New Firmware Information

MCU 01.29 / 5-21-2014

* Added noise blanker feature.  New menu entries:  NB En and NB Level.

* Compiler optimization results in a faster update rate.

* SCALE is now stored by band.

* Fixed an obscure bug that occasionally caused the P3 preamp to turn off when using CW QSK on the K3 with external keying. 

* Fixed bug:  Occasionally RS-232 "get" (query) responses from the K3 would be interlaced with responses from the P3.

* Added error trap to prevent illegal SPAN condition.

* Corrected 1-pixel error in tic mark positions on the 6 meter band.

* Improved operation of the QSY feature.  For example, the VFO B cursor now moves automatically when the K3 VFOs are linked.

* The SVGA reference level is now correct when the P3 amplifier turns on or off.

* Fixed a bug that caused the FN1 label to disappear when changing to tracking mode.

* The transmit cursor in Data A mode now defaults to receiver bandwidth.

Note that units with the optional SVGA module require SVGA firmware version 1.16 or later.

MCU 01.24 / 1-16-2013

* Added an SVGA menu option to store a bitmap copy of the external monitor screen to a USB mass storage device.

* Added SVGA menu options to save and restore the SVGA module's state to a USB mass storage device.

* Added an alternate 1920x1080 external display resolution that works better on some monitors.

* Eliminated extra characters on the display in certain circumstances when the SPAN adjustment is active and a span-set function key is pressed.

* The maximum SCALE value is properly clipped to 80 dB when changing SPAN with Menu:SpanScale set to "REF LVL &SCALE".

* Tweaked many parameter-setting routines to tune a little more slowly. 

* Increased the memory depth of the algorithm that prevents false knob rotation when pressing the knob switch.

* Fixed a bug that caused an occasional wrong cursor width due to a missing mode command from the K3 when the SVGA is in data mode.

* The #RVS and #RVF commands respond properly if the SVGA option is not present (99.99) or has only boot-load firmware installed (00.00). 

* The SVGA is reset after a firmware download to prevent an incorrect response to the #RVS command.

* The #FXT command properly sets the external SVGA as well as the main display.

* Fixed a bug involving downloading K3 firmware when the SVGA data display mode is enabled.

* Fixed a bug that could cause the external SVGA display to lock up when turning the knob on the P3.

MCU 01.20 / 9-14-2012

* Supports SVGA data mode, including new SVGA menu entries:  "SVGA data" on/off, "SVGA fntD" (data display font), "SVGA WinR" (receive window size), and "SVGA WinT" (transmit window size). 

* The center frequency and span are saved in EEPROM when in "0 Hz" mode.

MCU 01.16 / 4-27-2012

* Faster P3 Utility response when no SVGA board is installed.

MCU 01.15 / 4-24-2012

* The U-shaped cursor option is now supported on the external SVGA display. 

* Added the menu selection, "MENU : SVGA menu : SVGA FW" to display the revision numbers of SVGA firmware and FPGA images.

* Disabling the SVGA now blanks the external display.

* The external display waterfall color bias is initialized properly at power-up.

* The AVERAGE and MKRA/B parameter adjustment text on the external display is removed when the adjustment is exited on the P3.

* The "VFB" RS-232 command now works with the SVGA display.

* MKR A and MKR B adjustment text on the external display is still on after changing SVGA resolution and after the un-QSY function.

* The waterfall height adjustment on the external display is terminated when pressing a toggle key on the P3.

* The display frequency is correct when K3 RIT is on after switching from tracking to fixed-tune mode.

* Fixed an intermittent bug in the "#QSY" RS-232 command.

* VFO B cursor displays correctly when VFO B is on a different band.

* The auto-baud of the K3 RS-232 port works again.  (It broke in version 1.06.)

MCU 01.13 / 3-22-2012

* Removed 57,600 and 115,200 baud from the RS-232 menu. 

* Added "SVGA font" menu selection to change font size on external display.

* Added "SVGA bias" menu selection to adjust waterfall color bias on external display.

* Monochrome waterfall option now works on external SVGA display also.

* Waterfall averaging on external SVGA display is correct after a power cycle.

* Span for fixed-tune mode is now set properly upon parameter initialization.

* Fixed parameter initialization bug that could cause P3 to lock up.

MCU 01.12 / 3-13-2012

* Fixed bug that sometimes caused high noise levels on the external display upon span changes in tracking mode.

* Fixed bug that caused reference level to fail to be recalled from flash memory when changing bands in fixed-tune mode.

