[Elecraft] ALC adjustment on K3S

[Don Wilhelm]

Sid,

What mode? SSB or a soundcard data mode?
For SSB, did you first set Compression to zero?  If not, you should do 
that (Data modes do that automatically for you).
For SSB, you want 5 to 7 bars, but for DATA modes, you want 4 bars solid 
with the 5th bar flashing.
Set the soundcard output sliders to about 2/3 of max and adjust the rest 
with the MIC Gain control (controlling LINE IN).

A few checks - do you have MIC + LINE set in the menu?  If so, turn it off.
Is there a possibility of RF feedback?  Even if you think NO, please 
check it - set the K3S into TX TEST and no RF will be produced but all 
the other TX controls will work as normal.

If it turns out to be RF feedback, you have a different problem to 
solve.  That is usually most effectively controlled first by having good 
common mode chokes at your antenna feedpoint and possibly another at the 
shack entry point.  See the RFI documents of Jim Brown K9YC for 
information on effective common mode chokes.  Yes, some "baluns" claim 
to be good common mode chokes, but others are woefully lacking.

Keeping the RF out of the shack is always the best approach, but if you 
have a difficult situation such as an antenna close to the shack, you 
will receive direct RF in the shack area, and then the best cure is 
ferrite material on your connecting cables.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/27/2016 5:17 PM, Sid Frissell wrote:
> Howdy
> Been using my K3s  (S/N 10462) for JT-65/JT-9 and am struggling with setting the ALC.  I am using the Mic Gain control for fine tuning---unbelievably fine.  You really can't actually touch the knob,  you just breath on it or think hard about moving it!   It is the most sensitive control I have ever had to deal with in my 60 years as a ham!  Am I missing something?  Is there a better way to get old bar No. 5 jumping?  KE7K says that's what you do.  I can do it but hoping there's a easier way.  Any help?
>
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