Firmware - revision 1.96 documented
From Zerobeat
K3 Firmware 1.96 May 2008
CONFIG Menu Settings | HOLD the [MENU] key to enter the Configuration menu | Press DISP key while in CONFIG to see help for the selected setup option.
2 TONE
2 TONE [T] OFF (Troubleshooting.) Turns on built-in 2-tone generator for SSB transmit tests. The internal 2-tone generator only works if LSB mode is selected.
AF GAIN
AF GAIN LO Sets AF GAIN range. Available selections are HI or LO.
AFV TIM
AFV TIM [T] 1000 (Advanced.) Integration time for AFV and dBV displays in ms. See VFO B alternate displays and K3 Service Manual.
AGC HLD
AGC HLD [T] 000 (Advanced.) AGC “hold” time for voice modes. Specifies the number of milliseconds that the SLOW AGC value is held after the signal drops below the level that set the AGC. This is often helpful for SSB voice operation. AGC HLD shows a small effect on the received audio, and only affects phone modes.
AGC PLS
AGC PLS [T] NOR (Advanced.) NOR enables AGC noise pulse rejection. wb8yqj - This setting was added early in K3 development to address a scenario that was described by Rob Sherwood at Dayton 2007.
AGC SLP
AGC SLP [T] 10 (Advanced.) Higher values result in ‘flatter’ AGC (making signals at all amplitudes closer in AF output level). This provides a similar effect on the AGC to AGC THR, but the effect is more subtle.
AGC THR
AGC THR [T] 5 (Advanced.) Sets AGC onset point; a higher number moves the onset up. This value is used for all modes of the K3 and produces the most noticable effect of any of the AGC CONFIG settings.
AGC-F
AGC-F [T] 120 (Advanced.) Sets fast AGC decay rate; a higher number means faster decay. wb8yqj - Note that the fastest AGC decay is actually employed for CW when AGC OFF is selected. This works very well for 40 meters at night in improving the signal to noise.
AGC-S
AGC-S [T] 20 (Advanced.) Sets slow AGC decay rate; a higher number means faster decay.
AUTOINF
Report all frequency changes via serial port.
BAT MIN
BAT MIN 11.0 Low-battery warning threshold; 11.0 recommended. The parameter flashes if it is set higher than the present supply voltage.
CW IAMB
CW IAMB A Iambic keying mode (A or B). Both modes produce self-completing dots and dashes. Mode B is more efficient for operators who practice “squeeze” keying (pressing both paddles at once), because an extra dot or dash is inserted on squeeze release. Mode A lacks this feature, and may be more appropriate for those who only press one paddle at a time (often called “slap” keying).
CW PADL
CW PADL Tip=dot Specifies whether left keyer paddle (“tip” contact on the plug) is DOT or DASH.
CW WGHT
CW WGHT 1.00 CW keying weight. Adjusts element/space timing ratio for the internal keyer.
While in SSB modes, you can now send CW without changing modes or using an offset. The other station will hear the signal at your CW pitch. This is especially useful on VHF bands when SSB signals can’t be copied. To enable this feature, Tap ‘1’ until you see SSB +CW.
DATE
DATE N/A Real-time-clock date, shown as in the format selected by CONFIG:DATE MD (MM.DD.YY or DD.MM.YY). Tap 1 / 2 / 3 to select month / day / year.
DATE MD
DATE MD US Select US (MM.DD.YY) or EU (DD.MM.YY) date formats.
DDS FRQ
DDS FRQ [T] {DDS freq} (Troubleshooting.) Controls DDS tuning directly to check DDS XFIL range for synthesizer troubleshooting purposes. Rotate VFO A CCW and CW to find limits where L (lock) changes to U (unlock). Correct DDS frequency is restored after exiting the menu and rotating either VFO.
DIGOUT 1
DIGOUT{n} LO Directly controls two general-purpose digital output lines on the AUX I/O connector. {n} = 0 or 1. Tap 1 to alternate between the two. These are TTL-level signals with a nominal output voltage of 0 V (LO) or 5 V (HI). Recommended max. load is 15 mA (enough to power one LED, for example).
