I noticed that my KX3 wasn't transmitting out of bands anymore... Not that I want to, or be a part of MARS, but in case of emergency, you never know... A while ago someone here emailed me a program to remove band limits. I had to run it on Window$, but it worked flawlessly. The 27MHz/11m band is still blocked, which is a shame. I can now transmit everywhere else in case of life-and-death emergency. Program is hereby attached. Use it at your own risk. By downloading it you are releasing me of any liability, would something go wrong and you brick your radio.
Gil.
Are you sure that this software is for the KX3 ?
When I install it it, it states that this is for a K3 ?
Hello,
Yes, it is the same software for the K3 and the KX3. I would suggest that you backup your firmware before doing the mod. You can always download the latest from elecraft too. Make sure you know how to re-upload the firmware if something goes wrong.. I am not sure the version here is the latest, but worth a try.
Gil.
When I had a KX3 (which I loved dearly...) I had the 'MARS mod' using the software and it worked perfectly. The radio used to come out of the box 'open' except for the CB block, which is perfectly fine with me and keeps them out of potential hot water with the FCC. They began installing a han only block due to ham worry-warts who think that they cannot control their own radio and neither can anyone else. Those 'numbers' nt he front of the radio mean something, so I read and obey - no biggie. However, as Gil said, should there be a need (as opposed to a whim) to transmit outside of the ham bands, it is available if you use this software once.
de RadioRay ..._ ._
Version 2.0.1 is the latest program from &lecraft.
The older version Gil provided did not detect my KX3 and would not modify the band limits.
Thanks John, what is your firmware version?
Gil.
MCU 2.25 / DSP 1.30, 10-23-2014
The latest on &lecraft's site.
QuoteMCU 2.25 / DSP 1.30, 10-23-2014
Darn, I was running 1.61!
Gil.
I now have a KX3 in my Florida Hurricane "Go Bag" inventory along with two FT-817's that where easily modified for use in my EOC activities.It was a surprise that the KX3 with its fantastic antenna tuner DSP qualites was locked from SHARES and other ECOM frequencies which are the Crux Radio Preparedness .
I find it funny that this "QRP radio it is still blocked on the CB sector when one can find almost every KenIcomYesu 100 watt mobile radios which can!
Many Thanks for the software.&3's
Steve
AB2ET/4
QuoteI find it funny that this "QRP radio it is still blocked on the CB sector when one can find almost every KenIcomYesu 100 watt mobile radios which can!
Has to be a legal issue. The other radios require a hardware modification, but the KX3 could be unlocked via firmware. Elecraft can't legally release the code... I guess someone would have to reverse-engineer the firmware and release the unlock code... Not sure if that would be legal, but as long as one doesn't transmit on the CB band, then the unlocked radio should be legal.
Gil.
Hello, Can anyone help me about a software to opne up the Band Limits of the KX2? I'm still searching for a software to open the Band Limits. Thanks in advance! Henning
QuoteHello, Can anyone help me about a software to opne up the Band Limits of the KX2?
Look at the first post, the file is attached to it.
Gil.
Hi!
Thank you for coming back on my post.
I try this, and it works!
On my first try i didn´t change the RS232-Speed!
many Thanks!
73 Feudel
Hi Guys,
Late to this thread, but need some help.
I'm having trouble with both of these KX2/3 downloads, I can't make either of them open or run on my PC. I have a KX2, the programming cable, andKX2 utility on the PC and it all works fine.
What do I do with it all now?
thanks for the help
Hi,
Did you get the latest versions from Elecraft?
The programs posted here are probably out of date...
Gil.
I put in a call to elecraft, no word back as of this morning.
I don't see anything on their website about this mod either. Maybe I just missed it.
can you tell me how the software gets installed?
Hi there, Wouldn't the MARS mod render your KX3 unusable under the new FCC advisory note relating to the ability of equipment to transmit out of amateur bands?
C'mon, Andy,
You know that most Americans don't obey faceless distant bureaucrats, unless we personally believe in that particular regulation. That goes double if it came from Washington D.C. ha ha
Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus
- or something like that ;-)
de RadioRay ..._ ._
Quote from: Andywragg on October 16, 2018, 04:42:53 AM
Hi there, Wouldn't the MARS mod render your KX3 unusable under the new FCC advisory note relating to the ability of equipment to transmit out of amateur bands?
I'm guessing you are referring to the FCC taking on Baofeng regarding violating the rules concerning commercial sales of "type accepted" equipment. There is no prohibition against amateurs possessing or using equipment capable of out of band transmissions; the prohibition is against actually transmitting where they are not authorized. The MARS mod does not affect amateur use of the equipment within amateur bands. US amateurs are free to design, build, modify and operate their own equipment as long as the equipment meets FCC emission standards. That's why kits can be sold without going through the "type acceptance" approval process. The kit isn't a radio until it is assembled, and then it is up to the individual amateur to make sure his equipment complies.
But, some time ago I read the NTIA (the agency that regulates US Federal frequencies) had ruled that MARS members had to use equipment that complied with NTIA regulations, which did not include modified amateur equipment. I am not a MARS member and I don't know how that played out. The NTIA regulates Federal government frequencies, including military, and the FCC regulates civilian frequencies.
Wally
Hi Gil and the Group!
I have tried to install the bandlimit changing program as provided here but I could not. It says something on system requirements. My computer here runs on Win7 64 bit. Any advice?
Thanks!
Hi Peter.
I would suggest an older version of Windows, 32 bits...
Gil.
Successfully installed on a KX2. Make sure you change the RS232 speed to something less than the default used by the utility (38400). I used 9600 in the setup of the KX2 under RS232. It works fine. I plan to do it next on my KX3. The KPA500 is not bothered by the TX being out of band. Test it on a dummy load as it will not be resonant on your amateur antenna otherwise without using an impedance matcher.
Good to know the software still works, thanks.
Gil.