[Elecraft] New K3/K3S Beta Firmware, rev. 5.57: Faster response to high reflected power

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi all,

K3/K3S beta firmware rev. 5.57 is now available on our K3 software page. This release has enhanced protection from transient events that cause high reflected power, such as antenna or feed-line opens or shorts. 

(Winter seems to be the season for such things, with high winds agitating intermittent antenna systems. In our own [brutal] testing, we set power to maximum, tuned into various loads, then applied dead shorts and opens repeatedly. No damage observed on any test unit.)

See release notes below for additional details. 

For instructions on installing beta releases, refer to our K3 software page. (Beta releases are not automatically recognized by K3 Utility.)

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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MCU 5.57 / DSP 2.88 / FPF 1.26, 2-16-2017
 
* FASTER RESPONSE TO HIGH REFLECTED POWER: The transceiver will now reduce drive much more quickly when transient conditions cause excessive reflected power. This roll-back in response does not change the set power level (PWR knob); instead, it temporarily reduces drive to get below the reflected power limit. This means that once a better match is restored, such as when using an antenna tuner, the set power level will automatically be restored.