[Elecraft] K3 and Expert 1K-FA

[Phil & Debbie Salas]

"Without an attenuator to "match levels", people are gambling
with or without the ALC connected.  73 Tom"

I agree.  I was surprised to see that my IC-706MKII put out a full power 
spike regardless of where the output power was set (even set at 5-weatts 
output, the first-dit spike was 100+ watts).  I measuered the drive required 
for my ALS-600 and built an attenuator that is switched in-line when I turn 
on the amplifier.   This way I can always leave my transceiver set to full 
power and not worry about overdriving the amp, either with a first-dit spike 
or forgetting to reduce drive when I put the amp in-line (info in the 
"Articles" section at www.ad5x.com).

The K3 has solved the overshoot problem, but not the "forgetting to turn 
down drive" problem for me.  The attenuator takes care of that.  I use my K3 
A-output for barefoot operation, and the B-output going to the 
ALS-600/MFJ-998 combo.  I do this since the amp and tuner are not designed 
for 6 meters, and don't look good on 6-meters even when bypassed.  So the 
A-output with the K3 ATU is used on 160-6 meters for barefoot operation, and 
the B-output with K3 ATU bypassed is used for 160-10 meters with the 
ALS-600/MFJ-998.  I connect A-barefoot or B-amplified outputs to the 
appropriate antenna with a 6x6 remote antenna switch (MFJ-4726).  Yes, the 
K3 remembers power settings on a per-band basis, but not on an A/B basis 
(yet).

Phil - AD5X