[Elecraft] K3 power oddity

[George Kidder]

Thanks Don for the explanation of what is going on with the "ALC" meter.

I have two suggestions relative to using my K3/100.  The first is a 
suggestion I made by email some years ago, with no reply.  When changing 
from "Spkr + Phones" to "Phones" ( that is, spkr off) I need differing 
audio levels due to the different efficiencies of the speakers and 
phones.  So I crank up the gain on when using phones.  So far so good.  
BUT; the monitor level remains constant, and changing that is a 
different process.  I'm sure that for some, having the two audio levels 
independent is a good thing - for me, it wold be nice to link them.  
Could a menu option be constructed which would allow for linking monitor 
and receiver audio?

My second problem is that when running CW or SSB, I like to use full 
power  (100 W).  On digital modes or FM, it seems prudent to limit the 
rig to 50 W.  The power level is currently saved "per band" - cold it be 
saved "per mode" as well?  This would save a lot of "oops" time.

Or maybe these functions are already available and I just haven't found 
them!

George, W3HBM. Bar Harbor, ME


On 7/17/2016 9:19 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Lee (and others)
>
> It is normal for the power control circuits to be reset after a band 
> change.  That prevents overshoot if you are driving an amplifier.
> Normally the power will come up to the requested power level in a 
> couple dot times on CW, or several syllables when operating voice.
>
> If the problem is on voice or data, make sure you are driving the 
> audio sufficiently.  If you are not driving the K3 audio hard enough, 
> power control will be "flaky".
>
> For Voice: With the compression set to zero, you should produce 5 to 7 
> bars on the ALC meter.  After adjusting the mic gain for that 
> indication, increase the compression as you choose - normally I would 
> suggest compression of less than 10dB.
>
> For RTTY, if you are using FSK D mode, the power control should be 
> automatic, but if you are using AFSK A (or other soundcard data 
> modes), then do check your audio drive - of course compression should 
> be set to zero, but the audio drive should drive the ALC meter to 4 
> bars solid with the 5th bar flashing.
>
> Note that the K3 controls power differently than other transceivers.  
> Ignore the advice on the internet to show no ALC and adjust the power 
> with the audio level.
> With the K3 (and K3S, KX3, KX2), the "ALC" meter is a combination "VU" 
> meter and ALC meter.  The 1st 4 bars are there to help you adjust the 
> audio level.  The onset of ALC is indicated by the 5th bar.  So 4 bars 
> solid and 5th bar flickering is the "no ALC" point for the K3.
> In data modes, adjust the power with the Power knob, not the audio level.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/17/2016 8:38 AM, Leroy Buller wrote:
>> Operated RTTY NAQP this weekend.   When changing bands, I noticed my 
>> power
>> would drop to 40 watts or so.  After several transmissions, it would 
>> rise
>> to 100 watts.  I don't think this is normal.   All antennas are matched.
>> Comments?
>>
>>
>
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