Firmware History

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This page is available for user edit. The information within the dotted lines is the description from Elecraft of the firmware item, further info from users will be included in the area below the factory text. Click on the discussion tab (above) then the Edit tab (also above). Then enter your information along with your callsign. The Sysops will format and move your information from the discussion tab onto this tab.

MCU 1.66, 1-29-08 

 * CORRECTED ATU TUNE PROBLEM: In version 1.65, tapping ATU TUN would use the value
   set in the new TUN PWR menu entry, and afterward set the power knob to the TUN PWR value.
   The ATU TUNE power level is supposed to be fixed (5W and 10W, automatically controlled).
   It should not be affected by either the TUN PWR menu entry or the power knob.

MCU 1.65 and DSP 1.52, 1-27-08 

 * TUNE POWER level menu entry added (TUN PWR). This determines the power level used 
   when the TUNE switch is pressed. The default, "NOR", uses the power knob setting.
   Alternatively, the value can be set to any power level from 0.1-120 W.

 * REAL-TIME-CLOCK display now keeps accurate time. The RTC IC itself was running
   accurately, but the VFO B time display was running about 10% slow.

 * MODE SWITCH now only cycles through one sideband (LSB or USB) on each band -- 
   not both. Saves time when switching modes, especially useful in contest situations. 
   Use the ALT switch (hold the left end of MODE) to switch between LSB and USB (per-band).
   NOTE: As a result of this change, you may need to re-select the desired sideband on 
   some bands. You'll only have to do this once.

 * S-METER ACCURACY Improved. Suggest using SMTR SC=14 and SMTR OF=24 
   (these are the normal defaults).

 * EXTERNAL CW TIMING IMPROVED: Corrected rise/fall time asymmetry. Internal
   and external keyers should now be closely matched in weighting.
   NOTE: You may need to reduce the weight of external keying, if you had increased
   it to compensate.



MCU 1.58 and DSP 1.48, 1-9-08 

 * NEW 100- AND 50-Hz DSP FILTERS: We've completed the addition of high-performance
   100- and 50-Hz "FIR" (finite impulse response) DSP filters. These are flatter than  
   the original "IIR" (infinite impulse response) filters, and exhibit less ringing,
   which is especially noticeable in the presence of high noise. Some operators may 
   prefer the original filters, which have a slightly different sound. To switch
   between IIR (old) and FIR (new), tap '7' on the keypad when you're in any filter
   setup menu entry (e.g., CONFIG:FLx BW). To use the FIR (new) filters, tap '7'
   until you see "IIR OFF". This is now the default for newly-shipped K3s.

 * Spaces (' ') no longer dropped from RTTY output when using CW-to-RTTY message buffers.

 * FSK tone pair 1415/1585 Hz changed to 1445/1615 Hz to match available software.
   1415/1585 was incorrect. 

 * AUTOINF ("Auto Info") menu entry added. (CONFIG menu; TECH MD must be ON.)
   This can be used to send band and frequency data to an attached device such as an
   antenna  controller via the K3's serial port. The default is NOR, which doesn't send
   anything. If you set it to AUTO 1, any change in the K3's VFO frequency or band will
   send an "IF" (info) response at the K3's present RS232 baud rate. The commands are
   sent no more than once per second. PC software applications can always override the
   K3's power-up Auto-Info mode. NOTE: Some PC software may be incompatible with the
   AUTO 1 setting of AUTOINF because they already control the autoinfo mode.

