[Elecraft] Setting Mic Gain to ALC

[N4CW at aol.com]

I haven't used my K3 in an SSB contest in ages, but I've used my  KX3 
often. I just discovered this problem with the current ARRL DX SSB contest.  I 
can't set the MIC gain so I have 5 (+/-) bars on the ALC meter (with the last  
bar "wiggling"). It seems to be an all-or-nothing situation. There must be  
up be some setting I've fiddled with that changed everything, but I can't  
figure it out. The meter is either at "max" or zero...no gradual increase 
using  the MIC gain knob.
I'm using a CM-500 headset plugged into the rear panel MIC jack.  The MIC 
SEL is set to rP.H bIAS (rP.L won't show any "bars" at  all!). MIC+LIN is set 
to ON...makes no difference when set to  OFF.
 
I'm getting good audio reports, but I just don't feel comfortable  without 
the "wiggling" last bar in the ALC "meter".
 
Any ideas?
 
Bert, N4CW