New K3 beta firmware release, rev. 5.01: Much-improved audio during CW keying

[wayne burdick]

Hi all,

Our latest K3 firmware field test went very well, with great reports from CW operators regarding the new QSK sound. Many have been waiting patiently (or not :) for a few years for this improvement.

This firmware is now a beta release (rev. 5.01), available at:

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

See release notes below.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

* * *

MCU 5.01 / DSP 2.83, 12/09/2014
       
* NO CW QSK AUDIO ARTIFACTS IN PRESENCE OF QRM: In previous releases, CW QSK break-in speed was maximized by saving receive audio in the DSP "pipeline" on key-down, then inserting it back into audio stream on key-up. This resulted in audible artifacts when operating in the presence of heavy noise or QRN. The operator now has the option to clear the DSP pipeline on key-down, eliminating the artifacts. This provides much cleaner CW operation, at the expense of a slightly longer delay before receive audio recovers (we'll improve this in a future firmware release). To select the old or new QSK algorithm, tap '3' in the CW WGHT menu entry (CONFIG menu). "New QSK" clears the DSP pipeline; "Old QSK" saves it and inserts it back in on key-up. Historical note: The original "Old QSK," which used even shorter mute times, is no longer available. Some operators felt it provided somewhat better QSK (reduced artifacts). But the new algorithm (now "New QSK") is far superior in this regard.
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[Graham Kimbell]

Yes, it's a significant improvement.  There's still some slight
transient click but much better.  Well done Elecraft!

Graham



On 19:59, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Our latest K3 firmware field test went very well, with great reports from CW operators regarding the new QSK sound. Many have been waiting patiently (or not :) for a few years for this improvement.
>
> This firmware is now a beta release (rev. 5.01), available at:
>
>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
>
>    
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[Jim Brown-10]

On Tue,12/16/2014 1:19 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> This firmware is now a beta release (rev. 5.01), available at:
>
>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm

Not realizing this was a beta, I went looking for it with K3 Utility
last night and didn't find it.

It would be nice to have an option within K3 Utility to look for
firmware that is in public beta.

73, Jim K9YC
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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Hi Jim,

We make beta's a little different to get on purpose so that unsuspecting users
don't download the beta (with potential bugs) by mistake through the usual
utility route. Instead we provide the release in a zip file that the user copies
and unzips to a local computer directory, and then loads via the utility.

We also want to make sure beta testers are the ones who really are interested in
testing the software and reporting any issues. The two step method above
accomplishes this for us. We've used this method for the past 7 years with good
feedback.

On the K3 firmware page, where the beta is described, there is a link with clear
instructions on how to get the .zip file for the beta releases.
It says:

See the K3 Beta Firmware Instruction
<http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_beta_release_instructions.htm> for information on
obtaining beta releases.
Beta releases are not automatically recognized by the K3 Utility.

The K3 Firmware page is located at:
http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm

73,

Eric
elecraft.com
====

On 12/17/2014 9:15 AM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On Tue,12/16/2014 1:19 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> This firmware is now a beta release (rev. 5.01), available at:
>>
>>     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
>
> Not realizing this was a beta, I went looking for it with K3 Utility last
> night and didn't find it.
>
> It would be nice to have an option within K3 Utility to look for firmware that
> is in public beta.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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[Gary Smith-2]

Graham,

I agree. And I also hear a "transient
click" albeit it far better than before.
Since you hear it as well, I have to ask
you if you hear it on the right side, not
the left, If you play a character slowly,
do you hear it at the end of the character
and if it goes away completely if you
engage the sub Rx?

This is what I have found with my K3.

73,

Gary
KA1J

> Yes, it's a significant improvement.  There's still some slight
> transient click but much better.  Well done Elecraft!
>
> Graham
>
>
>
> On 19:59, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Our latest K3 firmware field test went very well, with great reports from CW operators regarding the new QSK sound. Many have been waiting patiently (or not :) for a few years for this improvement.
> >
> > This firmware is now a beta release (rev. 5.01), available at:
> >
> >     http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
> >
> >    
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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>

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[Graham Kimbell]

Hi Gary
I hear it as you do.

The amplitude of the transient depends on the received noise level. This
can be demonstrated with the rf gain control, but setting the gain
control low and then increasing the received noise level with eg a
preamp brings the transient back, so it's the actual noise level, not
the rf gain setting.

The transient we're hearing is also there on semi break in, it's not
restricted to qsk.  But it is a huge improvement.

Graham



On 19:59, Gary Smith wrote:
> Graham,
>
> I agree. And I also hear a "transient click" albeit it far better than before. Since you hear it as well, I have to ask you if you hear it on the right side, not the left,
yes

>   If you play a character slowly,
> do you hear it at the end of the character
>    
yes
> and if it goes away completely if you
> engage the sub Rx?
>    
yes
> This is what I have found with my K3.
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
>    
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[Graham Kimbell]

Since updating my K3 f/w to 5.01, I find that the time to switch between
VFO A and B has increased noticeably - it used to be near
instantaneous.  This is not good when used in a contest and needing to
switch rapidly between frequencies.  Anyone else noticed this?

73 and HNY
Graham


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