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

Wed May 20 14:06:24 EDT 2015

The K3S FAQ indicates that the KXV3B, KAT3A & KBPF3A are available now.  
I can't confirm or deny the accuracy of that.  But, I believe you'd need 
the new beta firmware for any of those.

73, Ross N4RP

On 5/20/2015 2:00 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote:
> 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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>>
>>
>

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