January 12, 2008

  • MCU 1.58 does not have synchronus AM enabled, suggested workaround for this mode is to use SSB. Normal AM mode is available for reception at bandwidths of up to 6 KHZ as installed in firmware revision MCU 1.49 Don, WB8YQJ.
  • I loaded new wares 1.58 and 1.48. From Elecraft page this change was e.g. for 100 and 50Hz DSP-filters. My experience is, that both filter outputs were now considerably attenuated. Apparently I should install the old ones, which is not recommended. Anybody else have noticed a change? Benny, OH9NB
  • If you switch the DSP by tapping "7" while in the filter menu and have 50 or 100 Hz bandwidth there is quite a change in volume, however if you select the new default setting and rotate the width control all the settings are the same volume. What seems to happen is that now the 50/100 Hz bandwidths jump in volume with the original "IIR on" setting, this didn't happen on the earlier software. Any thoughts Lyle? Dave, G4AON
  • In the previous code releases, there were gain and centering variations in the narrowest filters. The latest code is exactly the same as the previous code if you set IIR ON. If you set IIR OFF (default) then the gain variations are less, and the filtering better centered. This will further improve in a near-future release. Lyle, KK7P
  • I wonder if there is a list available of the K3 features that are NOT yet activated in the current firmware. Dave, G4AON
  • Check the errata sheet that came with the radio. As features are added, they'll be listed in the firmware updates, viewable through the K3 Utility. Lyle, KK7P
  • ...I am unable to enable synchronous detection in AM mode. Dave, G4AON
  • Not yet available. You can use USB or LSB and FINE tuning for the moment, as the K3 is very stable and most AM transmissions are as well. Lyle, KK7P
  • ...The bandwidth control only goes up to 3kHz on AM, but goes up to 6kHz on other modes. Is this normal...
  • WIDTH refers to the final audio bandwidth. IF is 1:1 to the IF bandwidth in CW, SSB and DATA modes. AM IF bandwidth is twice the audio bandwidth. FM will have a fixed IF bandwidth, at least initially, and WIDTH will refer to the AF response only. Lyle KK7P

MCU 1.55, 12-28-07 

 * DATA A and AFSK A work correctly in both normal and reverse modes.

 * Power control improved in DATA A and AFSK A modes.

 * CMP (compression) is automatically set to 0 in all DATA modes.

 * DATA monitor level is now set correctly on power-up. It's separate from voice monitor level.

 * SHIFT RANGE in DATA A mode is same as USB/LSB. Had been constrained to +/- 500 Hz.
   NOTE: SHIFT range in dedicated RTTY modes (AFSK A & FSK D) depends on PITCH selection.

 * ALC/CMP metering automatically disabled in FSK D/PSK D modes.

MCU 1.53 and DSP 1.47, 12-19-07 

 * TX INH menu entry added (Transmit Inhibit). This can be used in multi-transmitter stations
   to control access to station resources such as amplifiers or antennas. Default is OFF 
   (no inhibit function; pin 7 is then an output used as XVTRON). If set to LO=INH or HI=INH, 
   operator must supply an external TTL or open-collector/open-drain driver (a pullup to 5V
   is required in this case).When the rig is inhibited, the TX LCD icon flashes slowly (same 
   as TX TEST mode). Using transmit-start switches (XMIT, TUNE, ATU, M1-M4) results in
   a brief "TX INH" message on VFO B. The key, keyer paddle, /PTT, and TX via PC 
   commands are all nonfunctional.

 * S-meter linearization above S9 has been improved. (Much greater accuracy is
   possible via an automated calibration algorithm. This is still in development.)

 * LINE IN function now behaves correctly on power-up.

 * Receive filter controls (SHIFT, WIDTH, etc.) and switches (XFIL, etc.) are locked out during 
   transmit.

 * TRANSVERTER SUPPORT:  
      1. The XVn OFS menu entry is functional.
      2. Elecraft XV-series transverter address is being sent via the auxBus.
      3. M->V and V->M now work with transverter bands. 
      4. Direct Freq Entry works between HF and transverter bands. Examples of direct 
          freq entry on transverter bands: 144, 144.2, 144.23, 144.235.

MCU 1.49 and DSP 1.46, 12-14-07 

 * Noise Reduction significantly improved. Also, NR can be used with narrow filters in CW mode.
 * AM mode added. NOTE: Power control temporarily works as follows: when you set
   power to 100 W in AM mode, it means 100 W *peak power*, and 25 W *carrier power*.
   Also, the bar graph shows peak power in AM mode. This will be corrected later so the display 
   and bar graph both show carrier power.
 * Manual notch frequency defaults to 2 kHz (originally 200 Hz).

