Current K4 Production Software

K4 Production Software (Release R36) Dec 9, 2024

• K4 software updates are handled at the radio itself.  An ethernet connection is required to obtain new software. It is also possible to load (or re-load) software from a USB flash drive. For further information on that topic, please refer to the K4 Operating Manual.
• The K4 provides new features via software. As a result, you should consider the Release Notes as an extension of the Owners Manual. Documentation for the new features will be found there and will not appear in the Owner’s Manual until the next manual revision is released.
• K4 production software release notes appear below, followed by release notes for the present beta release.

============================================================
======================R36 (PRODUCTION) ========================
============================================================

December 9, 2024

Release R36 is now available, bringing full remote control capability to your K4 transceiver, as well as several improvements that apply to both normal and Remote use. This release also lays the groundwork for remote control of the K4 from our forthcoming K4/0 control unit and VK4 software, as well as third-party control applications.

=== FOR FIRST-TIME REMOTE USERS ===

If you're new to K4-to-K4 remote operation, please refer to the K4's built-in operating manual for a comprehensive introduction and step-by-step setup procedure for both client and server radios. (See REMOTE CONTROL section, accessible from the table of contents.)

 

======================================
NEW FEATURES (RELATIVE TO R35 RELEASE)
======================================

=== ITEMS THAT APPLY TO BOTH NORMAL AND REMOTE ===

- "RX AUDIO GAIN BOOST" MENU ENTRY:  This menu entry allows users who prefer higher overall audio output to specify up to 6 dB of additional gain. NOTE: The default setting (0 dB) is generally recommended. Higher settings should be used only if the maximum AF GAIN setting is not adequate for the operator. (The max of 6 dB is intended to reduce the possibility of AF-stage clipping on strong signals.)

- AGC THRESHOLD can now be set to values 2 and 3. These lower thresholds may be useful for those who prefer more aggressive AGC on weaker signals, such as on quiet bands or with preamps OFF.

- DIVERSITY-ON BUG FIX: When diversity is turned on, preamp, attenuator, and RF gain settings are no longer copied from VFO A to VFO B. (Also applies on band change with diversity already ON.)

- FSK TRANSMIT BANDWIDTH NOW MUCH NARROWER: Now using controlled sigmoidal tone-shift method to greatly reduce FSK TX bandwidth.

 

=== CHANGES PERTAINING ONLY TO REMOTE ===

- REMOTE SETTINGS BUTTON ADDED TO LCD: There's a new button ("globe" icon) in the lower left-hand corner of the LCD, next to the "?" (INFO) button. Tap this to access the client or server settings screens. Refer to the REMOTE feature details below, and the REMOTE section of the manual, for details on client and server setup.

- REMOTE FRONT PANEL EMULATION (AKA "REMOTE"): The new Remote feature allows you to easily control a K4 transceiver anywhere in the world over the Internet. The K4 can act as either a client or server, and no additional hardware or interface devices are required beyond a router at each end. Additional client devices and software are in development, including our K4/0 remote front panel unit, VK4 Windows application, and a third-party iOS app. (Additional client software applications may be developed in the future, thanks to the K4's large host command set and streaming capability.)

- REMOTE FRONT PANEL EMULATION DOCUMENTATION: The latest K4 operating manual includes a comprehensive section on setting up Remote. Please read this section carefully if you plan to use your K4 as a Remote server or client. To get to the REMOTE section, start at the Table of Contents (under "III. Operation"), then click on REMOTE near the bottom of the list.

- "TX MONITOR LEVEL, REMOTE" MENU ENTRY: This menu entry sets Remote TX monitor audio level *only* for CW M1..M4 message play and FSK/PSK tones. It does not affect normal paddle-sent CW sidetone in Remote, which is regenerated locally at the client K4.

 

======================================
REMOTE KNOWN ISSUES
======================================

The following will be addressed in a future release:

- XVTR menu functions not yet implemented for Remote purposes.
- In Client mode, DVR TX monitor level during playback tracks the AF GAIN control instead of being set by the MON knob.
- If SUB is ON when a DVR message is played, monitor audio is only output to the LEFT audio channel instead of both audio channels.
- In Client mode, CW and FSK memory playback cannot be interrupted by tapping the REC switch.

December 9, 2024

• See K4 Software Release Notes for complete revision history.

  

 

K4 BETA Software Release Notes

======================================================
====================== R37.BETA1 =======================
======================================================

January 16, 2025

This is an interim release with only two changes:

-Experimental support for K4 Remote applications on Apple devices.

-Remote panadapter bug fix:  Very large signals no longer show a negative value on the spectrum display.

======================================================
====================== R36.BETA4 =======================
======================================================

November 26, 2024

---------------------
KNOWN ISSUES (REMOTE)
---------------------

The following issues will be addressed in a future release.

- In Client mode, DVR TX monitor level during playback is tracking the AF GAIN control instead of being controlled by the MON knob.

