[Elecraft] K3 power output on SSB

[Arthur Nienhouse]

I have a similar issue  with my K3 VL-1000 combination the amp would key 
up full power then fold back slowly until it was running about 1/2 output.
No amount of reducing the mic or power settings changed this behavior 
and still have the right output. Even setting drive for lower amp output
it still marched backwards something is triggering a fold back when it 
is not required to. I do not see any spike on key up so I don't think it 
is a
key up timing issue.

My work around is to not connect the radios ALC then engage the input 
attenuator on the amp that limits the drive input to 100 watts the amp 
and the K3  has been doing just fine since the born on date June 13 09, 
so I have forgotten about this issue all together.
I don't use the VL-1000 all the time but when I do it works seamless 
with no ALC related problems at all.

My K3 serial #3142 has the latest up date I can't remember if this issue 
was there from the first time I used the amp with the ALC connected or if
it was something that started with a later update in firmware, I think 
it was ok at first because I was surprised when the issue first showed up.

Regards
Art
ka9zap


On 4/2/2010 2:36 PM, Bruce McLaughlin wrote:
> Don:
>
> For what it may be worth, I was in contact with Don, N4ZZ, the other day and
> he was complaining about a momentary, periodic drop in power output from the
> K-3 of approximately 50% while driving his amplifier.  He was using the
> latest firmware version 3.79.  He had not had that problem before.  I had
> downloaded version 3.79 but have held off installing it until we see whether
> there is in fact a problem.  I am using version 3.77 and the output is quite
> stable as it has been all along.  I think I should mention I have seen one
> or two other references regarding similar problems from other posting as
> well.  Although Don's problem is not exactly the same as Tom's it does
> mention unstable power output on sideband.  Perhaps this warrants further
> investigation.
>
> Bruce-W8FU
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 8:34 AM
> To: Juha - oh6os
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 power output on SSB
>
> Juha,
>
> Tuning within any band will not reset the power output controls, however
> changing bands does reset it.
>
> As Joe has mentioned, do the power calibration, it will help.  The power
> control mechanism does use the data obtained from the TX gain
> calibration, so yes they are related.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Juha - oh6os wrote:
>    
>> Not so good behavior on the contest, where is alltime tuning.
>>
>> juha - oh6os
>>
>>
>>
>>      
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>