Sorry for the all-caps subject line, but this does seem like a big deal :)
On behalf of the Elecraft software team, as well as our two dozen dedicated
field testers, I'm pleased to announce that K4 beta release R31.B2 is now ready
for download. (Note: R31.B1 was not released, due to a last-minute change.)
This update represents months of implementation and iterative testing. It has
many new features, bug fixes, and macro/remote-control commands that will
enhance your K4 operating experience. Full release notes appear below and can
also be accessed from with in the UPDATE function.
A few highlights:
- DVR RECEIVE RECORD AND PLAY -- also records your TX monitor audio
- CW-IN-SSB MODE
- MAIN/SUB RECEIVER AUDIO MIXING -- for SO2V, etc.
- IMPROVED RTTY TX NOISE IMMUNITY
- KPA1500 ANT. SELECTION FROM K4 FRONT PANEL -- one use of new "EC" command
- PANADAPTER DATA AVAILABLE FOR USE WITH PC SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
- CW QSK IMPROVEMENTS (see Bug Fixes)
To update your K4's software, make sure you have an ethernet cable connected,
then:
- Tap Fn
- Tap UPDATE
- Select "Beta Release" from the pull-down menu
- Tap "Check for Updates"; the R31 release should now be available
- When ready to proceed, tap "Install"
- After installation is complete, tap "Exit"
Since the firmware on several modules has been updated, the total install time
could be as long as 10 minutes. The UPDATE function tracks installation
progress.
We look forward to your feedback.
73,
Wayne
N6KR
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
K4 SOFTWARE RELEASE R31.BETA2
October 11, 2022
===== NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES =====
CW-IN-SSB: If the "CW TX in SSB Mode OK" menu parameter is set to YES, then CW
may be transmitted when the K4 is in LSB or USB mode. This applies to the
built-in keyer, external keying, and the "KY<TEXT>;" remote control command.
(NOTE: In SSB modes, the M1..M4 message switches are assigned to voice DVR
play, so they cannot be used for CW-in-SSB messages. However, CW messages can
still be sent in this case by creating macros with the desired text. These
macros can then be assigned to programmable switches.)
ALL-MODE SQUELCH DISABLE/ENABLE: New menu entry "RX All-Mode Squelch" can be
used to enable or disable the main/sub squelch controls in modes other than FM.
The default is DISABLED for non-FM modes.
DVR RECEIVE RECORD AND PLAY: This feature is now fully implemented. To record
receive audio, hold the AF REC switch (upper right-hand corner of the front
panel). The blue DVR icon will flash slowly. To play back recorded audio, hold
the AF PLAY switch. This will bring up the AF PLAY window, which allows you to
select A (main) or B (sub) or both for playback, start/stop play, jump
forward/backward 5 seconds, or use the VFO knob to scroll through the buffer.
The buffer recording position in seconds is shown as well. When playing back
recorded audio, the blue DVR icon flashes quickly. (Also see SOFTWARE
DEVELOPERS section for related remote control commands.)
TX MONITOR AUDIO RECORDING: When the DVR receive record feature is active, your
transmit monitor audio is also recorded (sidetone in CW mode, otherwise voice
or data audio).
MAIN/SUB RECEIVER AUDIO MIXING (for SO2V, etc.): You can now control how main
and sub receiver audio are mixed to create left- and right-channel audio. This
is useful for SO2V (single-operator, dual-VFO) operation or other special
purposes. To select a mix setting, use the "RX Audio Mix with SUB ON" menu
entry. The default setting is "L=A,R=B". This means that Left audio includes
only VFO A (main) and Right audio includes only VFO B (sub). There are various
other settings that reverse or mix the receivers. The setting "L=A,R=-A" puts
inverted-polarity main audio on the right channel; this is useful as a binaural
audio effect. The mix settings can be invoked using remote control commands via
direct K4 switch macros or a host computer; see SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS section
below. (NOTE: The MIX setting is not to be confused with the BALANCE setting.
Balance controls the volume of audio sent to the left and right channels,
regardless of how the mix is set up or whether the sub RX is t
urned on.)
RTTY TX NOISE IMMUNITY: We now send a LTRS or FIGS character at the beginning
of each KY<text> packet to ensure that the receiving operator's radio is in the
right shift condition for the first regular character in the packet.
KPA1500 ANTENNA SELECTION FROM K4 FRONT PANEL: One use for the new "EC" remote
control command is to create a macro that allows the K4's REM ANT switch to
alternate between ANT1 and ANT2 at the KPA1500. A serial control cable is
required. See "FOR DEVELOPERS," below.
