[Elecraft] K3 Utility version 1.3.7.26 released for general availability

[Dick Dievendorff]

The new K3 Utility version is not required, but there are a few months of
changes, and I'd encourage you to remain more-or-less current.

- K3 Utility functions that use EEPROM read and write have been sped up, and
are more reliable. This includes configuration save/restore, crystal filter
configuration, command macro read/write, RF Gain calibration, power-on
banner save/restore, TCXO data entry. Configuration save (at 38400 bps) now
takes less than 5 seconds. Reliability improvement comes from a (private)
protocol that includes a checksum. This improvement depends on MCU support
introduced in K3 MCU firmware version 3.83.  Earlier MCU versions continue
to use the older technique.

- Filter configuration now inhibits enabling a filter wider than 2.8 kHz for
CW. This was required as part of the MCU update for QRQ CW.

- The K3 Utility no longer sends commands to alter the K3's "auto info"
state. N8LP's LP-Bridge wasn't able to support the K3 Utility because it
changed Auto Info. That impediment has been removed. LP-Bridge is an N8LP
product that allows several PC application programs to apparently share a
single COM port that is connected to a K3. You still should not attempt to
load K3 firmware through LP-Bridge or any other K3 sharing software, such as
microHAM's uRouter.

- Fixed a bug in RF Gain calibration that changed the VFO frequency
slightly.

- Revised Tx Gain calibration to preserve the last-used frequency on each
band.

- Added a check during K3 firmware load to look for a P3, and if it's
present, ask the user to switch the P3 off for K3 firmware load. This is a
temporary workaround until P3 firmware supports a "pass thru" for K3
firmware load. 

Dick, K6KR

> For those of us who didn't order a P3  should we download the latest
firmware update?