Firmware Error codes
From Zerobeat
An error message may be displayed on VFO B at power-up or during normal operation. Details of these messages may be found in the K3 owners manual, they are reproduced below with know causes and possible solutions. The descriptions are reproduced (from the owners manual) here. You should check the latest owners manual (on-line at Elecraft) if you don't find a message here (if you do find it in the on-line manual, please update this page).
- See Nomenclature for a note about nomenclature.
ERR 12V
The circuit breaker on the KPA3 module may be open. PA drops into bypass mode, fans switch to level 2, and PA temp display mode is not available.
Check for a short from PA module’s 12V line to ground. If there’s no short, try resetting the circuit breaker. If there is a short, remove the KPA3 module. Set CONFIG:KPA3 to PAIO NOR. While waiting for a replacement, you can use the K3 at reduced power.
ERR AT3
KAT3 not responding.
De-install the KAT3 module (see above). If this eliminates the error message, the KAT3 may be defective. You can substitute a KANT3 antenna input module temporarily, if available.
ERR BP1
No response from RF board BPF shift registers.
De-install option modules one at a time.
ERR BP2
No response from KBPF3 option shift registers.
De-install KBPF3 on RF board.
ERR BP3
No response from sub RX BPF shift registers.
De-install the KRX3 module.
ERR BP4
No response from sub RX KBPF3 option.
De-install the KBPF3 module on KRX3.
ERR DS1
No main DSP SPI echo.
Reload DSP1 firmware.
ERR DS2
Main DSP SPI echo not inverted.
Reload DSP1 firmware.
ERR DS3
No AUX DSP SPI echo.
Reload DSP2 firmware. Note: CONFIG:KRX3 must be OFF unless the KRX3 option is installed, which includes the aux DSP module (DSP2).
ERR DS4
AUX DSP SPI echo not inverted.
Reload DSP2 firmware. Note: CONFIG:KRX3 must be OFF unless the KRX3 option is installed, which includes the aux DSP module.
ERR DSE
Missing echo from a DSP command.
Reload DSP1 firmware (and DSP2 firmware, if applicable).
ERR DSX
Extended DSP command timeout.
Reload DSP1 firmware (and DSP2 firmware, if applicable).
ERR EE1
On-chip EEPROM read/write test failed, MCU may be defective (front panel).
Try re-loading MCU firmware first; then try initializing parameters (pg. 55).
ERR EE2
External EEPROM read/write test failed EEPROM may be defective (front panel).
Try re-loading MCU firmware first; then try initializing parameters (pg. 55).
ERR FW2
General firmware problem
Try re-loading MCU firmware first; then try initializing parameters (pg. 55)
ERR IF1
RF board IF GROUP not responding (A6810 or KNB3-U2)
De-install the KNB3 module on RF board. Note: The K3 cannot be operated without a KNB3, because this module includes T-R switching circuitry. Do not attempt to bypass it using jumpers.
ERR IF2
Sub RX IF GROUP not responding (A6810 or KNB3-U2)
De-install the KNB3 module on KRX3 first (tap SUB when in the KNB3 menu entry). If that doesn’t eliminate the error message, de-install the KRX3 module. Note: The sub receiver cannot be operated without a KNB3, because this module includes T-R switching circuitry. Do not attempt to bypass it using jumpers. The main receiver can still be used.
ERR IO1
MISO line stuck low (asserted)
De-install option modules one at a time. If no failing option module can be found, there may be a problem on the RF board.
ERR IO3
KIO3 not responding
The KIO3 may be defective. Note: The K3 can be operated temporarily without the KIO3 installed. You’ll need to use headphones, and there will be no computer or AF I/O available on the rear panel.
ERR LPF
No response from LPF shift registers
De-install option modules one at a time. If no failing option module can be found, there may be a problem on the RF board.
ERR PA1
KPAIO3 module not responding.
