[Elecraft] K3 and JT65 (JT9) power instability problem

[OH9VD]

I have set the K3/100 output power to 10W.

When I start to send in JT65-mode the power rises slowly from 2W to 10W
after few send/receive periods.
After reaching the 10W the power stabilizes.

Everything seems to work properly except the power instability, anyway I can
have qso's with JT65 and JT9.

The problem is not dependent of band I use (at least bands from 20m up).

I wonder if there anything I can do for the little anoying problem?

I have the newest firmware installed and I use the newest version of
WSJT-X.

73 de OH9VD, Jarmo



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[Sam Morgan]

the K3 is not like other rigs
you must first set the K3's ALC
to show 4 bars with the 5th bar flickering

then set the pwr out to the power level you want to use

Post by OH9VD
I have set the K3/100 output power to 10W.
When I start to send in JT65-mode the power rises slowly from 2W to 10W
after few send/receive periods.
After reaching the 10W the power stabilizes.
Everything seems to work properly except the power instability, anyway I can
have qso's with JT65 and JT9.
The problem is not dependent of band I use (at least bands from 20m up).
I wonder if there anything I can do for the little anoying problem?
I have the newest firmware installed and I use the newest version of
WSJT-X.
73 de OH9VD, Jarmo

GB & 73
K5OAIS
am Morgan

[Doug Ellmore]

I set my Mic gain to 30-32 to get in the right range. I use an external
Signal Link which is set at 9'oclock for input and output.

73, NA1DX
Doug Ellmore
doug at ellmore.net

[Rick Bates]

Hi Doug,

It's better to use the line in/out on the back of the K3 than the mic.
Also you will want to use Data A mode.

Once you have made that connection, what I use is Lin Out set at 1 and
the SLUSB set at noon (delay at zero).

Then adjust your audio DRIVERS (IN and OUT) in the software to max.
After that is done, adjust the Lin In (mic control in Data mode) to get
four full ALC LEDs showing with the fifth flickering) with transmit.
Then leave it alone.

Adjust your power output AFTER going through all that.

As has been stated numerous times, the K3 is not like any other radio in
this regard (and many others).

73,
Rick WA6NHC

Post by Doug Ellmore
I set my Mic gain to 30-32 to get in the right range. I use an external
Signal Link which is set at 9'oclock for input and output.
73, NA1DX
Doug Ellmore
doug at ellmore.net
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[Don Wilhelm]

Doug,

It may be as simple as increasing the audio drive.
The K3 power control works differently than other transceivers, and the
audio must be sufficient for the K3 to properly set the power output
level. Do not attempt to adjust the audio in an effort to control power
- use the power knob to set your desired power level.

You must drive the audio enough to produce 4 bars with the 5th
flickering on the ALC meter.
That *is* the no-ALC point - the 1st 4 bars of that meter are there only
to indicate the audio level.
You can set the audio level without transmitting by turning on TX TEST.

73,
Don W3FPR

Post by Doug Ellmore
I set my Mic gain to 30-32 to get in the right range. I use an external
Signal Link which is set at 9'oclock for input and output.

[Fred Jensen]

I made a little mark at the 4th bar position on the display with a
dry-erase black marker. I have a really hard time counting them in
real-time as I'm adjusting levels. And yes, I have a math degree, no
need for snarky "counting" comments. :-))

This subject of K2/K3/KX3 power control comes up often. Maybe some
editing in the Users' Manuals to make it very obvious and clear that
"You really need to read and understand this part" would help?

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

Post by Don Wilhelm
You must drive the audio enough to produce 4 bars with the 5th
flickering on the ALC meter.
That *is* the no-ALC point - the 1st 4 bars of that meter are there only
to indicate the audio level.
You can set the audio level without transmitting by turning on TX TEST.

[Walter Underwood]

Never confuse mathematics with arithmetic. Totally different things. --wunder, K6WRU

I made a little mark at the 4th bar position on the display with a dry-erase black marker. I have a really hard time counting them in real-time as I'm adjusting levels. And yes, I have a math degree, no need for snarky "counting" comments. :-))
This subject of K2/K3/KX3 power control comes up often. Maybe some editing in the Users' Manuals to make it very obvious and clear that "You really need to read and understand this part" would help?
73,
Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

Post by Don Wilhelm
You must drive the audio enough to produce 4 bars with the 5th
flickering on the ALC meter.
That *is* the no-ALC point - the 1st 4 bars of that meter are there only
to indicate the audio level.
You can set the audio level without transmitting by turning on TX TEST.

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org

--
Walter Underwood
wunder at wunderwood.org

[Walter Underwood]

Also, maybe the group joining message should say "If you are having trouble setting the power level..."

Really, if you blindly gave this answer to every question, the hit rate would be decent. I've been working on search engines for the past 15 years, so I think about these things.

wunder
K6WRU

Post by Walter Underwood
Never confuse mathematics with arithmetic. Totally different things. --wunder, K6WRU

I made a little mark at the 4th bar position on the display with a dry-erase black marker. I have a really hard time counting them in real-time as I'm adjusting levels. And yes, I have a math degree, no need for snarky "counting" comments. :-))
This subject of K2/K3/KX3 power control comes up often. Maybe some editing in the Users' Manuals to make it very obvious and clear that "You really need to read and understand this part" would help?
73,
Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

Post by Don Wilhelm
You must drive the audio enough to produce 4 bars with the 5th
flickering on the ALC meter.
That *is* the no-ALC point - the 1st 4 bars of that meter are there only
to indicate the audio level.
You can set the audio level without transmitting by turning on TX TEST.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org

--
Walter Underwood
wunder at wunderwood.org
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org

--
Walter Underwood
wunder at wunderwood.org