+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 09:37:27 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Show 'n'Tell/Firmware suggestion During initial K2 tests, we operated into open loads at 15W indefinitely with no side-effects. The firmware automatically reduces power if it sees the load open suddenly. So damage due to accidental switching of ANT1/2 is very unlikely. On top of that, even beginning ops might notice that all the signals had disappeared ;) We also tested into dead shorts. The firmware drops power if you exceed the programmed current limit (CAL CUR). 73, Wayne N6KR ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 22:07:08 -0700 From: "Wayne Burdick" Subject: [Elecraft] AFRTS / USB broadcasts loud and clear in California... > I took a look. All are SSB... Phil, Your SWL portable may be AM-only, but your K2 isn't :) I just discovered that two of the AFRTS stations are loud and clear here (9 PM PST): Puerto Rico (6485.50) and Pearl Harbor (10320.00). Both are equally strong here and quite good copy. The program is entertaining, too--everything from NPR to Paul Harvey, and well documented on the NPR web site. [Thanks for the tip, Mike!] By the way, I'm using Rev 2.00 of the K2 firmware, which is presently in field test. One of the nice things about this new version is that the VFO is dead on across the entire tuning range of the K2. (The current firmware's VFO readout is a bit less accurate above and below the per-band calibration point.) So, when I dialed in the AFRTS stations mentioned above, the VFO was right on the money, even though both stations are well outside the ham bands. The improved accuracy is due to a new CAL PLL algorithm that we were able to add because the new micro (18C452) has more RAM and ROM. CAL PLL now only has to be run *once* (on 40 meters) to linearize all nine bands. And if your 4 MHz oscillator is calibrated within a couple of Hz, your K2 will read accurately everywhere, +/- about 10 Hz. More details on the Rev 2 firmware will be out in a couple of weeks. This is the version that will be shipped free of charge with the KIO2 option. 73, Wayne N6KR ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 13:09:44 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Question concerning KIO2 The upcoming Version 2 firmware release for the K2, which is included with the KIO2 for all K2s shipped prior to its release, includes a new programmable CW keying delay for those keying external amplifiers and transverters. No hardware change will be required to your existing AMP keying kit. You will just need to set the CW delay in the K2's menu to a longer delay time. In the existing firmware before 2.0 this delay parameter only adds delay to the RX mute line, not the 8R line used for external keying. In Ver. 2.0 and later it will also delay the 8R line in an identical manner. The new firmware also provides three additional programmable transverter bands. Each band can be set up to display the actual transverter frequency, select an IF between 7 and 28 mHz, adjust the frequency to correct for transverter offsets and to limit the K2s power to a fixed value on each transverter band. We will be posting a more detailed description of the new firmware release on our web page later this week. 73, Eric WA6HHQ ======= Henning Bock wrote: > I picked up the AMP KIT with my > basic kit. But I'm not satisfied with > the AMP KIT while trvtr and linear are heavily qsk clicking with #1444 > in cw mode. > Can anyone (maybe one of the FTs) tell me if this problem may be solved > using one of the signals put out by the KIO2? > Is there further transverter support in FW 2.0 which is supplied together > with the KIO2? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 11:10:34 -0500 From: "Tom Whiteside" Subject: [Elecraft] K2 PSK and the new firmware I made John KI6WX Grebenkemper's simple PSK31 IMD improvement mod to the SSB board and have been having fun making a few Q's with PSK31. I'm an absolute newbie to this mode and far from an expert but maybe it is useful to describe the process a bit. I benefited from reading the ap notes from WA7SPY and AA4PB. The new firmware supports a new "r" digital mode that makes PSK with the K2 a dream - now you get 4 new independent filters and these were very easy to setup for PSK31. The regular PSK frequency graphs work like Spectrogram - I just brought the program up, set FL2 to 1.2, FL3 to 0.6 and FL4 to 0.2 and then centered each filters response for the PSK program's default center frequency - piece of cake. The firmware uses the CW Rev function in "r" mode to toggle between "r" and "r-reverse" just like CW and You program both sets of filters as with "CW" and "CW-Rev". So now you can optimize filters for PSK31 without goofing up your SSB settings. There is a new "Fine Rit" facility selected by depressing the RIT and XFIL keys that gives you the ability to