[Elecraft] New K3/K3S Beta Firmware, rev. 5.26: Support for K3S and upgraded modules

Tue May 19 23:22:08 EDT 2015

This is a little confusing to me Wayne. Reading over your below listed
revisions for 5.26, there seems to be nothing pertinent to my 'new' s/n 8850
K3 that I could test and report back?? What did I miss here?

Thanks and 73,
Tom - W4BQF

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wayne
Burdick
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 8:30 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Cc: Elecraft_K3 at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Elecraft] New K3/K3S Beta Firmware, rev. 5.26: Support for K3S and
upgraded modules

Hi all,

K3 beta firmware rev. 5.26 is now available on our K3 software page. This is
the first combined K3/K3S firmware release. It can be loaded into either
transceiver using K3 Utility.

Some firmware features and changes apply only to the K3S, or to the various
updated internal modules, as described in the release notes below. (Further
details will be provided in the K3S owner's manual and other documents as
they are made available.) We appreciate any firmware testing you might do on
a K3, with or without any upgraded modules.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

K3/K3S MCU rev. 5.26

* USB COMPUTER PORT FOR COMBINED CONTROL and DIGITAL AUDIO (K3S, KIO3B): If
a KIO3B module is installed (standard with the K3S), the CONFIG:RS232 menu
entry will have a "USB" setting. If this setting is used, then a single USB
cable can be used between the K3S and a computer to provide remote control,
digitized line-level audio in/out, and PTT/KEY (via equivalents to the "RTS"
and "DTR" signals). All of these signals are usually recognized by computer
applications that also support RS232. This eliminates the need for a sound
card and associated analog line in/out cables, as well as any external
converter units. Refer to the K3S owner's manual, pgs. 18-20, for details.

* NEW P3 PANADAPTER CABLE SUPPORT (K3S, KIO3B): If a KIO3B module is
installed, then the P3 Panadapter must be connected to the K3S at its
RS232/P3 connector (RJ45). Two different special cables are available for
this purpose, depending on whether a computer will be connected via USB or
RS232 to the K3S and P3. Refer to the K3S owner's manual for details (pg. 18
and 19).

* LINE IN/OUT AUDIO USE WITH USB PORT (K3S, KIO3B): If a plug is inserted
into the LINE IN jack on the K3S, this audio signal will override the
digitized audio line-in data that is present in the USB cable. LINE OUT on
the K3S, however, is always available even if the USB cable is being used
for line-out.

* PREAMP 2 and CONFIG:PREAMP2 MENU ENTRY (KXV3B): This menu entry is only
applicable if a KXV3B module is installed (supplied with the K3S). It also
only applies if the current band is 12, 10, or 6 meters. If PREAMP2 is set
to ON, then the PRE switch rotates through settings of OFF, PRE 1, and PRE 2
on the applicable band. PRE 2  turns on the low-noise preamp on the KXV3B
module (+20 dB, with a typical NF of -144 dBm on 12/10/6 meters). When PRE 2
is selected, the PRE icon will flash slowly. Note: Do not use an external
preamplifier (such as an Elecraft PR6 or PR6-10) when using the built-in
low-noise preamp (PRE 2). This would result in excessive gain. .

* MULTIPLE ATTENUATOR SETTINGS and MAIN:ATTEN MENU ENTRY (K3S RF BOARD): On
a K3S, the MAIN:ATTEN menu entry is used to select the per-band attenuation
level for the ATTN switch (5/10/15 dB). A shortcut method of accessing this
menu entry is to hold the ATTN switch for about 3 seconds. (On a K3, the
parameter is fixed at 10 dB.)

* LOW-LOSS ATU BYPASS SETTING (KAT3A): The upgraded internal ATU option, the
KAT3A, includes a very low-loss bypass path via an additional relay. The
bypass relay is engaged when the ATU switch is used to turn the ATU icon
OFF. This setting can be used with closely matched antennas. ("Bypass" mode
on the earlier model KAT3 ATU uses a minimum-L/minimum-C network setting
rather than a relay, result in a small dissipation loss that varies with
frequency.)

* 100-500 KHZ SENSITIVITY IMPROVEMENT (KBPF3A): The KBPF3A is an upgrade
from the KBPF3. The lowest-frequency filter in the KBPF3A has a cutoff at
100 kHz rather than 500 kHz. This improves typical sensitivity at 137 kHz
(2200 meters) to about -120 dBm, and at 472 kHz (600 meters), about -130
dBm.

* UPDATED "PA" (PREAMP) REMOTE-CONTROL COMMAND (KXV3B): The PA command now
supports a SET/RESPONSE value of "PA2" whenever preamp 2 is available. This
applies on 12/10/6 meters with a KXV3B module installed and preamp 2 enabled
(see CONFIG:PREAMP2 description, above).

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
delivered to aldermant at windstream.net