[Elecraft] K3 Firmware Update (MCU 1.68, DSP 1.53)

[wayne burdick]

We've just posted a new revision of K3 firmware on our web site (both 
MCU and DSP). Please see the release notes below.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 1.68 and DSP 1.53, 2-17-08

   * MIC Source is now saved independently for voice and data modes. For 
example, you
     could set MAIN:MIC SEL set to LINE for DATA, and FP or RP for voice 
modes.

   * DATA MODE selection is now stored per-band, per-memory. This works 
for both normal
     and quick memories. So, you could set quick memory M3 to 14071/PSK 
D, and M4 to
     14083/FSK D, and still have M1 and M2 for 20-m CW and SSB setups.

   * "UP" and "DN" remote control commands can now be used to adjust 
operating
     parameters via a PC (NB, TEXT DEC, DATA MD, NR ADJ, etc.). Add 'B' 
to the
     command (i.e. "UPB;" or "DNB;") to control the parameter displayed 
on VFO B; otherwise,
     the VFO A parameter is changed.

   * Milliwatt power display now correctly shows "-9.0" dB between -8 
and -10 (KXV3).

   * Synthesizer control improvements (eliminated some ERR VCO cases 
during VCO CAL,
     and corrected a reported 30-m transmit problem).

   * CW-to-PSK transmit added -- similar to CW-to-RTTY mode. This allows 
the
     K3 to be used for PSK31 QSOs without a computer (RX/TX text is 
displayed on VFO B).
     Select DATA mode, then use the DATA MD switch to select PSK D. Use 
TEXT DEC to
     turn text decode ON. Now, hitting the keyer paddle will convert 
your CW to PSK31.
     You'll hear both the CW and PSK31 signal during transmit; use MON 
(monitor) to set
     the audio level of the PSK31 tones. (To set the level of the CW 
sidetone, switch to CW
     mode and use MON.)

     NOTE: The initial implementation of CW-to-PSK is experimental, and 
further improvements
     are planned. For now, keep these things in mind:

     1. Receive:  You may notice that the optimal PSK31 receive VFO 
frequency is
     slightly lower than the transmit frequency; an RIT setting of -5 to 
-20 Hz may be needed.
     One way to determine the best setting is to call CQ using 
CW-to-PSK, with the VFO
     set to FINE tuning mode (1 Hz steps). Before calling CQ, turn RIT 
on and tap CLR to clear it.
     When a station calls back, adjust RIT slowly for the text best 
copy, but don't change your
     transmit frequency (i.e. don't move the VFO).

     2. Transmit: In CW-to-PSK31 transmit mode, ALC action is minimized 
to ensure
     extremely low IMD. This may result in less accurate correlation 
between the selected
     power level and the actual power observed on the bar graph or on an 
external wattmeter.


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