FLn BW
2.70 (FL1) Crystal filter FL1-5 bandwidth in kHz, where x=1 to 5 (FL1-FL5). Tap 1 -5 or XFIL to select filters. Additionally, by tapping "7" (which does not correspond to any FLx installed) you can change DSP filter for 100 and 50Hz bandwith from IIR to FIR (IIR off). This is important for reducing the "ringing" characteristics of such minimal bandwiths.
FLn FRQ
0.00 (FL1) Crystal filter FLx center freq as offset from nominal (8215.0 kHz). Use the offset value specified on the crystal filter’s label or PC board, if any. For example, if an Elecraft 5-pole, 200-Hz filter were labeled “-0.91”, adjust VFO A for –0.91. Always pay particular attention to the minus sign when present. FL1 is suggested at the position for the FM filter when equipped with it.
FLn GN
Crystal filter FLx loss compensation in dB. 0 dB recommended for wide filters; 2 dB for 400 or 500 Hz filters, and 4 dB for 200 or 250 Hz filters.
FLn ON
per-mode Used to specify which filters are available during receive. Each filter must be set to ON or OFF in each mode. You can tap MODE within the menu entry.
FLTX SB
(must be set for every mode individually) Used to specify which crystal filter to use during TX. {md} = CW/SB/AM/FM. Choose filers with bandwidths as follows: SSB, 2.7 or 2.8 kHz (also applies to data); CW, 2.7 or 2.8 kHz; AM, 6 kHz; FM, 12 kHz or higher. Note: If you’re using a 2.7-kHz 5-pole filter for SSB transmit, you can optionally fine-tune its FLx FRQ parameter to equalize LSB / USB transmit characteristics. Monitor your signal on a separate receiver, using headphones.
FM DEV
2.0 to 6.0 Khz adjustable FM transmit deviation added in revision 1.94
FM MODE
ON/OFF
FP TEMP
FP TEMP N/A Used to calibrate the front panel temperature sensor. It must be calibrated if you wish to use the REF xxC menu entry to calibrate the optional 1 PPM TCXO. You must convert °F to °C in order to enter the value. Deg. C = (deg. F - 32) * 0.555.
FSK POL
FSK POL 1 0 = Invert FSK transmit data polarity, 1 = Normal data polarity. == FW REVS FW REVS N/A Rotate VFO A to see firmware revisions of the MCU (uC), main DSP (d1), aux DSP (d2), flash parameters (FL), and KDVR3 controller (dr ).
KAT3
KAT3 Not Inst KAT3 ATU mode; normally set to BYP or AUTO (you can alternate between these settings using the ATU switch). Modes L1-L8, C1-C8, and Ct are used to test KAT3 relays. Mode LCSET allows manual adjustment of L/C/net settings. When in this mode, tapping ATU TUNE shows the L & C value; C is changed with VFO A, L is changed with VFO B, and ANT toggles between Ca and Ct .
KBPF3
If KBPF3 option is installed: set to ON, exit menu, and turn power off/on.
KDVR3
KDVR3 Not Inst If KDVR3 option is installed: set to ON, exit menu, and turn power off/on.
KIO3
KIO3 NOR Determines function of BAND0-3 outputs on AUX I/O connector. See pg. 19.
KNB3
Not Inst If KNB3 option is installed: set to ON, exit menu, and turn power off/on. Note: the K3 can’t be used without a KNB3; Not Inst is for troubleshooting only.
KPA3
KPA3 Not Inst Set to PA NOR if KPA3 100-W amp installed. Set to PAIO NOR if KPA3 is not installed, but the KPAIO3 transition PC board is. Other settings include PA BYP (disables KPA3 if installed), PA fan test settings (PA FN1-FN4 or PAIO FN1-FN4), and PAIO BYP (if transition board is installed, but not the KPA3 module, this setting can be used to test the high power bypass relay).
KRC2
KRC2 - - Controls the KRC2 band decoder’s accessory output settings. Shows OFF or ACC1-3 if a KRC2 is detected; - - if not.
