K3 Beta Firmware Rev. 3.52: Switch Customization (e.g. SPLIT+2); Main/Sub AF Mixing

[wayne burdick]

K3 beta-test firmware revision 3.52 (with DSP rev. 2.43) is now  
available. See full release notes below.

This revision allows you to automate often-used switch sequences using  
"switch macros." For example, you could create a "SPLIT+2" function  
that, with a single switch press, does A>B twice, enters SPLIT, and  
moves VFO B up 2 kHz. Many other custom functions can be created. For  
more examples and complete instructions, see K3 Utility's Help  
information, or pages 4 & 5 of the latest K3 Programmer's Reference:

      http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3_Pgmr%27s_Ref_Rev_C6.pdf

Please send any questions to [hidden email]. For instructions
on how to load beta firmware, see:

      http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm

**** IMPORTANT ****

You must use the latest revision of K3 Utility to use switch macros.  
Revision 1.2.10.27 can be found on the K3 Software page. The PC and  
Mac versions are ready now; we expect to have the Linux version ready  
shortly.

If you previously created macros using K3 field-test firmware, you'll  
need to re-save your macros from the new version of K3 Utility, after  
loading new firmware.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 3.52 / DSP 2.43 / K3 Utility 1.2.10.27, 10-28-2009

Misc. Improvements:

* Eliminated some audio artifacts noted during control changes.

* Eliminated interruption of transmitted CW signal when certain switches
were tapped, including RIT, during external keying.

* VFO LOCK PREVENTS COARSE STEPS VIA OFFSET CONTROL:
Normally, you can use the RIT/XIT offset control to move VFO A in coarse
steps if (1) RIT and XIT are both turned off, and (2) CONFIG:VFO OFS
is set to ON. Now, these conditions are overridden if the VFO is locked.

* AUTO-NOTCH IN SSB MODE EASIER TO TURN ON/OFF: The NTCH
switch now behaves differently in SSB mode. Tapping it turns auto notch
on-off, rather than cycling through off-auto-manual notch. (To turn on
manual notch in SSB mode, hold the NTCH/MANUAL switch.)

New Feature: Main/Sub AF Mixing Menu Entry

* AUDIO MIXING CONTROL ADDED: Normally, main receiver audio is
heard in the left audio channel, and sub in the right. Using the  
CONFIG:L-MIX-R
menu entry, you can now put main in both channels while leaving sub in  
only
one (or vice-versa, or even put both receivers in both channels).  
Another
benefit of this change is that AFX (audio effects) can be used even  
while the
sub receiver is turned on. (AFX, if turned on, will apply to any  
receiver whose
audio is mapped both left and right.)

Notes:  Applies only to non-diversity mode use of the sub receiver. (In
diversity mode, left/right differentiation is maximized for best  
results.)
You’ll need stereo headphones or speakers to listen to stereo
separation and audio effects. Set CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 if using stereo
speakers. (Headphones will always work with stereo material unless
SPKRS is set to 1 *and* CONFIG:SPKR+PH is set to ON.)

New Feature: User-Defined Switch Functions (e.g., “SPLIT+2”)

* SWITCH MACROS: You can now program the K3’s PF1-2 and M1-M4
switches to execute K3 remote control sequences, or “macros.” They
are created and tested using K3 Utility (rev. 1.2.10.26 or later). Once
macros are finished, you can send them to the K3, where they
can be assigned to any programmable function switch. The K3
Programmer’s Reference, revision C6, has a number of sample macros
and further details.

Example: A>B, A>B, SPLIT, VFO B up 2 kHz, RIT/XIT off, assigned to PF1

To create a macro and assign it to a K3 front panel switch, you’ll
need to complete steps 1-8 below. Once you’ve been through the
process one time, you’ll find creating or modifying macros very easy.

1. Run K3 Utility.
2. Click on the Command Tester/K3 Macros tab.
3. Click on the Edit Macros button. This pops up the macro edit window.
4. In MACRO 1’s Macro Label  field, enter the label “SPLIT+2”.
5. In the Macro Commands  field, enter:

     SWT13;SWT13;FT1;UPB5;RT0;XT0;

(The number 5 in the “UPB5” command is not a value in kHz;
it is an index into a table of step sizes. UPB5 moves VFO B up 2 kHz,
DNB5 moves it down 2 kHz, etc. There are similar commands for
VFO A. For the full list, see the “DN” (down) command in the
Programmer’s Reference.)

6. Click on Send Macros 1-8 To K3.
7. At the K3, locate CONFIG:MACRO x menu entry, and tap ‘1’ if
    the menu entry label is not already “MACRO 1”.
8. Hold PF1 to assign PF1 to MACRO 1. Exit the menu.

 From then on, PF1 will flash “SPLIT+2” and execute the above sequence.

Note:  M1-M4 cannot be used simultaneously for both message play
and macros. To revert an Mx switch back to message play, first
switch to CW mode, then tap Mx, tap REC, and tap  Mx again. This
will also restore message play for DVR purposes (voice modes).

Remote Control Command Changes:

* MP COMMAND ACCESS ADDED TO: LCD ADJ, LCD BRT, LED BRT.
This allows creation of a switch macro that does LCD DIM/BRT, for  
example.
You can also use MP to control the new Main/Sub Mix menu entry.
See K3 Programmer’s Reference, revision C6 or later.

* Switch- and menu-emulation commands now run to completion
before subsequent commands in the buffer are handled. This means
that applications and macros using these emulation commands no
longer have to insert delays (such as dummy ‘;’) commands.

* “BW” (BANDWIDTH) REMOTE CONTROL COMMAND ADDED: This is a
non-modal version of FW (it work with either the K30 or K31
meta-command in effect).

* “SB” REMOTE CONTROL COMMAND ADDED (sub receiver on/off).

* “LN” REMOTE CONTROL COMMAND ADDED (link/unlink VFOs).

* “KYW” VARIATION OF “KY<MSG>” COMMAND ADDED:  Waits until
the current message has been sent before processing other host commands.
This is useful if the “KY<MSG>” command is followed by other
commands, such as “KS” (keyer speed control). See examples in
Programmer’s Reference.

* “SWT” / “SWH” COMMAND IMPROVEMENT: These switch emulation
commands are now non-modal (they will work with either the K30 or K31
meta-command in effect).

* “DN” / “UP” COMMANDS IMPROVED: These VFO movement commands
have extended functionality and are now non-modal (they will work with
any of the K2x meta commands in effect).


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