CW DECODE SPEED RANGES: There are now three CW decode speed ranges: 8-45, 8-60,
and 8-90 WPM. These are selected using the text decode setup window (tap MAIN
RX or SUB RX, then tap TEXT DECODE). The faster decode ranges should only be
used when decoding high-speed CW. At other times the 8-45 setting should be
used to provide additional noise immunity.
LINE IN LEVELS INCREASED: The LINE IN settings now have an increased parameter
range. To set LINE IN level, tap the TX function button, then tap LINE IN.
AUTO PANADAPTER REF LEVEL: AUTO-REF baseline tracking and behavior on A/B VFO
swaps (etc.) improved.
PANADAPTER DATA ACCESSIBLE FOR USE WITH PC SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS: (NOTE: This
information is not applicable to use of the K4 itself. It is intended to alert
users of third-party applications that they will benefit from this feature once
the applications are updated.) The K4 now supplies "dB-per-bin" data (signal
amplitude at each point in a panadapter spectral sweep). This can be used with
PC software applications to create virtual K4 panadapter displays. Software
developers should refer to the "Streaming Data" section of the Programmer's
Reference, rev. C7 or later, for information on the associated K4 data protocol.
===== BUG FIXES =====
DVR TX MESSAGE PLAY: On rare occasions, a TX message (M1..M4) would fail to
play. This has been corrected.
CW QSK ISSUES: Eliminated large audio artifacts observed when transmitting with
strong receive signals nearby. These could occur at LINE OUT and/or when using
message play.
MONITOR LEVEL IN DATA MODE can now be directly adjusted using the MON control.
This setting is now separate from the speech monitor level.
MONITOR LEVEL GRANULARITY IN ALL MODES is now improved at the low end, allowing
lower levels to be specified.
TX MONITOR LINE OUT LEVEL now works correctly (see TX Monitor Level, Line Out
menu entry).
FANS ENABLED IN THE <UPDATE> FUNCTION: The fan speed will now be set to
"SLOWER" whenever possible when the UPDATE function is in use. The only time
the fans will be completely turned off is during RF or REF module firmware
updates. In both cases the RF module--which controls the fans--is held in
reset, turning the fans off. These updates take a most a minute or two.
MISC:
- Corrected power-up settings (e.g. "K4D" icon).
- Monitor level, TEST mode, and CW shift properly restored on exit from UPDATE
or BACKUP, as well as on power-up.
- Removed extraneous tail-end "dead air" from TX DVR messages.
- Fixed Log40M / OmniRig problem (lockup related to NVRAM setting).
- Fixed incorrect DATA monitor level after mode change/split/VFO swap.
- Corrected mini-pan loss of frequency synch with RIT ON.
- Fixed cases where turning on SUB RX text decode caused a window formatting
error.
===== FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS =====
DB/BIN TRANSPORT SPECIFICATION: This specification has now been released.
Available on request.
NEW OR UPDATED COMMANDS (refer to the K4 Programmer's Reference for details):
- LB (LPA BIAS SET COMMAND): Send "LB1;" to start LPA bias calibration (may
take up to 60 seconds; typical is 15 to 20 seconds). On completion, either an
LB0 (success) or LB2 (failure) response is returned. This command should only
be used if the LPA bias is suspected to be incorrect. See programmer's
reference rev. C7 or later for further details, including a way to test LPA
bias current at the K4's front panel.
- EC (echo) command enables sending commands to an amplifier like a KPA1500
over RS232. Requires cable from K4 RS232 jack to KPA1500 XCVR SERIAL jack.
Examples: (1) Alternate between ANT1 and ANT2 on a KPA1500 (EC ^AN0;). (2) Swap
the the amp between OPER and STBY (EC ^BPT18;).
- DA command extended (digital audio). Can now be used to play and record
receive and transmit audio.
- #FPS command getter added.
- MX command added. Specifies left/right audio mixing to be used when the sub
RX is turned on. See "MAIN/SUB RECEIVE AUDIO MIXING" above. The default is
"MXA.B;" (Left = main, Right = sub). The programmer's reference also describes
the relationship between the MX, FX, and BL commands.
- ML command now works correctly in DATA mode (see MONITOR LEVEL bug fix above).
- #MP$ command now has a -1 state ("Invalid; can not be turned on") in addition
to 0=off and 1=on.
- ES/ toggle command added (toggles ESSB mode on/off).
- #AR0 command now works as documented.
- TD command can now specify 1- or 3-line text decode window (TD220; or TD221,
respectively).
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