[Elecraft] K3 & P3 Beta Firmware Release: "Fixed-Tune" mode for the P3

[Wayne Burdick]

K3 firmware revision 4.25 and P3 revision 00.50 are now available.

The P3 firmware provides a major new feature: fixed-tune mode. In this  
mode, frequencies on the P3 display remain fixed, while the VFO A  
cursor moves across the screen as you tune. Fixed-tune frequency  
ranges are stored per-band. You can set up the P3 to automatically re- 
set its center frequency whenever the VFO is tuned off-screen  
according to one of four auto-adjust modes. K3 firmware revision 4.25  
or later is required.

Other new P3 features include:

  * an option to display signal level in S-units instead of dBm
  * optional solid vs. dotted amplitude graticule lines
  * additional transverter support
  * an option to enable or disable the CENTER key in tracking mode
  * better preamplifier relay control

See detailed release notes below.

Please send any questions to k3support at elecraft.com. For instructions  
on how to load beta firmware, see:

      http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *
P3 REV. 00.50 RELEASE NOTES

* FIXED TUNING MODE: A new fixed-tuning mode keeps the P3 frequency
display constant. Instead of the display tracking the K3 VFO A, the
display frequencies stay fixed and the VFO A cursor moves across the
screen as the VFO is tuned. Requires K3 firmware version 4.25 or later.

* DISABLE CENTER FUNCTION: Added MENU:CenterEn option to disable the
CENTER function in tracking mode. Disabled is the default. The CENTER
key still works to re-center the display on the VFO A frequency.

* DOTTED OR SOLID GRATICULE LINES: Either dotted or solid graticule
lines for the amplitude level may be selected via MENU:Lvl Lines.

* SCALE EITHER dBm OR S-units +dB over S9: The spectrum vertical
scale can now be either dBm or S-units plus dB over S9, as selected in
MENU:Lvl Mode.

* MENU DEFAULTS TO FW REV: At power-on, the MENU selection defaults
to FW Rev.

* MENU FUNCTION "XV Invert": Added a MENU function "XV Invert" to
indicate whether the spectrum should be inverted or not on each
transverter band.

* FIXED PER-BAND REF LEVEL STORAGE: Fixed incorrect per-band reference
level storage when using MENU:Span Set.

* PREAMP STAYS OFF UNDER STRONG SIGNALS: The preamplifier now stays
off when strong signals that could overload the ADC are present in the
passband. The wrong trip level was used previously.

* RELAY CLICKS LESS OFTEN: Modified the preamplifier algorithm to
make the relay click less often.


K3 REV. 4.25 RELEASE NOTES

* P3 FIXED-TUNE MODE SUPPORT: The P3 now has a
“fixed-tune” mode, where the displayed range remains constant
as the VFO is turned. Requires P3 firmware rev 0.50 or later.

* FIXED A/B SWITCH PROBLEM DURING BAND CHANGE:
CW or SSB filter setups were sometimes getting changed when
a quick memory was recalled, followed by a quick tap of A/B.

* For software developers: FW$ GET and BN$ GET commands added.