[Elecraft] New KX3 firmware: more effective speech compression, and improved 2-m/4-m CW & SSB

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi all,

I'm looking for volunteers to field-test the latest KX3 firmware (rev. 2.30). It has more effective speech processing, and also improves both CW timing and SSB power output of the 2-meter/4-meter option module. See full release notes below.

If you have time to test this firmware tonight or tomorrow, please email me directly and I'll send you a copy.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


* * *

MCU 2.30 / DSP 1.32, 12-3-2014

* SPEECH COMPRESSION IMPROVED: Corrected internal DSP stage gain, resulting in higher output levels with compression turned on. 

* 2-M/4-M SSB POWER OUTPUT IMPROVED: Max power output improved with and without speech compression turned on. Note: The KX3 will automatically reduce 2-m/4-m power output if safe levels of SWR, current, or temperature are exceeded. (You’ll see HI SWR, HI CUR, or HI TEMP flashed on the VFO B display.) This is more likely to happen when heavy speech compression is used, or when using a whip connected directly to the radio. We recommend reducing power to 2 - 2.5 W as required in this case to avoid the automatic power rollbacks or RFI problems.

* 2-M/4-M CW TIMING IMPROVED: Dot length is now more consistent.

* 4-M/6-M DIRECT FREQ ENTRY FIXED: Direct frequency entry to 6 or 4 meters now works correctly with a KX3-4M module installed.