Adrian wrote: > K3 a superior transmitter in imd product results?....
Adrian, The K3 is a 12-volt-powered transceiver. When running at 100 W and from a typical DC supply, its transmit 3rd-order IMD is very similar to that of other 12-V radios, as confirmed by multiple test labs. A transceiver with a class-A final or running from much higher supply voltages (15 V is OK, as you mentioned) will have better IMD. But radios with built-in supplies are not suited for portability -- a major design goal of the K3, which is used by more DXpeditions than any other rig. Also, I suspect most "splatter" comments derive from improper adjustment of the K3 when used with an external amplifier. Some amplifier manufacturers still insist on instructing users to crank up their radio's power output to maximum when driving the amp, forcing the use of wideband ALC at the radio, and that can indeed result in splatter. But if you adjust the K3's power output as described in the owner's manual (with no more drive than required for full amp power), and do not depend on aggressive ALC action, its signal will be very clean. This allows all of the K3's fast ALC to be achieved *ahead* of the crystal filter, avoiding the wideband ALC splatter characteristic of transceivers designed for "crank-it-all-the- way-up" mode. Also note that the K3 typically runs at 20-50 W when driving the KPA500 or other amp with similar gain, resulting in excellent third- order IMD. If anyone had a K3 exhibiting IMD worse than specified, we would certainly repair it at no charge. 73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
