K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence, new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc.
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K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence, new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc.
 
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K3 beta-test firmware revision 3.03 (with DSP rev 2.10) is now
available. This is a major firmware release, with a number of new features: - Band independence for the sub receiver (CONFIG:VFO IND) - New AGC features, especially for use in pileups (CONFIG:AGC DCY, AGC HLD) - Fast-tuning spurious receive signal removal (CONFIG:SIG RMV) - Multiple ATU settings per band; per-band/per-antenna auto/bypass selection - Improved behavior of PTT and the TX LED - Extended transverter frequency coverage when used with a 10-m I.F. For details, see the release notes below. 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 We also recommend that you use the latest revision of K3 Utility, which can also be found on the K3 software page. 73, Wayne N6KR * * * MCU 3.03/DSP 2.10, 3-17-2009 New Feature: Band Independence for the Sub Receiver * MAIN/SUB RECEIVER BAND INDEPENDENCE. If CONFIG:VFO IND is set to YES, then VFO A and B can be set to different bands. In this case BAND UP/BAND DN will only move VFO A, but in BSET mode, they will apply to VFO B. VFO B can also have a different mode from VFO A. Some RX parameters can be set differently for the sub receiver when in BSET mode, including PRE, ATTN, all DSP controls, and NB (noise blanker) settings. Limitations: For now, NR, notch, and some other controls remain common to both receivers. Internal text decode (CW, FSK-D, PSK-D) is available only for the main receiver. Scanning still must be set up using both VFO A and B on the same band. Memory recall only updates VFO A if VFO B is on a different band. (Most restrictions will be removed in future revisions.) New AGC Features Introduction: All AGC systems modulate in-band signals to some degree, creating IMD if multiple signals are present. But you now have several choices when conditions are difficult: (1) AGC OFF, which eliminates virtually all in-band IMD, but requires “riding” of the RF GAIN control. (2) Slow AGC (AGC-S) with a nonzero hold time, typically 0.2 seconds or more (see CONFIG:AGC HLD below). This is nearly as clean as AGC OFF, but the AGC will charge on strong signals, reducing gain for the duration of the AGC HLD amount. This can be distracting. (3) Soft-decay AGC (see CONFIG:AGC DCY, below, which applies to AGC-S/-F). This recovers much faster than AGC-S with a long hold applied, and produces only a little more IMD. In the case of AGC-F (fast), soft decay will result in slower recovery time between code elements than normal decay (nor), but it will still be much faster than AGC-S with a hold time applied. (4) Normal-decay AGC. This is the traditional DSP-based AGC decay characteristic, and it will create a lot more IMD than the other alternatives. (An application note showing the effect on actual signals is pending.) * AGC DCY MENU ENTRY (AGC decay type): Allows you to select "Soft" or normal AGC decay characteristic. When AGC DCY is set to “Soft,” both slow and fast AGC will create less in-band IMD (intermodulation distortion) in multi-signal situations (e.g., pileups). You can assign AGC DCY to a programmable function switch (PF1/2 hold, or M1-4 tap or hold) if you need to turn it on/off quickly. * AGC HLD MENU ENTRY (slow AGC hold time): AGC HLD now applies to CW mode (originally it applied only to voice/data). AGC HLD may reduce receive IMD caused by normal AGC-S/AGC-F decay times. Settings of about 0.3-1.0 seconds should improve copy when many closely spaced signals are present, as in a CW pileup. No effect on AGC-F. New ATU (KAT3) Features * MULTIPLE KAT3 ATU DATA SEGMENTS PER BAND/PER-ANT.: 10 kHz per segment on 160 m; 20 kHz on 80-12 m; 50 kHz on 10 m; 200 kHz on 6 m. This keeps narrowband antennas in tune across the full ham band. Note 1: You *do not* need to go through each band and do ATU TUNE on every segment. The K3 will use the saved LC data segment closest to your present VFO location, gradually "learning" what settings to use everytime you do an ATU TUNE. Note 2: You can erase all of the stored LC data for a given band by tapping CLR in the CONFIG:KAT3 menu entry. * AUTOMATIC KAT3 LC NETWORK UPDATE ON TRANSMIT: Each time you transmit, the K3 first determines whether you’ve moved the VFO closer to another stored ATU data segment. If so, it will re-load the KAT3 with this data, and flash the “ATU” icon twice, briefly. You’ll hear