[Elecraft] K3: Still unable to set power correctly in DATA A (sigh)

[Leigh L. Klotz, Jr WA5ZNU]

There's a thread on a related topic (PSK TX IMD) on the Elecraft K3 list 
at Yahoo Groups.
Rich VE3KI posted some measurements done with the PSKMeter that show 
poor IMD above about 50W.
I've suggested he re-run the tests with a 3dB pad to compare 
apples-to-apples and reduce the effect of non-linear response in the 
PSKMeter, but Rich has suggested that perhaps the peak power is 
exceeding 100W when the TX PWR setting is above 50W.  Your observations 
would seem to confirm that.

Leigh/WA5ZNU
> I recently installed the latest firmware and ran the TX Power calibration
> wizard - nice work. However while running WSPR (a sound card data mode) I
> was somewhat annoyed to find the K3 power meter showing about twice the
> output power I had selected. Checks using my own power meter confirmed that
> the K3 is putting out about twice the amount of power specified by the power
> control when DATA A is used (though the exact difference seems to vary a bit
> from band to band.)
>
> Using TXG VCE is NOT the answer, as the output power in SSB (and in CW) is
> regulated correctly. Using the maximum TXG VCE -3.0dB I still can't quite
> get the power down to what it should be, but if I do that, SSB output is too
> low.
>
> Forgive the note of frustration but I am frankly very annoyed and fed up
> that after all this time and numerous reports of this issue from me and
> several other people going back several months, the K3 is still not capable
> of performing a simple basic function like regulating the output power to
> the level the operator requests. I am seriously considering selling the K3
> at this point, as I am losing confidence that Elecraft has any intention of
> fixing this issue.
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
> http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham
> Directory    http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
>