[Elecraft] K3 FIRMWARE UPDATE: MCU 1.87, DSP 1.69 (Finally!)

Sun May 4 02:09:54 EDT 2008

wayne burdick wrote:
> We've just completed the most extensive K3 firmware update ever. The 
> full list of changes is provided below.

Great stuff Wayne, thanks!
One point and a question.  Firstly, the RPT OFS menu entry is not in the
config menu, it is in the main one :-)

Secondly, what is the deviation set to in FM mode?  For example, I would
dearly love to use the rig on 2m for our local repeater via my XV-144
but in the UK, that means narrow deviation.  Could that be made
adjustable if needed?

Many thanks

Ian
>
> *** NOTE ***  You must use the latest version of our firmware loader 
> (K3 Utility rev 1.1.4.1) or else you won't be able to load all 
> components of the upgrade. It's available on our K3 software page, 
> along with release notes:
>
>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
>
> As usual, if you have any difficulty with the firmware upgrade, send 
> email to k3support at elecraft.com. Both Lyle, KK7P (DSP firmware) and 
> myself (MCU firmware) will be closely monitoring your results in case 
> further tweaking is required.
>
> I'd also like to thank all of our K3 customers for their patience. 
> This firmware release was delayed several times due to testing, 
> engineering staff vacations, etc. Our field testers have been pounding 
> on interim releases for weeks (thanks, guys). I hope you'll find it 
> worth the wait!
>
> 73,
> Wayne, N6KR
>
> * * *
>
> MCU 1.87 / DSP 1.69, 5-3-08
>
>   This release includes improvements in all areas. Changes are 
> categorized below.
>
>   NEW FEATURES:
>
>   * CW KEYING IN SSB MODES:  While in SSB modes, you can now send CW 
> without
>     changing modes or using an offset. The other station will hear the 
> signal at your CW pitch.
>     This is especially useful on VHF bands when SSB signals can’t be 
> copied.
>     To enable this feature, go into CONFIG:CW WGHT and tap ‘1’ until 
> you see SSB +CW.
>
>   * FM MODE ADDED: Requires FM filter installed in slot FL1. Those not 
> needing
>     FM mode can set CONFIG:FM MODE to OFF. To set up a repeater 
> offset: Use the
>     CONFIG:RPT OFS menu entry, then hold ALT to select -/+/simplex 
> (-/+ appear under
>     the FM mode icon). To set up tone encode: hold PITCH, then rotate 
> VFO B to select
>     PL TONE or PL OFF, and rotate VFO A to select the desired CTCSS 
> tone. (When
>     PL TONE is on, a letter ‘T’ will appear near the FM mode icon.) 
> Repeater offsets and
>     PL tones are stored per-band/per-memory.
>
>   * VARIABLE AMP KEYING DELAY: Added CONFIG:TX DLY menu entry, which
>     sets the time from KEY OUT jack (active low) to first RF in 1-ms 
> steps, from 8 to 20 ms.
>     To minimize loss of QSK speed, use the shortest delay that works 
> with your amp.
>     Most will work with the default (minimum) setting of 8 ms.
>
>   * LINE OUT ALLOWS RX/TX AUDIO RECORDING: Normally, CONFIG:LIN OUT 
> sets a
>     fixed-level, receive-only output for main/sub (L/R), compatible 
> with digital modes. Tapping
>     '1' switches LIN OUT to =PHONES, where the line outputs match 
> headphone audio,
>     audio level controlled by AF/SUB gain controls, and both RX and TX 
> audio available.
>
>   * SIMULTANEOUS USE OF MIC AND LINE IN:  If the MAIN:MIC+LIN menu 
> entry is set to
>     ON, and MIC SEL = FP or RP, the present mic OR line in can be used 
> for transmit audio.
>     NOTE: Setting MIC SEL to LINE overrides the MIC+LIN menu entry 
> (its parameter
>     becomes "N-A").  When MIC+LIN is in effect, rotating the MIC 
> control shows MIC GAIN.
>     The op has to set MIC SEL to LINE temporarily to set LINE IN gain.
>
>   * S-METER ABSOLUTE MODE: Use the CONFIG:SMTR MD menu entry. Set to ABS
