[Elecraft] New KX3 field-test firmware -- improvements for PX3; misc.

[Wayne Burdick]

This is a bug-cleanup release, rev. 2.25, that will appeal to specific KX3 users. Changes are listed below. 

This release also supports text display on the PX3 (requires PX3 rev. 1.12), and DUAL RX (dual watch) even with RX SHFT=8.0. Both have been extensively tested at this point.

If you're interested in trying the new field-test release right away, please email me (directly, rather than via a list reply). I'll get it out to you tomorrow. 

By the way: Thanks, everyone, for the ongoing help with new releases. We're trying wrap up KX3 work so we can spend some time on the K3's firmware task list.

Thanks,

Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 2.25 / DSP 1.30, 10-5-2014

* PX3 NOW DISPLAYS VFO B PASSBAND CORRECTLY: The PX3 was showing the wrong VFO B filter bandwidth or passband location when using DATA modes or DUAL RX (dual watch). 

* DUAL RX DOES NOT FORCE OFS/B KNOB TO BE USED AS VFO B: The operator’s OFS/B knob assignment is no longer lost when DUAL RX is in effect.

* FAST-PLAY DISPLAY ERROR FIXED: With fast-play enabled (1-touch message play using BAND+/- and FREQ ENT.), a band change originating from a PC application no longer flashes “END” on VFO B.

* CW SPEED DISPLAY TIME INCREASED WHEN TEXT DECODE IS ON: In CW mode, speed is now displayed for 1.0 sec. In FSK-D and PSK-D modes, it's .5 sec. The time is shorter for DATA modes because character transmission rates are usually faster, and the operator might miss important text due to the speed display.

* PA BYPASS METERING FIXED: If the KXPA100 goes to bypass because of an error condition, the KX3 drops to 5 W. The RF meter is now  correctly set to low range.

* TEXT DECODE LOCKOUT FIX: Adjustment of NR, NB, NTCH, etc. no longer causes loss of CW/DATA text decode on the VFO B display.

* HOST COMMANDS “UP”, “DN”, and “DT” are now working with the PX3.

* * *

Other recent releases:

MCU 2.24 / DSP 1.30, 10-1-2014

* SUPPORT FOR PX3 TEXT DISPLAY: To enable text decode on the PX3, hold LABELS switch to switch to text-decode mode (requires PX3 rev. 1.12 or later). Text decode must also be enabled at the KX3.

MCU 2.23 / DSP 1.30, 9-24-2014

* DUAL RX NOW ALLOWED WITH RX SHFT=8.0. In this case, VFO A can be from -7 below VFO B to +23 above it  (vs. +/- 15 for RX SHFT=NOR).