ELECRAFT K3 Programmer's Reference Manual

E
LECRAFT
Command Set Overview
The K3 firmware provides a wide range of remote control commands. A brief description of each command
appears in Table 1, and full details can be found in the Command Reference section.
Table 1 K3 Control Commands. Note: Commands marked with an asterisk (*) are
new commands, not available on the Elecraft K2.
Name Description
! , @ * Direct DSP control
AG * AF gain
AI Auto-info mode
AN Antenna selection
BG Bargraph level
BR * Baud rate set
DB * VFO B disp. read/write
DL * Development use only
DM * Development use only
DN VFO (or menu) down
DS VFO A display read/write
FA VFO A frequency
FB VFO B frequency
FN * Func. encoder control
FR Receive VFO selection
FT Transmit VFO selection
Some commands emulate front-panel controls, so they can be used to quickly write applications that have a K3
"look and feel." The SWT/SWH commands emulate switch TAP or HOLD. MN directly accesses menu functions.
The DS command reads the VFO A display, including the decimal points, annunciators, and flash/no-flash state of
each annunciator. DB reads the VFO B display, which is fully alphanumeric.
Most of the remaining commands directly read or modify radio parameters, such as the VFO A and B frequencies,
operating mode, keyer speed, power level, and filter bandwidth.
There is often an overlap in command functionality between emulation and parametric commands. For example,
you can select the next operating mode using SW to virtually "tap" the MODE switch, or you directly set a
specific mode using MD. Another case involves the BG and SM commands. BG reads the bargraph level in either
receive or transmit mode, so it can retrieve the S-meter level, RF output level, or ALC level, depending on the
context. The SM command reads only the S-meter level.
Using a Terminal Program
K3 commands are human readable (text), which means you can experiment with them using a terminal program.
When setting up the terminal program, turn on local echo and local line feed so you can see what you've sent to the
K3. Type commands using lower case so you can easily distinguish K3 responses, which will be in upper case. You
can enter carriage returns before or after commands to create white space. The K3 doesn't provide any text editing
support, so if you make a mistake, don't hit backspace--just type a semicolon (;) and start over.
K3 P
ROGRAMMER'S
Rev. A, October 10, 2007
Name Description
FW Filter bandwidth and #
GT AGC speed and on/off
ID Radio identification
IF General information
K2 K2 command mode
K3 * K3 command mode
KS Keyer speed
KY Keyboard CW
LD * Development use only
LK VFO lock
MD Operating mode
MN * Menu access
NB Noise blanker mode
PA RX preamp on/off
PC Power output level
PS * Power-on/off control
1
R
EFERENCE
Name Description
RA RX attenuator on/off
RC RIT/XIT offset clear
RD RIT down
RG * RF gain
RT RIT on/off
RU RIT up
RV * Development use only
RX Receive mode
SM S-meter
SQ Squelch level
SWT/H * Switch emulation
UP VFO (or menu) up
TQ Transmit query
TT * Text-to-Terminal
TX Transmit mode (SSB)
XT XIT on/off