[Elecraft] KX3 power out

[Mark Goldberg]

On Sat, Jul 11, 2020 at 7:06 PM Frank O'Donnell <vfo77 at inkbox.net> wrote:
> As for Walter's point about the ATU, the results are mighty odd. I just
> set the KX3 to 40 meters with 15 watts out, appropriate slug in the Bird
> 43, set ATU to bypass and started keying. The power out dropped to about
> 5w. I then set ATU to auto and tapped the ATU Tune button. With the
> radio still set to 15w out, the Bird now peaked at about 25w! Is it
> plausible that antenna tuning activity within the KX3 could actually
> increase the TPO by ~5x? Or does that cast even more suspicion on the Bird?

The KX3 will definitely cut way back on power out if it sees a
mismatched load or a line voltage drop. I use my KX3 to tune a
screwdriver antenna. I normally set the power out to about 3W, but
sometimes forget and leave it at 15W. When matched, it puts out a full
15W. When it sees a high SWR, it will cut back to a few watts. I have
the tuner bypassed. The KX3 will show you what it sees as the SWR as
well as the power, and you can also look at reflected power on the
Bird. Hopefully those will tell you something.

73,

Mark
W7MLG