KX3 production firmware rev 1.61 (with DSP rev 1.23) is now available. Since
the last production firmware release (1.50), we've made the following major
changes:
* AM depth of modulation increased
* SSB speech compression cleaner, more effective
* ESSB implementation finished; CMP turned off automatically
* Roofing filter FL2 usage in SSB receive mode is now configurable (kicks in
at 2.9 *or* 2.4 kHz BW)
* Narrow-band SSB receive ("Weaver" mode) has better fidelity
* KXAT3 ATU recalls stored LC settings correctly in all cases
* CW-in-SSB transmit added
See release notes below for the full list of changes.
**************
IMPORTANT NOTE
**************
You'll need the *most recent* version of our KX3 Utility application to
download and install the new KX3 firmware. Older versions of KX3 Utility may
not load the KX3's DSP firmware correctly, due to increased flash memory
requirements.
For instructions on obtaining KX3 Utility, see:
http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/KX3_software.htm
Production releases are automatically downloaded from our FTP server when you
click "Copy Files from Elecraft".
73,
Wayne
N6KR
* * *
MCU 1.61 / DSP 1.23, 8-31-2013
* AM TRANSMIT IMPROVED: Depth of modulation increased.
* SSB SPEECH COMPRESSION IMPROVED: Significant cleanup of opposite-sideband
intermodulation (IMD) products with speech compression turned on.
* CURRENT DRAIN LIMITS ADJUSTED: Receive and transmit current drain limits were
set a bit too low, occasionally causing an unexpected roll-back of power output
or turn-off of the KX3. Note: If rollback of power output still occurs, it is
probably because the supply voltage is dipping below 11 V on keydown, or
because of excessive transmit current drain, possibly due to a low-impedance
load.
* ESSB MODE IMPROVED: Speech compression is now automatically disabled when
ESSB mode is turned on. This completes the ESSB implementation. To turn on
ESSB, use the TX ESSB menu entry. Tap ‘1’ to turn ESSB on/off; use VFO A to
adjust the transmit bandwidth from 3.0 to 4.0 kHz. (These menu changes cannot
be made while in transmit mode.)
* ROOFING FILTER USE CONFIGURABLE IN SSB MODE: Roofing filter FL2 (3 kHz) can
now be inserted when the upper edge of the receive passband is either 2.4 kHz
(original value) or 2.9 kHz. When the passband edge is higher than this point,
FL1 is used (wide filter). If the KXFL3 filter option is not installed, FL1 is
always used.
If you frequently encounter QRM in SSB modes, use the 2.9 kHz selection; this
will insert FL2 when normal passband settings are used. If QRM is less of an
issue or you frequently use ESSB, use the 2.4 kHz selection (original value);
this will insert FL1 for normal passband settings. The PBT knob can override
either selection (see below).
To select the desired FL2 insertion point: Locate the PBT SSB menu entry. Tap
‘1’ to select either 2.4 or 2.9 kHz using the criteria above.
Impact of FL2 configuration on the NORM function: If 2.4 kHz is selected,
NORMalizing the passband (by holding the PBT knob) will select FL1 (wide
filter). If 2.9 kHz is selected, NORM selects FL2 (narrow). Impact of FL2
configuration on the PBT I/II functions: When LO-HI CUT is in effect for SSB,
the FL2 setting determines when FL2 is inserted as HI CUT (PBT II) is adjusted
(2.4 or 2.9 kHz). When WIDTH / SHIFT (NOR) is in effect, the FL2 setting
affects both adjustments. For example, with the passband NORMalized, reducing
WIDTH (PBT I) inserts FL2 at either 1.7 kHz or 2.8 kHz, for the 2.4 and 2.9 kHz
FL2-insert selections, respectively. However, the insertion point for FL2 is
also affected by the SHIFT setting (PBT II).
