I just spoke directly to Wayne at Elecraft.

We have some good news.

1. A new feature has been added to the k3 firmware called switch tones.
This adds varyin gpitch tones to switch presses to indicate their state.
I'll report more after I get someone over to help me turn them on.

2. A pc program is under development called k3 voice.  This will give us 
speech output of the k3 ui through the pc soundcard.
There was a cimilar program for the k2 called k2 voice.  I used it 
extensively before the krc2 was developed, and it worked very well.

3. They are still planning to develop speech output using the kdvr3 board. 
However, this comes after firmware fixes for the general k3 user population. 
I completely understand this as they must sell k3s in order to eat.

I have been assured that this speech output will come.  In the meantime, 
between switch tones, and the upcoming k3 voice program, we will get access 
to the rig.

I think you all will agree that Elecraft is moving in the right direction.

Wayne has forwarded my email to the developer of k3 voice, and I will report 
more as I know it.

73