K3 Utility Version 1.2.3.18 changes since 1.2.1.6 (summary only)

April 15, 2009

Installer: 
Current K3 Utility users should be encouraged to uninstall the K3 Utility (using the Windows Control Panel Add/Remove programs applet) before installing the new version. (1.2.3.18 uses a new installer program.) It's not a critical requirement, but if you don't do this, there are some leftovers in the list of installed programs and the program files folder where the old program resided. Uninstall is not a continuing requirement, just in the transition from earlier installers to 1.2.3.18.

Configuration Page:

• New CW memory editor for the K3's CW and CW-to-Data mode memories. Supports CW half space and insertion of the "IM" stop character into a CW memory for use with RTTY and PSK31.

• Save and restore configuration may now be cancelled. Restore should be cancelled only if you're going to restore again.

• Reduce the time it takes to save and restore a configuration.

• Alternative "accessibility mode" version of the Crystal Filter dialog that works better with screen readers. The current compact version, which omits checkbox labels, is still available. A new View Menu "Accessibility" checked menu item selects the dialog to use.

Terminal page:

• Ctrl+W clears unsent characters in input area.

• Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+0 embeds messages 1-10 into input area without requiring a mouse action.

• Clear clears unsent input as well as output windows.

• Fixed a CW stuttering bug when the Release Notes or other menu item was opened.

• Don't automatically drop out of transmit mode when sending CW. 

• Return keyboard focus to the input area after clicking one of the message memory buttons.

Port page: 

• Continue to poll (at various speeds) to attempt connection to a K3. The polling interval grows if no K3 responds.

• Added an explicit "close Port" button, which stops polling and releases the COM Port for other programs.

• Added checkbox to inhibit the automatic speed determination process and communicate with the K3 only at 38,400 bps. This was done to remove concerns that polling at several speeds might interfere with connection to a K3 in "MCU boot load" state.

Firmware page:

• Copy files from Elecraft (FTP) may now be cancelled.

• Speed improvements to all Firmware loaders.

• After MCU load, recover the last-used RS-232 speed during post-load speed determination and restore that speed after firmware load is complete. The hope is that this speed better matches the last-used RS-232 speed than leaving the rig at 38,400 if the firmware load was started when the MCU was in "boot load" state.

• Improvement to DSP loader reliability in some USB to Serial Adapter error situations. 

Global changes:

• A number of accessibility improvements were made so that the K3 Utility works better with screen readers for the visually impaired, and can now be operated without a mouse. 

• Added a new "Window" menu for direct access to each tab page. 

• Added tab stops to some static labels so that screen readers will speak the content (primarily in the installed/available version area of the firmware page). 

• Changed the tab control used by the main view so that the tab itself is part of the tab order, and its content will be spoken by a screen reader.