[Elecraft] New Output Power Issue

[Brian Alsop]

The first rule in troubleshooting is to unplug everything that isn't 
absolutely necessary to the equipment being diagnosed.

In this case all that would be needed is power, ant/dummy load and the K3.

Then start plugging things in until you find the offending device.

73 de Brian/K3KO

Ian Kahn - Ham wrote:
> So, it looks like I tracked down my low output issue.  The problem 
> appears to be with my West Mountain RigRunner, not my K3.  A big "thank 
> you" to all who offered guidance on getting this thing tested and 
> troubleshot.
> 
> Thank you, 73, es Merry Christmas!
> 
> --Ian
> 
> Ian Kahn, KM4IK
> Roswell, GA  EM74ua
> km4ik.ian at gmail.com
> K3 #281, P3 #688
> HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team
> 
> On 12/24/2012 12:22 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:
>> Might not be a 30W drop, but a matter of calibrations of both the 
>> internal wattmeter (there is a menu item to adjust it) and the 
>> external wattmeter.
>>
>> If the output power is set to 100W and the internal wattmeter is 
>> reporting 100W, then the K3 is happy.  If in fact the output power is 
>> only 70 W (double check if the ATU is bypassed or in line, antenna 
>> wiring and chassis connections are tight int he k3 etc), then the K3 
>> wattmeter may need to be calibrated.  If that is the case, you need to 
>> go to the menu and adjust it.  But only do this if you are CERTAIN 
>> your external wattmeter is in fact accurate. Once you are certain the 
>> K3 wattmeter is reporting within spec, re-run the Tx calibration.
>>
>> BTW I think a 2V drop is still excessive.  Might be long runs or light 
>> gauge wire or ?  But that is a separate issue from the wattmeter 
>> accuracy.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Lyle KK7P
>>
>>> It is highly possible the culprit is my RigRunner, purchased in March 
>>> of this year. When I took it out of line, the voltage drop went from 
>>> over 4V on tx to under 2V (13.8V down to about 12V). Current draw is 
>>> .78 to .82 amps on rx and 19.8 amps on tx. However, while the 
>>> internal power meter shows 100W, an external meter into a dummy load 
>>> only shows 70 watts out. The current and voltage readings look 
>>> normal, according to Rev. D10 of the owner's manual. But I'm still 
>>> concerned about a 30W drop at the output. Anyone have any other 
>>> suggestions?
>>
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