KRX3
KRX3 Not Inst If KRX3 option (sub receiver) is installed, set parameter to NOR-ANTx where x is your selected wiring for the sub receiver’s auxiliary antenna (1 = unused KAT3 ATU antenna, 2 = AUX RF jack, 3 = AUX RF in parallel with the RX ANT IN jack on the KXV3). For details on sub receiver antenna sources, see pg. 22. Note: the sub receiver option includes three modules: receiver, synthesizer, and DSP. All three must be installed, or the K3 will report an error on power-up.
KXV3
KXV3 Not Inst If KXV3 option is installed: set to ON, exit menu, and turn power off/on. This option is required for use of RXANT and low-level transverter I/O.
LCD TST
LCD TST OFF Changing the parameter turns on all LCD segments.
LIN OUT
LIN OUT 30 Sets the LINE OUT level. LINE OUT connections go to PC soundcard inputs.
NB SAVE
NB SAVE NO Set to YES to save noise blanker on/off state per-band. Noise blanker levels, both DSP and I.F., are always saved per-band regardless of this setting.
PA TEMP
PA TEMP N/A If a KPA3 (100-W PA module) is installed, shows KPA3 heatsink temperature and allows it to be adjusted.
PTT-KEY
PTT-KEY OFF-OFF Allows selection of RTS or DTR RS232 lines to activate PTT or key the K3. See pg. 18. Note: If a computer or other device asserts RTS or DTR while you’re in this menu entry, the K3 will switch to TEST mode (zero power output) as a precaution. The TX icon will flash as a reminder. To avoid this, make sure software applications have flow control and/or keying options turned OFF while you’re changing the PTT-KEY selection.
REF CAL
Used to precisely calibrate the K3’s reference oscillator,. VFO A is used to set the reference oscillator frequency in Hz. Tap 1 to alternate between REF CAL and REF xxC. xx is a data entry point from –20 to +70. REF CAL can be used with either TCXO (see Method 1 or 2, pg. 47). REF xxC is used with the 1 ppm TCXO (Method 3). Tap 2 or 3 to move the data entry point up or down.
RS232
RS232 4800 b RS232 communications rate in bits per second (bps). During firmware download (via the K3FW PC program), the baud rate is set automatically to 38400 baud, but it is then restored to the value selected in this menu entry.
SER NUM
SER NUM N/A K3 serial number, e.g. 02000. Cannot be edited from the menu.
SMTR OF
S-Meter offset, a lower value produces higher S-meter readings.
SMTR SC
S-Meter scale. Lower values provide higher meter readings. Adjusted for S-9 = 50 uV, S=3 = 1 uV with Preamp = ON, and AGC ON. SMTR calibration on S#508 seems to be perfectly consistent with with Preamp OFF not ON
SMTR PK
SMTR PK OFF Set to ON for peak-reading S-meter.
SMTR MD
ABS - Take Preamp or ATTN into account for S-meter display.
SPLT SV
SPLT SV NO If set to YES, SPLIT state is saved per-band.
SPKRS
SPKRS 1 Set to 2 if using two external speakers. This enables binaural effects in conjunction with the AFX switch, as well as stereo dual-receive if the sub receiver is installed.
SPKR+PH
YES = Speaker is ON, even when headphones are plugged into PHONES jack.
SQ MAIN
Main receiver squelch value or RF gain potentiometer assignment. If set to RF INNER, the inner (smaller) RF/SQL knob controls main squelch rather than RF gain. If set to RF OUTER, the outer ring (larger) RF/SQL knob controls main squelch rather than sub receiver RF gain. Revision 1.96 - SQUELCH ASSIGNED TO SUB RF/SQL now persists across a power cycle. This is done using CONFIG:SQ MAIN; set it to “=SUB POT”.
SQ SUB
SQ SUB 0 Sub receiver squelch value or RF gain pot assignment. If set to RF OUTER, the outer ring (larger) RF/SQL knob controls sub squelch rather than sub RF gain
SW TEST
Changing the parameter displays SCN ADC. Hold any switch to see scan row and switch ADC reading. Used for troubleshooting only.
SW TONE
SW TONE OFF Sets up switch tones or audio Morse feedback on any control activation.
