[Elecraft] No bars at all on KX3 digital mode transmit

[Frank O'Donnell]

After not having used my KX3 in a while, today I set it up with a laptop 
on the front porch to send FT8 in WSJT-X with a new AX1 antenna.

I went through the procedure in Don W3FPR's document "Setting Elecraft 
Transceivers for soundcard digital," setting in and out audio levels on 
my MacBook Pro for the thumbnail-sized Sabrent USB soundcard; Mic Gain 
on the KX3; and the power slider in WSJT-X. CAT control is working fine, 
and the KX3 is in DATA A mode. The waterfall of incoming signals appears 
normal.

I seem to be getting a good signal out, with -1 dB reported from Alaska, 
and -7 to -10 dB from the U.S. east coast with the above settings around 
midrange, and with the KX3 set for 15w out. However, I don't see any 
bars at all on the ALC meter at any time, even when the USB soundcard 
out, KX3 Mic Gain and WSJT-X power slider are set as high as their maximums.

Am I forgetting a setting? Anything I can look at to troubleshoot the 
ALC meter function?

Thanks much,

Frank K6FOD
Southern California