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

[Mike Cox]

I've loaded 5.32 wondering what it does for diversity reception. Here's 
my observations:

My radio is the K3S (built last Saturday). The mismatched filters were 
robbed from my old K3 (s/n 398) along with the sub Rx and transplanted 
into the new K3S. The "old" radio also has the new Synth boards. In that 
previous radio I ran diversity without the 200 Hz filter enabled in the 
sub receiver, using instead the stock 2.7 KHz filter which had an offset 
nearly identical to my main Rx 200 Hz filter.. My 200 Hz filters were 
not matched, having been ordered separately at different times. One is 
-.91 and the other is -.72 offset. In the past I had tried to set a 
compromise of about -.80 on both filters for reasonable diversity but 
then they were so poorly aligned that sensitivity and passbands suffered 
from being on the steep slopes of the filters. 200 Hz. filters just 
don't allow much latitude to compromise the offsets.

Now with FW 5.32 I'm listening through both filters at 150 Hz bandwidth 
in diversity mode with the filter offsets at their prescribed amounts. 
I'm currently listening on 30 meters. I'm hearing weaker signals gently 
passing between my ears very slowly with no particular rhythm and with 
no woosh-woosh. Those of you using diversity will know what I mean. It's 
great! My antennas are a 1/4 wave sloper on the main and a Pixel loop 
antenna on the AUX input to the sub receiver. I now don't see a real 
need to have the 5 pole filters matched to achieve great diversity 
reception. This setup is sounding great! I LOVE IT!

Without diversity reception I would not have 160 Meter DXCC from my 
small, noisy city lot. Now it's just gotten better.

Great job, Wayne and guys and gals! A great product just keeps getting 
better!

73,
Mike, AB9V