[Elecraft] K3 #195 FW:Beta 2.10 Output Pwr Out Of Control

[Don Ehrlich]

Starting with my first qso after loading Beta 2.10 last week my K3 shut down 
(turned off) unexpectedly in the middle of an SSB qso while I was 
transmitting at about 60 watts PEP out.  Later I was able, after several 
failed attempts, to turn it on again and now, a few days later, it is 
happening again.  Now, though, it looks like a hard failure.  Any attempt to 
transmit at over about 30 watts out results in shutdown.  This occurs on 
both 160 and 80 meters.  I have not tried other bands.

The symptoms are that indicated peak output power is is about three times 
the specified amount.  At around 40 watts commanded actual power is up to 
over 120 watts and that is about the level where shutdown occurs.  As I 
write this the K3 is in CW mode on 80 meters connected to a 50 ohm dummy 
load.  The output power is set to 30 watts and when I press the TUNE button 
actual output power indicated by an external meter (average, not peak mode) 
shows a power of 30 watts varying 1 or 2 watts plus and minus. When switched 
to peak mode the external wattmeter indicates 70 watts.   The input current 
is varying from 6 to 13 amps as indicated on the K3 digital display, and the 
SWR indication on the display is flashing 1.0 - 1 on and off at an uneven 
rate and the RF output indication on the K3 display is 70 watts but also 
flashing and jittering.

This started with FW beta 2.10 and I hope that is the problem but I'm 
worried that it might be something more serious.

I have made no changes to settings recently.

HELP!

Don K7FJ