[Elecraft] K3 output power unstable

Mon Sep 22 10:23:57 EDT 2008

Hi Oms! Terry!

Nice to hear from you.  I hope you are both well.

I think for sure that Elecraft has a problem with this.  

73,
Kam  N3KS

-----Original Message-----
From: py5eg [mailto:py5eg at iesa.com.br] 
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:16 AM
To: f5moo; Kamal Sirageldin
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 output power unstable

Hi
I´m using the same  ACOM 2000 and the same think is happening here
73
Oms PY5EG 

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of f5moo
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 11:11 AM
To: Kamal Sirageldin
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 output power unstable

hello
the same probleme here K3 S/N 153
in ssb mode with the amplifier EMTRON DX2SP the security overdrive

73 terry F5MOO

Kamal Sirageldin a écrit :
> Bjorn,
>
> I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38.   For me, the problem
> appears to be in SSB mode, and not CW.  For example, if I adjust the 
> power output of my K3 by a very small amount i.e. say from 50w to 52w 
> output, it will initially transmit much more power than 52w  - driving 
> my amplifier way past the limit for a second or two before settling 
> back down.  It seems to me that it also does not necessary settle on the
right power output.
>
> The problem also happens when you switch bands.  The transmitter power 
> output will initially be very high (i.e. closer to 100W) and then 
> appears to require some 'settling' time to go back to the power that 
> it is actually set for when transmitting on SSB after a band change.  
> I do not have my K3 setup for a different  power output on each band.  
> But, I know my amp, and know the results of using other transceivers with
it.  There is something
> definitely wrong with the (my) K3 power output management on SSB.   I do
not
> use external ALC.  The amp is an Acom 2000A.  
>
> 73,
> Kam  N3KS
> Ksira at corpten.com
>
> Bjorn wrote:
>   
>> I am right now in the middle of the SAC contest when I notice that 
>> the K3 has a problems keeping output power stable. I noticed some 
>> excessive high output from the amp when investigating I found that my 
>> K3 set to drive the amp with between 20-30 watt output depending on 
>> band, delivers substancially more. Ouptut power pulsate between 
>> nothing and full power, delivering more than 100 watts in bursts into 
>> the amp (designed for 30W input).
>>
>> The problem is easiest to reproduce on 80 meters, but I am sure I saw 
>> the power wobble a few seconds b4 stabilizing on higher bands to. 
>> Even when the radio has cooled down to a PA temp of 34C the problem 
>> is there.
>>
>> I think I read somthing about a similar prioblem somewhere, would 
>> apreciate any leads that I might help to narrow down and eliminate 
>> the problem.
>>
>> 73 de Björn /SM0MDG (SE0X in SAC)
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>>     
>
> Bjorn,
>
> I posted about this very problem a couple of months ago but had 
> virtually no feedback so it's interesting to hear of someone else 
> being affected. As you say the power would drop quite suddenly then 
> come back up; when running an amp it once went right up to ~100w even 
> though set for about 35w - it tripped the amp....
>
> Seems to do this on phone too but cw is easiest to see when it's
happening.
> To be honest it has hardly happened to me at all recently and I wonder 
> if you have the latest firmware installed. I did contact Elecraft 
> support and I seem to remember they said it was an AlC control 
> software problem and to keep downloading the latest firmware which 
> would eventually sort it, and as I say it seems much better now here. 
> However the other day I was on phone and the power was all over the 
> place; it then started giving me TXG Error messages and I had to do 
> the 5 and 50 watt power output config from start to finish which seemed to
fix it.
>
> Good luck in the contest - family duties here else I would be giving 
> away some points for you....
>
> 73,
>
> Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 145)
>
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>   

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