[Elecraft] K2 ALC response

[Don Wilhelm]

Dave,

Too much ALC is NOT a good thing!!!  The PSK31 crowd is familiar with the
fact that ALC will worsen the IMD of the signal (which means that ALC
produces distortion through limiting - yes it may be soft limiting, but it
still produces distortion and splatter).

The K2 gain will vary from band to band, so you may see some variation in
the amount of ALC between bands and likely also with changes in power
levels.

If you have more than 1 to 3 ALC bars lighting on voice peaks, you should
reduce your mic gain.  Should you wish to increase the 'talk power' of your
signal, you can increase the setting of SSBC which will increase your
average power through audio compression - IMHO, that is a much better
technique for increasing your average signal power than driving the RF
Section into ALC limiting.

73,
Don W3FPR


> -----Original Message-----
>
> My K2 is serial number 3193.  When I transmit in SSB the ALC
> meter responds
> in various ways.
> I get more ALC movement on the lower bands.  There is also more
> action when
> I reduce power.
> Is this normal?  If not, does anyone have a remedy?
>
> 72,
> Dave, K0TCP
>