one or more relays on the KAT3 change state. This will not interrupt transmit. * ATU MODE STORED PER-BAND, PER-ANTENNA: You can now set up the KAT3’s mode (AUTO, BYPASS, etc.) on a per-band/per-antenna (1/2) basis. This is very useful if you have well-matched antennas on some bands, or a dummy load connected to one of the ANT jacks. New Feature: Spurious Signal Removal * SPURIOUS SIGNAL REMOVAL: Fast-tuning “birdies” can in some cases be eliminated using the new “Signal Removal” feature (CONFIG:SIG RMV). We recommend that this be attempted only on birdies that can be heard with an antenna connected. STEPS: (1) Set up the receiver for a desired band, and select the mode you’d normally use in the target band segment. (2) Locate a birdie to be removed. A birdie is considered “fast-tuning” if a small change in the SHIFT control (e.g. 50 Hz) moves the birdie about 500 Hz or more (sometimes this small shift will move it completely out of the passband). Such birdies result from UHF harmonics of the VFO. If you do test a birdie using SHIFT, be sure to return SHIFT to its normal setting before continuing, because the value of SHIFT affects the birdie frequency. (3) Locate the CONFIG:SIG RMV menu entry, and change the parameter from NOR to 0. This will save necessary information about the birdie, including the present VFO frequency, mode, filter, and SHIFT value. (4) Try different values of SIG RMV, starting with -1 or 1, to see if the birdie can be removed. Greater values (- or +) will move the birdie farther out of the passband, but will also result in a greater change in the background noise as you tune across it. IMPORTANT: Each time you change SIG RMV, exit the menu and see if the birdie has disappeared. Each SIG RMV value applies to a 100-Hz VFO segment, e.g. from 28135.30 to 28135.39, so you’ll have to tune slowly through that 100-Hz range using 10-Hz steps to make sure the birdie has been completely removed. Once you’re finished, you may still hear a slightly tuning artifact as you tune through this range. NOTE: In most cases, you’ll need to apply SIG RMV to at least two adjacent 100-Hz VFO segments. Also, if you use more than one filter or SHIFT setting in the present operating mode, you’ll probably need to map out the birdie more than one time. TO UNDO SIG RMV: If you tap CLR while you’re in the SIG RMV menu entry, all birdie information for the present band will be permanently deleted. SSB MODE ALTERNATIVE: In SSB modes, simply leaving AUTO NOTCH on may be effective. Limitations: SIG RMV is experimental. It applies only to the main receiver, at present, and only in CW/SSB/DATA modes. Do not attempt to remove birdies on transverter bands; instead, remove them on the I.F. band used. On each band from 160-6 m, up to 60 birdies can be removed. But as mentioned above, each one may have to be mapped out from adjacent VFO segments as well as for different filter and SHIFT settings. So the practical number of birdies that can be removed is more like 5 to 20 per band. A small audible tuning artifact may remain after removing strong birdies. Changing REF CAL or your sidetone pitch may make birdies re-appear. In this case, you might want to tap CLR within SIG RMV to delete the data for the present band, then start over. Misc. improvements * SSB/DATA POWER OUTPUT CONTROL: Power-setting accuracy has been significantly improved over previous releases. * AFSK A TRANSMIT NOISE ELIMINATED: Under certain circumstances, such as with DUAL PB turned on, the AFSK A transmit signal could be modulated by low-level audio noise. This has now been eliminated. * PTT-CW RELEASE FIXED: When PTT is used to “arm” CW transmit, e.g. with a footswitch, releasing PTT in the middle of keying now disables transmit. * TX LED: This LED now only turns on if power output is actually enabled. * EXTENDED TRANSVERTER BAND COVERAGE: When 10 meters is used as a transverter-band I.F., the upper end is no longer limited to 30 MHz. In the case of a transverter band set up for 2 meters (nominally 144-146 MHz), this allows tuning a bit higher than 146 MHz, if desired. The 10-meter band-pass filter falls off pretty quickly above 30 MHz. But the extended range may be useful for hitting repeaters with in/out in the 146 to 147 MHz range. For software developers * IC COMMAND SHOWS SUB ON/OFF STATUS: Byte b, bit 0. This is more reliable than the SUB ON bit in the DS response. “IC” also as the advantage that "K31" mode need not be in effect. --- http://www.elecraft.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
Re: K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence, new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc.
