Firmware Releases

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Firmware Releases

Richard Squire - HB9ANM
I enjoy my K3 and KPA500 very much. But I notice there has been no new firmware releases for a fairly long time. IMHO this could mean:
1. Both the K3 and the KPA500 are so close to perfection that they are not easy to improve on (I tend to believe this...)
2. Wayne, Eric, Lyle et al are so busy with the KAT500 and the KX3 FW they don't have time for anything else (which I can understand, too!).
I must say that some of the suggested features on the Reflector are rather marginal - or already implemented - not willing to offend anyone of course but sometimes, a spot of manual reading would solve a few issues.
K3 FW 4.42 has been a Beta for over three months, which is rather unusual...
Nevertheless, I'm happy with FW 4.39, not needing 4.42 anyway as I don't have the K3EXREF (I think the K3 is more than accurate and stable enough!)
Just my two cents...
73
Richard
Richard - HB9ANM
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Re: Firmware Releases

Nate Bargmann
* On 2011 30 Nov 13:10 -0600, Richard Squire - HB9ANM wrote:
> I enjoy my K3 and KPA500 very much. But I notice there has been no new
> firmware releases for a fairly long time. IMHO this could mean:
> 1. Both the K3 and the KPA500 are so close to perfection that they are not
> easy to improve on (I tend to believe this...)

I can think of a couple tweaks I'd like to see.

> 2. Wayne, Eric, Lyle et al are so busy with the KAT500 and the KX3 FW they
> don't have time for anything else (which I can understand, too!).

That is what concerns me the most, that the need to focus on new
products is spreading the staff quite thin.  As I only own a K3 and P3 I
am most interested in continued development of those products.  The rest
do not interest me at this time.  I do understand that new products
drive interest in the company but I don't wish to be forgotten either.
:-)

> I must say that some of the suggested features on the Reflector are rather
> marginal - or already implemented - not willing to offend anyone of course
> but sometimes, a spot of manual reading would solve a few issues.

Indeed.  And I need to delve into the manuals more myself.  One of the
feature requests I agree would be a good idea is reordering the
selection of the DSP/analog NB steps.  Don't get me wrong, I am
satisfied with the NB as I've been able to effectively reduce random
power line noise so I can enjoy operating from 160-10m.

I also wonder if the manual notch could be improved a bit.  I'm seeing
it take out a bit more than 200 Hz of bandwidth out of the audio
passband.  Perhaps this width is a trade off for ease of tuning since it
tunes in 20 Hz steps.  The auto notch seems to perform quite well and I
mostly use it when needed.

I don't know if there are plans for tweaking the noise reduction, but I
find that I use it very little.  It may well be my perception of "noise"
and its applied algorithms that are at odds.  I find that properly
setting Pre-amp, ATT, and RF Gain allow me to tune the S/N to my liking
while leaving the NR off.

> K3 FW 4.42 has been a Beta for over three months, which is rather unusual...
> Nevertheless, I'm happy with FW 4.39, not needing 4.42 anyway as I don't
> have the K3EXREF (I think the K3 is more than accurate and stable enough!)

I'm still waiting for the High Stability TCXO offset values to be used by
the firmware for compensation.  I do recall Wayne saying that not much
more stability could be acheived, but I already have it and would like
the nth degree of performance from it.  :-)

Hopefully, once the KAT500 and KX3 are out the door the team can take a
well deserved 5 minute break and get back to the K3/P3.  ;-)

I am pleased with my K3 after 1 year+ of ownership.  The size of the
package is just right to me and the performance beats anything I've had
the pleasure of operating.  The P3 adds a well thought-out dimension to
my operating that simply must be experienced to be understood.  

73, de Nate N0NB >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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Re: Firmware Releases

N2ZDB-2
In reply to this post by Richard Squire - HB9ANM
I had a question about the old firmware and when a newer one would be  
available and this is the response I received:
 
"We  plan to release another K3 f/w version anytime now, with support for
Remote Rig  and some other changes."
 
Hope  this is true!
 
73's  Michael
n2zdb
 
 
In a message dated 11/30/2011 2:09:24 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[hidden email] writes:

I enjoy  my K3 and KPA500 very much. But I notice there has been no new
firmware  releases for a fairly long time. IMHO this could mean:
1. Both the K3 and  the KPA500 are so close to perfection that they are not
easy to improve on  (I tend to believe this...)
2. Wayne, Eric, Lyle et al are so busy with the  KAT500 and the KX3 FW they
don't have time for anything else (which I can  understand, too!).
I must say that some of the suggested features on the  Reflector are rather
marginal - or already implemented - not willing to  offend anyone of course
but sometimes, a spot of manual reading would solve  a few issues.
K3 FW 4.42 has been a Beta for over three months, which is  rather
unusual...
Nevertheless, I'm happy with FW 4.39, not needing 4.42  anyway as I don't
have the K3EXREF (I think the K3 is more than accurate  and stable enough!)
Just my two  cents...
73
Richard

-----
Richard - HB9ANM
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Re: Firmware Releases

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Administrator
Today - as soon as I get a moment to upload it :-)

73, Eric

www.elecraft.com


On 11/30/2011 7:26 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> I had a question about the old firmware and when a newer one would be
> available and this is the response I received:
>
> "We  plan to release another K3 f/w version anytime now, with support for
> Remote Rig  and some other changes."
>
> Hope  this is true!
>
> 73's  Michael
> n2zdb
>
>
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