[Elecraft] K3 and SPE 2K-FA Amplifer Problem

[Chris Page]

I would appreciate any ideas and/or suggestions regarding the following 
problem, please, especially from K3/100 users with a SPE 2K-FA amplifier:

I am running a K3 with the SPE 2K-FA amplifier and sometimes when I am in S & P 
mode, I call a station as 'G4BUE' and they answer me as 'F4BUE'.  It is never 
anything other than F4BUE, if it is not G4BUE.  I cannot see an obvious 
connection between the 'G' being read as an 'F' unless the first dash of the G 
is being split into two dits, but it has been happening fairly regularly since 
I had the 2K-FA last year.

I use the K3's internal keyer and the CW text decode option in the K3's menu to 
constantly monitor my transmitted CW to ensure my spacing is good, etc, and 
confirm that G4BUE is what was sent.  It doesn't make any difference whether I
use QSK or semi-QSK, or if I send G4BUE manually or with one of the K3's 
internal memories.

I have tried advancing the TX DELAY menu option from the default 8 in 
increments  up to the maximum of 20, but the problem still persists.

At the end of last year, the 2K-FA developed a problem and had to go back to 
the factory in Italy to be repaired.  Whilst it was there, I told them about 
the F4BUE problem and asked them to check the amplifier.  They said, "We tested 
the amplifier with RTX Kenwood TS590 and a digital oscilloscope Picoscope S203 
in modality CW all lines from 5ppm to 60ppm, and we have not encountered no 
splitting of the first line, and subsequently the amplifier is working 100%".

I think they are probably right because I now have a second K3 and that does 
not cause the F4BUE problem, even with the TX DELAY set at the default 8!

I have all the menu options and settings identical between the two K3s.  The 
only difference between them is that the offending K3 has the second
receiver and a PR6 fitted, and the other has just the ATU.

Unfortunately I do not own an oscilloscope to look at the output of the K3.

Thanks and 73 de Chris, G4BUE