Glenn,
That method will give you a bad indication of the power output.
Elecraft transceivers use a closed loop power control system - as found
in some commercial transceivers, but as far as I know, not in other
amateur transceivers.
The result is that an Elecraft transceiver (K3, K3S, KX3, KX2 and yes
even the K2) will endeavor to provide the power level that was set with
the power knob. That can cause some of the transmit gain stages to go
to their maximum output limit - which will increase distortion.
Set the audio level first as described by Elecraft, and after that, set
the power level desired with the power knob.
Leave the audio level alone after setting it.
Ignore the common internet advice, it does not work well with Elecraft gear.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 8/4/2017 12:18 PM, Glenn Anderson wrote:
OK...so here's how I do it...
1. Press the "tune" button on the K3.
2. Set output power for a convenient reading on your wattmeter (50 watts). Exit
"tune" mode.
3. Activate the "tune" function on WSJL or send a test tone from your favorite
digital program.
4. Adjust whatever the series of audio controls that you have to make the
output power match the value in step 2.
5. Exit test mode.
6. Operate
I don't pay any attention to the ALC meter after this point. For the record,
mine seems to flash between one and four bars.
YMMV
Glenn WB5TUF
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Cole [mailto:d...@nk7z.net]
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2017 7:54 AM
To: Glenn Anderson <wb5...@comcast.net>; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Odd ALC behavior
Hi Glenn,
Respectfully, the issue, as already stated a few times, in several messages, is
not that no one knows what to adjust, and we are all over thinking how to fix
this, but that it is not possible to get the desired results, no matter what
one adjusts.
I have adjusted all possible combinations of level controls-- LINE IN on the
K3, the sound card out on the computer, and the Power Out on WSJT-X, to get to
the desired results, and have failed.
Given that I am a pretty creative fellow, and spend decades in the Electronics
industry, I suspect I am doing this correctly, so no, I am pretty sure this is
not a case of over thinking, but of something not visible happening.
I just read Ken's post of July 16th, and yes Ken's problem sounds like the same
issue I have-- as one approaches the correct settings, the K3 jumps to
instantly to 5 bars, skipping 4 bars, or as you lower any input to the K3, the
ALC actions simply stops at 5 bars... Then te ALC levels start to pump, while
power out stays the same...
I have heard this described as Power Hunting before, but in my case, it seems
totally disconnected from any power settings I run. I have tried everything
from 1 watt to 100 watts, and the behavior never changes.
Alas, I fear I will just continue running with a bit of ALC, which I don't want
to do... I would like to set it up as per Elecraft recommendations, but that
seems impossible.
73s and thanks,
Dave
NK7Z
http://www.nk7z.net
On 08/04/2017 05:11 AM, Glenn Anderson wrote:
You guys are over-thinking this "issue". Just set whatever combination
of level controls it takes to get four solid bars and a flashing fifth
on the ALC and get on with it.....that works for me.
See Y'all on FT8!
Glenn WB5TUF
-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Cole
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2017 11:52 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Odd ALC behavior
Thanks to all for the sheer number and breadth of answers... Rather
than answer each one, and create a huge number of posts, I will try
and answer all here...
I have done all the steps outlined i the posts here before, and have
tried them again today.
Output from the computer is sitting dead center, line in was sitting
at 27, and the power slider on WSJT-X is sitting at 4/5th full.
I took a different sound card program, (MixW in RTTY), and I got the
same behavior at 5 bars, the meter shows 5 bars, or no bars going
between those conditions about once or twice a second randomly.
If I increase ANY of the audio controls it drops out of that mode, and
acts just as Elecraft say to set things, just one bar higher, i.e.
sits at 5 bars, and the 6th flashes...
No combination I can create of the input, or output controls will stop this.
I also tried adjusting the power controls set a 1 watt, and at 50 watts.
The power control makes zero difference in how it behaves. In fact
if I am in TEST TRANSMIT mode the problem shows...
Listening to the computer output via MON-- sounds perfect...
I may next get the scope out again, and start looking at things again...
I doubt it is the sound card changing levels because the issue goes
away if I turn up LINE IN on the K3...
I am still at a loss as to what is causing this issue. I am pretty
sure it is an artifact of something happening in the K3, but for the
life of me I can't figure it out.
73s and thanks,
Dave
NK7Z
http://www.nk7z.net
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