Hi all,
I initially started using data modes by the "set the power to maximum
..." method, and experienced the same problems that others have seen,
although with care the transmissions were proper. I like to run digital
at 50 W max, to lessen the strain on the equipment. The advantage of
this method was that the power on the band in use was not reduced, so
that when going back to SW or SSB, the full power was still set. The
"K3 recommended " method does a fine job, but requires reducing the
power to 50 W. Then, when one returns to CW or SSB, you are still at
50W, since power is not saved "per mode".
Would a software change which saves power "per mode" as well as "per
band" be possible? If so, I respectfully request it.
George, W3HBM
On 1/7/2017 5:35 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
All,
Guy is quite correct. The K3 controls power very well, so if you have
set the power knob to some particular power, that will be very close
to the power you actually get. There is normally no need to monitor
it - as long as other conditions are followed.
The most common error for soundcard data modes is for hams who choose
to follow the common internet advice to "set the power to maximum and
control the power with the audio drive" - that does not work well with
the K3, K3S, KX2 or KX3 (or the K2 for that matter). Drive the
Elecraft ALC meter as indicated in the manual - 5 to 7 bars for SSB
and 4 bars solid with the 5th bar flickering for soundcard data modes.
Elecraft radios do not control power in the same way as other
transceivers, so follow the instructions given for your Elecraft
transceiver and first set the audio drive properly and control the
power output with the power knob. Failure to do that will result in
what I call "power hunting" where the power output will vary
significantly.
If I must elaborate on the "why" of all this, Elecraft radios control
the power output in a closed loop - other amateur transceivers use an
open loop "drive" control, commercial transceivers may use a closed
loop system similar to Elecraft. The power output is measured and the
MCU compares that output with the power requested by the power knob.
If the actual power is less than requested, the drive will be
increased to make the output equal to that requested. So if the audio
drive is not sufficient, yes power will be lower than the requested
value and the transceiver will go to full possible drive (and excess
power will be produced when the audio output is increased).
For those who are concerned about the ALC meter indication, the onset
of ALC is at the 5th bar on the meter - the 4th bar is the "NO ALC"
point for the K3 (KX3, KX2 and K3S).
For the K2, increase the audio until you have ALC indicated, and then
back off the audio just enough that no bars are displayed.
The real key is to set the audio as instructed in the manual, and then
control the power with the power knob. That goes for voice modes as
well as soundcard data modes.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 1/7/2017 1:51 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
Hi Richard,
The issue with your request is that there is only **one** line of
display
"dots" on the display. The single line of dots is interpreted with the
upper graticule in RX, and with the two lower graticules on TX.
For what you want, there would need to be two rows of dots driven
independently. Or there would need to be a front panel button to
switch the
meaning of the single row of dots. Ah, but we already have the button.
Also, the change would require *both* firmware *and* changing out the
display to create the **two** lines of dots on the display. Note that
the
graticules do not change. The display is not driven pixels like a
smartphone display. Therefore it could not just be a new CONFIG:
option in
firmware. The request would almost certainly need to be implemented
with a
new transceiver.
As it is, on voice if CMP and ALC is properly set, on a K3/K3S the power
out is very predictable for a given PWR setting, more so for a K3/K3S
than
most. In any event, TX SSB with an amp, various stand-alone power meters
deal more substantially with power out aspects.
73, Guy K2AV
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