[Elecraft] K2 RF ALC or Power level problem?

[Don Wilhelm]

Jon,

I would be suspicious that the wattmeter in the KAT2 is not properly 
balanced and calibrated for forward power.  The K2 uses the DC output 
from that wattmeter to tell the MCU what the actual output power is, but 
if it is not properly calibrated, that DC voltage will not be correct 
and the K2 will not develop the expected power output.

Review the Nulling (balance) procedure in the KAT2 manual, and then 
after doing that procedure, set the forward power calibration to agree 
with your external meter - of course that must be done with a good 
non-reactive 50 ohm dummy load attached.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/22/2014 8:06 PM, Jon wrote:
> Don...
>
> I was starting to remember that.  According to my meter,  I see 5W, 
> though.  Any setting for the tune level, or should I worry about that?
>
> Main thing is,  I don't have some kind of issue that might have 
> lowered my power output during normal operation.  Sounds like a no.
>
> My next concern is how to check or adjust the ALC or mic gain levels,  
> to see if I'm driving the radio properly...   But that's probably 
> another thread,   as well as the question "has any K2 updates come out 
> since I was last here?"
>
> Thanks...
>
> Jon KA6MOK
>
>
> On 9/22/2014 8:34 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Jon,
>>
>> I assume you have the KAT2 installed and set for AUTO.
>> If so, the K2 reduces the power to 2 watts during tuning of the ATU.
>>
>> Yes, turning the power knob even a little will bring up the full 
>> power setting - that is normal.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 9/22/2014 5:24 AM, Jon wrote:
>>> Hello all...
>>>
>>> Long time no mailing list...    I have a K2, with many addons, SSB, 
>>> etc,   have not done much ham radio the past several years, but have 
>>> dusted things off and am working a few out there again.
>>>
>>> Something I've noticed,  is that when I use the tune button, to auto 
>>> tune the antenna tuner,  I see about 5W output,  no matter what the 
>>> setting is.  If I touch the power knob,  it instantly jumps to the 
>>> set power level.   If I have the display set to read volts  and 
>>> amps,  I get the set power level when I tune.
>>>
>>> Is this normal behavior,  or do I have some kind of ALC level 
>>> issue?  Would this affect my output on SSB,  (or any mode) leaving 
>>> me at 5W despite my power knob setting?  If this is a problem, was 
>>> there a solution?
>>>
>>> As I type this,  I almost feel I remember something about this, 
>>> perhaps a tune only power reduction in the SW,  to protect things? 
>>> Not sure...
>>>
>>> I don't even remember what my FW version is,   will look later.
>>>
>>> TIA...
>>>
>>> Jon,  KA6MOK
>>
>