K3 Beta firmware rev. 2.67: Main/Sub AF balance control; AGC-off AF limiter

[wayne burdick]

K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.67 (with DSP rev 1.96) 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

Full details appear below.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 2.67 / DSP 1.96, 11-18-2008

* MAIN/SUB BALANCE CONTROL:  If CONFIG:SUB AF is set to BALANCE,
then the SUB AF GAIN control becomes a main/sub AF balance control when
the sub receiver is turned on (including diversity mode). In this case
the MAIN
AF GAIN controls the AF gain level for both receivers. When SUB AF is at
12 o’ clock, both receivers will be at full volume (main left, sub
right). If SUB AF
is rotated fully counter-clockwise, you’ll hear only the main receiver.
If it’s
rotated fully clockwise, you’ll hear only the sub receiver. At
intermediate settings
you’ll hear both. A BALANCE control is very useful for contesting and
split
operation. But it can also save a lot of AF gain control tweaking
(i.e., matching
main and sub), since MAIN AF controls both main and sub receiver audio.

* AGC-OFF AF LIMITER: An adjustable AF output limiter has been added
for operators who turn AGC off. This can protect your ears if a large
signal
appears. Signals or noise above the threshold will sound highly
distorted
due to the limiting action, reminding you to back down the AF or RF
gain.
The associated menu entry, CONFIG:AF LIM, defaults to NOR. Typical
settings for those who often turn AGC off are 17 to 23, but some
experimentation
will be required.

* EASY SUB RX ANTENNA SWITCHING: A hold of RX ANT will alternate
between MAIN and AUX for the sub receiver’s antenna, if the sub is
installed.
This is faster than going into BSET to switch the sub antenna.

* SUB ANT SAVED SEPARATELY FOR DIVERSITY/NON-DIVERSITY:
At many stations, the sub receiver’s AUX antenna is only used in
diversity
mode. The K3 now remembers which sub RX antenna setting you use
in diversity and non-diversity cases, so you won’t have to use BSET as
often.

* DIGOUT0 SIGNAL (ACC connector): This now behaves as described in the
owner's manual. When a transverter band is selected that is configured
for
low-power operation (i.e., .01-1.50 mW, and using the KXV3’s XVTR IN/OUT
jacks), DIGOUT0 provides a low-resistance path to ground that could be
used to
activate a small relay or other circuitry. At all other times the
DIGOUT0 line
will float (high-Z). If all transverter bands are configured for low
power, then
DIGOUT0 can be used as a “transverter band selected” signal.

* POWER LEVEL ON XVTR AND HF BANDS: Switching between HF and
transverter bands no longer modifies the present HF band power setting.


---

http://www.elecraft.com



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[Alexandr Kobranov]

Excellent job, Wayne!
SUB/MAIN ballance and easy ANT switching is really big improvement!

Many thanks,

Lexa, ok1dst
with still growing K3/10 :-)



wayne burdick napsal(a):

> K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.67 (with DSP rev 1.96) 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
>
> Full details appear below.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> * * *
>
> MCU 2.67 / DSP 1.96, 11-18-2008
>
> * MAIN/SUB BALANCE CONTROL:  If CONFIG:SUB AF is set to BALANCE,
> then the SUB AF GAIN control becomes a main/sub AF balance control when
> the sub receiver is turned on (including diversity mode). In this case
> the MAIN
> AF GAIN controls the AF gain level for both receivers. When SUB AF is at
> 12 o’ clock, both receivers will be at full volume (main left, sub
> right). If SUB AF
> is rotated fully counter-clockwise, you’ll hear only the main receiver.
> If it’s
> rotated fully clockwise, you’ll hear only the sub receiver. At
> intermediate settings
> you’ll hear both. A BALANCE control is very useful for contesting and split
> operation. But it can also save a lot of AF gain control tweaking (i.e.,
> matching
> main and sub), since MAIN AF controls both main and sub receiver audio.
>
> * AGC-OFF AF LIMITER: An adjustable AF output limiter has been added
> for operators who turn AGC off. This can protect your ears if a large
> signal
> appears. Signals or noise above the threshold will sound highly distorted
> due to the limiting action, reminding you to back down the AF or RF gain.
> The associated menu entry, CONFIG:AF LIM, defaults to NOR. Typical
> settings for those who often turn AGC off are 17 to 23, but some
> experimentation
> will be required.
>
> * EASY SUB RX ANTENNA SWITCHING: A hold of RX ANT will alternate
> between MAIN and AUX for the sub receiver’s antenna, if the sub is
> installed.
> This is faster than going into BSET to switch the sub antenna.
>
> * SUB ANT SAVED SEPARATELY FOR DIVERSITY/NON-DIVERSITY:
> At many stations, the sub receiver’s AUX antenna is only used in diversity
> mode. The K3 now remembers which sub RX antenna setting you use
> in diversity and non-diversity cases, so you won’t have to use BSET as
> often.
>
> * DIGOUT0 SIGNAL (ACC connector): This now behaves as described in the
> owner's manual. When a transverter band is selected that is configured for
> low-power operation (i.e., .01-1.50 mW, and using the KXV3’s XVTR IN/OUT
> jacks), DIGOUT0 provides a low-resistance path to ground that could be
> used to
> activate a small relay or other circuitry. At all other times the
> DIGOUT0 line
> will float (high-Z). If all transverter bands are configured for low
> power, then
> DIGOUT0 can be used as a “transverter band selected” signal.
>
> * POWER LEVEL ON XVTR AND HF BANDS: Switching between HF and
> transverter bands no longer modifies the present HF band power setting.
>
>
> ---
>
> 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
>

