Elecraft K3S firmware v2.72

MCU 2.72 / ​DSP 1.98

Misc. Changes:

• LINE OUT INCLUDES TX AUDIO: LINE OUT (nor menu setting) now includes transmit sidetone and speech/data monitor audio.
• IMPROVED TX PASSBAND FLATNESS FOR PSK31: When operating in PSK31 mode via a PC, high-pitched audio tones are no longer attenuated more than low tones.

Support for Digital Voice Recorder option (KDVR3): Note: The following information is more accurate than the DVR instructions in the K3 rev D owners manual.

• DVR ICON: The DVR icon (dual arrows--above the S-meter) turns on whenever the DVR is in use. The icon flashes slowly during all record operations, and quickly during play.
• DVR TX MESSAGES: Message record, play and repeat are functional. (Message chaining will be added in a subsequent release.) To start voice message record, tap REC, then tap M1-M4. Record will start immediately. Tap M1-M4 again to stop recording. To play a voice message, tap M1-M4. To repeat a voice message (e.g., a CQ), *hold* M1-M4 rather than tap. Message play or repeat can be cancelled at any time by tapping REC.
• DVR RX LOOP: Hold AF REC to start receive-audio recording. Hold AF REC again to stop record. Up to 90 seconds of audio can be recorded; beyond this, earlier audio will be overwritten. Hold AF PLAY to start playback; press any switch to stop. VFO B will show the playback position in seconds, relative to the most-recently recorded audio segment. During PLAY, you can move forward/backward through RX audio loop buffer by rotating VFO B. An asterisk (*) beside the seconds counter shows the extent of the most recently recorded segment. Note: It is OK to record received audio continuously; this might be useful as a way of catching audio events that you wish to examine later.

Record will continue even if you transmit. However, at present, silence is recorded for the duration of any transmission.

• DVR RX LOOP PLAY IN TX MODE. First, enter voice transmit mode by holding PTT or tapping XMIT. Then hold AF PLAY to start playback, and press any switch to stop. CMP (speech compression) is automatically disabled. Note: Playback volume of the RX loop buffer during TX mode is not yet adjustable.

For software developers:

• VOX ​STATUS ADDED TO ÒICÓ CMD (separate flags for CW keying VOX and voice/data audio VOX).

MCU 2.67 / 1.96, 11-12-2008

• MAIN/SUB BALANCE CONTROL: If CONFIG: SUB AF is set to BALANCE, then the SUB AF GAIN control becomes a main/sub AF balance control when the sub receiver is turned on (including diversity mode). In this case the MAIN AF GAIN controls the AF gain level for both receivers. When SUB AF is at 12 o clock, both receivers will be at full volume (main left, sub right). If SUB AF is rotated fully counter-clockwise, youll hear only the main receiver. If its rotated fully clockwise, youll hear only the sub receiver. At intermediate settings youll hear both. A BALANCE control is very useful for contesting and split operation. But it can also save a lot of AF gain control tweaking (i.e., matching main and sub), since MAIN AF controls both main and sub receiver audio.
• AGC-OFF AF LIMITER: An adjustable AF output limiter has been added for operators who turn AGC off. This can protect your ears if a large signal appears. Signals or noise above the threshold will sound highly distorted due to the limiting action, reminding you to back down the AF or RF gain.

The associated menu entry, CONFIG: AF LIM, defaults to NOR. Typical settings for those who often turn AGC off are 17 to 23, but some experimentation will be required.

• DIGOUT0 SIGNAL (ACC connector): This now behaves as described in the owner's manual. When a transverter band is selected that is configured for low-power operation (i.e., .01-1.50 mW, and using the KXV3s XVTR IN/OUT jacks), DIGOUT0 provides a low-resistance path to ground that could be used to activate a small relay or other circuitry. At all other times the DIGOUT0 line will float (high-Z). If all transverter bands are configured for low power, then DIGOUT0 can be used as a Òtransverter band selectedÓ signal.
• POWER LEVEL ON XVTR AND HF BANDS: Switching between HF and transverter bands no longer modifies the present HF band power setting.

MCU 2.64 / 1.96, 11-5-2008

• RX ANT HOLD = sub RX antenna switch (if sub is installed). Shows AUX or MAIN.
• SUB ANT SAVED SEPARATELY FOR DIVERSITY/NON-DIVERSITY.
• DVR TX MSG RECORD/PLAY (incomplete).