[Elecraft] K3 TX Power

[Don Wilhelm]

Ray,

That is the behavior that results from insufficient audio drive to the K3 -
Use TX TEST so you do not bother others with a signal on the air, then 
adjust the audio drive until the ALC meter indicates 4 bars solid with 
the 5th bar flickering.  Don't be concerned about the "NO ALC" rule - on 
the K3 in DATA mode, the onset of ALC is indicated by the 5th bar - the 
bars below that are to aid you in setting the correct level.

Then set the desired power using the power knob.

The reason is the way the K3 controls power - in a closed loop.  If the 
power level is not up to the power requested by the power knob, the K3 
will attempt to increase the drive to make up for it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/16/2013 12:33 PM, Ray Coles wrote:
> For the last few months I have been focussing on datamode operation, and
> putting a lot of hitherto unobtainable DX in the log as a result.
>
> I have noticed a problem with my K3 on all bands related to TX power. My rig
> is a K3/100 plus a KPA500/KAT500 combo which remain on STBY for digital
> modes of course.
>
> My problem is: I dial in a power-setting on the K3 and for the first (let's
> say JT65) transmission the actual transmitted power as measured by: the K3
> itself, the KPA500 and my inline MFJ duelling banjo wattmeter is always much
> less. If I dial in 100W I would get 20-30W during my first transmission,
> 30-50W on the second, and 75-80W on the third. On the 4th or 5th minute of
> transmission it will reach the dialled in power setting. The SWRs are all in
> the 1 to 1.5 range and I can see no external problems.
>
> This is not good because I would really prefer it the other way around, once
> someone has responded they will stick with you, but if they don't hear you
> on the first call, you're toast.
>
> To offset the problem I turn the power up to 100W and cross my fingers that
> they will hear my first (weak) transmission. Unfortunately by the time I am
> done, I am putting out more power than is healthy for other users who may
> find that the weak signal they are working is pushed down by their AGC due
> to my strong signal in the same window.
>
> Attempts to adjust the power during a QSO fail, with a minor downward
> adjustment (say from 100 to 80W) resulting in the true output power
> plummeting to 20W and the cycle starting over.
>
> This doesn't seem to be any kind of "warm-up" issue (my first suspicion) but
> maybe some kind of logic or control feedback issue.
>
> Has anybody else experienced this? Is it me?
>
>