[Elecraft] K3 power oddity

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

An e-mail exchange with the engineers this morning clarified the ALC
question. Let me correct my statement:

ALC to an external amplifier starts at 8 bars. 

ALC internal to the K3/K3S starts at 5 bars. 5 to 7 bars indicates internal
ALC active; a combination of AF leveling bu the DSP and drive reduction by
the MCU. 

So, for fully linear (DATA A) operation stay below 5 bars as Don said (5th
bar barely flashing). For normal voice operation 5 to 7 bars is typical. 

73, Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire [mailto:ron at cobi.biz] 
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2016 2:40 PM
To: 'Leroy Buller'; 'donwilh at embarqmail.com'
Cc: 'elecraft at mailman.qth.net'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 power oddity

Lee - that is true with many radios. The K3/K3S was designed so that ALC
action starts at 8 bars. More info is in the K3S Owner's manual under "Mic
Gain and Compression Settings" on page 30. 

73, Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Leroy
Buller
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2016 1:04 PM
To: donwilh at embarqmail.com
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 power oddity

Don...

Thanks for the information. I will check that out.  I was told a long time
ago by that elusive "someone" to keep the K3 linear that the ALC meter
should just flicker.  Obviously, that was bogus advice.  I  will check this
out yet today.

Thanks

Lee


On Sun, Jul 17, 2016 at 8:19 AM, Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> 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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