Note on SSB demodulation methods used for FL1 vs. FL2: When FL1 is in selected
(wide filter), the KX3 uses conventional SSB demodulation, providing the best
overall audio fidelity. When FL2 is selected (3 kHz filter), the KX3 uses
“Weaver” SSB demodulation, which introduces a narrow 1.5 kHz notch into the
receive passband as part of the DSP algorithm. This notch typically has no
impact on speech intelligibility, but it can sound slightly different to an
operator who is most concerned about fidelity.
* KXPA100/KXAT100 SUPPORT: (1) Tapping ATU TUNE tunes the KXAT100 if
applicable. KX3 power output is set to 5.0 watts during auto-tuning, then
restored to the user’s selected level. (2) KXPA100 amp/tuner faults are
displayed on the KX3 and can be cleared by any switch tap. (3) The FW REVS menu
entry shows the KXPA100 firmware revision (rotate VFO A to see all firmware
revisions – uC, DSP, PA). Note: All KXPA100 integration features require use of
the KX3-to-KXPA100 control cable, and the PA.X MD menu entry must be set to ON.
MCU 1.57 / DSP 1.22, 8-17-2013
* 12-kHz AUDIO SPUR ELIMINATED: Some operators reported hearing a very weak
12-kHz tone at the headphone jack, even with the volume turned all the way
down. This tone has now been suppressed by an additional 20 dB (approx.).
* “WEAVER MODE” SSB RECEIVE IMPROVED: When the high end of the KX3’s SSB
receive passband is set below about 2.4 kHz using the PBT control, the DSP
switches to “Weaver” demodulation mode. This allows roofing filter FL2 to be
used. In previous releases, Weaver demodulation had poor opposite-sideband
image rejection; this has been corrected. Note: It is not necessary to re-do
RXSBNUL calibration.
* ATU IMPROVEMENTS: Tapping ATU TUNE now recalls stored LC settings for the
current VFO frequency prior to tuning, avoiding auto-tuning from scratch in
most cases. Also, ATU settings are now reloaded (if necessary) when the A/B,
A>B, REV, FREQ ENT, or SPLIT switches are used. This increases the likelihood
that the ATU will be kept tuned during receive, improving sensitivity, without
having to transmit first. Previously, only XMIT, TUNE and band changes would
force an ATU settings reload.
Note: If you switch to a different antenna, such as when taking the KX3 into
the field, you may want to clear old ATU LC settings for one or more bands
prior to doing new auto-tunes. To do this, locate the ATU MD menu entry, then
hold CLR (hold function of the OFS/B knob). You can change bands from within
this menu entry using BAND +/-.
* KXPA100/KXAT100 SUPPORT: Support for the KXPA100/KXAT100 is incomplete and
is presently intended for engineering use only. The PA MODE menu entry should
be set to OFF for now.
MCU 1.54 / DSP 1.21, 7-29-2013
* CW-IN-SSB TRANSMIT ADDED: This feature allows you to send CW while in SSB
mode, which can be useful when your SSB signal cannot be copied due to poor
conditions. The other station will hear a tone at your CW pitch. To enable
CW-in-SSB: Locate the CW WGHT menu entry, then tap ‘1’ (PRE) to alternate
between “SSW +CW” (enabled) and “SSB –CW” (disabled). The default is disabled.
Important Notes: (1) CW-in-SSB does not yet apply in SPLIT mode. (2) When
CW-in-SSB is enabled, tapping the KEYER/MIC knob toggles between keyer speed
and mic gain rather than between the two transmit metering scales (CMP/ALC and
SWR/RF). The CMP/ALC scale is still shown temporarily whenever CMP or mic gain
are adjusted.
* 1-HZ TUNING PRESERVED AFTER APF-OFF: If you were using 1-Hz tuning prior to
turning on APF (CW audio peaking filter), 1-Hz tuning will be restored when APF
is turned off. Prior to this change, exiting APF would set the tuning rate to
10 Hz.
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