[Elecraft] K3 Tx Gain Calibration

[P.J.Hicks]

I have struggled with the build of my K3/100 #6937 (kit) for several weeks trying to solve these problem(s) myself. No joy! I have read and reread the manuals so many times that at this point I only confuse myself more each time I go over it. I really would like to get this thing on the air. :-(( 



Rx appears to work fine except for an issue with the audio gain being very low; control full clockwise for moderate volumn; and S-meter readings nowhere near what my KX3 or 22 year old Icoms read on same Rx signals w/ same antenna. 



I have tried to do the TX gain Calibration perhaps a dozen times manually and with the utility. No joy! 



Set on 160 meters 

Bypass ATU 

Dummy load connected 

ANT set to ANT1 

Set power to 5.0 watts with control knob 

Hold TUNE; VFO shows 0.0 W - If I move power knob slightly CW I get 5.1W or CCW I get 4.9W & within a second it reverts to 0.0W 



If I use the K3 utility I get the followng msg; 

"...Calibrating at 1.900 MHz 

Calibration power settled at "0.0 W;" 

Elapsed time: 5 sec 

TX GAIN failed becaused transmit power did not reach expected value 

5 watt calibration failed 



Same story for other bands and for 50 watt calibration 



Can someone point me in the right direction please. 



PJ,  N7PXY 



PS - I read that the widest filter must be in f ilter slot #1 then narrowing as you go down slot numbers. I also see slot #1 more or less reserved for the FM filter which is the widest. If I do not have the FM filter but do have the standard supplied 2.7kHz 5pole SSB  and the .400 kHz 8pole CW am I correct in installing them in slots #1 and #2 respectively? Or should I leave slot #1 open (I think not)?