[Elecraft] K3 output power unstable

[dj7mgq at muenchen-mail.de]

> I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38.

I haven't had a chance to test the newest firmware yet, but I have  
seen somewhat similar ALC behaviour in various versions of the K3  
firmware and have heard several times that Elecraft is working on  
"fixing" it.

I do wonder to what extent this may have to do with the fact that a  
software controlled internal ALC might not always be able to react  
quickly and smoothly enough to changes in the power levels, either due  
to user action or internal reasons. It also reminds me a bit of the  
power instability in the K2, which is at least partially caused by adc  
resolution. Without having checked, does the K1 also use a software  
ALC similar to the K3 and/or K2? Does the K1 also have similar power  
level "agitation"? I would hate to think that this "blemish" is not  
100% solvable, i.e. that a software controlled ALC will always be a  
bit "dirty".

I also do wonder to what extent Wayne has actually been able to  
recreate the problem, or if only some K3s (ones he doesn't have access  
to) are affected.

Or could other gremlins be at work, e.g. poor TX firmwarwe alignment  
at 1mW, 5W and 50W? Faulty internal power and/or SWR measurements? etc.

Enough silly speculation... Now back to work...

vy 73 de toby
-- 
DD5FZ (ex 4n6fz, dj7mgq, dg5mgq, dd5fz)
K2 #885
K2/100 #3248
K3/100 #67