[Elecraft] PSK Problem

[Don Wilhelm]

You obviously do not have enough audio drive.
Review your MicroHam documentation to be able to configure the Audio Out 
for Line level.
Once you have sufficient audio from the MicroHam, you should be able to 
adjust the Line In of the K3 to produce 4 bars solid on the ALC meter 
with the 5th bar flashing.
You can do that adjustment in TX TEST mode so you do not have RF output.
Once you have achieved that proper audio level, adjust your power with 
the power knob.

Ignore the conventional advice to show no ALC - that does not apply to 
the K3 for 2 reasons.  First is that the 1st 4 bars of the ALC meter do 
not indicate ALC at all, but are used as an aid to setting the proper 
audio level (sort of like a VU meter).  The 5th bar does indicate the 
onset of ALC.
Secondly, the K3 power control is different than most other amateur 
transceivers in that it is a closed loop system trying to seek the power 
set by the power knob.  It does not control power properly if the audio 
drive is less than the proper level.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/19/2014 12:57 PM, Christopher Soames wrote:
> Hi All, have been having problems with PSK on my K3. I am using a 
> Microham2 Keyer into the K3 via the D connector and appropriate 
> connections on the K3.
> I cannot TX though as I get no signal to the K3 output.
> In Test mode with TX flashing on the K3 I see no indication of ALC 
> readings when I adjust the Mic knob when compression and ALC display 
> is shown.
> When meter is in pwr mode `I see no indication of any power out either.
> When in normal data TX mode (Not test) I have no indications of alc or 
> power showing on the bar graph either, but the K3 TX red light comes 
> on to indicate TXing. I have no replies to an calls and a colleague 
> who was testing with me did not RX anything from me at all.
> I can RX fine.
> All other modes work fine RTTY SSB and CW.
> Any help gratefully received.
>