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(K3) Low output power on 15 meters (new KYSN related ?)

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Bruce Meier-2

(K3) Low output power on 15 meters (new KYSN related ?)

Today I noticed that the output power on 15 meters does not reach 100w. The
max, according to the front panel meter reading, is 93w. So, I ran the
transmitter gain calibration and it did not help. I decreased the power to
90w and it reached 90w, so I gradually increased the power and it is fine up
to 93w. When set to 94w and above the max output is 93w. I checked all
other bands and with the exception of 17 meters they are fine. The same low
power output occurs on 17 meters.

I then tried my other K3 going through the exact same testing order and
received the exact same results. They are both the exact same configuration.

Specifics:

- testing into both a dummy load (2 different ones) and 3 different 15 meter
antennas
- both K3 rigs are running latest firmware (5.38 / 2.86 / 2.86 / 1.25)
- The power supply voltage at the rigs is 13.8 and drops to around 13.0 when
in transmit
- Reran the Transmitter Gain Calib - no help.

NOTE: The new KSYN3As were just installed in both rigs including the second
RX (2 weeks ago)

Suggestions?

73,
Bruce-N1LN

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Ken Wagner K3IU

Re: (K3) Low output power on 15 meters (new KYSN related ?)

I have the same thing here, Bruce. Something in firmware was
changed a while ago and when I reported it to Wayne, he said
that it is within specs.
73, Ken K3IU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On 1/9/2016 11:09 AM, Bruce Meier wrote:

> Today I noticed that the output power on 15 meters does not reach 100w. The
> max, according to the front panel meter reading, is 93w. So, I ran the
> transmitter gain calibration and it did not help. I decreased the power to
> 90w and it reached 90w, so I gradually increased the power and it is fine up
> to 93w. When set to 94w and above the max output is 93w. I checked all
> other bands and with the exception of 17 meters they are fine. The same low
> power output occurs on 17 meters.
>
> I then tried my other K3 going through the exact same testing order and
> received the exact same results. They are both the exact same configuration.
>
> Specifics:
>
> - testing into both a dummy load (2 different ones) and 3 different 15 meter
> antennas
> - both K3 rigs are running latest firmware (5.38 / 2.86 / 2.86 / 1.25)
> - The power supply voltage at the rigs is 13.8 and drops to around 13.0 when
> in transmit
> - Reran the Transmitter Gain Calib - no help.
>
> NOTE: The new KSYN3As were just installed in both rigs including the second
> RX (2 weeks ago)
>
> Suggestions?
>
> 73,
> Bruce-N1LN
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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wayne burdick

Re: (K3) Low output power on 15 meters (new KYSN related ?)

Administrator

In reply to this post by Bruce Meier-2

This has nothing to do with the new synth. We're hoping to have another firmware release dealing with it soon. I've been working on other issues.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jan 9, 2016, at 8:09 AM, "Bruce Meier" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Today I noticed that the output power on 15 meters does not reach 100w….

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Vic Rosenthal

Re: (K3) Low output power on 15 meters (new KYSN related ?)

In reply to this post by Bruce Meier-2

I noted a similar issue and found that increasing the power supply voltage a bit returned full output. I think I have about 14.2v at the rig in receive mode. This was before I updated the synths so I don't think it's related to that.

Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO

> On 9 Jan 2016, at 6:09 PM, Bruce Meier <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Today I noticed that the output power on 15 meters does not reach 100w. The
> max, according to the front panel meter reading, is 93w. So, I ran the
> transmitter gain calibration and it did not help. I decreased the power to
> 90w and it reached 90w, so I gradually increased the power and it is fine up
> to 93w. When set to 94w and above the max output is 93w. I checked all
> other bands and with the exception of 17 meters they are fine. The same low
> power output occurs on 17 meters.
>
> I then tried my other K3 going through the exact same testing order and
> received the exact same results. They are both the exact same configuration.
>
> Specifics:
>
> - testing into both a dummy load (2 different ones) and 3 different 15 meter
> antennas
> - both K3 rigs are running latest firmware (5.38 / 2.86 / 2.86 / 1.25)
> - The power supply voltage at the rigs is 13.8 and drops to around 13.0 when
> in transmit
> - Reran the Transmitter Gain Calib - no help.
>
> NOTE: The new KSYN3As were just installed in both rigs including the second
> RX (2 weeks ago)
>
> Suggestions?
>
> 73,
> Bruce-N1LN
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: (K3) Low output power on 15 meters (new KYSN related ?)

In reply to this post by Ken Wagner K3IU

I suppose "spec" would be about 1 dB or so. If so, then somewhere
between 80 and 125 watts would be about right for a nominal 100 watt
radio. I, however, didn't see and published spec for transmitter power
in my K3S manual.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 1/9/2016 10:27 AM, Ken K3IU wrote:
> I have the same thing here, Bruce. Something in firmware was changed a
> while ago and when I reported it to Wayne, he said that it is within specs

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