[Elecraft] New K4 beta software available (Release 28)

[Wayne Burdick]

Release 28 is now available as beta, with several new features (including the DVR) and major improvements. Upgrading is strongly recommended in order to remain current.

Release notes for R28 are listed below. These as well as earlier release notes can also be found on our website, as well as directly at the radio itself in the UPDATE utility.

********************************************
NOTE: IF YOU USE NON-FLAT TRANSMIT EQ, you 
will need to re-adjust the settings one time
after loading this software release. See
release notes for details.
********************************************

73,
Wayne
N6KR


====================
==== RELEASE 28 ====
====================

===== FUNCTIONAL CHANGES =====

AUDIO OUTPUT IMPROVED BY 10 DB: In previous releases, maximum audio output may have been as much as 10 dB lower than the target value with some combinations of the AGC slope and threshold menu settings. Now, maximum AF output is pre-compensated for AGC behavior. This results in a minimum speaker output of about 1.5 W into 4 ohms and 1.0 W into 8 ohms. (The new AF output specification will be at 1 W rather than 2 W.)

S-METER NOW 6 dB PER S-UNIT: S-meter calibration now matches the more common industry standard. (Previously it was 5 dB per S-unit.) With this change, each tic mark of the S-meter graphic represents 3 dB.

DVR (DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER): The DVR can now be used for transmit voice message record/play. There are 8 messages (2 banks of 4). Tap REC, then follow on-screen prompts. Messages can be played without on-air transmit by using transmit test mode (TEST switch). Maximum message length is 90 seconds. 

NEW BACKUP/RESTORE FUNCTION: Tap Fn, then hold BACKUP. This brings up the backup/restore screen. You can select whether to backup or restore five categories of data, including General Configuration, Frequency Memories, PF Key and K-Pod Macros, CW/PSK/FSK messages, DVR messages, and Diagnostic Logs.

SEPARATE TX MONITOR LINE-OUT LEVEL CONTROL: Use TX Monitor Level, Line Out menu entry. Applies to both sidetone and voice monitoring, as well as to both analog and digital line out.

ICON CHANGE FOR RX DYNAMIC RANGE OPTIMIZATION: The original icon, a visual hybrid of 'D' and 'R', was judged too cryptic by users. The new icon is "DR+", allowing the operator to for search for it in the operating manual.

BUILT-IN OPERATING MANUAL UPDATED TO REV. C12. Covers all recent changes.


===== BUG FIXES =====

TX EQ SLIDERS NOW +/- 16 dB: The EQ sliders had been incorrectly set to +/- 4 dB. If you use non-flat EQ, you may need to do a one-time readjustment of the sliders.

ELIMINATED DUAL IP ADDRESSES for the radio. This occurred very rarely.

MENU IP ADDRESS FIELD EXPANDED: The parameter field now accommodates 12-digit IP addresses.

ELIMINATED LOSS OF AUDIO on power-up (rare).

VFO STEP RATE PRESERVED across power-downs.

TX METERS STAY ON IF SPLIT TURNED ON/OFF WHILE TRANSMITTING.

SBC DATE CORRECTED ON 3V BATTERY SWAP.


===== FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS =====

ADDED VO$ COMMAND (VFO OFFSET). This can be used to directly offset either VFO by a specified amount.

ADDED XVTR SUPPORT FOR BN+; and BN-; commands.

FI$; COMMAND AI RESPONSE NOW SENT ON BAND CHANGE.