MCU 01.11 / 3-8-2012

* Added support for the SVGA option module, including new MENU sub-menu.

* Added RS-232 commands #RST, #RVF and #RVS. 

* Added "Reset" menu entry.

* Added 57,600 and 115,200 baud to the RS-232 menu. 

* Added monochrome waterfall option via MENU:Wfall Clr.

* The screen display for the waterfall height adjustment is smoother.

* Inhibits intermittent display of transmit leakage in CW mode.

* When the K3 sub and main receivers are sharing an antenna, the 3 dB loss in the antenna splitter is compensated on the P3 display.

* Negative frequencies display correctly in non-K3 mode.

* LCD test mode is terminated by any key press.

* The numeric frequency display is now correct when RIT is on.

MCU 01.09 / 6-22-2011

* Added optional vertical bar-shaped VFO A and VFO B cursors.  MENU:Cursor switches between the old U-shaped and new bar-shaped cursor types.

* The K3 TX frequency is now indicated by a red cursor whenever RIT, XIT and/or SPLIT are selected on the K3. 

* Changed VFO A cursor color to green.

* Cursor off-screen arrows are enabled when the inside edge of the cursor disappears.

* Re-tuning in fixed-tune mode when VFO A is tuned off-screen is now based on the center of the passband, rather than the carrier frequency

* Changed format of MKR A and MKR B frequency readout to match main display. 

* MKR A zero and MKR B zero now automatically enable the respective marker.

* Tap-to-QSY works correctly on microwave transverter bands.

* Frequency tic marks are more accurate on microwave transverter bands.

* Increased display time for toggle parameters to 2 seconds.

MCU 01.05 / 2-16-2011

* Added RS-232 commands, #FXA and #FXT, to support fixed-tune mode.

* The default is now Tracking rather than Fixed-tune mode.

* The displayed VFO cursors are not allowed to straddle the suppressed carrier frequency in SSB, CW and DATA A modes, to more-closely match actual K3 operation.

* VFO cursors are more accurate in AM mode.

* Fixed a bug that caused the frequency to sometimes tune in the wrong direction on the 6 meter band in fixed-tune mode.

* Fixed a bug that can cause some parameters stored in the EEPROM to be corrupted when upgrading between certain firmware versions.

* In fixed-tune mode, large frequency excursions, band changes, and span changes using SpanSet that place the K3 VFO A cursor off-screen now automatically re-center the display on the approximate VFO A frequency, while maintaining a "rounded-off" start frequency.

* Transverter frequencies now display correctly in fixed-tune mode.

* Markers work better in transverter bands.

MCU 01.00 / 1-18-2011

* Changed "S9" level on 6 meters from -93 dBm to -73 dBm to match the K3.

* Several minor bug fixes.

MCU 00.50 / 1-9-2011

* A new fixed-tuning mode keeps the P3 frequency display constant.  Instead of the display tracking the K3 VFO A, the display frequencies stay fixed and the VFO A cursor moves across the screen as the VFO is tuned.  Requires K3 firmware version 4.25 or later.  There are two new menu entries:
- MENU:FixTrack:  Switches between fixed-tune and tracking modes.
- MENU:FixMode:  Selects among 4 center frequency auto-adjust methods:
     Full span:  Display jumps a span width when VFO A is tuned off-screen.
     Half span:  Display jumps half a span width to keep VFO A on-screen.
     Slide:  Display moves the minimum necessary to keep VFO A on-screen.
     Static:  Display never moves, even if VFO A is tuned off-screen.

* Added MENU:CenterEn option to disable the CENTER function in tracking mode.  Disabled is the default.  The CENTER key still works to re-center the display on the VFO A frequency.

* Either dotted or solid graticule lines for the amplitude level may be selected via MENU:Lvl Lines.

* The spectrum vertical scale can now be either dBm or S-units plus dB over S9, as selected in MENU:Lvl Mode.  Note that this may not always correspond to the K3's S meter for various reasons.  See P3 Owner's Manual.

* At power-on, the MENU selection defaults to FW Rev.

* Added a MENU function "XV Invert" to indicate whether the spectrum should be inverted or not on each transverter band.

* Fixed incorrect per-band reference level storage when using MENU:Span Set..

* The preamplifier now stays off when strong signals that could overload the ADC are present in the passband.  The wrong trip level was used previously.

* Modified the preamplifier algorithm to make the relay click less often.