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[dj7mgq]

Good Evening / Good Morning Wayne,

> K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.67 (with DSP rev 1.96)
> is now available.

It's always nice to arrive at work and see that a new version of the  
firmware is out. Thanks!

I'm afraid I can not describe the following as well as I would like  
to, but there are a couple of things which strike me as being a wee  
bit strange when using the KRX3.

- The AFV metering displays values are very different from the main  
RX, even when the main RX has been "turned off" by reducing RF and AF  
gain to minimum values. Some values were very strange e.g. something  
like 9950.

- While in BSET mode one can not read the AFV meter. Which makes it  
rather awkward to compare the filter losses and set up the gain  
corrections.

- It appears to me that the XFIL button does not switch the KRX3  
filters unless one is in the BSET mode.

- Is there a method to turn the main RX off, e.g. for doing stuff such  
as setting the filter gain correction for the KRX3?

Maybe I'm overlooking something here for the above.

Also, I discovered last Monday that I can still, weakly, hear knob  
encoder noises, this time on 50MHz and only (?!?) with an antenna  
connected , which strikes me as strange. I'll need to try rearranging  
the various KRX3 cables (again). The 50MHz band is not very important  
for me personally so I'm not too worried by this and I need to better  
understand the exact combination of antenna settings, pre-amp, KRX3  
on/off status etc. which enable me to hear/not hear the encoder noise.  
It could very well be that with a real 6m band antenna the encoder  
noise is below the band noise.

I'm off from work next week, so I can look into the above and send you  
better descriptions, if you like. My K3, #67, presently, if I am not  
mistaken, either uses firmware version MCU 2.46 / DSP 1.92 or MCU 2.58  
/ DSP 1.94, i.e. I missed out on the last couple updates.

vy 73 de toby



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[Stewart Baker]

Seconded...
Just what the 2nd RX needed.

73
Stewart G3RXQ
On Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:37:53 +0100, Alexandr Kobranov wrote:
> Excellent job, Wayne!
> SUB/MAIN ballance and easy ANT switching is really big
improvement!

>
> Many thanks,
>
> Lexa, ok1dst
> with still growing K3/10 :-)
>
>
> wayne burdick napsal(a):
>> K3 beta-test firmware revision 2.67 (with DSP rev 1.96) 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
>>
>> Full details appear below.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>> * * *
>>
>> MCU 2.67 / DSP 1.96, 11-18-2008
>>
>> * MAIN/SUB BALANCE CONTROL:  If CONFIG:SUB AF is set to

