[Elecraft] K3; VM calibration and Voltage drops resolved

[Richard Fjeld]

This is as short as I can make it.  When I first noticed the difference in the K3 meter reading compared to my DVM, I wondered if I needed to calibrate something, and  I wondered if the K3 meter was linear.  The answer is; no, and can't tell.

K3 volt meter at key up:  13.7 V      DVM at PS:   13.71 V
K3 volt meter at key down: 12.8 V   DVM at PS:   13.68* V
K3 12 volt out jack w/key up:          DVM 13.01V  
K3 12 volt out jack w/key down:      DVM 12.28* V
(at first glance, this leaves some questions)

In summary;  

--I measure no Vd through my homebrew distribution blocks.

--I calculate no Vd through the Power Poles. (Difficult to test through.)

--There is minor drop in power wires.

--K3 12V out jack reads 1.4 V lower than PS voltage at key down.  Two diodes in circuit to the 12V out jack explain that drop. 

--The 12V out jack cannot be used to measure voltage drop from PS.

--Unsure of the VM circuit test point for linear comparison. No external access.

Thanks to those who contributed,

Rich, n0ce