[Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB

[David Yarnes]

Hi All,

I've been watching this thread and wondering if there truly is a problem. 
It seems to suggest there is, and Elecraft says they are looking into it 
with a firmware update pending.  But I can't help thinking that there are so 
many reasons why the problem could just possibly be in the setup.  The 
variation in reports seems to suggest this could also be an issue.  For one 
thing, if the antenna isn't correctly matched, I would think there would be 
some foldback.  But if you are getting full output on CW, you should get 
that on SSB as well.  But full output on SSB isn't that easy to observe. 
You may well be getting full output on SSB, but your meter won't necessarily 
disclose that.  This has been pointed out before.  I also wonder if the 
microphone settings are correct.  You may think some microphone gain 
setting, 10 for example, is sufficient, but just possibly it needs 12 or 15? 
Just a thought.

Another thing could be the microphone itself.  In Mike's situation 
(discussed by him below) for example, he indicates that he took a stock 
microphone from his Kenwood TS-2000 and hooked it up.  I assume he is 
assuming that there is total compatibility with Kenwood microphones.  I 
don't know if that microphone is an electret, but if it is, I'm not sure it 
really is totally compatible.  The standard Kenwood wiring has the 8 volts 
or so on a different pin than the Elecraft uses.  I think the Kenwood is pin 
5, and the Elecraft is pin 6--or maybe I have that backwards.  But there is 
a difference.

I'm only suggesting these things as a possibility--for all I know everyone 
has fully considered all these issues and dealt with them correctly.   In my 
case, I am using the Elecraft Pro Headset (electret) via the back 
connectors.  As far as I can tell, I'm getting full output on SSB.  The only 
exception to that seems to be on the higher portion of 40 meters, where I 
don't seem to be able to get quite 1:1 through the tuner.  My antenna is set 
for the CW portion, and so I get about 1.3 to 1 up near the high end.  It 
seems my SSB output is down somewhat when I operate there, but only 
slightly.  This is based on the RF output indication on the K3 itself.  I 
may be making an erroneous assumption, but I attribute that to not being 
exactly matched.  My reports, though, are good.

Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Penkas" <mpenkas at comcast.net>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:58 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB


I disconnected all my outboard audio gear on the K3 and connected
an Array Solutions Powermaster Meter and dummy load directly to
the K3.  With the K3 set to 120 watts my keydown RF output on
20 meters reads 116 watts.
I connected a stock hand mic that came with my Kenwood TS-2000
to the front mic connector set to High.
With Mic gain set to 15 and comp to 0 and all equalizer settings at 0
I show a max of 75 watts.
With the compressor turned on to a setting of 18, I show peaks of
110 watts with alc flickering between 3 and 5 bars.
Monitored audio on a second receiver is very clean.
                   Mike WA8EBM
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