BALANCE,
>> then the SUB AF GAIN control becomes a main/sub AF balance
control when
>> the sub receiver is turned on (including diversity mode). In
this case
>> the MAIN
>> AF GAIN controls the AF gain level for both receivers. When SUB
AF is at
>> 12 o' clock, both receivers will be at full volume (main left,
sub
>> right). If SUB AF
>> is rotated fully counter-clockwise, you'll hear only the main
receiver.
>> If it's
>> rotated fully clockwise, you'll hear only the sub receiver. At
>> intermediate settings
>> you'll hear both. A BALANCE control is very useful for
contesting and split
>> operation. But it can also save a lot of AF gain control
tweaking (i.e.,
>> matching
>> main and sub), since MAIN AF controls both main and sub
receiver audio.
>>
>> * AGC-OFF AF LIMITER: An adjustable AF output limiter has been
added
>> for operators who turn AGC off. This can protect your ears if a
large
>> signal
>> appears. Signals or noise above the threshold will sound highly
distorted
>> due to the limiting action, reminding you to back down the AF
or RF gain.
>> The associated menu entry, CONFIG:AF LIM, defaults to NOR.
Typical
>> settings for those who often turn AGC off are 17 to 23, but
some
>> experimentation
>> will be required.
>>
>> * EASY SUB RX ANTENNA SWITCHING: A hold of RX ANT will
alternate
>> between MAIN and AUX for the sub receiver's antenna, if the sub
is
>> installed.
>> This is faster than going into BSET to switch the sub antenna.
>>
>> * SUB ANT SAVED SEPARATELY FOR DIVERSITY/NON-DIVERSITY:
>> At many stations, the sub receiver's AUX antenna is only used
in diversity
>> mode. The K3 now remembers which sub RX antenna setting you use
>> in diversity and non-diversity cases, so you won't have to use
BSET as
>> often.
>>
>> * DIGOUT0 SIGNAL (ACC connector): This now behaves as described
in the
>> owner's manual. When a transverter band is selected that is
configured for
>> low-power operation (i.e., .01-1.50 mW, and using the KXV3's
XVTR IN/OUT
>> jacks), DIGOUT0 provides a low-resistance path to ground that
could be
>> used to
>> activate a small relay or other circuitry. At all other times
the
>> DIGOUT0 line
>> will float (high-Z). If all transverter bands are configured
for low
>> power, then
>> DIGOUT0 can be used as a "transverter band selected" signal.
>>
>> * POWER LEVEL ON XVTR AND HF BANDS: Switching between HF and
>> transverter bands no longer modifies the present HF band power
setting.

>>
>>
>> ---
>>
>> 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
>>
>
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

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[P.B. Christensen]

> Seconded. Just what the 2nd RX needed.

This is an excellent feature improvement.

Assuming its possible in the hardware, I still like the concept of dual L/R
audio for VFO A and injecting Sub Rx from VFO B to the R channel (e.g., DX
in both ears, calling stations in right ear only), provided that the
addition of such a feature does not otherwise compromise Rx performance; a
concern rightfully voiced by W4TV.  However, since these mix/balance
functions are occurring at the AF level, I suspect that degradation risk to
Rx-to-Rx isolation is low.

Paul, W9AC

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[Gary, W7TEA]

I agree with Paul.  

While this is a real improvement, I would like to hear the DX station in
both ears and the pile up in the right ear.  Hope this is in the works if
possible, and if not, then let us know.

What a great radio!

Gary W7TEA

P.B. Christensen wrote

> Seconded. Just what the 2nd RX needed.

This is an excellent feature improvement.

Assuming its possible in the hardware, I still like the concept of dual L/R
audio for VFO A and injecting Sub Rx from VFO B to the R channel (e.g., DX
in both ears, calling stations in right ear only), provided that the
addition of such a feature does not otherwise compromise Rx performance; a
concern rightfully voiced by W4TV.  However, since these mix/balance
functions are occurring at the AF level, I suspect that degradation risk to
Rx-to-Rx isolation is low.

Paul, W9AC

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[G3TCT]

Retry after mail failure.....


> Toby DJ7MGQ wrote:
>
> "Also, I discovered last Monday that I can still, weakly, hear knob
> encoder noises, this time on 50MHz and only (?!?) with an antenna
> connected , which strikes me as strange. "

My K3 also exhibits what I assume is "encoder noise" - ie noise which
persists only whilst tuning and stops as soon as I stop tuning. The effect
is audible near the bottom end of 28MHz (annoying for those of using
transverters!) and also on 50MHz (whether ant connected or not).
 
If I use the RIT control to step thru' the band in 1kHz increments, the
noise is not audible.
 
 Any advice?
73
Graham

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[AD6XY]

I like the balance feature.

Is there any chance of making balance also work when not in sub mode? My speakers are not evenly spaced because of the layout. I would like to be able to adjust the balance in "mono" mode as well as in "stereo" mode.