- If SUB is ON when a DVR message is played, monitor audio is only output to the LEFT audio channel instead of both audio channels.

- In Client mode, CW and FSK memory playback cannot be interrupted by tapping the REC switch.

(For additional details on Remote, see full details at R36.BETA3, below.)

----------
BUGS FIXES
----------

- SUB RX AUDIO DURING REMOTE TX: Sub-RX audio no longer incorrectly appears in the right audio channel during transmit via a remote K4.

- MAX CLIENTS now shows correct value after power-cycle with any value (i.e., 0 to 4). (Setting MAX CLIENTS to 0 effectively prevents Remote use of your K4.)

- PTT/VOX ASSERTION WITH REMOTE DVR MESSAGE PLAY: With a Remote connection, PTT and VOX both now behave the same as they do in Local mode: You can have PTT or VOX asserted, then play a DVR message, and when it finishes, the server radio will still be in TX Mode (if PTT or VOX is still asserted). Previously, playing a message in this situation would result in the server radio exiting transmit.

- DVR RECORD CONTINUITY: Previously, DVR record could get canceled unexpectedly, sometimes making it difficult to record a new DVR message while connected to a remote server K4.

- DVR MESSAGE TX EQ: DVR messages are now correctly stored with *non-equalized* (FLAT) audio. TX EQ is applied only on playback.

--------------
FOR DEVELOPERS
--------------

- RX; command now correct terminates DVR message playback in all cases.

- RA-; command now works correctly in all cases.Nov. 26, 2024

---------------------
KNOWN ISSUES (REMOTE)
---------------------

The following issues will be addressed in a future release.

- In Client mode, DVR TX monitor level during playback is tracking the AF GAIN control instead of being controlled by the MON knob.

- If SUB is ON when a DVR message is played, monitor audio is only output to the LEFT audio channel instead of both audio channels.

- In Client mode, CW and FSK memory playback cannot be interrupted by tapping the REC switch.

(For additional details on Remote, see full details at R36.BETA3, below.)

----------
BUGS FIXES
----------

- SUB RX AUDIO DURING REMOTE TX: Sub-RX audio no longer incorrectly appears in the right audio channel during transmit via a remote K4.

- MAX CLIENTS now shows correct value after power-cycle with any value (i.e., 0 to 4). (Setting MAX CLIENTS to 0 effectively prevents Remote use of your K4.)

- PTT/VOX ASSERTION WITH REMOTE DVR MESSAGE PLAY: With a Remote connection, PTT and VOX both now behave the same as they do in Local mode: You can have PTT or VOX asserted, then play a DVR message, and when it finishes, the server radio will still be in TX Mode (if PTT or VOX is still asserted). Previously, playing a message in this situation would result in the server radio exiting transmit.

- DVR RECORD CONTINUITY: Previously, DVR record could get canceled unexpectedly, sometimes making it difficult to record a new DVR message while connected to a remote server K4.

- DVR MESSAGE TX EQ: DVR messages are now correctly stored with *non-equalized* (FLAT) audio. TX EQ is applied only on playback.

--------------
FOR DEVELOPERS
--------------

- RX; command now correct terminates DVR message playback in all cases.

- RA-; command now works correctly in all cases.Nov. 26, 2024

---------------------
KNOWN ISSUES (REMOTE)
---------------------

The following issues will be addressed in a future release.

- In Client mode, DVR TX monitor level during playback is tracking the AF GAIN control instead of being controlled by the MON knob.

- If SUB is ON when a DVR message is played, monitor audio is only output to the LEFT audio channel instead of both audio channels.

- In Client mode, CW and FSK memory playback cannot be interrupted by tapping the REC switch.

(For additional details on Remote, see full details at R36.BETA3, below.)

----------
BUGS FIXES
----------

- SUB RX AUDIO DURING REMOTE TX: Sub-RX audio no longer incorrectly appears in the right audio channel during transmit via a remote K4.

- MAX CLIENTS now shows correct value after power-cycle with any value (i.e., 0 to 4). (Setting MAX CLIENTS to 0 effectively prevents Remote use of your K4.)

- PTT/VOX ASSERTION WITH REMOTE DVR MESSAGE PLAY: With a Remote connection, PTT and VOX both now behave the same as they do in Local mode: You can have PTT or VOX asserted, then play a DVR message, and when it finishes, the server radio will still be in TX Mode (if PTT or VOX is still asserted). Previously, playing a message in this situation would result in the server radio exiting transmit.

- DVR RECORD CONTINUITY: Previously, DVR record could get canceled unexpectedly, sometimes making it difficult to record a new DVR message while connected to a remote server K4.

- DVR MESSAGE TX EQ: DVR messages are now correctly stored with *non-equalized* (FLAT) audio. TX EQ is applied only on playback.

--------------
FOR DEVELOPERS
--------------

- RX; command now correct terminates DVR message playback in all cases.

