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K3 - Power Meter

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rich kennedy

K3 - Power Meter

My setup is a simple resonant dipole, HRD/DM780 software, and a K3/100 with latest firmware. I often operate PSK or RTTY, using the DM780 software and running approx 35 watts. I've noticed that for the first couple of seconds after I key the rig that the K3's power meter will display only 1 bar (~10w), a few seconds later the power meter displays 2 bars, a few seconds later 3 bars, and finally after about 6 to 8 seconds total the power bar displays 4 bars (and never goes higher). The SWR bar displays zero or one bar (sometimes flashes between the two). I'm careful not to overdrive the radio and other stations say that the signal looks 'good'. QUESTION: what's up with the power bar? Is this normal or something to be concerned about? thanks, 73, Rich, K3VAT
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Nr4c

Re: K3 - Power Meter

How are you setting the power level?

With most other radios, you should set power to 100 W (full power) on
the radio, and adjust the actual power level with the amount of drive
(volume) to the radio from the computer.

Not so with the K3. With the K3, you should set the drive to show 4-5
bars (on the ALC scale) indicating proper audio input level, and adjust
the power using the "PWR" control knob. I have not noticed this symptom
using this method. Note, that the first 4-5 bars indicate audio imput
lelvel, and ALC starts with the 5th Bar. Also, using the DATA Modes,
Compression and TX EQ are de-activated.

BTW, I use about 30 W for PSK, but in RTTY contest, I normally use full
100 W and monitor the PA temp. SO far, I have not gone over abut 37-39
degrees C on the PA, usually stays around 34 deg.

Enjoy....

you may already be aware of all this, if so, I appologize for the band
width.

...bill nr4c

On Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:09:17 -0700 (PDT), rich kennedy wrote:

> My setup is a simple resonant dipole, HRD/DM780 software, and a
> K3/100 with latest firmware. I often operate PSK or RTTY, using the
> DM780 software and running approx 35 watts. I've noticed that for
> the
> first couple of seconds after I key the rig that the K3's power meter
> will display only 1 bar (~10w), a few seconds later the power meter
> displays 2 bars, a few seconds later 3 bars, and finally after about
> 6
> to 8 seconds total the power bar displays 4 bars (and never goes
> higher). The SWR bar displays zero or one bar (sometimes flashes
> between the two). I'm careful not to overdrive the radio and other
> stations say that the signal looks 'good'. QUESTION: what's up with
> the power bar? Is this normal or something to be concerned about?
> thanks, 73, Rich, K3VAT

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hf4me

Re: K3 - Power Meter

Not on the K3. Do Not set your power to 100 watts for PSK. Others will
answer better but set your power where you want it. 25 to 40 or so is just
fine for PSK. The alc will is what you use on the K3 to set your drive.

73, de Jim KG0KP

----- Original Message -----
From: "nr4c" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power Meter

> How are you setting the power level?
>
> With most other radios, you should set power to 100 W (full power) on
> the radio, and adjust the actual power level with the amount of drive
> (volume) to the radio from the computer.
>
> Not so with the K3. With the K3, you should set the drive to show 4-5
> bars (on the ALC scale) indicating proper audio input level, and adjust
> the power using the "PWR" control knob. I have not noticed this symptom
> using this method. Note, that the first 4-5 bars indicate audio imput
> lelvel, and ALC starts with the 5th Bar. Also, using the DATA Modes,
> Compression and TX EQ are de-activated.
>
> BTW, I use about 30 W for PSK, but in RTTY contest, I normally use full
> 100 W and monitor the PA temp. SO far, I have not gone over abut 37-39
> degrees C on the PA, usually stays around 34 deg.
>
> Enjoy....
>
> you may already be aware of all this, if so, I appologize for the band
> width.
>
> ...bill nr4c
>
>
> On Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:09:17 -0700 (PDT), rich kennedy wrote:
>> My setup is a simple resonant dipole, HRD/DM780 software, and a
>> K3/100 with latest firmware. I often operate PSK or RTTY, using the
>> DM780 software and running approx 35 watts. I've noticed that for
>> the
>> first couple of seconds after I key the rig that the K3's power meter
>> will display only 1 bar (~10w), a few seconds later the power meter
>> displays 2 bars, a few seconds later 3 bars, and finally after about
>> 6
>> to 8 seconds total the power bar displays 4 bars (and never goes
>> higher). The SWR bar displays zero or one bar (sometimes flashes
>> between the two). I'm careful not to overdrive the radio and other
>> stations say that the signal looks 'good'. QUESTION: what's up with
>> the power bar? Is this normal or something to be concerned about?
>> thanks, 73, Rich, K3VAT
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 - Power Meter

In reply to this post by rich kennedy

Rich,

Let me echo what Bill NR4C told you - that information has been posted
several times by Lyle Johnson (the DSP designer).
Power "creep" when using digital modes is the usual result of attempting
to use the much publicized 'set the transceiver power to max and adjust
the audio to bring the power to the chosen level'. That works for
transceivers that control power by controlling the drive to the PA stages.

The K3 does not control power that way - it measures the actual power
output from the PA stages and then attempts to adjust the drive to
produce whatever power level you have chosen.

The way to adjust the K3 audio drive is to set the audio input level
(using either the K3 Line-in gain (or Mic gain) or the soundcard output
setting (or a combination of both) to produce a full 4 bars on the ALC
meter with the 5th bar flickering. You can (and should) make that
adjustment in TX TEST mode so you do not disturb your fellow hams.

After making that adjustment, set the Power knob for the power level
desired.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/5/2011 1:09 PM, rich kennedy wrote:
> My setup is a simple resonant dipole, HRD/DM780 software, and a K3/100 with latest firmware. I often operate PSK or RTTY, using the DM780 software and running approx 35 watts. I've noticed that for the first couple of seconds after I key the rig that the K3's power meter will display only 1 bar (~10w), a few seconds later the power meter displays 2 bars, a few seconds later 3 bars, and finally after about 6 to 8 seconds total the power bar displays 4 bars (and never goes higher). The SWR bar displays zero or one bar (sometimes flashes between the two). I'm careful not to overdrive the radio and other stations say that the signal looks 'good'. QUESTION: what's up with the power bar? Is this normal or something to be concerned about? thanks, 73, Rich, K3VAT
>
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