 Utility uses the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to Copy new files from Elecraft to the Local folder for firmware files.

#### Copy new files from Elecraft

Copies the most recent production firmware files from Elecraft to your Local folder for firmware files.

Your computer must be connected to the internet to use this K3 Utility function. See Manual File Transfer for a technique to update K3 firmware when your "radio computer" is not connected to the internet.

Pre-release "beta" firmware is acquired using K3 Beta Test Firmware Instructions.

#### Check Versions Now

Compare the firmware versions installed in your K3 with the firmware available in your Local folder for firmware files.

Check Versions Now opens the Serial Port if it was closed.

#### Copy new files every 6 hours

When selected, the K3 Utility periodically copies new firmware files from Elecraft to your Local folder for firmware files, and compares the firmware versions.

### Firmware Versions

Shows the firmware versions currently installed in your K3 and the newest versions available in your Local folder for firmware files.

MCU
  The Microcontroller Unit on the K3 front panel board that manages the operation of the K3
FPF
  The Front Panel Flash memory on the K3 front panel board
DSP1
  The main receiver's Digital Signal Processor
DSP2
  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
DVR
  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 with factory-installed firmware whose version is shown in the "Installed" column. There is no DVR firmware file.

#### Installed in K3

Shows the firmware versions installed in your 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.

#### Available

Shows the highest version number firmware files found in the Local folder for firmware files.

Missing indicates that the Local folder for firmware files does not contain all the necessary files. See Missing Files for a description of the files required for each processor.

#### Send All Firmware to K3

Sends the highest version number available firmware files found in the Local folder for firmware files to each of the K3's processors, regardless of the installed versions.

Use this button if you are moving back to an earlier firmware version, or wish to install fresh copies of all firmware.

This button is changed to Send Checked Items to K3 when in Advanced Mode.

#### Send All New Firmware to K3

Sends firmware to the K3 if the Available versions are newer than the Installed in K3 versions.

Use this button to send just the files needed to upgrade to a newer version.

#### Send Checked Items to K3

(Advanced Mode)

Sends firmware for the processors you have selected with the Load check boxes, whether or not the Available version is newer than the Installed in K3 version.

Select Advanced Mode to show the Load check boxes.

If you use Send Checked Items to K3, be sure to load all the necessary firmware files. It is easy to use this option for one processor and forget to load corresponding dependent files. There are often dependencies between the MCU, FPF, and DSP firmware files that are released together.

Advanced mode is intended for firmware developers and for some troubleshooting scenarios. Elecraft recommends that you generally use Send All New Firmware to K3 or Send All Firmware to K3.

### Activity Log

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 copy and paste the Activity Log into an e-mail message to help resolve a support issue.