MCU 1.48 and DSP 1.45, 12-9-07 

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

MCU 1.45 and DSP 1.43, 12-03-07 

 * Improved menu usability (new power-on defaults that are safer, etc.).
 * Narrow DSP filters cover the full SHIFT range in all modes.
 * FA/FB (frequency set) PC commands limited to min/max tuning range of the K3. Some
   PC applications were sending "FA00000000000;", switching the K3 to 500 kHz.
 * Transmit drive range increased by up to 3 dB to eliminate "ERR TXG" error messages
   sometimes seen during power calibration on the highest bands.
 * Noise Reduction feature re-enabled.

MCU 1.42, 11-22-07 

 * DATA A and AFSK A mode: minimum width correction.
 * ERR DSE prevented w/CWT or text decoder turned on.

MCU 1.41, 11-21-07 

 * Corrects CW and SSB transmit behavior with VOX off.

MCU 1.38, 11-17-07 

 * 1-Hz digit in FA/FB command is used but does NOT turn on 1-Hz display or 1-Hz tuning,  
   since some PC apps do this unintentionally. Instead, if the K3 isn't already in 1-Hz tuning
   mode, the 1-Hz digit in the FA/FB command is set to zero.
 * RG command implemented (RF GAIN control). Also fixed AG: GET, which wasn't 
   returning the right value.

MCU 1.37, 11-16-07 

 * LINE OUT level can now go 6 dB higher.
 * DSP load now compatible with new loader format.
 * More robust VCO CAL algorithm.

MCU 1.36 and DSP 1.39, 11-15-07 

 * Improved SSB ALC and power control behavior.
   Changes to noise reduction algorithm intended to enhance strong-signal performance.
   Both AN and NR are disabled if AGC is turned off.
 * Hitting KEY, PTT, or keyer paddles reliably and instantly breaks CW/DATA 
   message transmit.
 * TX TEST now works in ALL modes. In voice modes, CMP and ALC meter scales 
   still function.
   During CW-to-DATA, the DATA tones can now be heard just as during normal transmit.
 * M->V correctly updates the bands of both VFOs.
 * Manual SPOT no longer cancels FINE (1-Hz) display nor turns it on when not expected.
 * In XFIL setup menu entries, the selected XFIL is actually used on RX (and vice-versa).
   This allows op to hear filter being adjusted during setup, and to assign a PFx/Mx key
   to check XFIL bandwidth (substituting for the old "DISP BW" function from the 
   original front panel).

 The remaining changes pertain to remote control commands:

 * KS command now can get/set keyer speed down to 8 WPM.
 * GT command can now turn AGC on/off.
 * NB command now turns NB on/off, but doesn't do get or set of NB thresholds 
   (DSP or IF) yet.
 * RT and XT commands properly control RIT/XIT offset LEDs.
 * SM command emulates K2 normally, returning 0-15 for S0 to S9+40. If K31 is in effect, 
   returns 0-20 for S0 to S9+60.
 * DS command now emulates K2 annunciators, except VFO A/B icon status, since A is 
   always active for RX. Additional annunciator states will be added later for
   K3-savvy hosts.

MCU 1.35, 11-07-07 

 * CW messages can now be full length (250 characters). They were being truncated to 127.
 * CW record word-space reference length increased to simplify message entry.
 * A word-space or longer pause during CW record inserts only ONE word space, so you
   can stop and think about the next word.
 * ASCII output to terminal (TT1;) fixed for CW TX and RX (was missing some prosigns 
   and word spaces).

MCU 1.34, 11-6-07 

 * AUTO SPOT fixed on 6 meters (was tuning backwards).  
 * SSB transmit now gets full bandwidth with the 2.7 kHz 5-pole filter.
 * The 2.7 kHz 5-pole filter is now properly supported in both transmit and receive
   modes.
 * PWR meter 5/50 and 10/100 W scales are displayed correctly in all modes.

MCU 1.32, 10-26-07

  • New DSP download firmware routine added to mcu code. Must use Downloader 
 1.0.10.26 or later once this mcu version is loaded to load new DSP versions.

MCU 1.31, 10-25-07 

 * DATA A mode now working.

MCU 1.29, 10-21-07 

 * Fixed NO SUB problem (was continuously reading SUB RF pot if set to nonzero value).
 * 27/28 WPM weight change fixed.
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