MCU 00.41 / 11-1-2010

* Added a MENU function "Lvl Cal" to calibrate the displayed amplitude level.

* Added a MENU function "XV Gain" to set the gains of the K3 transverter bands.  Values default to 25 dB to approximate the gain of the K144XV.

* Added many new RS-232 commands.

* Saving reference level by band now takes into account the SpanScale setting.

* Fixed a display freeze caused by increasing the span with the scale set to a low value and SpanScale set to "REF_LVL & SCALE".

MCU 00.40 / 10-19-2010

* Added two new MENU functions to zero MKR A and MKR B.

* Fixed display glitches caused by RS-232 traffic at certain spans.

* VFO B cursor width is correct if VFO A and VFO B use different modes.

* Frequency-axis tic marks move when changing RIT frequency.

* K3 commands with long responses work correctly at 4800 baud.

MCU 00.38 / 10-1-2010

* Several MENU items are now toggle functions that can be changed with a key press.

* Added a digit to the center frequency display (10 Hz resolution).

* Better resolution of the frequency-axis tic marks.

MCU 00.37 / 9-23-2010

* K3 firmware can be updated without turning off the P3.

* Preset spans may be assigned to FN keys using the MENU selection Span Set.

* Peak and freeze functions toggle properly from the MENU.

* The waterfall is restored when returning from the display test.

MCU 00.36 / 9-16-2010

* Center frequency and markers now work on UHF transverter bands.

MCU 00.35 / 9-14-2010

* Additional latency reduction for K3 commands.

* Extensive changes to the RS-232 handler.  To obtain the full benefit of the improvements, use K3 firmware 04.12 or later.

* Added "Knob Tap" and "Knob Hold" to the MENU.

* Added 8215 kHz to transceiver menu.

* Fixed missing single line in bitmap display upload.

MCU 00.34 / 8/24/2010

* Fixed a bug that caused FN key definitions to be lost when upgrading firmware.

* Eliminates rare screen freeze after transmit.

* The amplifier relay clicks less often.

MCU 00.33 / 8-19-2010

* Center frequency defaults to zero if no K3 is connected.

* Transceiver definition is now saved in EEPROM.

* Procedures to store parameters in EEPROM are completely re-written.

* Changed the scaling of the MENU function that adjusts Ref Cal.

MCU 00.32 / 8-15-2010

* Changed waterfall markers to match spectrum markers.

* Changed tuning rate and added ballistic tuning for CENTER.

* Changed adjustment step size for Rate and Waterfall height.

MCU 00.31 / 8-13-2010

New features:

* The reference level is now saved per band.

* Added ballistic tuning for SPAN.

* The widths of MKR A and MKR B are reduced from 2 to 1 pixel.

* MKR A and MKR B do not overlay the spectrum line.

* Reduced the brightness of the center-frequency line.

Bug fixes:

* Eliminated a 1-pixel error in the positions of the x-axis frequency tics.

* Improved RS-232 response between the PC and XCVR connections.

* Changes to make EEPROM reads more robust.

MCU 00.30 / 8-10-2010

New features:

* Averaging optionally applies to the waterfall as well as the spectrum.

* Average and Peak are not re-set after small changes in frequency.

* MKR A and MKR B are reset upon a K3 band change.

Bug fixes:

* If MKR A or MKR B is active when activating the menu, then it automatically becomes active again upon exiting the menu.

* Further refinement of the algorithm that reads the knob encoder.

* Fixed a bug that caused some parameters not to be stored to EEPROM.

* In the bitmap upload, eliminated a two-pixel error in the waterfall position.

* Display no longer sometimes hangs for awhile after a long transmission.

MCU 00.29 / 8-4-2010

New features:

* If AVERAGE was on when PEAK is enabled, it is turned back on again when PEAK is disabled.

Bug fixes:

* Eliminated a 1-pixel error in the positions of the VFO cursors.

* The P3's CW pitch value is properly initialized at power-on.

* The cursor positions are now accurate for AFSK A, FSK D and PSK D modes when the pitch or shift is set to other than the default value.

* Refined the algorithm that reads the knob encoder.

MCU 00.28 / 8-2-2010

Bug fixes:

* Fixed corrupted bitmap uploads.

* Eliminated a sporadic small center-frequency error.

* At power-on, MKR A and MKR B now stay off after a parameter adjustment.

* Eliminated a one-pixel error in the location of the center frequency marker.

MCU 00.27 / 7-28-2010 

* Production release