[Elecraft] KPA-500 AM Performance?

[Don Wilhelm]

Chuck,

The power knob is set to the PEP value, not the carrier power.

Since you hear the relay click, the 100W PA is switched in.  The AM 
carrier level and sideband level is controlled by the math functions in 
the DSP so that the PEP is the same as the setting on the power knob - 
yes, the carrier power will be 25% of that PEP value.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/18/2013 8:18 PM, Chuck - AE4CW wrote:
> We all know that in AM mode the K3 sets carrier power at 25% of the power set
> with the PWR control.  Can anyone confirm that the K3 switches in the 100W
> PA in AM mode when the PWR is set at 13 watts or greater even though the
> actual carrier power is limited to approximately 25% or 3+ watts?  I hear
> the relay switch when moving PWR from 12 to 13 watts, but I would like to
> ensure that the 100W PA is actually on and the low power amp is not being
> over driven when PWR is set to 32 watts (to drive the KPA500) while the
> carrier drive is running at 8 watts.  At this setting the KPA500 carrier
> power is about 125 watts and peak power hits around 500 watts or a little
> less.  Just being extra cautious about the K3's low power amp I suppose!
> ---
> Chuck, AE4CW
>