[Elecraft] New KX2 firmware with 4 programmable functions and home/field ATU settings

[Wayne Burdick]

KX2 beta firmware rev 2.75 has two new features: 4 programmable switch functions, and two full sets of ATU data, typically used for home/field or for two different antennas that overlap in their band coverage. The firmware can be found at:

   http://www.elecraft.com/KX2/kx2_software.htm

There’s one minor issue; using PF1-PF4 with some menu entries (like TIME) doesn’t allow use of the numeric keypad digits. This will be corrected in the next release.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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KX2 MCU 2.75 / DSP 1.49, 4-3-2017

* FOUR PROGRAMMABLE FUNCTIONS:  The KX2 now has four programmable functions, PF1-PF4, rather than one. These can be used to quickly access often-used menu entries. To set up a programmable function, locate the desired menu entry, hold PFn, then tap any of ‘1’ through ‘4’. Exit the menu. From then on, the menu function can be accessed using the associated PFn switch. If a menu entry has only two values (such as ON/OFF), accessing it via a programmable function will select the alternate value, then exit the menu immediately. This is especially useful with menu entries such as DUAL RX, VOX MD, ALT MD, and ATU DATA (see rev. 2.73, below).

* TWO ATU DATA SETS:  The KX2 will now store two full sets of per-band data for the internal ATU (KXAT2). Use the ATU DATA menu entry to select which set to use. Typically SET 1 is used at a home location, and SET 2 for field operation. They can also be used in cases where more than one antenna is available for a given band. (Note: The ATU DATA menu entry has no effect on KXAT100 ATU data, which is already stored separately for each of the KXPA100 amplifier’s antenna jacks. The KX2 can remotely switch KXPA100 antennas using the ANT.X SW menu entry.)

* ATU LC NETWORK VALUE DISPLAY:  In either the ATU.DATA or ATU MD menu entry, tapping the "ATU" switch shows the present values of L (inductance), C (capacitance) and N (L-network configuration). This applies only to the internal ATU (KXAT2). The displayed data format is LxxCxxNy. <xx> is a 2-digit hexadecimal value that, when converted to binary, shows which ATU L or C relays are engaged. <y> shows which side of the L-network the capacitance is on: Nt = TX side, and NA = antenna side.

* ATU CLEAR AFFECTS ONLY CURRENT DATA SET: Within the ATU DATA or ATU MD menu entries, CLR (hold of the OFS/B knob) now clears KXAT2 ATU data only for the presently selected data set (SET 1 or SET 2) on the present band. As before, CLR is recommended when using the internal ATU with a new antenna. Once the data is cleared, very few ATU tune operations will usually be needed to cover an entire band. Note: If a KXPA100 amplifier is connected, the CLR operation applies to the KXAT100 ATU’s per-band/per-antenna data, not to the data for the internal KXAT2 ATU.