44
Options
K3 option modules and crystal filters add
significant new capabilitiestothe transceiver.They
can be installed at any time (see pg. 45). All
modules are plug-in, requiring no soldering.
The presently available optionsare described
briefly below; please refer to our web site for
further details on these as well as our full range of
5- and 8-pole crystal filters.
KAT3: Wide-range internal 100-W automatic
antenna tuner with dual antenna switch.The ANT2
connector is supplied with this option.
KPA3: Internal 100-W upgrade for the K3/10,
with two large fans and separate circuit breaker.
KDVR3: Digital voice recorder, usable both for
message record/playback and general audio
recording.
KRX3: High-performance, fully-independent sub
receiver with its own set of 5 crystal filter slots, 32-
bit DSP module, noise blanker, optional general-
coverage band-pass filter array (KBPF3 –see
below), and auxiliary antenna input.
KBPF3: General-coverage band-pass filter array
that allows the K3 main or sub receiver to cover the
entire LF and HF range of 0.5to 30 MHz. (If you
want general coverage in both main and sub
receivers, two KPBF3 modules are required.)
KXV3: RF I/O module, including receive antenna
in/out jacks(see pg. 38), transverter interface (pg.
38), and a buffered I.F. output (pg. 38). The RX
ANT IN/OUT jacks can be used to patch-in external
per-band filters or low-noise preamps.
KTCXO3-1: High-stabilityTCXO; 1PPM,
firmware correctable to better than 0.5 ppm (see
calibration instructions, pg. 49).
PR6: High-performance, low-noise 6-meter
preamp.ThePR6 can be connected directly to the
K3’s RX ANT IN and OUT jacks (requires KXV3
option). It can then be enabled for receive on 6
meters by tapping RX AN T , andturned on using
the DIGOUT1 signal (ACC jack, pg. 18, and
CONFIG:DIGOUT1). BYPASS jacks are provided
so the RX ANT IN/OUT functions will be available
for use on other bands.
Firmware Upgrades
New features and improvements are available to all
K3 ownersvia firmware upgrades. Upgrades may
also be required when you install option modules.
Please visit the Elecraft K3 software page
(www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm) to obtain
our free firmware download application, K3 Utility.
This program runs on PCs, Macs, and Linux
platforms. In additionto firmware downloading, K3
Utility provides configuration save/restore, crystal
filter configuration, and CW/DATA terminal
functions.
Some applications or peripheral devices may
interfere with K3 downloads; check the Help
information in K3 Utilityif you have difficulty.
If you don’t have Internet access, you can obtain a
firmware upgrade on CD. If you don't have a
computer, you can send your K3to Elecraft to be
upgraded. See Customer Service, pg. 10.
Checking your Firmware Revision
Use the CONFIG menu’s FW REVS menu entryto
determine your firmware revision. The serial
number of your transceiver, if needed, can be
obtained using the SER NUM menu entry.
K3 Firmware Self-Test
If the K3 detects an error in its firmware (an
incorrect checksum), it will flash the TX LED and
show M CU LD onthe LCD (with backlight off).
If thisoccurs, connect the K3to your computer and
reload firmware. While firmware is loading, the
Delta-F LED (∆f) will flash. When the download is
complete, the K3 should reset and run normally.
Forcing a Firmware Download
If you accidentally load an oldor incompatible
firmware version andfindthe K3 unresponsive, do
the following: (1) unplug the K3 from the power
supply and wait 5 seconds; (2) plug the power
supply back in; (3) hold the K3’s POWER switch
in; after about 10 seconds, you’ll see the TX LED
flash (you’ll also see MCU LD on the LCD); (4)
load the correct firmware version.
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