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K3 Firmware 5.26 and CONFIG:EXT ALC

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Paul Kirley

K3 Firmware 5.26 and CONFIG:EXT ALC

My K3 serial number is 1322; it is of 2008 vintage. I loaded beta 5.26
firmware because I installed a newly purchased KXV3B transverter/preamp
board.

Today I noticed that new firmware version 5.29 was available. When I
read the release notes, it looked like the release would not affect my
old K3, only newly minted K3S rigs.

But when I checked CONFIG:EXT ALC under version 5.26, I found the
setting to be ON t-5.5. I changed this to OFF t-4.0, the default
according to the K3 manual. (Numeric keypad 1 toggles between ON and
OFF, although the manual isn't specific.)

Then I cycled the power on my K3, a normal shutdown and startup.
Sadly, CONFIG:EXT ALC was back to ON t-5.5.

At that point, I decided that I had better install firmware version
5.29. After its installation, I found the default CONFIG:EXT ALC
setting, which persisted after power cycling. This is my preferred
setting, as I have nothing capable of more than 100 watts.

I also tested my K3 to see if version 5.29 would incorrectly reset a
non-default CONFIG:EXT ALC back to the default after power cycling, but
that problem did not occur.

Anyone who has loaded firmware version 5.26 would do well to replace it
with version 5.29 and then to check CONFIG:EXT ALC for his preferred
value.

Incidentally, I also looked at CONFIG:ADC REF, which I vaguely recalled
setting some time back. It showed the non-default value 4.94 under
both firmware versions 5.26 and 5.29, which caused me no concern.

73, Paul W8TM

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K3 Firmware 5.26 and CONFIG:EXT ALC

Thanks for the report of your experience, Paul.
I've not gone to 5.29 for the reasons you stated;
now I will.

73, Phil W7OX

On 6/25/15 7:25 PM, Paul Kirley wrote:

> My K3 serial number is 1322; it is of 2008 vintage. I loaded beta 5.26
> firmware because I installed a newly purchased KXV3B transverter/preamp
> board.
>
> Today I noticed that new firmware version 5.29 was available. When I
> read the release notes, it looked like the release would not affect my
> old K3, only newly minted K3S rigs.
>
> But when I checked CONFIG:EXT ALC under version 5.26, I found the
> setting to be ON t-5.5. I changed this to OFF t-4.0, the default
> according to the K3 manual. (Numeric keypad 1 toggles between ON and
> OFF, although the manual isn't specific.)
>
> Then I cycled the power on my K3, a normal shutdown and startup.
> Sadly, CONFIG:EXT ALC was back to ON t-5.5.
>
> At that point, I decided that I had better install firmware version
> 5.29. After its installation, I found the default CONFIG:EXT ALC
> setting, which persisted after power cycling. This is my preferred
> setting, as I have nothing capable of more than 100 watts.
>
> I also tested my K3 to see if version 5.29 would incorrectly reset a
> non-default CONFIG:EXT ALC back to the default after power cycling, but
> that problem did not occur.
>
> Anyone who has loaded firmware version 5.26 would do well to replace it
> with version 5.29 and then to check CONFIG:EXT ALC for his preferred
> value.
>
> Incidentally, I also looked at CONFIG:ADC REF, which I vaguely recalled
> setting some time back. It showed the non-default value 4.94 under
> both firmware versions 5.26 and 5.29, which caused me no concern.
>
> 73, Paul W8TM

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wayne burdick

Re: K3 Firmware 5.26 and CONFIG:EXT ALC

Administrator

In reply to this post by Paul Kirley

Hi Paul,

Yes -- I highly recommend using rev. 5.29 for this reason. I meant to post on this earlier.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 25, 2015, at 7:25 PM, Paul Kirley <[hidden email]> wrote:

Mike Harris-9

Re: K3 Firmware 5.26 and CONFIG:EXT ALC

In reply to this post by Paul Kirley

K3 #1400 with 5.26

CONFIG:EXT ALC Set to OFF t-4.0. Changed it to ON t-5.0 and cycled
power, still ON t-5.0.

Restored to OFF t-4.0 and after power cycle still OFF t-4.0.

So #1400 under 5.26 is behaving as it should here.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

On 25/06/2015 23:25, Paul Kirley wrote:

wayne burdick

Re: K3 Firmware 5.26 and CONFIG:EXT ALC

Administrator

But on an EEINIT it may get set back to ON under 5.26. That won't happen under 5.29.

Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 26, 2015, at 5:14 AM, Mike Harris <[hidden email]> wrote:

> K3 #1400 with 5.26
>
> CONFIG:EXT ALC Set to OFF t-4.0. Changed it to ON t-5.0 and cycled power, still ON t-5.0.
>
> Restored to OFF t-4.0 and after power cycle still OFF t-4.0.
>
> So #1400 under 5.26 is behaving as it should here.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike VP8NO
>
>
> On 25/06/2015 23:25, Paul Kirley wrote:
>> My K3 serial number is 1322; it is of 2008 vintage. I loaded beta 5.26
>> firmware because I installed a newly purchased KXV3B transverter/preamp
>> board.
>>
>> Today I noticed that new firmware version 5.29 was available. When I
>> read the release notes, it looked like the release would not affect my
>> old K3, only newly minted K3S rigs.
>>
>> But when I checked CONFIG:EXT ALC under version 5.26, I found the
>> setting to be ON t-5.5. I changed this to OFF t-4.0, the default
>> according to the K3 manual. (Numeric keypad 1 toggles between ON and
>> OFF, although the manual isn't specific.)
>>
>> Then I cycled the power on my K3, a normal shutdown and startup.
>> Sadly, CONFIG:EXT ALC was back to ON t-5.5.
>>
>> At that point, I decided that I had better install firmware version
>> 5.29. After its installation, I found the default CONFIG:EXT ALC
>> setting, which persisted after power cycling. This is my preferred
>> setting, as I have nothing capable of more than 100 watts.
>>
>> I also tested my K3 to see if version 5.29 would incorrectly reset a
>> non-default CONFIG:EXT ALC back to the default after power cycling, but
>> that problem did not occur.
>>
>> Anyone who has loaded firmware version 5.26 would do well to replace it
>> with version 5.29 and then to check CONFIG:EXT ALC for his preferred
>> value.
>>
>> Incidentally, I also looked at CONFIG:ADC REF, which I vaguely recalled
>> setting some time back. It showed the non-default value 4.94 under
>> both firmware versions 5.26 and 5.29, which caused me no concern.
>>
>> 73, Paul W8TM
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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