[Elecraft] K3: Odd ALC behavior

[Dave Cole]

Hi,

I have an issue in  regards to obtaining 4 bars, and getting the 5th bar 
of ALC to fluctuate while transmitting JT65.

I have plenty of audio, and can drive the ALC to 6 or more bars if I 
turn things up.  However, as I get to 4 bars with the 5th flashing a 
bit, the ALC starts to fluctuate between nothing and 4 or 5 bars...

That is to say, the ALC just goes to zero, no visible ALC, and then teh 
ALC returns to 4 or 5 bars.  This happens across a one or two second 
time span.

The ALC is at zero more than it is above zero most of the time.  If I 
run it to five bars, with the fifth fluctuating, all is well, there 
seems to be some sort of threshold at the 5th bar of ALC...

I have tried a number of things to try and triage this...  For instance:

1.  Running in "Transmit Test" mode to eliminate RF feedback.
2.  Upping the audio level feeding the K3.
3.  Reducing the audio level feeding the K3.
4.  Upping the line in on the K3 setup.
5.  Reducing the Line in on the K3 setup.
6.  Adjustment of the WSJT-X output level control, under conditions 2 
through 5 above.

In all cases the above described behavior of the ALC dropping to zero 
does not change in any way if I am at 5 or less bars.  That is to say, 
if I take the ALC level to 4 bars, it starts dropping to zero more than 
not...

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be?

A a bit of history-- the computer and sound card were used on an Icom 
756 ProIII, and there was never an issue like this...  The ALC was 
adjustable from zero to too much on the Icom, with no dropouts...

-- 
73s and thanks,
Dave
NK7Z
http://www.nk7z.net