W2 Wattmeter / SWR Bridge Software

The software provided for download on this page is provided as a free service to our customers and is provided as-is without warranty. 

Current W2 Firmware Rev: 1.00

 

 

See the bottom of this page to get the latest W2 Windows,  Mac OS X, and  Linux Firmware Download Utilities.

W2 Firmware FTP Directory

W2 Serial Interface Commands (373K pdf file, Rev D, 04/12/2010)

 

W2 Automatic Power On Modification (171K pdf file, Rev A, 12-15-2009)

Easy one solder jumper mod lets your W2 automatically power on/off with +12VDC from your K3 or your shack's master power supply.

 

Our Elecraft W2 Interface program (Ver 1.1.4.12) is now available.

Please note this version requires at minimum W2 Firmware Rev 1.00.

Main Form (Windows version)

 

Setup Form (Windows version)

Read about the latest updates in this version

 

 

 

Current W2 Firmware

Revision 1.00, 12-April-2010

New Features:

  • SWR ACCURACY: As a result of our continuing product improvement, a different algorithm is now used to calculate the SWR value. Besides offering greater accuracy at lower power levels, the SWR data available from the Serial Port now reports the range of 1.00:1 to 99.99:1, giving much finer resolution of SWR readings.

  • SWR ALARM CHANGES: The trip points for the SWR Alarm now match the SWR LED’s on the front panel of the W2. The range is still 1.1:1 to 5.0:1. Sending the W2 a “[” lowers the trip point, and “]” raises the trip point. Note the decimal point is implied in the serial response, i.e. “[25;” means the trip point was lowered to an SWR of 2.5:1 and “]40” means the trip point was raised to 4.0:1.

  • SWR ALARM RESPONSE TIME: You can use the “PTT RY” RCA connectors on the back of the W2 to help protect your amp in case of high SWR. The response time that it takes for the relay to trip has been improved and can now catch an “I” sent at 60 WPM.

  • SERIAL COMMAND CHANGES: The Serial Command set has had some minor changes in output format. Please see the “Elecraft W2 Serial Interface Commands Rev D” document available above.

Earlier W2 Firmware Revisions

Revision 0.96, 08-Feb-2010

New Features:

  • SENSOR CALIBRATION ADJUSTMENT: The Sensor “Calibration” range is now 350 to 650 (500 being the factory default). This provides a very wide range for matching our sensors to any reference you already have.

  • SENSOR CALIBRATION VALUES AVAILABLE: The six possible types of sensor calibration values are available from the serial port. Send the W2 a “?” and the data returned is a series of six numbers. The values, in order, are Sensor1 HF 200W, Sensor1 HF 2KW, Sensor1 VHF, Sensor2 HF 200W, Sensor2 HF 2KW, Sensor2 VHF.

  • SWR ALARM LEVEL NOW ADJUSTABLE: You may set the trip point for the SWR Alarm from 1.1:1 to 5.0:1. Sending the W2 a “[” lowers the trip point, and “]” raises the trip point in 0.1 steps. Note the decimal point is implied in the serial response, i.e. “[25;” means the trip point was lowered to an SWR of 2.5:1 and “]39” means the trip point was raised to 3.9:1.

  • THREE SENSOR SCAN MODE IMPROVEMENTS: 1. Initiating or stopping the W2 Sensor Scan mode by holding the front panel “Sensor” button is now visually confirmed by lighting or extinguishing both of the S1 & S2 LEDs. 2. A noticeable delay of the W2 in responding to the active sensor has been eliminated. 3. This mode is now also saved in EEPROM and will return to scanning at power up.

Revision 0.95, 21-Jan-2010

Features:

  • ADDITIONAL CALIBRATION COMMANDS: You may now use the “<” and “>” characters when calibrating your W2 Sensor. The “>” character increases the calibration value by 5, and the “<” reduces the calibration value by 5.

  • ALARM CONDITION RESET VIA SOFTWARE: The High SWR Alarm condition (W2 stops with flashing SWR LED’s) may be reset via software. Send the W2 either a “C” or “c” to clear the alarm. Software can also be used to detect an Alarm condition by sending the W2 an “I”/”i”. If it is in the Alarm state, the response will only be the character “A!”.