really fine tune where you are - I have not played with that much but it looks like a very useful addition given the need to shift the frequencies by small numbers of Hertz. My cables at this point are primative - Using one shielded cable from the audio output to the mic input on the sound card and a shielded cable from the left sound card speaker output to an adapter I made up for the K2 mic input. Seems to work ok - I will probably take WA7SPY's advice and put a resistor divider to make this less touchy. One LED solid with an occasional flicker of the next one on the ALC display seemed the best in terms of power output and garbage on the signal. K5LN helped by watching my signal on his setup - peaking the input for maximum power output seemed to correlate nicely with minimizing the garbage. Maybe someone else has a more scientific approach. While I'm at it, let me mention that I love the new firmware and the KIO2!!! Having the computer interface keeping track of where you are as well as clicking on packet spots is just wonderful... I've used it with DX4Win and TR with excellent results. TR has a feature that lets you use the left and right shift keys to move the RIT around without taking your hands off the keyboard for Kenwood radios and this works super with the K2. Now my K2 is easier to use contesting than my Yaesu FT1000D! The new CAL PLL with just one band is nice and now is just super accurate. I had no complaints before but the K2 did not track my FT1000D precisely - there were little scallops in frequency errors between the two radios. With the new firmware and a bit of anal C22 tweaking, they now exactly track with no scallops. The firmware also has some CW enhancements with longer messages, ability to dink with the weighting and a wonderful "Fast Play" feature that lets you assign front panel keys to be "one press" CW messages. No more hitting double keys for messages! And there are several keymappings to chose from. Bet y'all wish you had that this weekend! There are other nice things about the firmware and KIO2 but time to head out for Field Day setup! Hope you all have fun and a safe FD! 72 Tom Whiteside N5TW Georgetown, TX +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 20:36:49 -0700 From: "Robert Fanfant" Subject: [Elecraft] Rev. 2 K2 F/W Upgrade!!!! Gotta say to the group that this new upgrade is really worth it. I have just recently discovered that my frequency woes are cured with this one upgrade!! My original frustration was that I would align my K2 using a frequency counter to within 10Hz of the desired frequency, only to find that I was off by more than 120Hz some time later. After spending countless hours aligning the K2 only to find the same problem again & again, I called up Gary. Gary stated that this was a known behaviour of the K2 when aligning at one band edge, then checking checking the frequency at the other band edge. He then went on to say "But Rev. 2 of the F/W will get you to within +/- 20 Hz!!". All I can say is that you guy's at Elecraft did very well. I'm finding only a +/-10Hz deviation in my K2 across all of the bands!!! Job well done!!! - -rob K2#1406 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 15:08:38 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: [Elecraft] K2 revision 2 firmware release Revision 2 is a major upgrade to the K2 firmware, with many new features and improvements (see summary below). All of the new features are accessed from a secondary menu, allowing you to decide which features to use. The original configuration menu and basic K2 operation remains unchanged. All K2's shipped since the beginning of last month's Dayton Hamvention will receive this upgrade at no charge. Also, if you order the KIO2 option, the firmware upgrade is included. New features summary: * Computer control of the K2 via RS-232 (requires KIO2 option) * Up to three fully-programmable bands for use with transverters * User-selectable RTTY/Data mode with four independent crystal filter settings * Fast Play (one-button) CW message playback, using your choice of switches * VFO dial calibration of typically +/- 20 Hz across the entire tuning range * Four RIT/XIT ranges--up to +/- 4.8 kHz * Independent or per-band storage of SPLIT, RIT, and XIT configuration * Four different configurations for the RATE switch (VFO tuning rate) * Squelch (OFF or adjustable level, 1-10) * External amplifier/transverter relay switching control (for CW) For more details, see: www.elecraft.com/k2fw2.htm 73, Wayne, N6KR Eric, WA6HHQ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 17:15:00 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: [Elecraft] K2 firmware topics: "Fast-Play" CW messages This is the first in a series of postings about the new K2 firmware (revision 2). We thought this would be useful since so much has been added. Each posting will contain a bit of background on a