[Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8

[Rick NK7I]

Whomever K3 user told you to EVER use the output control other than MAX at ALL TIMES needs to go back to learning.  They are NOT helping you.

The WSJT-X output control is an AUDIO control, not an RF output control.
On any rig made since 1985, one wants to adjust the RF for RF and the audio for audio.

As said MANY times, set the WSJT-X output to MAX, then IGNORE IT.  FOREVER.  It is one stupid flaw in an otherwise brilliant application.  Audio drive is NOT the way to manage RF output on any modern radio.

Then adjust the audio during transmit (test mode) to 4 bars on the ALC, “just” tickling the 5th bar.  That is the place that the K3 ALC begins.  [If you undershoot the audio level, the K3 still attempts to reach that power output, but the results may not be pleasing to others on the air.]

Now when you send, the K3 will put out the power you choose and the signal will be clean and stable.

You set the output power with the RF output control, not a garage door opener.  Right tool, right job.

It’s REALLY frustrating to see this reappearing EVERY year; the K3 is not a JA radio, it manages things differently and generally better.  One would think that after so many years the misinformation would fade out.

So now YOU know how to set the audio on the K3 and will be cleaner than those who attempted to mislead you with false information.

This method holds true on ANY audio based digital mode (like AFSK, PSK…).

73,
Rick NK7I

> On Jul 20, 2023, at 2:17 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR <pete.n4zr at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I've recently started operating FT8, and on advice from other K3 users, have been adjusting the power slider in WSJT-X to a level just short of or just into the first flickers of ALC.  I did this because I was advised that setting the slider for 4 or 5 bars of ALC generated junk in the FT8 passband.  I am running the K3 in Data A mode
> 
> Since I did this, I've noticed strange (to me, anyway) behavior from my K3.  When WSJT-X starts an FT8 transmit cycle, after I have just switched to the current band or changed the power slider in WSJT-X or the PWR control on my K-3, the K3's power output starts essentially at zero and slowly ramps up through 1- 1 1/2 FT8 transmit cycles.  Once it reaches the expected level, subsequent transmissions stay at that level.
> 
> I've been told (not by Elecraft) that this behavior is a result of the K3's firmware "hunting" for the right power level, but such a slow and repetitious behavior doesn't fit with the rest of what I've come to expect from my K3.  It doesn't happen on CW or SSB either. So what's going on?
> 
> -- 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
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