K3 Software Page

See the bottom of this page to get the latest K3 firmware downloader, K3 Utility  and KUSB Drivers. 

For K3 Logging and Control Software, Click here for our K3 ( & K2) Software Page.

See K3 Firmware Release Notes  for a complete revision history of new features and changes.

For K144XV Firmware Upgrades and the K144XV Firmware Utility, click here.  

 

Current K3 Firmware Revisions

 

MCU 4.05  / DSP 2.60  July 20, 2010

Latest Regular Production Release

This release will automatically be recognized by K3 Utility.

 

Please use latest K3 Utility to load. 

See K3 Firmware Release Notes  for a complete revision history.

 

New Features

  • Additional K3->P3 command responses, including BN.

  • This K3 release required for P3 Panadapter users.

 

MCU 4.03  / DSP 2.60

Prior Release

New Features

  • 75 BAUD (100 WPM) RTTY SUPPORT: The built-in encoder/decoder (DATA/FSK-D) now supports both 45 and 75 baud. To select the desired rate, hold the DATA MD switch, then rotate VFO A.

  • ULTRA-FAST BREAK-IN AND QRQ CW (“CW+”): If you set CONFIG:CW QRQ to ON in the menu, the K3 will provide extremely fast break-in at all CW speeds. It will also allow both the internal keyer and external keying to work at up to 100 WPM. (Be sure to turn on both QSK and VOX.) The “+” mode icon turns on when CW+ is in effect. 

    • Tip: You may want to assign the CW QRQ menu entry to a programmable switch function (e.g., PF1) for quick access. This can be done by locating the CW QRQ menu entry, then holding PF1 until you see “PF1 SET”.

    • Note 1: There are limitations to QRQ CW mode at present. You cannot use SHIFT, or turn on RIT, XIT, or SPLIT. However, you can still use splits, in effect, if you have the sub receiver installed: Turn the SUB on, and use VFO B as the receive VFO. (In a subsequent firmware release, RIT/XIT will be usable over a small range in QRQ mode.)

    • Note 2: If you use CONFIG:TX DLY to set external keying delay, you may need to adjust its setting for QRQ CW use. Also, any increase in the default (8 ms) may decrease the maximum available CW speed.

Other Enhancements

  • AF BALANCE CONTROL IMPROVED: The SUB AF control can be used as a main/sub RX balance control (see CONFIG: SUB AF). Previously, when the control was rotated fully clockwise, main receiver audio would not be fully turned off. This has been corrected.

  • ADDED ERROR CODE “ERR RXF”. This message is flashed if you switch to a crystal filter that is too wide for the present settings. For example, ERR RXF will flash if you are in QRQ CW mode and select a filter wider than 2.8 kHz. To correct this, you'll need to turn off wider-bandwidth crystal filters either manually (using CONFIG:FLx ON) or via K3 Utility.

  • FIXED FSK-D STUCK TONE: Occasionally, sending RTTYusing the keyer paddle (FSK-D) would leave sidetone on.

 

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

New Firmware Load Information

NOTE: Please use K3 Utility rev 1.2.10.27 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.  

 

 

 

K3 Utilities and Drivers for Windows, Mac and Linux

Use this software to load the latest firmware into your K3.

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

 

KUSB Windows, Apple and Unix Drivers:

You may download the current drivers for our KUSB USB to Serial Adapter for the K3 from here!

 

 

K3 Utility: