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

Wed May 20 16:38:46 EDT 2015

Thank you for the information Wayne!

NOW, please close this subject as it has gotten totally and unnecessarily
out of hand...like so many things do on this reflector. Folks, I asked Wayne
for a simple clarification and there was absolutely no need for the 'long
winded' discussion that followed. This is getting to be such a common
occurrence that this reflector is becoming practically useless where it
really should be a great place to get technical information about the
products we purchase from Elecraft. I do hope this deluge of non-useful post
will soon be reduced!

73,
Tom - W4BQF

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wayne
Burdick
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 4:13 PM
To: Phil Wheeler
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K3/K3S Beta Firmware, rev. 5.26: Support for K3S
and upgraded modules

The present firmware release has very little impact on the K3, but it is
still important to test each release to make sure we didn't break anything.
We've had some positive reports in that regard, so no need for everyone to
load it.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On May 20, 2015, at 11:00 AM, Phil Wheeler <w7ox at socal.rr.com> 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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