[Elecraft] K3 - Output Power Bar Graph issue?

Terry Schieler w0fm at swbell.net
Tue Jul 2 16:03:59 EDT 2013


I hadn't used my K3 (#474) for a few days when I checked into the Elecraft SSB net on Sunday.  I immediately noticed that the Power Out bar graph was peaking only around 60-70W. It normally peaked closer to full output on voice peaks.  Later I checked it with CW and it was still only hitting about 75% output.  I confirmed the power control was set to 100W.  I did an Auto tune before each test and this problem exists on every band.  Both my LP-100 and my LP-100A digital watt meters showed about 120W output (both were factory calibrated by Larry).  But the K3 bar graph still shows 25% lower than full output.  This I also confirmed into a dummy load.  I had not observed this before Sunday.  All else appears to be functioning properly.  
 
I might be one or two software versions behind but have done all circuit upgrades.  Is this a known indication of an upcoming problem, or do I simply need to recalibrate the K3's Power Out meter?
 
73,
 
Terry W0FM


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