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K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

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wayne burdick

K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

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K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.63 (with DSP rev 1.95) is now
available. Please send any problem reports to [hidden email].
For instructions on how to load beta firmware, please see:

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

Highlights:

* Audio tones on switch press (if CONFIG:SW TONE is set to ON)

* 1 kHz AM COARSE VFO TUNING RANGE ADDED

* Many new remote-control commands for use by PC software applications

Full details appear below.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 2.63 / DSP 1.95, 11-04-2008

* SWITCH TONES NOW AVAILABLE: If CONFIG:SW TONE is set to ON, tapping
or holding switches produces audio tones corresponding to the switch
state. This
supplements the normal tactile feedback of the switches.

* NORM SWITCH ALLOWED DURING TX: The “NORM” switch function (receive
passband normalization, e.g. 400 Hz in CW mode) can now be accessed
during
transmit. It takes effect after the K3 returns to receive mode. This is
especially useful for CW contest operation.

* COMPRESSION RANGE: Some operators asked for a higher “CMP” (speech
compression) setting to add “punch” under certain conditions. It can
now be
set from 0-40. We still recommend lower settings (0-20) for normal
operation.

* AM COARSE VFO TUNING RATES: Now 1, 5, 9, and 10 kHz.

* AM TRANSMIT: CONFIG:TXG VCE no longer affects AM transmit.

* SPLIT COMBINATIONS AVAILABLE: Cross-mode SPLIT operation is possible
with any combination of CW and SSB for VFO A and B. Same-mode SPLIT is
possible in all modes except PSK-D.

* CROSS-MODE SPLIT INDICATION: If you turn on SPLIT with VFO A and B in
different legal modes (e.g. CW and SSB), the K3 will remind you of
VFO B’s mode by flashing it (as well as the VFO B TX arrow). This
reminder
can be cancelled by tapping any switch, key, or PTT. The reason for the
“reminder” is that operators usually enter cross-mode split by
accident. If so,
cancel the reminder flash, then use BSET to change VFO B’s mode, or tap
A>B to copy mode A to mode B.

For software developers:

* “FW$” ADDED (direct sub/VFO B filter bandwidth).

* “SM$” ADDED (direct sub-receiver S-meter read).

* "DV" (DIVERSITY) COMMAND: DV0 (off), DV1 (on). Also turns sub
off/on. To turn
on the sub but not diversity, use an “SWT” command (verify SUB status
with “DS”).

* COMMANDS AVAILBLE DURING BSET: "IF", "FA", "FB", "MD”, “MD$", and "DT"
(GET only). “FW” and “FW$” work in BSET except during diversity (TBD).

---

http://www.elecraft.com

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Joe Subich, W4TV-3

RE: K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

> * AM TRANSMIT: CONFIG:TXG VCE no longer affects AM transmit.

Is there now going to be a new AM carrier adjustment?

With TXG VCE "lost" on AM, my carrier output is well below
what it should be (and was with TXG VCE = 1.0 or 1.5 depending
on the which K3 I was using). With previous firmware the same
value of TXG VCE that equalized the SSB PEP output with CW
resulted in 22 to 28 watts of AM carrier when the power level
was set for 100 watts. With TXG VCE disabled in FW 2.64, I now
get only 14 to 15 Watts of carrier.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of wayne burdick
> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 8:52 PM
> To: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones
>
>
> K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.63 (with DSP rev 1.95) is now
> available. Please send any problem reports to [hidden email].
> For instructions on how to load beta firmware, please see:
>
> http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
>
> Highlights:
>
> * Audio tones on switch press (if CONFIG:SW TONE is set to ON)
>
> * 1 kHz AM COARSE VFO TUNING RANGE ADDED
>
> * Many new remote-control commands for use by PC software applications
>
> Full details appear below.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> * * *
>
> MCU 2.63 / DSP 1.95, 11-04-2008
>
> * SWITCH TONES NOW AVAILABLE: If CONFIG:SW TONE is set to ON,
> tapping or holding switches produces audio tones
> corresponding to the switch
> state. This
> supplements the normal tactile feedback of the switches.
>
> * NORM SWITCH ALLOWED DURING TX: The “NORM” switch function
> (receive passband normalization, e.g. 400 Hz in CW mode) can
> now be accessed
> during
> transmit. It takes effect after the K3 returns to receive
> mode. This is
> especially useful for CW contest operation.
>
> * COMPRESSION RANGE: Some operators asked for a higher “CMP” (speech
> compression) setting to add “punch” under certain conditions. It can
> now be
> set from 0-40. We still recommend lower settings (0-20) for normal
> operation.
>
> * AM COARSE VFO TUNING RATES: Now 1, 5, 9, and 10 kHz.
>
> * AM TRANSMIT: CONFIG:TXG VCE no longer affects AM transmit.
>
> * SPLIT COMBINATIONS AVAILABLE: Cross-mode SPLIT operation is
> possible with any combination of CW and SSB for VFO A and B.
> Same-mode SPLIT is possible in all modes except PSK-D.
>
> * CROSS-MODE SPLIT INDICATION: If you turn on SPLIT with VFO
> A and B in different legal modes (e.g. CW and SSB), the K3
> will remind you of VFO B’s mode by flashing it (as well as
> the VFO B TX arrow). This
> reminder
> can be cancelled by tapping any switch, key, or PTT. The
> reason for the “reminder” is that operators usually enter
> cross-mode split by
> accident. If so,
> cancel the reminder flash, then use BSET to change VFO B’s
> mode, or tap
> A>B to copy mode A to mode B.
>
> For software developers:
>
> * “FW$” ADDED (direct sub/VFO B filter bandwidth).
>
> * “SM$” ADDED (direct sub-receiver S-meter read).
>
> * "DV" (DIVERSITY) COMMAND: DV0 (off), DV1 (on). Also turns sub
> off/on. To turn
> on the sub but not diversity, use an “SWT” command (verify SUB status
> with “DS”).
>
> * COMMANDS AVAILBLE DURING BSET: "IF", "FA", "FB", "MD”,
> “MD$", and "DT" (GET only). “FW” and “FW$” work in BSET
> except during diversity (TBD).
>
>
> ---
>
> http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Ian Maude

