[Elecraft] KX3 beta firmware rev. 2.18: new KX3-2M features; misc. improvements

[Wayne Burdick]

KX3 beta firmware rev 2.18 (with DSP rev 1.30) is now available. See release notes below.

You'll need revision 1.13.8.24 or later of our KX3 Utility program to download and install firmware. For full instructions on loading beta releases, refer to our KX3 software page:

  http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/KX3_software.htm

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 2.18 / DSP 1.30, 8-21-2014

New Features:

* 2-M DIRECT FREQUENCY ENTRY FROM OTHER BANDS: Range is 120-168 MHz. Note: Sensitivity falls off as you move out of the 144-148 MHz range.

* 2-M TRANSMIT LIMITS: Normally, 2-meter transmit is limited to 144-148 MHz. This can be increased to 141-151 MHz for MARS use. The range can also be limited to 144-146 MHz for KX3 owners outside the U.S. (see separate instruction sheet).

* 2M/4M ANT. JACK PROVIDES OPTIONAL +5VDC DURING TRANSMIT: Many high-band transverters and other gear can use a DC voltage of 3-12 V on the center conductor of the antenna coax to provide T/R switching or other functions. The KX3-2M/-4M module can now place +5VDC (+/- 0.3 V) on the antenna jack if desired. To turn this feature on/off, locate the 2M/4M menu entry and tap ‘2’ (ATTN switch). The parameter will be either TXant 5V- (off) or TXant 5V+ (on). “ant” is displayed as a small antenna symbol.

* KX3-2M ADAPTER SUPPORT (non-ATU): The KX3-2M-ADAPT module provides the physical and electrical interface to the KX3 when there is no ATU installed. If the adapter is installed, make sure the ATU MD menu entry is set to NOT INST.

Bug fixes:

* CW TIMING BUG FROM REV 1.95 CORRECTED: Element lengths with the internal keyer were slightly too short due to a calculation error.

* PL TONE FM DEVIATION ERROR: The PL tone deviation displayed in the menu was about 40% lower than the actual deviation value in effect. Because of this, repeater users should re-check their PL deviation setting. To do this, locate the FM DEV menu entry, then tap ‘1’ to switch to PL DEV. Set the value to 0.35 (kHz)—the new default—unless some other value is applicable. 

* CW-IN-SSB IMPROVEMENT: The operator’s specified CW QSK delay is now used during CW-in-SSB, even with external CW keying. (This was already working with the internal keyer.)

* KXPA100 AUTO POWER-ON WITH PX3: If a PX3 and KXPA100 are both in the system, KXPA100 automatic power-on will now work even if the PX3 is turned on first. (Note that at present there is no way to do automatic power-on of the PX3 itself.)

* INCREASE IN ALLOWED TX CURRENT: Allows full-power output on some bands where previously a drop to 5 watts had been observed (with an external 12-14 V supply).

* KX3-2M BAND-CHANGE FIX: With SLEEP enabled, a band change from 2 meters to any other band was causing the 2-m module to be left powered up.