[Elecraft] K3 Operating Tip: Using TX TEST to adjust speech controls and ALC level

[Wayne Burdick]

The K3 provides a way to adjust speech controls and ALC level off-air.

(Technical note: The reason this is possible is that the K3's fast ALC  
is established in the DSP. This means the K3's first-I.F. crystal  
filters can be used in TX mode to ensure that dynamic ALC responses  
are band-limited. This prevents the kind of splatter often heard from  
rigs that apply fast ALC in hardware, after the crystal filter. This  
technique also allows the DSP to provide very effective, very clean  
speech compression.)

To adjust speech controls off-air:

1. Hold TX TEST (right end of the MODE switch). The "TX" icon on the  
LCD will flash slowly as a reminder that you're not actually  
transmitting.

2. Switch to CMP/ALC metering by holding METER. Temporarily set the  
CMP control to zero.

3. While talking into the mic, adjust the MIC level so you peak around  
5-7 bars on the ALC meter during normal speech. After that you can  
optionally add compression (CMP).

4. To return to normal operation, hold TX TEST again, and make sure  
the "TX" icon is no longer flashing. You should now be able to set PWR  
to any desired level without impacting your speech settings.

If you'd like to lock the CMP, MIC, and PWR level settings (perhaps to  
avoid having your 6-year-old tweak them, like mine does), locate the  
PWR SET menu entry (CONFIG menu) and tap 1 to LOCK. You'll then see  
"LOCKED" whenever any of these three controls is rotated.

73,
Wayne
N6KR