SYNC DT
Func Fast/Sync Data setup ON /OFF (assign to PF1-2 M1-4).
TECH MD
TECH MD OFF Set to ON to enable Tech Mode menu entries (those marked with [T] in this list).
TIME
TIME N/A Real-time-clock view/set. Tap 1 / 2 / 3 to set HH / MM / SS. To see the time and other displays during normal operation, tap DISP
TTY LTR
TTY LTR Function Performs an RTTY FIGS to LTRS shift when the text decoder is enabled in RTTY modes. Cannot be changed within the menu itself; must be assigned to a programmable function switch.
TUN PWR
TUN PWR (T) RF Watts when TUNE is pressed. When set to auto power equals the front panel RF power control. When not on auto, the TUNE power can be set from 0.1 Watts to full power. Useful for ATU and linear tuning.
TX ALC
TX ALC [T] ON (Troubleshooting.) Set to OFF to disable transmit ALC in CW mode. This is required when adjusting band-pass filters and can also be used for troubleshooting, but should not be used during normal operation. (Be sure to set parameter to ON afterward.)
TX DLY
TX ESSB [T] OFF Extended SSB transmit bandwidth (3.0, 3.5, 4.0 kHz, etc.) or OFF.
TX INH
Transmit inhibit
TXGN HP
(Troubleshooting.) Shows transmit gain constant for the present band and power mode, where {pwr} = LP (0-12W), HP (15-120W), or MW (0-1.5 mW). The gain constant is updated whenever the TUNE function is activated on a given band at one of three specific power levels: 5.0 W, 50 W, and 1.00 milliwatt. See transmit gain calibration procedure, pg. 46. If TX ALC (above) is OFF, the TXGN parameter can be set manually, at very fine resolution. This should only be done for troubleshooting purposes. TXG VCE [T] 0.0 dB Balances voice transmit peak power in relation to CW peak power in TUNE mode. Typically left at 0.0.
TXG VCE
Relative transmit gain in voice modes versus CW (RF output adjustment)
VCO MD
(Troubleshooting.) VCO L-C range view/change/calibrate. Once the VCO is calibrated (pg. 46), the parameter which appears here will include NOR at all times. You can change the setting to troubleshoot VCO L-C ranges. When finished, set the parameter back to NOR 127, then exit the menu and change bands to restore the original setting.
VFO B->A
VFO B->A Function Copies VFO B’s frequency to VFO A. Cannot be used within the menu itself; must be assigned to a programmable function switch.
VFO CRS
VFO CRS Per-mode Per-mode coarse tuning rate (hold COARSE and tune VFO A or B). Also applies to the RIT/XIT tuning knob if CONFIG:VFO OFS is set to ON, and both RIT and XIT are turned OFF. Rev. 1.96 NEW VFO COARSE TUNING RATES: FM, 10 kHz; CW, 0.1 kHz; SSB, 0.1 kHz.
VFO CTS
VFO CTS 200 VFO counts per turn (100, 200, or 400). Smaller values result in easier finetuning of VFO; larger values result in faster QSY.
VFO FST
VFO FST 50 Hz Specifies the faster of the two VFO tuning rates (RATE ). The faster rate is 50 Hz per step by default, but can be set to 20 Hz if desired. In this case, VFO CTS = 400 is recommended to ensure adequate fast-QSY speed.
VFO IND
VFO IND NO If set to YES, VFO B can be set to a different band than VFO A, which allows listening to two bands at once (main/sub). This menu entry is not available unless the subreceiver is installed.
VFO OFS
VFO OFS OFF If ON, the RIT/XIT offset control can be used to tune VFO A in large steps when both RIT and XIT are turned off. The step sizes vary with mode (see VFO CRS), and are the same as the COARSE VFO tuning rates.
WMTR HP
WMTR {pwr} 100 Wattmeter calibration parameter. {pwr} is the power mode: LP (0-12W), HP (15-120W), or MW (0-1.5 mW).
XV1 ON
XVx ON NO Set to YES to turn on transverter band x (1-9); tap 1 – 9 to select xvtr band.
