[Elecraft] K3s meter

[George Kidder]

Hi all,

I initially started using data modes by the "set the power to maximum 
..." method, and experienced the same problems that others have seen, 
although with care the transmissions were proper.  I like to run digital 
at 50 W max, to lessen the strain on the equipment.  The advantage of 
this method was that the power on the band in use was not reduced, so 
that when going back to SW or SSB, the full power was still set.  The 
"K3 recommended " method does a fine job, but requires reducing the 
power to 50 W.  Then, when one returns to CW or SSB, you are still at 
50W, since power is not saved "per mode".

Would a software change which saves power "per mode" as well as "per 
band" be possible?  If so, I respectfully request it.

George, W3HBM


On 1/7/2017 5:35 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> All,
>
> Guy is quite correct.  The K3 controls power very well, so if you have 
> set the power knob to some particular power, that will be very close 
> to the power you actually get.  There is normally no need to monitor 
> it - as long as other conditions are followed.
>
> The most common error for soundcard data modes is for hams who choose 
> to follow the common internet advice to "set the power to maximum and 
> control the power with the audio drive" - that does not work well with 
> the K3, K3S, KX2 or KX3 (or the K2 for that matter).  Drive the 
> Elecraft ALC meter as indicated in the manual - 5 to 7 bars for SSB 
> and 4 bars solid with the 5th bar flickering for soundcard data modes.
>
> Elecraft radios do not control power in the same way as other 
> transceivers, so follow the instructions given for your Elecraft 
> transceiver and first set the audio drive properly and control the 
> power output with the power knob.  Failure to do that will result in 
> what I call "power hunting" where the power output will vary 
> significantly.
>
> If I must elaborate on the "why" of all this, Elecraft radios control 
> the power output in a closed loop - other amateur transceivers use an 
> open loop "drive" control, commercial transceivers may use a closed 
> loop system similar to Elecraft. The power output is measured and the 
> MCU compares that output with the power requested by the power knob.  
> If the actual power is less than requested, the drive will be 
> increased to make the output equal to that requested.  So if the audio 
> drive is not sufficient, yes power will be lower than the requested 
> value and the transceiver will go to full possible drive (and excess 
> power will be produced when the audio output is increased).
>
> For those who are concerned about the ALC meter indication, the onset 
> of ALC is at the 5th bar on the meter - the 4th bar is the "NO ALC" 
> point for the K3 (KX3, KX2 and K3S).
>
> For the K2, increase the audio until you have ALC indicated, and then 
> back off the audio just enough that no bars are displayed.
>
> The real key is to set the audio as instructed in the manual, and then 
> control the power with the power knob.  That goes for voice modes as 
> well as soundcard data modes.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 1/7/2017 1:51 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>> Hi Richard,
>>
>> The issue with your request is that there is only **one** line of 
>> display
>> "dots" on the display. The single line of dots is interpreted with the
>> upper graticule in RX, and with the two lower graticules on TX.
>>
>> For what you want, there would need to be two rows of dots driven
>> independently. Or there would need to be a front panel button to 
>> switch the
>> meaning of the single row of dots. Ah, but we already have the button.
>>
>> Also, the change would require *both* firmware *and* changing out the
>> display to create the **two** lines of dots on the display. Note that 
>> the
>> graticules do not change. The display is not driven pixels like a
>> smartphone display. Therefore it could not just be a new CONFIG: 
>> option in
>> firmware. The request would almost certainly need to be implemented 
>> with a
>> new transceiver.
>>
>> As it is, on voice if CMP and ALC is properly set, on a K3/K3S the power
>> out is very predictable for a given PWR setting, more so for a K3/K3S 
>> than
>> most. In any event, TX SSB with an amp, various stand-alone power meters
>> deal more substantially with power out aspects.
>>
>> 73, Guy K2AV
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