[Elecraft] K3 power oddity

[Bob Nielsen]

Running at reduced power for RTTY is probably a good idea.  My TS-570 
died in the middle of a RTTY contact at 100 W. and as bad as that was, 
I'd hate to think of it happening to a K3!

Bob, N7XY

On 7/17/16 7:24 AM, George Kidder wrote:
> 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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