[Elecraft] New K4 Production Software Release R36 Now Available

[Wayne Burdick]

Release R36 is now available, bringing full remote control capability to
your K4 transceiver, as well as several improvements that apply to both
normal and Remote use. This release also lays the groundwork for remote
control of the K4 from our forthcoming K4/0 control unit and VK4 software,
as well as third-party control applications.

=== FOR FIRST-TIME REMOTE USERS ===

If you're new to K4-to-K4 remote operation, please refer to the K4's
built-in operating manual for a comprehensive introduction and step-by-step
setup procedure for both client and server radios. (See REMOTE CONTROL
section, accessible from the table of contents.)

======================================
NEW FEATURES (RELATIVE TO R35 RELEASE)
======================================

=== ITEMS THAT APPLY TO BOTH NORMAL AND REMOTE ===

- "RX AUDIO GAIN BOOST" MENU ENTRY:  This menu entry allows users who
prefer higher overall audio output to specify up to 6 dB of additional
gain. NOTE: The default setting (0 dB) is generally recommended. Higher
settings should be used only if the maximum AF GAIN setting is not adequate
for the operator. (The max of 6 dB is intended to reduce the possibility of
AF-stage clipping on strong signals.)

- AGC THRESHOLD can now be set to values 2 and 3. These lower thresholds
may be useful for those who prefer more aggressive AGC on weaker signals,
such as on quiet bands or with preamps OFF.

- DIVERSITY-ON BUG FIX: When diversity is turned on, preamp, attenuator,
and RF gain settings are no longer copied from VFO A to VFO B. (Also
applies on band change with diversity already ON.)

- FSK TRANSMIT BANDWIDTH NOW MUCH NARROWER: Now using controlled sigmoidal
tone-shift method to greatly reduce FSK TX bandwidth.

=== CHANGES PERTAINING ONLY TO REMOTE ===

- REMOTE SETTINGS BUTTON ADDED TO LCD: There's a new button ("globe" icon)
in the lower left-hand corner of the LCD, next to the "?" (INFO) button.
Tap this to access the client or server settings screens. Refer to the
REMOTE feature details below, and the REMOTE section of the manual, for
details on client and server setup.

- REMOTE FRONT PANEL EMULATION (AKA "REMOTE"): The new Remote feature
allows you to easily control a K4 transceiver anywhere in the world over
the Internet. The K4 can act as either a client or server, and no
additional hardware or interface devices are required beyond a router at
each end. Additional client devices and software are in development,
including our K4/0 remote front panel unit, VK4 Windows application, and a
third-party iOS app. (Additional client software applications may be
developed in the future, thanks to the K4's large host command set and
streaming capability.)

- REMOTE FRONT PANEL EMULATION DOCUMENTATION: The latest K4 operating
manual includes a comprehensive section on setting up Remote. Please read
this section carefully if you plan to use your K4 as a Remote server or
client. To get to the REMOTE section, start at the Table of Contents (under
"III. Operation"), then click on REMOTE near the bottom of the list.

- "TX MONITOR LEVEL, REMOTE" MENU ENTRY: This menu entry sets Remote TX
monitor audio level *only* for CW M1..M4 message play and FSK/PSK tones. It
does not affect normal paddle-sent CW sidetone in Remote, which is
regenerated locally at the client K4.

===================
REMOTE KNOWN ISSUES
===================

The following will be addressed in a future release:

- XVTR menu functions not yet implemented for Remote purposes.
- In Client mode, DVR TX monitor level during playback tracks the AF GAIN
control instead of being set by the MON knob.
- If SUB is ON when a DVR message is played, monitor audio is only output
to the LEFT audio channel instead of both audio channels.
- In Client mode, CW and FSK memory playback cannot be interrupted by
tapping the REC switch.


-- 
Elecraft, Inc.