[Elecraft] K-3 power problem

[Jerry pittenger]

Before I open my K3 I thought I would pass the problem by you guys in the reflector.  The problem is max pwr output is 18 watts.  When is set the power control anywhere below 12 watts the power output never exceeds about 2-1/2 watts output.  At 12 watts I hear the relay snap to switch in the 100 watt amp.  But the max power output I can get is about 17 watts.  One other piece of info is that the K3 did this once before a couple of weeks ago.  That time I put the radio in split and it took off and went right up to 100 watts output.  When I went back to transceive all was well and it has worked perfectly until this morning.  

I am thinking it is in my driver stage and not the 100 watt amplifier.  If the driver is only puttinh out 2-1/2 watts max, driving the high power amp with that power level probably would give you about 20 watts or so (10db gain).

Any thoughts?   I was going to start by reseating all the connectors.