Firmware

This page is used to obtain firmware files from Elecraft and to send firmware to your KX2.

Firmware tab image

Folder Location

Firmware files are copied from an Elecraft file server to a Local folder for firmware files (a file directory) on your Personal Computer before they are sent to your KX2. This section helps you choose the folder.

The KX2 Utility creates a Default folder for this purpose. You may choose another folder by typing or pasting its name into the Local folder for firmware files text box, or Browse for the folder.

Default

Navigate to the default folder for KX2 Firmware.

The User/Library folder may be hidden on OS X.

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 KX2.

Choose a folder by typing or pasting its name into the text box, 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 KX2 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 KX2 Utility function. See Manual File Transfer for a technique to update KX2 firmware when your "radio computer" is not connected to the internet.

Check Revisions Now

Compare the firmware revisions installed in your KX2 with the firmware available in your Local folder for firmware files.

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

Firmware Revisions

Shows the firmware revisions currently installed in your KX2 and the newest revisions available in your Local folder for firmware files.

MCU
The Microcontroller Unit that manages KX2 overall operation
DSP
The Digital Signal Processor

Installed in KX2

Shows the firmware revisions installed in your KX2 for each of these processors.

Available

Shows the highest revision 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 KX2

Sends the highest revision number available firmware files found in the Local folder for firmware files to each of the KX2's processors, regardless of the installed revisions.

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

This button is changed to Send Checked Items to KX2 when in Advanced Mode.

Send All New Firmware to KX2

Sends firmware to the KX2 if the Available revisions are newer than the Installed in KX2 revisions.

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

Send Checked Items to KX2

(Advanced Mode)

Sends firmware for the processors you have selected with the Load check boxes, whether or not the Available revision is newer than the Installed in KX2 revision.

Select Advanced Mode to show the Load check boxes.

If you use Send Checked Items to KX2, 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 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 KX2 or Send All Firmware to KX2.

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.