[Elecraft] Low Power RTTY Output

[Nelson Moyer]

When I connect my Hal DXP38 AF Out to the K3 Line In, I get a maximum of 20
watts RF output, even when the TX Level pot on the DXP38 is set for maximum
output, MIC SEL is set to Line In, PWR is set to 100 watts, and Line is set
to 60 (max setting available). I see no ALC bars.

When I connect the DXP38 AF Out to the rear mic jack, I get 100 watts RF
output and 6 ALC bars with MIC SEL set for rP.L, PWR set for 100 watts, and
the mic gain set to 15.

Apparently the K3 Line In is designed to support sound card digital inputs,
so if you're using an external box for AFSK RTTY, you may have to use the
rear mic input to get full RF power output. I didn't try the front mic
input, but presumably it would be the same as the rear mic input.

I reported the low power problem using Line In for RTTY to Wayne a couple of
weeks ago, but I didn't get a response. I'm curious about why there is such
a difference between the maximum achievable RF output on RTTY when using the
line input (max line gain of 60 for 20 watts RF and no ALC indication) vs.
the rear mic input (mic gain at 15 for 100 watts RF and 6 bars of ALC). The
output level from the DXP38 is the same to both ports, so obviously, the K3
Line In has a much lower maximum level than the Mic In. Is this something
that can be addressed in a software upgrade?

Nelson, KU0A