particular new feature, as well as examples of how you might use it. The entire series will at some point also be posted on our web site. Note: the revision 2 firmware is supplied at no charge with the KIO2 option. But it can also be ordered separately. * * * Fast-Play CW Messages The buttons on the right side of the K2's front panel each have a primary and secondary function (activated by tap or hold). They also have a third function: representing the digits 0-9 for use in selecting frequency memories or CW message buffers. About 10 milliseconds after we delivered the first version of K2 firmware, we had a number of operators ask for, in effect, a *fourth* function. They wanted to be able to put the K2 into a mode where each message button played back its buffer immediately, so that the MSG button wouldn't have to be pressed first. This makes a lot of sense, especially during high-speed contest operation. We resisted this for a long time. Anyone who writes user interface software will appreciate the fact that such overloading of buttons, in particular the creation of "modal" operation, can lead to confusion. But when we switched to the new microcontroller--and had a lot more ROM to work with--we started testing more unobtrusive ways to accomplish the goal. What we realized is that careful selection of a *subset* of buttons to be made "hot" (i.e., Fast-Play) was a reasonable compromise. When you first power-up the K2 with the new firmware, Fast-Play is turned off. (We wouldn't want anyone to have to use new features without their consent!) To turn it on, you need to do two things: (1) assign PF1 or PF2 to "FPON" (Fast-Play on/off) using the menu; (2) enable Fast-Play by holding the assigned PF button until you see "FPLY ON" on the display. Once Fast-Play is turned on, anytime you select CW mode you'll see the letter "F" occasionally replace the normal mode letter ("C"). This serves as a subtle reminder. Next, you'll need to select which group of switches to use, and this is done with the "FPLY" menu entry in the secondary menu. (This is a completely new menu--the original or primary menu is still there, unchanged from older versions.) By default, you'll get "FPLY 45", which means that the "4" and "5" buttons are configured for Fast-Play when the rig is in CW mode. The other choices are 4/5/8, 2/3, and 2/3/4/5. Where did we come up with these groups? Simple: we tried to choose switches whose primary and secondary functions were rarely used (at least by many ops) when in CW mode. 4/5 is a good choice if you only need two buttons, since the preamp/attenuator and AGC settings aren't changed too often. If you do have to change these settings, you can temporarily exit Fast-Play mode with the assigned PF button. Using Fast Play Eric and I had our first serious shake-down of this new mode during Field Day. Since we had the KIO2 installed, we also used laptop-based logging and radio control for the first time at FD. We used the "CT" program, which works well for this contest. We might try TR Log next year. Using Fast-Play buttons for exchange/CQ messages turned out to work very well. We each made the classic "modal" interface mistake a couple of times--forgetting we were in Fast-Play mode, and hitting AGC, etc.--but after that, we were off to the races. We found that the time saved in not having to tap MSG first really did make things easier. To do message repeats, you still have to tap MSG first, then HOLD the numbered message button, but this is done much less often than the single-tap message transmissions. * * * The next posting in this series will be all about the new one-pass, more accurate CAL PLL algorithm. 73, Wayne, N6KR ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 11:41:56 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K2's ...a question. All current K2s are shipping with the latest firmware (2.01). 73, Eric kx4rgc wrote: > > I have a friend contemplating a K2 .....he is wondering > does it include the latest version of the firmware (software) or is it an > option? > > Tnx and 73 ! > Greg KX4R > K2 #1542 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2001 09:19:04 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Wishlist: K2 with more than 4 filter BWs via KIO2 option ke6d at juno.com wrote: > > I completed the KIO2 along with the KO0B CW filter, SSB filter mods the > other night. As I was playing around with retuning the filters on the > Spectrogram > program, it occurred to me that the only thing that the K2 firmware > needed for > a certain filter bandwidth was the BFO offset for that filter position. Hi Dan, We may add direct BFO and filter setting to a future version of the firmware. Unfortunately, you can't modify the settings via computer at present. You can use the SW and DS commands to change menu entries in general, but filter and bandwidth changes in CAL FIL require actual VFO knob movement, not just BAND+/BAND- commands. The UP and DN VFO commands are not yet usable for this purpose. 73, Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2001 11:38:18 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Are UP/DN VFO commands available to mic? Benjamin Blavat wrote: > > Hi Wayne, > > Does having up/dn VFO commands available mean I can assign up and down > functions to the mic keys of my Kenwood MC-43S? > > Thanks, 73's from W4BEN, > Benjamin Blavat K2 #1460, #1181 Hi Benjamin, The up/dn commands from the computer do move the VFO, but the up/dn buttons on the mic itself do what they have always done on the K2, which is switch between VFOs A and B. A future revision of the firmware might give you additional choices. Thanks for the suggestion. 73, Wayne +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 07:15:44 -0700 From: "N7SG K7FD" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 rev. 2 Firmware and QRQ CW I've noticed even at QRS speeds of 20-25wpm my keying to be much more error free now w/ the firmware upgrade. Big improvement all the way around... 73 John K7FD >From: DL2FI at t-online.de (Peter Zenker) >Just to inform you, > >one of the German K2 gang, DL2LE, Dieter suffered with the QRQ capability >of >his K2 from the beginning. At any speed above 40 WPM the signs are not as >good as they should be, either if you use an internal or an external key, >he >said. This was confirmed by several other high speed OPs (I personaly >cannot >test this, If I try to work above 40WPM any rig will sound worse ;-)). > >Last weekend I sent a REV. 2 firmware to Dieter, and here is the result: > >" Rev 2 is an source of joy for QRQ friends. All problems have gone. Now my >K2 is my number one in CW QRQ" > > >72/73 de Peter, DL2FI +++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2001 13:34:12 -0500 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] re new firmware Ken: >hi i have noticed since installing the new firmware in my k2 that half >of the first morse character sent from the memory is missing that is the >first c is sent -. and rest of memory message sounds great. is this a >bug? Well... I'm pretty sure it's not a FEATURE!!! But I merely took it a fact of having installed the new firmware. I re-programmed my memories and everything's A-OK now. Tom Hammond N0SS ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 13:51:28 -0700 From: "N7SG K7FD" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Firmware/Band Change Delay Adjustment? Hi Eric, I think you're on to something. My 'short delay' K2 has firmware 2.01F My 'long delay' K2 has firmware 2.01H The 2.01F firmware upgrade came with the KIO2 option, the 2.01H with my KAF2 kit. Both are acceptable to me...just noticed the difference between my two rigs, hi! Thanks for the info! 73 John K7FD >From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft > >Hi John, > >What is the revision of the K2 firmware (supplied with the KAF2s) in each >of >your rigs? The only thing we changed was to 'lengthen' the delay slightly >on a >later KAF2 release revision.. > >73, Eric > > >N7SG K7FD wrote: > > > > Tonight I finished my second KAF2 and firmware upgrade (for the other K2 > > here) but notice the band change delay is shorter between bands than the > > first one I built. Is there an adjustment I can make to match them up a > > little closer? I'd like to lengthen the hang time a hair more... > > > > 73 John K7FD +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 18:47:35 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Paul Erickson Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish list item Paul, this capability is already in the K2 firmware. Just go into the secondary menu and change "SPLT" to "PER" instead of "NOR". This saves the split, RIT and XIT status on a per-band basis. 73, Wayne N6KR Paul Erickson wrote: > > In the process of trying to catch the PW0 and TI9 > it occurs to me that it would be really nice if > the K2 was capable of recalling rit/xit status > from band to band, and also split status. It would > sure make trying to catch some of these guys easier > and would also decrease the likelihood of unintended > qrm. +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 21:38:06 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Ron D'Eau Claire Cc: Elecraft List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Firmware??? It's true, Ron: the new code speeds up encoder reading dramatically so that you can spin the VFO knob and have it easily keep up. The new firmware will be shipped with all new K2s, and the K2/100, and the KPA100 integration kit, and beyond that will be available as an upgrade. 