[Elecraft] K3 original - ALC erratic

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

With my K3S I do find there is a relationship or interaction with the 
scan rate of the ALC display and the frequency of the tone supplied by 
FT-8.   Specifically 1500 Hz will appear to have fluctuating ALC display 
while the actual level is not changing. By setting the tone, TUNE is a 
good application to do this, to some value higher or lower than 1500 Hz 
will eliminate the display fluctuations.   WSJT defaults to 1500 Hz for 
TUNE mode.

Also if the Line Gain set via the MIC level control is less than 25 or 
so, the granularity of the adjustment becomes critical.   It is 
suggested to lower the PWR slider on the WSJT application and raise the 
value for the Line Gain to some value between 30 and 40.  This also 
applies to the value of SPKR level from the computer.  Again typically 
30 to 40 are good values giving smooth level resolution and changes.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 9/15/2019 10:28 PM, David Bunte wrote:
> Jim -
>
> I have no answer, but mine has always been extremely critical. I can set it
> for 4 bars... and it won't budge... but I can't set it for the 5th bar
> blinking... it goes from 4 solid to 5 solid no matter how much I play with
> the various level controls. I don't do a lot of digital work, so I am not
> really too concerned. There may be something I am missing, but I just leave
> it at 4 bars and hope for the best.
>
> Dave - K9FN
>
> On Sun, Sep 15, 2019 at 11:25 PM Jim Miller <JimMiller at stl-online.net>
> wrote:
>
>> K3 original - ALC erratic
>>
>> Noticeable on digital mode(s?) (FT8).  The ALC  - set at 4 solid and 5th
>> flashing - is far more critical than I remember. Seems like I could easily
>> set it exactly where I wanted it and it would stay there.  Now not so.
>> Just wondering what can affect the adjustment to where it will drop to 2
>> bars sometimes and the small change of the "mic" gain will make it higher
>> than wanted.  Not sure it is a continuous condition.  Just far more
>> critical
>> than usual.
>>
>> Thanks, Jim KG0KP
>>
>>
>>