Current K3 Firmware Revisions

MCU 4.47 / DSP 2.73, 12-2-2011

• MORE ROBUST "GT" CONTROL COMMAND (AGC): 

  Some PC applications may accidentally turn AGC off, possibly due to a buffer overflow. The GT command format is now verified more rigorously, making this less likely. NOTE: PC applications should not send too many K3 "get" commands simultaneously, especially if a P3 is also in the system. Ideally they should wait for a response to each command before proceeding.

   

• REMOTE-RIG SUPPORT: 

  One K3 can now directly control another, with one acting as nothing but a front panel. This "remote rig" mode provides a nearly perfect emulation of the remote K3's display and controls. (Previously, front panel emulation was limited by the K3's legacy command set.) The simplest way to use this is to connect the two K3s together using a "null modem" cable at the RS232 ports. However, by using a computer or a third-party hardware as an intermediary, it's possible to control a K3 over the internet or even a wiFi connection.

  Note that the controlling K3 can have a totally different configuration from the remote K3. It could be a K3/10 with no options, for example, yet it could still control a remote K3 with all options, including sub receiver, KPA500, etc.

  To use Remote-Rig mode, set both K3s to 38.4 kb and connect them together via the RS232 ports (possibly using an intermediary device like RemoteRig  for control and Voip over local nets or the internet). Next, at the local K3, hold CONFIG until you see "TERM" on VFO B. If the remote K3 is listening, the TERM message will be replaced with a display that looks exactly like the remote K3's. (RemoteRig remote control systems with the latest firmware will do this automatically when connected to the control K3. Holding CONFIG is not necessary) From then on, the remote K3 can be controlled by the local one (the remote K3 can still be controlled with its own front panel, too). The local K3's audio will be muted. Both receive and transmit audio must be handled by the intermediary device (RemoteRig etc.)

  To exit Remote-Rig mode, hold CONFIG on the local K3 until you see "NORM" flashed on VFO B. The local K3 will return to normal operation. (Or, in the case of K3's and RemoteRig units, powering down the K3 will disconnect and power down the remote K3.)

  Note: Elecraft will be offering RemoteRig radio remote control systems and interface cabling for the K3 on our web site order form shortly. www.remoterig.com 

• POWER CONTROL COMMAND WORKING WITH XVTRs:

  The "PC" remote control command now works correctly with transverters. For example you can send "PC150;" to set I.F. output to 1.5 mW. (This also applies to HF bands if CONFIG:KXV3 is set to TEST.) 

  Note that the upper bound on power output level is specified per-transverter band using the CONFIG:XVn PWR menu entry.

  Please review the K144XV manual when setting up the drive level for the internal 2-meter module.

  Prior BETA RELEASE (Pre-release evaluation and test)

New Features:

• 2-METER FREQUENCY LOCKING TO REF CAL & EXT. REF:
  

  The K144XV RFLK option locks the K3's 2-meter module to the rig's master reference. Previously, users of this option had to enter offsets in the CONFIG:XVn OFS menu entry based on how far off the master reference was from 49380.000 kHz. These offsets can now be calculated automatically based on the REF CAL menu entry.
  If a K3EXREF module is also installed, then REF CAL itself is automatically calibrated based on an external 10-MHz reference (see K3EXREF on 2 m, below).
  
  To enable this, locate XVn OFS in the menu, then tap ‘0’ until you see “REFLOCK”. This lets the K3 firmware know that the RFLK module is installed. (If the RFLK option is not installed, then the K144XV’s oscillators are not locked to the K3’s master reference. The offsets should then be set according to the label on the transverter module.)

  
  To see the automatically calculated offset value in the XVn OFS menu entry, the K3 should be switched to the 2-meter band. Otherwise, the K144XV offset parameter may be initially displayed as "-0.00".
  
  K3EXREF on 2 m: If a K3EXREF module is installed, REF CAL itself will be automatically calibrated based on an external 10-MHz reference. In this case, selecting “REFLOCK” for XVn OFS will allow the K144XV frequency to track this external reference. 2-meter frequency accuracy will be about a factor of around two worse than on HF, due to the higher frequency of the 2-meter local oscillators.
  

• K3EXREF REF CAL VALUE SAVE: 

  In REF CAL, tapping '1' will now save the K3EXREF-derived reference value as the manually entered value. This is useful in the event that the K3 is ever disconnected from the 10-MHz reference, as it will revert to the manually entered value. Note: To use this feature, a K3EXREF module must be installed, a 10-MHz external reference connected, and an asterisk (*) be present in the menu entry name (“REF*CAL”). You can then tap '1' to save the value.

   

•  NO ERROR TONE ON KPA500 OPERATE/STANDBY SWITCHING, etc.: 

  Previously, the K3 would emit an error tone on any KPA500 switch event. Now such tones are only emitted if the CONFIG:SW TONE menu entry is set to ON, or on a hard fault.

New Firmware Load Information

NOTE: Please use K3 Utility rev 1.3.9.2 or later to download new firmware to the radio. Later revisions of K3 Utility may provide additional features (see below).

Be sure to download *all* new firmware including DSP and FPF (new --  flash memory tables). If you see “FPF LOAD PENDING” on the K3’s LCD, it is probably because you were in “Advanced” mode in K3 Utility. In this case, check the “FPF” and “Always load data tables” boxes and try the load again.