John, Other transceivers normally control the drive with a potentiometer that adjusts the gain of one of the transmit stages. The K2 and K3 do it differently - they actually measure the power output and compare that to the power level that you have requested. The microprocessor then adjusts the drive to make the actual power equal to the requested power.
If you attempt to follow the advice for data modes normally given for other transceivers "set the power to maximum and adjust the audio to produce the power level you want" That will result in "power creep" if that technique is used with Elecraft gear. The K2 or K3 will sense that there is not as much output as was requested and will increase the drive level. So when operating Data modes with the K2 or K3, adjust the audio to produce no ALC - with the K2 increase the audio level until you see one bar in the ALC meter and then back it down until that one bar goes off - for the K3 adjust until you have 4 ALC bars lighted with the 5th bar flickering. Then set the power level desired with the power knob. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/5/2012 8:46 PM, John wrote: > All (especially Don), > > I have heard it explained on this reflector the Elecraft power control > loop is such that the usual advice to... > > "max out the power setting and adjust the audio level input to avoid > AGC action" > > ...is not appropriate for the K2 and, I suppose, the K3. > > I accept this, but don't quite understand the reasoning. Don can you > please explain the key differences between a rig, such as my Icom 746, > and the K2 that mandate this? > > Are there other radio brands with power control loops like Elecraft > products? > > Thanks. > > John, kx4o > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > ______________________________________________________________ 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
