Hi Arno, I run a similar setup, ZS6BKW, 1:1 current balun, 100ft RG213 coax, I normally run 10W, and haven't observed problems with the rig switching back to 5W. I do run my rig off a 13.8V 20A supply. If you run at a lower voltage, the rig needs to draw more current to maintain a particular power output. Have you observed the display on the rig at the moment it switches back to 5W? Does it display any warning such as Hi Curr(ent)?
I am a bit concerned about the fact that you report an SWR of 1.3 *after* tuning. I find the SWR is already low on the bands of interest, and after tuning it shows 1.0:1 VSWR. Even on 80m with a native SWR of 7:1 it tunes up to 1.0:1 and happily runs 10W. So, apart from the power supply, I would be a bit concerned that something may be amiss with your antenna system. 73, Matt VK2RQ On 31/08/2013, at 3:50 AM, "Arno Dienhart" <a...@broadweave.net> wrote: > I would like to come back to this topic with an update after still > experiencing the same issue. > > > > I now use my ZS6BKW with a 1:1 current balun between the twin line and the > coax. I have tried a 70' and a 30' length of coax to the rig. If you think > it will solve the problem, I might even try a 5' length and smolder in the > sun! > > My battery shows 11.4 V during transmit on the KX3's PS meter. > > SWRs are never higher than 1.3:1 after tuning. > > PA temperatures are never very high (sitting in the shade). > > > > I have tried lower W settings, like 8W, which, on some bands, hold for a > while. On other bands, they too revert back to 5W. > > > > So, if this is all normal, I don't understand why the KX3 is rated at 10W. > Or asking in a different way: what needs to be present to keep the > transmitter from reverting down from 10W, and how can I achieve that state > with my setup? > > > > Please keep in mind that I don't have any antenna analyzing instruments > other than what the KX3 provides. > > > > Thank you and 73, > > Arno K7RNO > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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
