[Elecraft] K3 - SPE Expert 1K-FA and ALC

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

The usual way is to put it up on a web page somewhere, and put the
link in the email.

73, Guy

On Sun, May 16, 2010 at 5:07 PM, David M. Elliott
<immondizia at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi Guy,
> Apparently the reflector does not pass emails with large attachments.  I
> think it is pretty graphic and I would like others to see it if I can figure
> out how.  I'll call SteppIR tomorrow and discuss it with them.  I support
> your recommendation
>  that they take that recommended method of operation out of their manual.  I
> will forward that email to Gianfranco at SPE (Expert).
> Thanks for all your help.
> 73 de W6BK
>
> On May 16, 2010, at 1:20 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> I'm not sure that the embedded picture I received from you would be passed
> by the reflector, so I'm just quoting your text below.
>
> The graphics show that peak distortion in the adjacent channel was only down
> 25 db from in-channel max power. This even though your trebled up voice is
> still fairly bass controlled.
>
> Which means that if you were up or down from this signal at 20 over on
> channel, you would be hearing S8 or S9 splatter from it.  Sounds familiar,
> doesn't it.
>
> The 1500 watt power spike is particularly frightening, especially if it
> comes out of my wallet.  Might want to pass your results on to the
> manufacturer as a customer and request they pull that recommendation from
> their publications and web page. Make sure they understand it's getting them
> a lot of bad press and is NOT panning out.
>
> About as graphic an underscore to Wayne's warning as one can get.   (Sorry,
> couldn't resist....)
>
> 73, Guy
>
>>>
>
> Hello Guy,
> Well, you sure called it.  This screen shot is taken under the same
> conditions as the previous ones except that the tx equalizer was set to try
> and simulate a Heil HC4.  The tx equalizer settings were: 1 - 0db, 2 - 0db,
> 3 - 0db, 4 - 0db, 5 - +2db, 6 - + 4db, 7 - + 10db, and 8 - +10db.  Two
> things I noticed right away:  First, the peak power is nearly 1500 watts!  I
> sure am glad I still have finals in the Expert.  Second, there is definite
> splatter as evidenced by the light and dark blue on the Modulation quickview
> window.
> One can say a lot of things about these tests but one thing comes through
> loud and clear to me:
> ALC should not be used to control the K3 set to 100 watts with the Expert 1K
> FA.  Rather the power should be set on each band to just what the Expert
> needs to reach full power.
> To do otherwise may cause splatter and might result in final failure.  How
> long can the Expert finals take this kind of abuse?
> 73 de W6BK
>
>