[Elecraft] Free DV (digital voice as reported in QST-Aprilissue)

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

Lyle answered me offlist and told me to RTFM, page 18.  It's right there 
in black and white.

73 -- Lynn

On 4/3/2013 3:37 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Lynn,
>
> I have no verification, but the KX3 is "similar" (but not necessarily
> the same).  Note that the KX3 voice calls for 5 bars on the ALC meter
> for voice, while the K3 calls for 5 to 7 bars.  That says that there may
> be some difference.
>
> We will have to wait for Lyle or Wayne to chime in with the real info on
> the KX3 ALC onset point.
>
> In the meantime, I would suggest that the answer is "yes" set the KX3
> audio for 4 bars and assume that is the "no ALC" point.  The 5th bar
> would then indicate ALC is being activated.
>
> The power control in the KX3 is similar to the K3, so if the audio level
> is too low, power creep will be the result.
>
> BTW, for those using the K2, the situation is similar, but the K2 ALC
> meter does not have the "VU meter" scale at the low end.  If the K2 ALC
> indicator flickers, it means ALC has occurred.  For the K2, increase the
> audio until you see an ALC indication, and then back off until it is
> gone.  The power control on the K2, K3 and KX3 are essentially the same
> - a closed loop system that attempts to produce the power output
> requested on the power knob.  Most transceivers do not do this closed
> loop power control, but instead use an open loop system that depends on
> the drive level alone.  That is why the traditional advice to use the
> audio drive level to control the power output works well with most
> transceivers, but it does not work well with Elecraft transceivers
> because they use a closed loop power control system.  Only Elecraft and
> some commercial transceivers use this closed loop power control system.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 4/3/2013 5:53 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>> Is it safe to assume this is true of the KX3 as well?
>>
>> -- Lynn
>>
>> On 4/3/2013 11:47 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>> Well, I 'thought' was in the manual, and it *should* be.
>>>
>>> Lyle has explained several times here on the reflector (and he should
>>> know, he designed it) that the onset of ALC action is at the 5th bar.
>>> The bars below that do not indicate ALC action at all.
>>>
>>> Due to the way the K3 controls power, if you do not have sufficient
>>> audio, the K3 will increase power (thinking there is not enough drive)
>>> and you will find your power drifting upward as you transmit.
>>>
>>> So adjust for 4 bars on the ALC meter (that is *no* ALC) so your power
>>> will be uniform throughout the transmission.  With the K3 you must have
>>> sufficient audio drive to allow the power controls to work as they
>>> should.
>>> Contrary to the advice given for most transceivers (which do not control
>>> power in a closed loop), the K3 power will behave strangely if you use
>>> that advice - which is to set the power for maximum and use the audio
>>> drive to control the power output.  That just will not work with the K3.
>>>
>
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