Firmware

This page is used to obtain firmware files from Elecraft and to send firmware to your P3.

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 Computer before they are sent to your P3. This section helps you choose the folder.

The P3 Utility creates a Default folder for this purpose. You may choose another folder by Browsing for the folder.

Default

Navigate to the default folder for P3 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 P3.

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 P3 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 personal computer must be connected to the internet to use this P3 Utility function.

Check Revisions

Compare the firmware revisions installed in your P3 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 P3 and the newest revisions available in your Local folder for firmware files.

MCU
The "main" Microcontroller Unit on the P3 front panel board.
SVGA
The microcontroller of the P3 SVGA Wide Screen Video Adapter Option.
FPGA
A Field Programmable Graphics Array files for the P3 SVGA Wide Screen Video Adapter Option. There may be five or six of these, FPGA 0 through FPGA 4 or FPGA 5.

Installed in P3

Shows the firmware revisions installed in your P3 for each of these processors. N/A indicates that the option is not installed or has not been enabled through the related configuration menu.

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 P3

Sends the highest revision number available firmware files found in the Local folder for firmware files to each of the P3'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 P3 when in Advanced Mode.

Send All New Firmware to P3

Sends firmware to the P3 if the Available revisions are newer than the Installed in P3 revisions.

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

Send Checked Items to P3

(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 P3 revision.

Select Advanced Mode to show the Load check boxes.

Advanced mode is intended for firmware developers and for some troubleshooting scenarios. Elecraft recommends that you generally use Send All New Firmware to P3 or Send All Firmware to P3.

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.