# Firmware

This page is used to obtain firmware files from Elecraft and to send firmware to your KX3.

### 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 KX3. This section helps you choose the folder.

The KX3 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 KX3 Firmware.

- On Windows 7 and Windows Vista this folder is usually "c:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Elecraft\KX3 Firmware"
- On Windows XP, this folder is usually "c:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Elecraft\KX3 Firmware"

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

#### 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 KX3.

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 KX3 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 KX3 Utility function. See Manual File Transfer for a technique to update KX3 firmware when your "radio computer" is not connected to the internet.

#### Check Versions Now

Compare the firmware versions installed in your KX3 with the firmware available in your Local folder for firmware files.

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

### Firmware Versions

Shows the firmware versions currently installed in your KX3 and the newest versions available in your Local folder for firmware files.

MCU
  The Microcontroller Unit that manages KX3 overall operation
DSP
  The Digital Signal Processor

#### Installed in KX3

Shows the firmware versions installed in your KX3 for each of these processors.

#### 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 KX3

Sends the highest version number available firmware files found in the Local folder for firmware files to each of the KX3'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 KX3 when in Advanced Mode.

#### Send All New Firmware to KX3

Sends firmware to the KX3 if the Available versions are newer than the Installed in KX3 versions.

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

#### Send Checked Items to KX3

(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 KX3 version.

Select Advanced Mode to show the Load check boxes.

If you use Send Checked Items to KX3, 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 KX3 or Send All Firmware to KX3.

### 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.