[Elecraft] Beware! (Learn by doing?) :-)))

[Richard Ferch]

The reason radios need such a large dynamic range (one of the K3's selling
points) is because there is an enormous difference in signal strength
between the weakest and strongest signals on the band. The purpose of the
AGC is to reduce that enormous range to a much smaller range that is more
tolerable to your ears.

The K3 offers a wide range of AGC settings (AGC THR and AGC SLP). There is a
very good explanation of the effects of AGC THR and AGC SLP at 
<http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/elecraft_k3_agc_and_s-meter.htm> .

When the AGC settings are at their most aggressive (AGC SLP = 15, AGC THR =
2), there is very little difference in audio output level across a very wide
range of signal strengths. If your AGC is set to be this aggressive, then
turning AGC off will inevitably result in strong signals becoming much
louder, possibly by several tens of dB. If your AGC is set to its least
aggressive settings (AGC SLP = 0, AGC THR = 8), you will hear a much broader
range of signal strength levels with the AGC on, to the extent that you may
have to ride the gain controls as you tune from weak to strong signals
(especially on a quiet band), but turning AGC off will have a less dramatic
impact.

If you are observing a more dramatic difference between AGC off and on with
the K3 than with another radio, maybe you have the K3's AGC set to be more
aggressive than the other radio's. Try decreasing the K3's AGC SLP setting
to see if that makes it behave more to your liking.

73,
Rich VE3KI
K3 #1595