[Elecraft] K3 - Power Meter

[nr4c]

How are you setting the power level?

With most other radios, you should set power to 100 W (full power) on 
the radio, and adjust the actual power level with the amount of drive 
(volume) to the radio from the computer.

Not so with the K3.  With the K3, you should set the drive to show 4-5 
bars (on the ALC scale) indicating proper audio input level, and adjust 
the power using the "PWR" control knob.  I have not noticed this symptom 
using this method.   Note, that the first 4-5 bars indicate audio imput 
lelvel, and ALC starts with the 5th Bar.  Also, using the DATA Modes, 
Compression and TX EQ are de-activated.

BTW, I use about 30 W for PSK, but in RTTY contest, I normally use full 
100 W and monitor the PA temp.  SO far, I have not gone over abut 37-39 
degrees C on the PA, usually stays around 34 deg.

Enjoy....

you may already be aware of all this, if so, I appologize for the band 
width.

...bill  nr4c


On Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:09:17 -0700 (PDT), rich kennedy wrote:
> My setup is a simple resonant dipole, HRD/DM780 software, and a
> K3/100 with latest firmware.  I often operate PSK or RTTY, using the
> DM780 software and running approx 35 watts.  I've noticed that for 
> the
> first couple of seconds after I key the rig that the K3's power meter
> will display only 1 bar (~10w), a few seconds later the power meter
> displays 2 bars, a few seconds later 3 bars, and finally after about 
> 6
> to 8 seconds total the power bar displays 4 bars (and never goes
> higher).  The SWR bar displays zero or one bar (sometimes flashes
> between the two).  I'm careful not to overdrive the radio and other
> stations say that the signal looks 'good'.  QUESTION: what's up with
> the power bar?  Is this normal or something to be concerned about?
>  thanks, 73, Rich, K3VAT