[Elecraft] Unusual P3 behavior ?

[Phil Hystad]

I have a K3/P3, actually, have KPA500 and KAT500 too but this question is about my P3.

If I switch to 10-meters (and, there is activity on the band), the P3 shows the signals and the waterfall for about two seconds.  After about two seconds, there is a change.  The waterfall signal disappears and the signals almost disappear except for the stronger ones if any.  Essentially, at times I have nothing but that horizontal line dividing the top from the bottom waterfall region.  If the signal is strong, it does show a waterfall display.  When I say no waterfall display, I mean no blue fuzzy noise color at all.

So, it looks like there is a huge dB drop in signal strength, maybe 20 dB I am guessing.  And, Preamp is on during this too.  Antenna is a Traffie Hex Beam.  Note:  although I do not have a P3 for my Icom 756 Pro III it does have a spectrum display and it does not have this behavior of an apparent huge drop in signal so I don't think it is huge loss on my antenna at 10 meters or transmission cable.

What puzzles me is that this change occurs two or two-and-a-half seconds after the switch and after the P3 repaints to show the 10-meter band (usually around 28.020 to 28.050 is where I operate, CW).

Is this normal behavior?  Can someone explain what is happening?

Thanks.

73, phil, K7PEH