[Elecraft] K3S odd KAT3A behavior and question

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

If I understand this correctly.   It seems you set / tuned the ATU for a 
higher frequency, being the 2nd frequency where you listened, then moved 
back down band with out retuning.  It would seem then the ATU would be 
set for some frequency other than the one you were receiving.  Yes, 
going to bypass might indeed likely show a higher received signal.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 10/2/2015 2:00 PM, ae4pb at carolinaheli.com wrote:
> I was playing with my K3S listening to code on 40m. I could clearly hear the
> signal but it wasn't loud. I spun the dial up a good bit and listened,
> nothing heard after about a minute so I pressed ATU Tune. The ATU clicked a
> few times and stopped. I spun back down where I was (somewhere around
> 7.033MHz) and dialed in the signal. Sounded about the same. Just for grins I
> did a long press ATU Tune (ATU) to BYPASS. The signal immediately jumped
> over S9 (was around S7 before). That didn't make sense so I repeated the
> process a few times with the same results.
>
>   
>
> Am I wrong to expect a higher signal level with the ATU tuned than bypassed?