FW 4.67 and K3EXREF

[Stan Gibbs, KR7C]

I just realized that both my K3's running FW 4.67 are no longer locking to the K3EXREF calibration signal from a Trimble Thunderbolt. Specifically, the "REF CAL" config menu item does not show the flashing asterisk and moving the main tuning knob does not show "LOCKED". I have had the K3EXREF installed and operating properly with both rigs for at least a year.  

The Trimble Thunderbolt provides the 10MHz calibration signal to both K3's though a MiniCircuits splitter. After checking the power supply and output levels of the Thunderbolt, which were nominal, I decided to see if the K3 firmware could be responsible, since I had fairly recently upgraded to 4.67.  Indeed, rolling back to 4.51 re-enables the normal "REF CAL" behavior!

Can anyone else verify this?

[Henk PA5KT]

I had the same. Finally I did read the release notes:

K3EXREF USERS MUST NOW ENABLE THE MODULE IN THE MENU: To do this, locate
the CONFIG:REF CAL menu entry and tap 2 to change the setting; flashes
XREF IN or XREFOUT. If you DO NOT have a K3EXREF module installed, use
the XREFOUT setting (the default). If you use the XREF IN setting
without a K3EXREF module installed, you may hear digital switching noise
on the 6-meter band.

73 Henk PA5KT

Op 7-7-2013 5:54, Stan Gibbs schreef:

> I just realized that both my K3's running FW 4.67 are no longer locking to
> the K3EXREF calibration signal from a Trimble Thunderbolt. Specifically, the
> "REF CAL" config menu item does not show the flashing asterisk and moving
> the main tuning knob does not show "LOCKED". I have had the K3EXREF
> installed and operating properly with both rigs for at least a year.
>
> The Trimble Thunderbolt provides the 10MHz calibration signal to both K3's
> though a MiniCircuits splitter. After checking the power supply and output
> levels of the Thunderbolt, which were nominal, I decided to see if the K3
> firmware could be responsible, since I had fairly recently upgraded to 4.67.
> Indeed, rolling back to 4.51 re-enables the normal "REF CAL" behavior!
>
> Can anyone else verify this?
>
>
>
>
>
> -----
> 73, Stan - KR7C
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/FW-4-67-and-K3EXREF-tp7576395.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[David Pratt]

Check the release notes, Stan.  MCU 4.57 / DSP 2.79, 10-24-2012 state:

K3EXREF USERS MUST NOW ENABLE THE MODULE IN THE MENU: To do this, locate
the CONFIG:REF CAL menu and tap 2 to change the setting; flashes XREF IN
or XREF OUT.

73 de David G4DMP

In a recent message, Stan Gibbs <[hidden email]> writes

>I just realized that both my K3's running FW 4.67 are no longer locking to
>the K3EXREF calibration signal from a Trimble Thunderbolt. Specifically, the
>"REF CAL" config menu item does not show the flashing asterisk and moving
>the main tuning knob does not show "LOCKED". I have had the K3EXREF
>installed and operating properly with both rigs for at least a year.
>
>The Trimble Thunderbolt provides the 10MHz calibration signal to both K3's
>though a MiniCircuits splitter. After checking the power supply and output
>levels of the Thunderbolt, which were nominal, I decided to see if the K3
>firmware could be responsible, since I had fairly recently upgraded to 4.67.
>Indeed, rolling back to 4.51 re-enables the normal "REF CAL" behavior!
>
>Can anyone else verify this?

--
 + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +
 | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds.   |
 | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk |
 + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[Stan Gibbs, KR7C]

Thanks, David. I never loaded 4.57 and the current notes on the Elecraft K3 firmware page don't include this item.  I'll have to be more careful to read all of the release notes for versions between that last loaded and a new one.

This would have been a more seamless upgrade if the firmware had been able to detect the K3EXREF module and "do the right thing"; that is, if the module is present, set the config menu item to enable it.  Hard to imagine why I would install the module and then not use it.  Perhaps the detection is not possible.

David G4DMP wrote

Check the release notes, Stan.  MCU 4.57 / DSP 2.79, 10-24-2012 state:

K3EXREF USERS MUST NOW ENABLE THE MODULE IN THE MENU: To do this, locate
the CONFIG:REF CAL menu and tap 2 to change the setting; flashes XREF IN
or XREF OUT.