  • AUTO RANGE MODE IMPROVEMENTS: This version includes the most significant improvements yet to stabilize the Auto Range mode.

  • SO2R OPERATION WITH TWO SENSORS: If you are using two sensors connected to one W2 in an SO2R arrangement, the W2 can now monitor them both and lock on the one detecting RF. To use this feature either press and hold the front panel “Sensor” button for three seconds, or send the W2 either a “y” or “Y”. The W2 indicates it is in SO2R mode by lighting only the two “S1/S2” LED’s while no RF is detected. While one Sensor is active, you can change the range and decay speeds as desired. The W2 reverts to normal operation if any button is pressed (while scanning) or it receives another “Y” or ”y” serial command.

  • 2KW HF SENSOR SERIAL DATA : The decimal point function for Reflected Power was incorrect when the measured Forward Power was above 20 watts (value sent was too high). Now corrected.

Revision 0.94, 21-Dec-2009

Features:

  • VHF SENSOR SERIAL DATA: The decimal point function in the 200W Manual Range did not shift when the measured power dropped below 20 watts. Now corrected.

Revision 0.93, 18-Dec-2009

Features:

  • TWO VHF SENSOR ISSUES: 1. No response at all in Auto mode, 2. Occasionally a long, slow, flickering decay could be seen: Both of these issues are now fixed.

  • ALARM SETTING: The SWR Alarm setting (On/Off) is now saved in EEPROM, so an “A” command remains as you last set it when the W2 is powered back on.

Revision 0.92 DEC. 15, 2009

Features:

  • SWR LED’s FLASH RANDOMLY WHEN A SENSOR IS CONNECTED: This turned out to be caused by corrupted data in EEPROM. This version checks for this and will correct it by restoring the data to default settings.

  • SENSOR CALIBRATION VALUES EXPANDED: The calibration data for the Sensors is now saved both by Sensor type and the connector used by the Sensor. Among other benefits, this allows you to calibrate two of the same type of Sensors independently

  • FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN “AUTO” RANGE DISPLAY: We are continuing to improve the LED display in the “Auto” mode. In addition to editing algorithms, we are setting the LED and Serial Data Output modes to default as PEP, rather than Average Power. This can be changed at any time using the “M” (LED’s) and “N” (Serial Data) commands

 

W2 Utility for Windows, Mac, and Linux

Use this software to load the latest firmware into your W2.

 

W2 Utility:

  • W2 Utility (Windows Version 1.3.2.27)  February 27, 2010

    • Note: This W2 Utility version can be used to load W2 Firmware versions 0.85 and above to your W2.

    • Download the file from the above link, and then run the W2_Utility_Setup(version).exe to install the latest W2 firmware downloader to your PC.

    • After you have installed the program and run it the first time, look under the "Firmware" tab for a section called "Check for New Files". Click on the box labeled "Copy new files from Elecraft into local folder" and the W2 Utility program will automatically download the latest firmware from Elecraft's ftp site for you!

    • Also use this utility to check for the latest releases of new features for your W2!

    • Requires a serial cable like our "W2SERKIT" cable (and a KUSB USB-Serial Cable if your PC has only USB ports) to download from your PC to the W2.

  • W2 Utility (MAC OS X Version 1.2.11.9)   Dec 07, 2009

    • Note: This W2 Utility version can be used to load W2 Firmware versions 0.85 and above to your W2.

    • Files are in universal binary in .zip file.

    • Use this utility to check for the latest releases of new features for your W2.

    • Requires either a RS-232 cable or KUSB USB-Serial Cable to download from your Mac to the W2.

  • W2 Utility (Linux .tgz Version 1.2.11.9   Dec 07, 2009

    • Note: This W2 Utility version can be used to load W2 Firmware versions 0.85 and above to your W2.

    • Files are in TAR archive (gzip-compressed) format.

    • Use this utility to check for the latest releases of new features for your K3.

    • Requires either a RS-232 cable or KUSB USB-Serial Cable to download from your computer to the K3.

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