Current K3 Firmware Revisions

MCU 2.46 / DSP 1.92,  Oct 3, 2008

BETA RELEASE  (Pre-release evaluation and test)

Click here for instructions Beta Release download and installation

Please use latest K3 Utility to load. 

Each new firmware release includes the features in prior releases.  

See K3 Firmware Release Notes  for a complete revision history.

New Features and Changes:

• 40 METER PA CURRENT REDUCTION: This revision corrects the low-pass filter configuration used on 40 m. The 10/12 LPF, not the 6 m LPF, is now used in-line with the 40 m LPF. This optimizes return loss, keeping current at the target level at 100 W (about 20 A).

• NOTE ON AM COMPRESSION: Starting with MCU 2.45/DSP 1.92, speech compression has been disabled in AM mode. We hope to create a more effective compressor for AM in a future revision; the original was adding distortion without increasing “punch”. On the other hand, the available AM modulation level  has been increased, and we’re better utilizing the mic AGC system in this mode.
  

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MCU 2.45 / DSP 1.92, 9-29-2008

BETA RELEASE

• TRANSMIT NOISE GATE ADDED: The TX noise gate can be used to suppress transmitted audio below a certain level, e.g. a noisy fan (not the one on the K3, of course). To use the noise gate, locate CONFIG:TX GATE, tap ‘1’ to turn it ON, then use VFO A to set the desired threshold. Since there’s no visual indication that transmit audio is below the threshold, you should adjust it using the transmit voice monitor (MON), ideally using headphones. Set the threshold high enough to cut off transmit audio due to shack noise, but not so high that it causes your voice to drop out too frequently. The TX GATE threshold can be adjusted in TX TEST mode.

• TRANSMIT INHIBIT (TX INH) FUNCTION IMPROVED: Activating the TX INH input on the ACC jack now asynchronously suspends RF output. It has no interaction with transmit sequencing. When TX INH is active, the only indication is that the "TX" LCD icon flashes, as in TX TEST mode. This should closely match the transmit inhibit logic of other transceivers.

• COARSE TUNING CORRECTED: 

  (1) Downward tuning with COARSE increments in effect occasionally resulted in the synthesizer unlocking, especially in AM mode with 9-kHz European broadcast band increments. 

  (2) Tuning down to the low end of the K3’s tuning range would cause quantization. For example, if you were at 505 kHz with 9 kHz steps selected and tuned downward one tic, the VFO would go to 500 kHz, and the next upward tic would be 509 kHz. Both of these problems have been corrected.

• "VOX=OFF" REMINDER: Whenever you change the VOX setting from ON to OFF in CW mode, then sometime later hit the key, you’ll see a one-time "VOX=OFF" message. This is a subtle reminder that VOX must be turned on in CW mode to enable hit-the-key operation. Otherwise you have to "arm" the transmitter by tapping XMIT or by using PTT. (This has always been the case for the K3, and most rigs behave in the same way.) We decided to add this reminder message because operators not familiar with "VOX for CW" have occasionally turned it off, only to wonder later why the rig won’t transmit in CW mode.

• TRANSMIT DISABLED DURING FIRMWARE LOADS: You cannot key the transmitter during firmware loads, via KEY IN, PADDLE, PTT, XMIT, VOX, or computer commands. 
  
  

For Software Developers:

• Note: Refer to the K3 Programmer’s reference, rev. B10 or later.

• "OM" COMMAND ADDED: Shows which K3 option modules are installed.

• "MP" COMMAND ADDED: Menu parameter direct read/set. Only applies to selected menu entries, as listed in the programmer’s reference.

• "MG" COMMAND ADDED: Mic gain read/set.

• "MD$" COMMAND ADDED: Sub RX/VFO B mode read/set.

• "IS;" COMMAND ADDED (I.F. shift). Note: In diversity mode, an IS or FW command will be sent to both main and sub. In AI2 mode, moving the SHIFT or WIDTH controls will generate both IS and FW responses.

• "FW0000x" form of the FW command can now handle x = 1 through 5 (requires "K30" and "K22" be in effect; see programmer’s reference.

• Added the following AI2 responses: PC, AG, AG$, RG, RG$, NB, NORM (FW).

MCU 2.38 / DSP 1.90,  Sept. 7, 2008

Latest Regular Release

Each new firmware release includes the features in prior releases.  

See K3 Firmware Release Notes  for a complete revision history of new features and changes since the last release (2.02).

New Firmware Load Information

NOTE: Please use K3 Utility rev 1.1.6.3 or later to download new firmware to the radio.

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.  

After completing a new software download to your K3, please power cycle the K3 OFF and then back ON before using it.