Elecraft K3S firmware `v5.38`

Elecraft · Released Oct 3, 2015 · First seen Sep 14, 2026

v5.38 is not the latest firmware for the Elecraft K3S: the current version is v5.67 (January 22, 2019). Go to v5.67

In short — summary by updatemystuff.com

Eliminates unexpected ERR PTT/ERR KEY messages and fixes FSK-D and PSK-D mode character handling.

ERR PTT/ERR KEY messages no longer appear incorrectly when using mic PTT with other switches
CR and LF characters now correctly handled in FSK-D and PSK-D data modes

Written from Elecraft's release notes, which are printed in full below.

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CR & LF NOW HANDLED IN FSK-D and PSK-D MODES: Carriage return (CR) and line feed (LF) characters are now correctly handled in FSK-D and PSK-D modes, for both receive and transmit. These are used by computer applications (such as the K3 Utility Terminal screen) for screen formatting, etc. FSK-D and PSK-D are the transceiver's built-in data modes, allowing the operator to send using a keyer paddle, a keyboard connected to the P3 panadapter, or a computer application. Decoded text is also scrolled on the radio's VFO B display.
ELIMINATED UNEXPECTED ERR PTT/ERR KEY MESSAGES: Operators were finding that when they held the mic PTT switch, then tapped certain switches including A/B, they were seeing ERR PTT/ERR KEY messages. Such messages now appear only if the PTT/KEY inputs on the RS232 or USB connectors are in use (see CONFIG: PTT-KEY), and the user tries to exit a transmit condition by tapping XMIT.

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