[Elecraft] [K3] How much compression for contest use?

[Don Wilhelm]

  Phil,

Yes, that setup should be correct.  The order of things is important.
First set the mic gain to give the proper amount of audio drive.
Secondly, bring the compression up to where you want it (use TX TEST and 
the monitor to determine the correct levels)
Third adjust the K3 power level to properly drive your amp - that should 
never drive the amplifier into its ALC range.

  -- What that means is that the amplifier's ALC should never be 
actually used - if connected, it should be only for the purpose of 
protecting the amp should something happen (like wrong antenna) and the 
AMP can bring up its ALC to reduce the power from the K3 in that instance.

I don't know the response of the microphone you are using, but Jim 
Brown's usual starting point for the TX EQ with any microphone is to set 
the first 2 bands at minimum and all others to zero.  From there you can 
do further refinements using either TX TEST and the K3 monitor (have 
someone else who knows your voice do the listening to the monitor) or do 
some on-the-air tests with someone who knows your voice well.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/30/2010 3:13 PM, Phil Lonzello - WA6LDI wrote:
> Gentlemen (Jim Brown, Bill W5WVO&  Don W3FPR),
>
> I would like to thank each of you individually for the information you've
> provided in order to resolve the issue I'm currently experiencing.  I will
> definitely take your suggestions and follow the directions as mentioned in
> the K3 manual along with your personal suggestions as well.
>
> To clarifiy then, I do not need to adjust the ALC setting on the Tokyo
> HY-Power linear at all and only need to make the adjustments regarding the
> ALC on the K3 itself using the the meter for specific CMP and ALC bars as
> suggested.  This should resolve my RFI problems then?
>
> Regarding the Transmit EQ settings, I've adjusted the settings as follows
> per the Heil webpage suggestions:  0.05 to -12; 0.1 to -10; 0.2 to -6; 0.4
> to -2; 0.8 to +0; 1.6 to +4; 2.4 to +6; and 3.2 to +10.  If you have any
> corrections I should make, please advise.
>
> Thanks again for all of your suggestions Gentlemen.
>
>