[Elecraft] Keying the K3s

[Rick Bates, NK7I]

Running exactly at 5.0 watts or 50 watts setting CAN cause a change in 
the TX GAIN setting on a K3(s).  That is the setting that can trigger 
the calibration algorithm; which if not connected to a dummy load, can 
be 'wrong' (causing problems).

The K4 has a menu item to en/disable changes in this setting, the K3(s) 
does not.

This is confirmed by Elecraft repair folks (on the groups.io list for 
the K3) and possibly here on qth.net.

Running at 4.9/5.1 or 49/51 watts output is HIGHLY recommended if that 
is the output neighborhood that is wanted.

Not every detail is in the manual (of which many updates have been made 
over the years) and not every firmware comment has been folded into the 
manual either.  So you look at the firmware comments AND the latest 
manual(s); then the email list_*S*_ for a complete answer.

73,
Rick nk7i


On 1/24/2023 10:21 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> I do not believe that 5 and 50 watts cause issues on the K3S.  I do not
> recall seeing this in th manual and I have never had an issue doing it.
>
> You can search Elecraft archives here:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/elecraft@mailman.qth.net/maillist.html
>
> John KK9A
>
>
>
>
> Lee Hiers AA4GA wrote:
>
> How would one search the archives for this info?
>
> Is this only the K3S, or does it also include K3?  How about a K3/10?
>
> And you're saying one should never transmit with the transmitter set to 5W
> (or 50W)?
>
> I do drive an Alpha 8410 with my K3/10 -  and I've probably done so at 5W
> out of the K3/10, although normally I'm using 12W.
>
> I would appreciate a link to something that indicates this is a bad thing
> to do.
>
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
>
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