[Elecraft] K3 Power calibration and current consumption

[KC2UEE]

Hi Ken,

With my K3, I only performed the 5W and 50W calibration.  When I set the RF
level to 100W, the output of a constant carrier signal into a dummy load
matches my external meters without issue.  I did not have to do anything
else other than to calibrate at 5 and 50W.  There is no mention in the
manual of calibrating at 100W.

73,
James KC2UEE

On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 10:42 AM, Ken Kopp <k0pp at rfwave.net> wrote:

> I may well be the only one "caught" by this, but be sure that
> the TRANSMITTER GAIN procedure on pages 49 and 50
> of  the manual has been done, but also include the 100W level.
>
> IMO, the first paragraph under WATTMETER on page 49
> should read "... 5 W, 50 W , 100 W (K3/100 only) .... etc.
>
> If you only use the Utility's calibration procedure as suggested
> in the second paragraph under TRANSMITTER GAIN on page
> 49,  the 100W level will --not-- be calibrated.
>
> If there's a reference in the manual to setting the 100W output
> level, I've overlooked it.  I spent a number of hours trying to get
> my external Bird(s) and the "dialed-up" power level to agree.  In
> my case the PA was delivering 110 - 115 watts to the dummy
> load at the "dialed up" 100W setting.
>
> This condition might account for higher than expected current
> consumption.
>
> Once I set the gain level at 100W and then ran the Utility's
> calibration routine, the Bird(s) and the "dialed up" power agree
> throughout the 0-100W range. (:-)
>
> 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
>      ElecraftCovers at rfwave.net
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