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WOW!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Arie PA3A -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- Onderwerp: [Elecraft] K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence,new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc. K3 beta-test firmware revision 3.03 (with DSP rev 2.10) is now available. This is a major firmware release, with a number of new features: - Band independence for the sub receiver (CONFIG:VFO IND) - New AGC features, especially for use in pileups (CONFIG:AGC DCY, AGC HLD) - Fast-tuning spurious receive signal removal (CONFIG:SIG RMV) - Multiple ATU settings per band; per-band/per-antenna auto/bypass selection - Improved behavior of PTT and the TX LED - Extended transverter frequency coverage when used with a 10-m I.F. F ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Probably been asked a zillion times, but I assume the firmware upgrades are inclusive of all before??
73, John N1JM |
Re: K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence, new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc.
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In reply to this post by wayne burdick
John, yes they are. Just three points to note:
1. You can revert to an earlier version if you hit a snag, so it's worth saving the zip files for the beta upgrades. 2. If you use the advanced mode of the firmware updater, you must tick the box to "always load DSP data tables" otherwise there are sometimes unexpected issues. 3. Firmware packages come with DSP, MCU and front panel firmware. Do not try to mix and match different firmware from other packages. It's not normally a problem as the updater program will display the latest version available, but it might be a problem if you are not careful with the contents of zipped beta releases. By the way, the latest 3.03 beta is excellent! (Haven't I mentioned that before...) 73 Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80 --------------------------- Probably been asked a zillion times, but I assume the firmware upgrades are inclusive of all before?? 73, John N1JM ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by wayne burdick
wow, wow and WOW!
Mny tnx Wayne et al! Frank, DD7ZT wayne burdick schrieb: > K3 beta-test firmware revision 3.03 (with DSP rev 2.10) is now > available. This is a major firmware release, with a number of new > features: ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Loaded it. Did not activate any new features.
RX was terribly noisy on CW.. Tracked it down the AGC THR being changed from 8 (my setting) to the default value. Setting it back at 8 solved the problem. Anybody else see this? 73 de Brian/K3KO wayne burdick wrote: >K3 beta-test firmware revision 3.03 (with DSP rev 2.10) is now >available. This is a major firmware release, with a number of new >features: > > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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Config: AGC DCY, Soft should be the default. NOR sounds terrible now. Soft
sounds better than ever. Or maybe change NOR to AGC-YUK :*) Steve Ellington [hidden email] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Alsop" <[hidden email]> To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 7:33 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 3.03 > Loaded it. Did not activate any new features. > RX was terribly noisy on CW.. Tracked it down the AGC THR being > changed from 8 (my setting) to the default value. Setting it back at 8 > solved the problem. > Anybody else see this? > > 73 de Brian/K3KO > > > wayne burdick wrote: > >>K3 beta-test firmware revision 3.03 (with DSP rev 2.10) is now >>available. This is a major firmware release, with a number of new >>features: >> >> >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.18/2008 - Release Date: 03/17/09 16:25:00 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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Administrator
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We're looking into the "NOR" issue and will provide updated firmware
ASAP. Meanwhile, use "SOFT". tnx Wayne N6KR On Mar 18, 2009, at 4:49 AM, Steve Ellington wrote: > Config: AGC DCY, Soft should be the default. --- http://www.elecraft.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
Re: K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence, new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc.
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In reply to this post by John N1JM
Yes.
Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John N1JM Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 11:28 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3 Firmware rev. 3.03: SUB RX band independence, new AGC features, multiple ATU settings per band, etc. Probably been asked a zillion times, but I assume the firmware upgrades are inclusive of all before?? 73, John N1JM -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Firmware-rev.-3.03%3A-SUB-RX-band-independence%2C-ne w-AGC-features%2C-multiple-ATU-settings-per-band%2C-etc.-tp2493880p2495599.h tml Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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