- RA-; command now works correctly in all cases.

======================================================
====================== R36.BETA3 =====================
======================================================

Sept. 30, 2024

 

=== SUMMARY ===

Over the course of several field-test versions since R36.BETA2, we've used the experience gained to greatly improve client-side radio behavior in all modes. See full list of changes below. The K4 now has a convenient, reliable, and integrated solution for remote control, allowing you and you remote partners to share excellent RF locations and antenna systems.

This release also lays the groundwork for remote control of the K4 from our forthcoming K4/0 control unit and VK4 software. Full details will be posted when available.

=== FOR FIRST-TIME REMOTE USERS ===

If you're new to K4-to-K4 remote operation, please refer to the K4's built-in operating manual for a comprehensive introduction and step-by-step setup procedure for both client and server radios. (See REMOTE CONTROL section, accessible from the table of contents.)

=== FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS ===

The K4 Programmer's Reference has recently been updated to cover all new and updated commands related to remote operation. Look for revision D2 (or later) of this document on our K4 documentation page.

------------------------------------------------
IMPROVEMENTS TO REMOTE OPERATION SINCE R36.BETA2
------------------------------------------------

- DVR MESSAGE TRANSMIT FUNCTIONS NOW AVAILABLE with remote connection.

- MAJOR REVISIONS TO RX/TX SEQUENCING IN K4 REMOTE: Eliminated audio artifacts, cleaned up timing, and improved QSK. (Note: Internet latency changes the sound of QSK, but it's still effective.) CW message repeat can now be interrupted in the delay between message transmissions.

- REDUCED RX AUDIO LATENCY; IMPROVED AUDIO QUALITY AND DROP-OUT RECOVERY. Increased data flow max timeout to 10 seconds. Taken together these changes will help smooth remote operation over erratic internet connections.

- EXTERNAL FSK KEYING OF CLIENT NOW WORKS: PTT action is passed to the server. Also, the FSK decode pin is now always enabled in FSK D mode.

- ANTENNA NAME DISPLAY AND ENABLED ANTENNA CONFIG is now working in remote.

- CORRECT ANTENNA NAMES USED IN REMOTE: If a server K4 had no named antennas, but the client did, client would see its own names in Remote mode. Now, the client will see only generic antenna names (e.g. ANT1/2/3) when connected to a server without named antennas.

- RX DYN. OPTIMIZATON menu entry now working in remote.

- MOUSE L/R BUTTON QSY MENU ENTRY now working in remote.

-----------------------
FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
-----------------------

The following control commands have been added or improved since R36.BETA2. See Programmer's Reference rev. D2 or later for full command descriptions.

=== NON-REMOTE ===

- Added RA+ RA- RA/ commands (attenuator control).
- XVTR support for FA set command added. (Previously, FA144200000; would go to 54 MHz.)
- APF audio peak setting was getting lost.
- DAMSm; saves last recording to Voice Memory m (see full DA command description).

- ACM, ACS, ACT; Specifies accessible antenna options in MAIN/SUB/TX ANT CFG (for use with RX ANT, SUB ANT, and ANT switches, respectively). Default antenna names can be recovered using ACN1~;  or ACNn ; where n can be 1 to 5.

=== REMOTE ===

- DO; command (DIGOUT1 pin control) support added.
- IF; command response now returns correct state when connected to a remote.
- MI; command no longer changes mic input when in DATA mode; always forces MI2.
- RRC1; - sets connection limit to 1
- RL; - Returns currently selected software release (see RLP; RLF; etc.)

=== NEW BUFFER / LATENCY SETTING COMMANDS ===

In a high latency scenario (slow or unstable connection) you will need to adjust some buffer/latency settings to account for the random large jitter for a better overall quality experience.

On the CLIENT radio, you can adjust the desired RX audio buffer size:  SL6;  is the max (~686ms). 

On the SERVER radio, there are two settings, one for TX audio, one for CW:  SL6; as above for Phone. Then for CW, KZLnnn; where n is 1 to 999 ms. Example: KZL750; for 750 ms.

----------------------
K4 REMOTE KNOWN ISSUES
----------------------

- LOGGING CONSIDERATIONS FOR REMOTE CONTACTS: Be careful logging contacts when switching between local and remote. Your radio has the same LAN IP address and COM port numbers whether operating locally or connected to a remote server. Your logger can't tell the difference but your logs need to document the actual locations of the active radio.

- Frequency memories: The current implementation saves quick memory (and GP memory) data on the client radio for each individual server to which you connect, based on the target radio's serial number. It creates a different freqMemory in a sub-directory for each remote K4 to which you connect. So, if you connect to a server first, then reprogram all the per-band quick memories, they will be stored and usable on the client whenever connected.

- TX / MAIN RX / SUB RX functions: During Remote operation, most functions apply to the SERVER radio. In the future an asterisk (*) will be added to all functions that apply to the server.

- XVTR menu functions not yet implemented over remote.