New K3 f/w: MCU 1.48, DSP 1.45 and new Downloader version available

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

We've just released new K3 firmware:
MCU V1.48 and DSP V1.45

* Power output via -external- CW keying no longer jumps up slightly
above requested level.
* Noise reduction much improved, including insertion loss compensation.
* S-meter accuracy improved.
* LINE IN state preserved on power-off.


We have also released a new K3 software download utility, V 12.09, that
has improved error recovery and several other new features.


See http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm for more info.

73, Eric   WA6HHQ

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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

If you get a 'INTEL HEX Read ERROR' message after the K3 Utility gets
new files fomr the server, that is because we had a bad initial upload
of DTBL0004.HEX to the ftp server. Its now corrected.

Delete DTBL0004.HEX from your local directory and then tell the K3
utility to get files from the server again. It will then get a good copy
of DTBL0004.HEX. (Until the same file name is removed from the local
directory it will not attempt to reload it from the server.)

Sorry about that!

73, Eric  WA6HHQ
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[w0mu]

Is this an option that installs a USB port in the K3 for remote control etc.
or is this just a USB to Serial device?


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[John E. Reiser]

Hi Mike,

The KUSB is a USB to Serial adapter.  _John


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Fatchett W0MU" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:47 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 KUSB option

> Is this an option that installs a USB port in the K3 for remote control
> etc.
> or is this just a USB to Serial device?
>
>
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>

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[Ed K1EP]

At 12/11/2007 07:44 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
>We've just released new K3 firmware:
>MCU V1.48 and DSP V1.45
>
>* Power output via -external- CW keying no longer jumps up slightly
>above requested level.
>* Noise reduction much improved, including insertion loss compensation.

Can you offer a little more information about the NR?  In this
version of NR, the set levels are in four groups of four, whereas
previous versions have been 0 to 39 or 0 to 3.  Additionally, I
noticed that the NR does not appear to work below BW of 500Hz.  Is
that true or am I just not noticing the effect?

>* S-meter accuracy improved.
>* LINE IN state preserved on power-off.
>
>
>We have also released a new K3 software download utility, V 12.09,
>that has improved error recovery and several other new features.

Hm, I forgot to download that, but it appeared that the previous
loader worked fine.  When you have the loader check for new firmware,
I guess it doesn't check for new versions of itself.

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[Dick Dievendorff]

The KUSB is a USB to Serial Port adapter, a cable that has a USB connector
on the computer end and a 9-pin RS-232 connector on the K3 end.  The KUSB is
similar to other USB to Serial Adapters on the market.  

Some USB to Serial Adapters have nuts rather than screws on the DB-9
connector.  The K3's RS-232 connector has jack nuts, and some USB to Serial
Adapters won't mate easily unless you remove the nuts from the adapter, and
that's not always easy.  

The KUSB has screws that fasten to the K3's RS-232 connector.  The KUSB is
6' long, and some USB to Serial adapters are a bit shorter.  

I test with a variety of USB to Serial Adapters, including the KUSB, and I'm
using an extension serial cable that has screws on each end.

The K3 has a 9-pin RS-232 connector.  It does not have a USB connector.

Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Fatchett W0MU
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 5:48 PM
To: Elecraft Discussion List
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 KUSB option

Is this an option that installs a USB port in the K3 for remote control etc.
or is this just a USB to Serial device?


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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Its a USB to Serial adapter (with 6' cable) that has been tested with
the K3. This is required because all of the existing software to control
rigs expects a virtual com port.

73, Eric  WA6HHQ
---

Mike Fatchett W0MU wrote:

> Is this an option that installs a USB port in the K3 for remote control etc.
> or is this just a USB to Serial device?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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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[KK7P]

>> * Noise reduction much improved, including insertion loss compensation.
>
> Can you offer a little more information about the NR?  In this version
> of NR, the set levels are in four groups of four, whereas previous
> versions have been 0 to 39 or 0 to 3.  Additionally, I noticed that the
> NR does not appear to work below BW of 500Hz.  Is that true or am I just
> not noticing the effect?

NR continues to evolve.

The latest version, as you noted, has four settings for each of four
groups.  The lowest numbered setting in each group is the gentlest,
while the highest setting in each group offers more noise reduction but
slower response.  If find for SSB use that I usually use the 2nd setting
[ NR F1-2 or NR F2-2 ].  The F4 group can have a sort of "hollow" sound
for voice under some conditions, but is excellent for narrow modes like CW.

Below a width of about 500 Hz, NR is disabled in the current release.
We have more code we are testing now that allows its use down to the
nominal 50 Hz wide filters in CW mode.  If testing goes well, it will be
released in due time.

Even more exciting, we are also testing... oops, I'd better not say!

73,

Lyle kK7P

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