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

Wed May 20 14:00:22 EDT 2015

That's my interpretation, Ross. Just asking Wayne 
for confirmation.

Hmmm .. but I wonder if anyone has been able to 
add such items to their K3 as yet? They were 
announced a week ago, and my impression is that 
they may be in short supply for K3 usage for a while.

Phil W7OX

On 5/20/15 10:29 AM, Ross Primrose wrote:
> The new firmware would be required for a K3 IF 
> you add any of the newly upgraded K3S pieces to 
> your K3, such as the new KIO3, KXV3B or KAT3A.
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>
> On 5/20/2015 10:32 AM, Phil Wheeler wrote:
>> Wayne,
>>
>> It's unclear what impact, if any, this firmware 
>> will have on the K3. All the specifics listed 
>> below appear to be K3S related.
>>
>> I usually load beta versions *only* if the 
>> test/change relates to some feature I really 
>> want. If no changes for K3, no reason for me to 
>> load it.
>>
>> Is there any reason a K3 needs this version for 
>> improved performance, functionality, etc.?
>>
>> 73, Phil W7OX
>>
>> On 5/19/15 5:29 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>>> 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).
>>
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