[Elecraft] ERR TXG and power problems

[Paul Ferguson]

I have K3/100 #757 using firmware 1.94 MCU and 1.73 DSP. 

I have been getting an "ERR TXG" message when trying the Transmitter Gain Low-
Power Calibration on most bands. 80 meters was OK and 20 meters sometimes was 
OK.

I noticed my external power meter was showing 10 watts output while the K3 
power read only 2 watts. This caused me to go back to the K3 Low-Power 
Wattmeter Calibration procedure. In this procedure I was only able to adjust 
the power shown on my external meter to about 9 watts when the K3 showed 5 
watts. The WMTR LP parameter value shown in the VFO A slot ended up at its 
maximum value of 180. 

I redid the LP Transmitter Gain Calibration on all bands without any ERR TXG 
messages. So far so good except for my K3 saying 5 watts out and my meter 
saying 9 watts.

Next I try the High Power TX Gain Calibration. I get ERR TXG messages, so I 
take a look at my external power meter as I increase power. As the K3 changes 
from 12 to 13 watts, I hear the KPA3 relay click, and my external power meter 
shows power suddenly jumps from about 15 watts to 40 watts. Increasing K3 power 
more gets me 100 watts out while the K3 is showing only 20 watts. I then try 
the High Power Wattmeter Calibration. K3 is set to 50 watts. My external meter 
shows 120 watts, but adjusting the menu parameter does not reduce power.

I am using two different external power meters. One is a QRP meter and goes to 
10 watts max. The other has a 200-watt scale. They both have seemed fairly 
accurate from using them with other rigs.

Any ideas on how to fix this problem?


73,
Paul 
K5ESW