[Elecraft] Looking for testers for K3/K3S firmware rev. 5.32: Sub RX mismatched filter fix; "Safe" option for PTT-KEY via USB; etc.

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a few volunteers to help us test the latest K3/K3S field-test firmware. Please email me directly *if* you have an immediate need for one of the changes described below, and can do testing right away on either a K3 or K3S.

Thanks,

Wayne
N6KR

* * *


MCU 5.32 / DSP 2.83 / FPF 1.23, 7-28-2015

* DIVERSITY WORKS WITH MISMATCHED MAIN/SUB RX FILTERS:  Diversity mode in the K3S (or a K3 with the KSYN3A installed) now works with any combination of main/sub RX crystal filters. They can have different bandwidths or offsets, and an equal number of filters in each receiver is not required. Note: Matched filters are optimal for diversity, but non-matched filters will still perform well.

* "SAFE" OPTION FOR PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT:  PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. "Safe" mode disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB.SAFE". Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY but don't send commands will require "UNSAFE" mode (the default). In this case, be sure to turn the PC on before the K3S.

* OVERRIDE OF UNEXPECTED PTT-KEY TRANSMIT: You can now override transmit due to a persistent PTT or KEY signal applied by a PC. (See PTT-KEY via USB, above.) If the K3S goes into TX mode unexpectedly, tap the XMIT switch. This will exit transmit and show ERR KEY or ERR PTT on VFO B. Once the PTT or KEY source as been removed, transmit will be re-enabled. If the cause may be unneeded PTT-KEY activation via the USB port, go into the CONFIG:PTT-KEY menu entry and set the parameter to OFF-OFF, or go into CONFIG:RS232 and set the parameter to anything other than USB. The menu can now be used during transmit in all cases.

For Application Developers (also see Programmer's Reference, rev. F2):

* PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT VIA "UP" and "DN" COMMANDS:  UP and DN now apply to all settings adjusted using VFO A/B, including: NB, NR, manual notch, pitch, and text decode . (It also still applies to the menu.) It does NOT apply to special displays controlled by VFO B (use DB), or to settings controlled by the small encoders.

* OM (OPTION MODULE) COMMAND CHANGES:  Three new single-letter fields have been added to the OM command:  'L' (low-noise amp/preamp2 available on present band), 'V' (KSYN3A installed, allowing the VFO to tune down to 100 kHz), and 'R' (K3S RF board in use; see impact on RA command, below). Note that 'L' (preamp 2) only applies on 12/10/6 meters. Preamp 2 is located on the new KXV3B module.

* RA (ATTENUATOR) COMMAND FORMAT CHANGE: If a K3S RF board is in use (determined using the OM command, above), the set/response format of the RA command uses dB values  (RA00/05/10/15). The K3 format is still RA00/01. Note:  5 and 15 dB attenuator settings only apply to the main RX. The sub RX attenuator is 10 dB, even in the K3S. But if a K3S RF board is detected, the sub RX RA format is RA00/10.