>     (absolute) to have S-meter stay constant with preamp/atten 
> settings. Default is NOR (where
>     PRE/ATTN affect the S-meter). ABS mode requires recalibration 
> (SMTR OF & SMTR SC).
>
>   RECEIVE:
>
>   * SSB RECEIVE PASSBAND EXTENDED AT LOW END (now 100 Hz; was 200 Hz).
>
>   * AM RECEIVE WIDTH RANGE INCREASED:  The WIDTH control in AM mode 
> now has
>     a range of 2.8 to 10.0 kHz. Wider settings provide outstanding 
> fidelity for hi-fi speech
>     and other wide-band signals. This is the *IF* filter bandwidth -- 
> the traditional way to show
>     bandwidth for AM, because the required IF bandwidth is twice the 
> modulation bandwidth.
>     NORM selects an IF bandwidth of 6.0 kHz in this mode. WIDTH 
> settings above 6.0 kHz
>     will not be useful unless you have an FM-bandwidth crystal filter 
> installed (at FL1).
>
>   * IF A 2.8 KHZ FILTER IS INSTALLED, SSB "NORM" BW is 2.8 kHz (was 
> fixed at 2.7 kHz).
>
>   * AUTO-SPOT (SPOT with CWT ON) now works with both very weak and 
> very strong signals.
>
>   * PSK AUTOTUNE ACCURACY improved. You may still need to use RIT 
> (FINE steps) to
>     tune in signals for best built-in text decode. (Also see 
> CW-to-DATA in the Owner’s Manual.)
>
>   TRANSMIT:
>
>   * TRANSVERTER POWER CONTROL: The value set in CONFIG:XVn PWR now 
> correctly
>     sets a fixed power level on the associated transverter band 
> (0-1.50 mW or 0-12W).
>
>   * POWER ROLLBACK BASED ON REFLECTED POWER:  Power rollback begins at 
> about
>     2.5:1 at 100 W (and of course much higher SWRs are tolerated at 
> lower power settings).
>     Recovers to original target power level after mismatch is corrected.
>
>   * CW QSK further refined, with smoother mute/unmute in the presence 
> of QRN and QRM.
>
>   * SSB TRANSMIT BANDPASS EXTENDED AT LOW END. Improvement is about 2 dB
>     at 300 Hz, 3 dB at 200 Hz, and 6 dB at 100 Hz. Additional 
> improvement possible via TX EQ.
>
>   * SSB TX POWER CONTROL improved. Set ALC for about 5 bars (rarely 
> 6+) using MIC gain
>     control, then set CMP and POWER as desired. The RF power bargraph 
> shows approx.
>     peak power when you whistle or shout, but will typically show well 
> below peak power
>     during normal speech. If you’re using an external peak-reading 
> wattmeter or power
>     amplifier, adjust POWER as required while observing the effect of 
> speech peaks.
>     If you find that an SSB power setting higher or lower than for CW 
> is often required,
>     you may wish to compensate for this using the CONFIG:TXG VCE menu 
> entry.
>
>     Technical Note: Our latest MCU and DSP code uses minimal amounts 
> of ALC, consistent
>     with analysis done by Leif Asbrink, SM5BSZ. (His findings and 
> recommendations can be
>     found on his web site, www.nitehawk.com/sm5bsz.) The general idea 
> is to keep
>     transmit drive just below where ALC can cause splatter on speech 
> peaks, rather than
>     apply ALC heavily to achieve additional compression.
>
>   CONTROLS:
>
>   * A->B SWITCH: 1st tap copies frequency only; 2nd tap within 2 
> seconds copies mode
>     and filter settings.
>
>   * VFO LOCK is no longer cancelled by VFO tuning controls (RATE, 
> FINE, or COARSE).
>
>   * TUNING EITHER VFO ACROSS MULTIPLE BANDS now brings the other VFO 
> along
>     with it, so that both VFOs will always be on the same band. This 
> eliminates the problem
>     of bands getting out of sequence due to wide tuning excursions. 
> (Later, we’ll allow the
>     subreceiver to be on a different band from main if CONFIG:VFO IND 
> is enabled.)
>
>
> ---
>
> http://www.elecraft.com
>
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-- 

Ian J Maude, G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member RSGB, GQRP
K2 #4044 |K3 #455