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

[John Sweeney]

> Since the subject is the Digital Voice with a K3.  
> 
> I have operated the DV voice with my K3 with the ALC showing the 5 to 7 bars as recommended.  However, even if I set the power out to 50 watts or more, the maximum I can see on an external watt meter is at most 30 watts indicated.   I only see this limited power out indicated on the DV program, other digital modes programs I show as high or low as I set the power out for.  
> 
> Is this normal with the DV program, latest version?   
> 
> 73,  John,  N3WT

> 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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