73, Wayne N6KR Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > > Speaking of "new products" now that the KPAl00 is about to be shipped, I > recall a message saying that along with the KPA100 would be new firmware > that fixes the problem that causes the K2 to tune more slowly when the > tuning knob is turned more quickly. > > Is this true and is it available - or when might it be? > +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 05 Jun 2002 11:37:40 +0200 From: "Ingo, DK3RED" To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Nervious about new OS? Hello Steve, > I recently purchased a KAF2 and the new OS came with it. Woohoo! My question > is since I've saved or recorded my filter settings before I'm about to > install this new OS(chip) how will these filter settings translate since the > new OS uses frequency instead of the previous numbering scheme?? Anything > else I should save, know or do before plugging in my new OS and /or the > KAF2? No, you must not save any filter settings. All settings are saved in an EEPROM and not in the "OS chip". But you should run the VFO linearization on 40 meters. Thats all. -- 72/73 de Ingo, DK3RED Don't forget: the fun is the power! dk3red at t-online.de http://www.t-online.de/~dk3red DL-QRP-AG #824 http://www.dl-qrp-ag.de _______ ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 05 Oct 2002 20:19:41 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Tom Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Firmware upgrade Tom, Whether installing the new firmware does an EEPROM initialization depends on how old your firmware is. But just to be safe, write down your BFO and menu settings (including settings in the CAL menu, i.e. S-HI, S-LO, and CUR). Then follow the instructions in the Rev 2 Firmware Manual. If you didn't receive this with the kit, you can print it off the web site. 73, Wayne Tom wrote: > > Hi gang, > The mailman stopped by today with the KI02 interface. This comes with the > firmware upgrade which I intend to install before building the KI02 (I can > do that, right?). > > Is there anything I should be aware of, before removing the old firmware? > For example should I be writing down settings, etc.? > > Thanks in advance for your comments > > Tom McCulloch > WB2QDG > K2 S/N 1103 +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 08:58:00 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: g3pjt Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: XT2DX CQWW CW with K2 Bob & Lee, Thanks very much for the report. Regarding RANT (receive antenna menu entry): I do have a task on my firmware list to make all "binary" (2-state) functions simply toggle when assigned to PF1 or PF2. I hope to get this into the next revision, although I can't say when that will be. 73, Wayne +++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2002 09:42:54 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Cc: k6se at juno.com, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Message Memory Tom Hammond NØSS wrote: > I much prefer the method used by the CMOS Super Keyer series which allows > you to enter normally-spaces characters, but which will allow you to force > added character spacing (by entry of special control characters between > characters) when it is required. > This is quite likely to be included in a future revision of the K2 firmware. 73, Wayne ++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 08 Dec 2002 22:18:41 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Steve Jackson Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] three basic firmware questions Steve Jackson wrote: > 1. I have a K1 running v1.09 with a KAT1 at v1.20 firmware. What > improvement does the 1.30 KAT1 firmware version yield? Rev 1.3 works a lot harder to find a match with difficult loads. Without it, you may occasionally see "PLO" (power too low) during auto-tune. > 2. My K2 is running 2.01H firmware. An upgrade to 2.02H would yield what > changes? Should I wait for some of the other pending upgrades, such as the > keyer improvements recently discussed, or maybe mode storage per band per > VFO (poor man's band stacking registers) ? If you upgrade at this point you'll get 2.03d and a new revision of the I/O controller, too (1.07). These provide support for the KAT100 and KPA100, as well as much faster VFO update as you spin the knob. There are a also number of minor bug fixes. If you do the upgrade, I'd recommend doing it in conjunction with the "Rev A to Rev B Upgrade" mod kit and instructions, which will be posted next week. > 3. Also in my K2: how can I tell - from the display - what version of KAT2 > firmware I'm running? Or do I need to pop the lid off and peek at the chip > label? If it makes the question of firmware revision predictable, my KAT2 > is an original revision, from 2000. The newest KAT2 firmware offers what > changes over the revision I now have? You can check this in the ATU menu entry (e.g. "F1.00"). The latest KAT2 revision provides a very slight improvement in initial SWR achieved when you press TUNE. 73, Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++