[Elecraft] K3 / SLUSB / CocoaModem

[Don Wilhelm]

Jim,

Due to the way the K3 controls power, you must ignore the many instances 
in Data software instructions and other sites on the web which tell you 
to set the power for maximum and use the audio level to control the power.
That just will not work for the K3 (or the K2 for that matter).

You must set the audio level to give you 4 bars on the ALC meter with 
the 5th bar flickering (do that in TEST mode to keep the signal off the 
air).
Then adjust the power knob for the power level you want.

To do otherwise will result in "power creep" as the K3 senses that the 
power level is less than that requested on the power knob and then the 
K3 increases the drive to attempt to bring the power up to the requested 
level.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/12/2012 1:53 PM, Jim Bennett wrote:
> Looks like I misspoke when I said I could leave the K3's PWR set at 90 and adjust the RF output via the SLUSB. Doesn't quite work that way! RF power out stays up in the stratosphere (PSK31 speaking, anyway) so I really do have to set the K3 to about 25-30 watts out on the K3 and adjust the ALC via the SLUSB. Still, it does seem to work pretty well.
>
> Jim / W6JHB
>
>