Re: K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

wayne burdick wrote:
> K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.63 (with DSP rev 1.95) is now
> available. Please send any problem reports to [hidden email].
> For instructions on how to load beta firmware, please see:
>
> http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
>
> Highlights:
>
> * Audio tones on switch press (if CONFIG:SW TONE is set to ON)
Thankyou!!! I know it seems such a simple thing but the tones make
operating the radio sooooooo much easier for me! I have been hoping
this would come along.

Many thanks :)

Ian

--

Ian J Maude, G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member RSGB, GQRP
K2 #4044 |K3 #455
http://www.amateurradiotraining.org

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drewko

Re: K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

Yes, indeed. I like the high and low tones for long push on/off.

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:29:16 +0000, Ian J Maude, G0VGS wrote:

>Thankyou!!! I know it seems such a simple thing but the tones make
>operating the radio sooooooo much easier for me! I have been hoping
>this would come along.
>
>Many thanks :)
>
>Ian

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Doug Alspaugh

Re: K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-3

After upgrading I set to AM mode on 20 mtrs. At first the carrier went only
to 20 watts. When I modulated I got about 75 watts voice peaks. The more I
modulated the higher the carrier got till it went up to 35 watts and the
modulated carrier peaked at 100 watts. Turning the rig off resets the power
out to 20 watts and modulating it a few times returns to full power. Strange
behavior for sure.

73 Doug N3QW

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
To: "'wayne burdick'" <[hidden email]>; "'Elecraft Reflector'"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 11:53 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

> * AM TRANSMIT: CONFIG:TXG VCE no longer affects AM transmit.

Is there now going to be a new AM carrier adjustment?

With TXG VCE "lost" on AM, my carrier output is well below
what it should be (and was with TXG VCE = 1.0 or 1.5 depending
on the which K3 I was using). With previous firmware the same
value of TXG VCE that equalized the SSB PEP output with CW
resulted in 22 to 28 watts of AM carrier when the power level
was set for 100 watts. With TXG VCE disabled in FW 2.64, I now
get only 14 to 15 Watts of carrier.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

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Post to: [hidden email]
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KK7P

Re: K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-3

>> * AM TRANSMIT: CONFIG:TXG VCE no longer affects AM transmit.
>
> Is there now going to be a new AM carrier adjustment?

We had several complaints about TXG VCE messing up AM power levels,
which resulted in the change.

The way it works now is that the carrier will initially typically be a
little on the low side. As you send audio through it, the
peak-detecting ALC will take over and make the final adjustment to
transmit power. This results in the peak power management with high
modulation while not overdriving someone's attached linear amplifier's
input protection circuitry.

That said, we're looking into further improvements in AM transmit.

73,

Lyle KK7P
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Doug Alspaugh

Re: K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

Yes that's exactly what I observed here. Glad your looking at it.

73 Doug N3QW

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lyle Johnson" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>, "wayne burdick" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 1:38:36 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.63: Switch-press tones

>> * AM TRANSMIT: CONFIG:TXG VCE no longer affects AM transmit.
>
> Is there now going to be a new AM carrier adjustment?

We had several complaints about TXG VCE messing up AM power levels,
which resulted in the change.

The way it works now is that the carrier will initially typically be a
little on the low side. As you send audio through it, the
peak-detecting ALC will take over and make the final adjustment to
transmit power. This results in the peak power management with high
modulation while not overdriving someone's attached linear amplifier's
input protection circuitry.

That said, we're looking into further improvements in AM transmit.

73,

Lyle KK7P
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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