Elecraft K3S firmware v2.13

MCU 2.13 / DSP 1.83

New Features

• MEMORY ERASE: During memory recall or store, tapping CLR erases the present numbered memory (00-99) and flashes "ERASED". You can rotate VFO A to select and then erase any number of memories.
• POWER-UP KEY/PTT PROTECTION: If any external device attempts to key the transmitter within 2 seconds of power-up, "ERR KEY" or "ERR PTT" will be shown on the VFO B display, and transmit will be inhibited. This applies to KEY IN, DOT, DASH, PTT, vox, or computer-initiated transmit (TX or KY commands). It should prevent accidental transmit during power-on when a computer, keyer, or other device is powered-up at the same time as the K3.

Once all keying/PTT/vox activity has stopped, the message disappears, and normal transmit activity can be resumed. Miscellaneous:

• RATE, FINE, and COARSE VFO tuning controls are all now saved per-mode rather than per-band/per-memory.
• ANTENNA CONTROLS are all now saved per-band, not per-memory. These include:
• Main RX/TX antenna selection (1 or 2)
• Sub RX antenna selection (MAIN or ​AUX)
• RX ANT in/out selection
• Preamp/attenuator settings for RX ANT ON and RX ANT OFF
• DIGOUT1 menu parameter setting for ANT1 and ANT2
• PTT RLS MENU ENTRY (PTT release delay). This menu entry allows the the operator to specify a delay from release of PTT to exit from transmit in voice and audio data modes. Not applicable to CW, FSK-D, or PSK-D.

The default is 0. A higher value may be needed in ARQ and similar data modes, where the transmit DSP ÒpipelineÓ must be fully processed before the carrier is dropped.

• NARROW CW/DATA FILTERS (100/50 Hz): Corrected distortion and loss issues.
• SYNTHESIZER: VCO CAL improvements related to ÒERR VCOÓ and ÒERR PL1Ó error messages.

For software developers:

• '$' character in CAT commands targets the sub receiver. At present only the AG$ command is implemented (sub AF gain, e.g. AG$; AG$050;).
• "FI" command provides last four digits of the K3s exact I.F. center frequency, in Hz.

For example, if the selected filter has an offset of 0.00 and is not shifted, the I.F. is exactly 8215000, and ÒFI;Ó will return ÒFI5000;Ó.

• "MD" COMMAND DURING ÒTUNEÓ: For the duration of TUNE, the MD command will return the operating mode that was in effect at the time TUNE was activated, not CW mode. This should fix a problem with third-party panadapters that may have seen​ TUNE as a mode change to CW.

Sub receiver:

• KRX3 MENU ENTRY: Settings now include NOT INST, ANT=BNC, ANT=ATU. When the sub receiver is installed, the operator must select one of the two ÒANTÓ settings based on what is connected to the KRX3s ÒAUX RFÓ input: the KAT3s non-transmit antenna (ANT=ATU) or the rear-panel AUX RF BNC jack (ANT=BNC).
• BSET-MODE ANT1/2 ICONS: When the sub receiver turned on, you can use BSET mode to view or change the subs antenna assignment: MAIN (sharing the main receivers antenna) or AUX (using the subs AUX RF input). When AUX is selected, the ANT1/2 icons will either turn off (if ANT=BNC was specified for in the KRX3 menu entry) or one of them will be on (if ANT=ATU was specified).
• SUB RX FILTER SETUP: In menus, toggling between RF and SUB and switching filters or modes now properly sets up sub if applicable. This allows the operator to hear the effect of any changes on the sub receivers own filters (if SUB AF GAIN is set so it can be heard). NOTE: You must turn the sub receiver ON before entering the menu if you want to listen to the sub during filter changes.