[Elecraft] K1 AGC action

[Ron ZL1TW]

Hi,
      I have just pulled the old K1 out and blown the dust off it ready for 
a QRP Sprint coming up on 80m here this weekend, and while the set seems to 
work fine in most respects I can't help but wonder if I have a problem with 
the AGC.
If I (say) call CQ and a strong station answers me, I get an enormous burst 
of tone from the calling station for the first letter he (she) sends, and 
then the AGC kicks in and everything is sweet again. ( until there is a 
pause in his/her sending)
  It has always done this since I built it some 4 years ago, and before I 
got the K2, I used to put up with it, but in hindsight, I have to wonder if 
it is "normal".??
I realize the AGC is a pretty basic setup in the K1, but would be 
interested to know if I have a problem ? It sounds to me like the AGC is 
waiting for a capacitor to charge before controlling the gain of the 
mixers. I seem to recall there was a mod to make C31 something like 1uf and 
having a resistance in series to speed up the AGC action, and I think that 
is in the set.
I would be interested in comments from other K1 owners.........at the 
moment I think I will use the K2 @ 5w tomorrow, to save what I have left of 
my hearing.
73.......Ron ZL1TW