[Elecraft] KX3 FW - N0UK tx inhibit & CW sidetone bug reproduced

Sun Sep 5 10:16:56 EDT 2021

Still hoping for some resolution to this problem since it’s now been a year since it was reported to and acknowledged by Elecraft as being a firmware bug.

It really renders the KX3 as fairly useless as an I/F rig for microwave transverters if you need the TxInhibit function.

Chris Cox, N0UK
chrisc at chris.org

> On Oct 10, 2020, at 09:58, Drew Arnett <arnett.drew at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I was able to reproduce the bug Chris, N0UK, reported with tx inhibit
> and CW sidetone on the KX3.
> 
> To be thorough, the FW as just installed by Elecraft, is uC 02.90
> anddsp 01.52which is the latest.
> 
> I have cabling for the ACC2 port, as I use ring contact to PTT a
> transverter and also to PTT a KXPA100.
> 
> Menus have had minimal configuration post service from elecraft, just
> enough to setup for transverter operation in the 10 GHz contest.  Mode
> is CW and VOX is on of course.
> 
> ACC2 Inhibit = Low.  I used a paddle on the KXPD paddle port (key 2).
> Was able to get the stuck sidetone as you describe while sending dits
> or sending dahs by.  (Key 2 left = dot.)  For kicks, changed to Key 2
> = hand.  Found that if the key is released before inhibit is released,
> the sidetone does not stick.  The value of inhibit when the key is
> initially asserted is not buggy. Saw the same behavior with menu
> setting inhibit high.
> 
> inhibit low
> key - inhibit - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck
> key - inhibit - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK
> inhibit - key - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck
> inhibit - key - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK
> 
> inhibit high
> key - inhibit - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck
> key - inhibit - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK
> inhibit - key - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck
> inhibit - key - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK
> 
> The behavior is a problem is in the firmware at the inhibit released event.
> 
> A thorough bug report would also include observations of the PTT
> output and actual RF output.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Drew
> n7da
> 
>>   6. Continuing saga with Tx Inhibit and the KX3 - possible
>>      firmware bug? (Chris Cox, N0UK)
>>  16. KX3 Tx Inhibit CW-VOX problem (Chris Cox, N0UK)
>> 
>> 
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:14:57 -0500
>> From: "Chris Cox, N0UK" <chrisc at chris.org>
>> To: Elecraft-KX at groups.io
>> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Continuing saga with Tx Inhibit and the KX3 -
>>        possible        firmware bug?
>> Message-ID: <583CB8E7-8618-4C4E-A630-8CCAACB9EDD8 at chris.org>
>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=utf-8
>> 
>> Having solved the need for getting +Ve Tx Inhibit working on my KX3/10GHz Transverter integration using a mosfet switch to invert the signal and configured the KX3 for 0v Tx Inhibit, I had opportunity to test it out this afternoon.
>> 
>> The solution seemed to work fine on SSB but I now have a weird issue when using the rig on CW.
>> 
>> If I manually select transmit with the microphone PTT and then wait for the transverter sequencing to remove Tx Inhibit and then key CW with the paddles, the system works as desired.
>> 
>> If I key the system using VOX, the Tx Inhibit functions correctly, fully disabling the transmitter from producing RF until TxInhibit is removed BUT the CW sidetone becomes permanently on from the moment TXInh disappears regardless of whether I am sending or not.  It stays present until I press any of the buttons on the KX3.   This happens regardless of which band is enabled, but occurs whenever TxInhibit is present.
>> 
>> If I remove the TXInh fro the GPIO input (but leave the option enabled in the KX3 config) the rig operates normally.
>> 
>> Can anyone else replicate this oddball behavior?  It seems to be a firmware bug.  I have tried removing power but that does not alter the effect.
>> 
>> Again, all works just fine if I don?t try to key the paddles before PTT sequencing has changed over.
>> 
>> Chris Cox, N0UK
>> chrisc at chris.org
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Message: 16
>> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2020 08:10:31 -0500
>> From: "Chris Cox, N0UK" <chrisc at chris.org>
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 Tx Inhibit CW-VOX problem
>> Message-ID: <66381756-C09A-4A99-8AA5-1E015B182C00 at chris.org>
>> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=utf-8
>> 
>> Having solved the need for getting +Ve Tx Inhibit working on my KX3/10GHz Transverter integration using a MOSFET switch to invert the logic level coming from the 10GHz transverter and configured the KX3 for 0v Tx Inhibit, I had the opportunity to test it out yesterday afternoon.
>> 
>> The solution seemed to work fine on SSB but I now have a weird issue when using the rig on CW.
>> 
>> If I manually select transmit with the microphone PTT (didn?t try the XMIT key) and then wait for the transverter sequencing to remove Tx Inhibit and then key CW with the paddles, the system works as desired.
>> 
>> If I key the system using CW VOX, the Tx Inhibit functions correctly, fully disabling the transmitter from producing RF until TxInhibit is removed by the transverter?s sequencing logic BUT then the CW sidetone becomes permanently on from the moment TXInh disappears, regardless of whether I am keying or not.  It stays present until I press any of the buttons on the KX3.   This happens regardless of which band is enabled, but occurs whenever TxInhibit is initially present.
>> 
>> If I remove the TXInh fro the ACC2 GPIO input (but leave the option enabled in the KX3 config) the rig operates normally under VOX control.
>> 
>> Can anyone else replicate this oddball behavior?  It seems to be a firmware bug.  I have tried removing power from the KX3 but that does not correct the anomalous behavior.
>> 
>> Again, all works just fine if I don?t try to key the paddles before PTT sequencing has changed over.
>> 
>> Chris Cox, N0UK
>> Chris Cox, N0UK
>> chrisc at chris.org
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to chrisc at chris.org 