MCU 3.76  / DSP 2.52  Jan 23, 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.

This release includes all features from prior releases.

Changes related to K144XV, transverters, FM, and repeaters:

• REPEATER REVerse: If a repeater offset is in use (+/-), holding REV switches VFO A to the repeater's input frequency. 

• RF POWER BARGRAPH: Now shows *tenths of a milliwatt* when using low-level transverter I/O (applies to both the K144XV and external transverters). 10 bars = about 1.00 mW at the IF. This corresponds to about 10 W output when using the K144XV.

• COARSE TUNING WITH XVTR OFFSETS: Fixed problem with VFO display when using COARSE tuning steps in combination with a non-zero transverter frequency offset (CONFIG:XVn OFS).

• IMPROVED FM RECEIVE: FM demodulation algorithm refined to reduce signal distortion.

• FM SQUELCH: No longer opens briefly during memory recall.

• "ANT3" REMINDER WHEN K144XV SELECTED: If you switch to a band configured for use with the Elecraft K144XV internal 2-m module, “ANT3” is flashed to remind you to use the separate BNC antenna jack provided on the fan panel, rather than ANT1/2.

Other new features and improvements:

• NR (NOISE REDUCTION) ON/OFF: This is now saved on a per-band/per-receiver basis (same as NB). 

  • NR ADJ (noise reduction setting) is stored independently for each mode.

• TX MESSAGE MEMORY ERASE: To completely erase a transmit message buffer, tap REC, then M1-M4, then CLR. 
  Note that erasing a CW/DATA memory will not erase a DVR message assigned to the same M1-M4 switch, and vice-versa. 

• ERR PTT & ERR KEY (rig keyed at power-up): These error conditions no longer lock out the POWER switch.

• DELAYED MEMORY RECALL (M>V): In CONFIG:MEM 0-9, tap '1' to select "M>V NOR" or "M>V DLY". NOR is the default, resulting in “live” memory recall as you rotate VFO A. In the "DLY" case, the receiver is not updated until you tap M>V a second time to exit memory recall. You may prefer “DLY” if you have 
  external gear that switches as the K3 changes bands.

• 40-M TX RANGE EXTENDED TO 7.650 MHz (12 W MAX): TX near the first I.F. has always been disabled from 7.550 to 8.990 MHz to protect the 8.21 MHz trap on the KAT3 or KANT3 module. At power settings of 12 W or lower, the upper limit is now 7.650 MHz, allowing use of some additional MARS channels.

Remote Control Command Changes: 

• XF/XF$ COMMAND ADDED: Returns crystal filter number (1-5) presently selected for main (XF) and sub receiver (XF$). GET only. Not usable during BSET or REVerse.

• SQUELCH STATUS ADDED TO IC COMMAND: Byte e, bits 4 (main RX) and 3 (sub RX). 1 = squelched. (Works for both FM and non-FM squelch.)

• SUB RX NR STATUS ADDED TO IC COMMAND: Byte e, bit 2.

• EEINIT (EEPROM Initialization) Changes: 

  • PL deviation (FM) set to 0.36 kHz (was 0.00)

  • Power output set to 5/50 W (was 0)

  • CONFIG:SPLT SV set to YES

  • RTTY mark tone set to 2125 Hz (was 1275)