[Elecraft] K3 PSK no output

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

It is great to hear that you have found success.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/4/2013 9:30 PM, K5HM wrote:
> Don,
>
> That is exactly what happened when I tried to adjust the output with the
> Audio gain!  I'd set it once to be ok.  Then on the next transmission it was
> different.
>
> So I now have it set with the ALC configured per the manual and the power
> setting in the K3 controls output power.
>
> 73,
> Ron, K5HM
> k5hm.ron at gmail.com
> www.qrz.com/db/k5hm
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:w3fpr at embarqmail.com]
> Sent: Monday, March 04, 2013 5:26 PM
> To: K5HM
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 PSK no output
>
> Ron,
>
> I suspect you set the powe5r to maximum and are attempting to control
> the RF output with the audio level.  That is typical advice given on the
> internet and other data mode instructions.  That advice is not for the
> K3 - it will not work right.
>
> With the K3, ignore that common advice for other transceivers which tell
> you to set the transceiver to full drive and adjust the RF level by
> changing the audio level.
>
> The way the K3 controls power is different than most rigs - it measures
> the actual power output and then adjusts the RF drive to produce the
> power requested by the power knob.
>
> So with the K3, adjust the audio for 4 ALC bars with the 5th bar
> flickering, and use the power knob to set your desired power output.
>
> Failure to do it that way will result in "power hunting" by the K3 and
> you will not have consistent power output.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>