MCU 5.38 / DSP 2.86 / FPF 1.25, 10-03-2015
RELEASE NOTES:
* 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.
* ELIMINTED 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.
* MAIN:ATTEN MENU ENTRY NO LONGER GETS SET TO 0 DB: This menu entry sets the per-band attenuator ON level (5, 10, or 15 dB for the K3S, 10 dB fixed for the K3). In the previous firmware release, MAIN:ATTEN could be set to 0 dB by computer logging/control applications. This is not a valid parameter value. Once the menu entry is set to the desired ON value, the attenuator itself is turned on/off by the ATT switch. (Holding ATT for 3 seconds is a shortcut into the menu entry.)
* For Application Developers: "RA01" and "RA10" COMMANDS BOTH SELECT 10-dB RX ATTN VALUE: The K3's RA set command for 10 dB Is RA01. The K3S uses actual dB values, so for 10 dB, RA10 is normally used. (The K3S can also accept RA05 and RA15.) To improve compatibility with unmodified K3 applications, the K3S now allows either RA01 or RA10 for 10 dB. The GET response uses whichever SET format was received last.
* DIVERSITY WORKS WITH MISMATCHED MAIN/SUB RX FILTERS: Diversity mode in the K3S (or a K3 with the KSYN3A installed) now works with any combination of main/sub RX crystal filters. They can have different bandwidths or offsets, and it's not necessary to have an equal number of filters in each receiver. Note: Matched filters are optimal for diversity, but non-matched filters will still perform well.
* PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED: PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. There is now a "Safe" mode (the default) which disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode on/off, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select "USB SAFE" or "UNSAFE". Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but never send commands may require "UNSAFE" mode. In this case, unwanted transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S.
* CANCELLING UNEXPECTED PTT-KEY ACTIVATION: If an external source (usually a PC) activates PTT or KEY unexpectedly, you can cancel transmit by tapping the XMIT switch. This will show ERR KEY or ERR PTT on VFO B. Once the PTT or KEY source as been removed, transmit will be re-enabled. If the cause may be unneeded PTT-KEY activation via the USB port, go into the CONFIG:PTT-KEY menu entry and set the parameter to OFF-OFF.
For Application Developers (also see Programmer's Reference, rev. F2):
* PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT VIA "UP" and "DN" COMMANDS: UP and DN now apply to all settings adjusted using VFO A/B, including: NB, NR, manual notch, pitch, and text decode . (It also still applies to the menu.) It does NOT apply to special displays controlled by VFO B (use DB), or to settings controlled by the small encoders.
OM (OPTION MODULE) COMMAND CHANGES: Three new single-letter fields have been added to the OM command: 'L' (low-noise amp/preamp2 available on present band), 'V' (KSYN3A installed, allowing the VFO to tune down to 100 kHz), and 'R' (K3S RF board in use; see impact on RA command, below). Note that 'L' (preamp 2) only applies on 12/10/6 meters. Preamp 2 is located on the new KXV3B module.
* RA (ATTENUATOR) COMMAND FORMAT CHANGE: If a K3S RF board is in use (determined using the OM command, above), the set/response format of the RA command uses dB values (RA00/05/10/15). The K3 format is still RA00/01. Note: 5 and 15 dB attenuator settings only apply to the main RX. The sub RX attenuator is 10 dB, even in the K3S. But if a K3S RF board is detected, the sub RX RA format is RA00/10.