XV1 RF
XVx RF 144 Lower edge for xvtr band x (1-9); 0-999 MHz. Tap 1 – 9 to select xvtr band.
XV1 IF
XVx IF 28 Specify K3 band to use as the I.F. for transverter band x (1-9) . Tap 1 – 9 to select xvtr band. I.F. band selections include 7, 14, 21, 28, and 50 MHz.
XV1 PWR
XVx PWR H 0.1 Allows fixed or variable power level for XVTR band x. Tap 1 – 9 to select xvtr band. H x.x (High power level) specifies a value in watts, and use of the main antenna jack(s). This should be used with caution, as you could damage a transverter left connected to these antenna jacks accidentally. L x.x (Low power level) species a value in milliwatts, which requires the KXV3 option.
XV1 OFS
XVx OFS 0.00 Offset (–9.99 to +9.99 kHz) for transverter band x (1-9). Tap 1 – 9 to select xvtr band. Compensates for oscillator/multiplier chain errors.
XV1 ADR
XVx ADR TRN1 Physical decode address (1 to 9) assigned to transverter band x (1-9). Tap 1 – 9 to select xvtr band. Applies to attached Elecraft XV-series transverters and Elecraft KRC2. Also see CONFIG:KIO3. Note: Decode address range may vary depending on the type of attached device.
Menu Settings | TAP the [MENU] key to enter the Configuration menu | Press DISP key while in CONFIG to see help for the selected setup option.
ANTIVOX
Antivox Level
AFX MD
AFX MD Delay 5 Audio Effects. Available selections: DELAY 1-5 (quasi-stereo), and BIN (similar to Binaural I-Q).
ALARM
ALARM OFF Set alarm/Auto-Power-On time. Tap 1 to turn alarm on/off; tap 2 / 3 to set HH / MM.
LCD ADJ
LCD ADJ 8 LCD viewing angle and contrast. Use higher settings if the radio is used at or above eye level. If adjusted incorrectly, bargraphs will be too light or heavy during keying.
LCD BRT
LCD BRT 6 LCD backlight brightness. Use DAY in bright sunlight, 2 to 8 for indoor lighting.
LED BRT
LED BRT 4 LED brightness (relative to LCD backlight brightness). Exception: if LCD BRT is set to DAY, LEDs are set to their maximum brightness.
MIC SEL
Mic/line transmit audio source, mic gain range, and mic bias. Source selections: FP (front panel 8-pin MIC jack), RP (rear panel 3.5 mm MIC jack), and LINE IN (rear-panel LINE IN jack). Tap 1 to toggle between .Low and .High mic gain range for the selected mic. Tap 2 to turn mic BIAS on/off (turn on for electret mics).
MIC+LIN
Use Mic **OR** Line in (must set MIC SEL to FP or RP)
MSG RPT
MSG RPT 6 Message repeat interval in seconds (0 to 255). To repeat a message, hold M1 – M4 rather than tap. A 6 - 10 sec. interval is about right for casual CQing. Shorter intervals may be needed during contests, and longer for periodic CW beacons.
RPT OFS
RPT OFS 2400 Sets the transmit offset (in kHz) for repeater operation, from –2560 kHz to +2540 kHz. Per VHF band or band segment.
RX EQ 1
Receiver audio graphic equalizer. VFO A is used as an 8-band bargraph, where each character shows the boost or cut ( -16 dB to +16 dB in 1 dB increments) for a given AF band. The 8 bands are 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.2 kHz. Tap 1 -8 to select an AF band. VFO A selects boost/cut. Tap CLR to reset all bands to +0 dB.
TX EQ 1
Transmit audio graphic equalizer (voice modes only). Functions the same as RX EQ, above, and can be adjusted while in transmit mode. TX*EQ indicates TX ESSB in effect, which has its own set of transmit equalization settings. VOX GN 0 Adjusts the sensitivity of the VOX to match your mic and voice. ANTIVOX 0 Adjusts immunity of the VOX circuit to false triggering as a result of audio from the speaker or 'leaked' from headphones.
VOX GN
Vox Gain