- If you are getting this at first power up for calibration, check that CONFIG:KPA3 is set to NOT INST (even though you've just built it! Mine was set to 'PA FN4', presumably after an Aptos fan test). -- David - M0XDF
Remove the KPA3 module and set CONFIG:KPA3 to PAIO NOR. If this eliminates the error message, the problem is likely to be on the KPA3 module. If not, the problem may be on the KPAIO3 module; remove it as well, and set CONFIG:KPA3 to NOT INST.
ERR PL1/2
VPLL out of range on band change (to view actual PLL voltage, set CONFIG: TECH MD to ON, then tap [DISP] and use VFO B to locate the PLL1 and PLL2 voltage displays).
Verify that the oscillator can on the KREF3 is fully plugged in and is not in backwards. Make sure all internal cables are plugged in, specifically the cables between the KREF3 and KSYN3 modules (synthesizers). Try re-calibrating the applicable VCO (CONFIG:VCO MD) (tap SUB within the menu entry if you saw ERR PL2, to make sure you’re calibrating the sub receiver’s synthesizer). If this doesn’t work, try removing the 2nd synthesizer (for the sub receiver), and set CONFIG:KRX3 to NOT INST. If this eliminates the error, the sub synth may be defective. You can also try swapping it with the main synth to see if it can be calibrated in this slot.
This is usually an out-of-range VCO issue. Depending on the number givien in the error it can be a low range or a high range problem. Normally the correction is a very slight adjustment on the T1 torroid on the KSYN board. This is a support issue since the fix is complicated and elecraft wish to stay informed of this. -- Greg AB7R, 10-Feb-08
ERR REF
Missing KREF3 module.
Verify that the oscillator can on the KREF3 is fully plugged in. Make sure all internal cables are plugged in between the KREF3 and other modules. If this doesn’t help, the problem may be on the KREF3 module or the RF board. Note: The K3 cannot be used without a KREF3 module.
ERR SY1/2
General problem with PLL, VCO, or other circuitry on a synthesizer module (see ERR PL1/2).
ERR SY3/4
General problem with PLL, VCO, or other circuitry on a synthesizer module (see ERR PL1/2).
ERR SY5/6
General problem with PLL, VCO, or other circuitry on a synthesizer module (see ERR PL1/2).
ERR TXG
Transmit gain constant out of range.
This usually indicates a problem with band-pass filter alignment or one of the low-pass filters. In either case it could affect one or two bands. See service manual.
First, check you entered the correct values for the filter offsets, especially check +/-, people seam to be forgeting to enter a - for negative values.
If that was the issue, you MUST redo your Reference Oscillator calibration.
If your original filter offsets were correct, try rerunning the following calibrations;
- turn the rig on and wait at least 15 minutes for the reference oscillator to stabilize.
- first do the Reference Oscillator calibration (CONFIG:REF CAL) with method 1 or 2 (method 3 is not supported in firmware yet)
- re-do the Synthesizer calibration (CONFIG:VCO CAL)
- lastly run Transmitter Gain calibration (don't forget to do this at 50W too if you have a KPA3).
-- David - M0XDF, 2-Jan-07
If you are getting an ERR TXG error message when attempting to calibrate the power on 60 meters, try doing the calibration on one of the 60M channels. Try 5403.5 kHz (AB7R)
ERR TXF
Transmit Filter Error
- I got this trying to make my first QSO using SSB, it didn't matter what band. Tuned out CONFIG: FLTX SB was set to FL5 which is the 400Hz filter (in my rig). Now I know I set this right, but perhaps it got changed during calibration etc. Anyway, solution was to set it to FL3, which is 2.8kHz filter. -- David - M0XDF
This will be added to the Elecraft K3 manual in the next revision.
ERR VCO
VCO calibration errors. VFO A will show error data, e.g. E 00039;
report this value to Elecraft customer support. See also ERR PL1/2.
ERR VC4
VCO calibration errors. VFO A will show error data, e.g. E 00039;
report this value to Elecraft customer support. See also ERR PL1/2.
ERR XV3
KXV3 not responding. De-install KXV3 module
