K3 output power unstable
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Bjorn,
I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38. For me, the problem appears to be in SSB mode, and not CW. For example, if I adjust the power output of my K3 by a very small amount i.e. say from 50w to 52w output, it will initially transmit much more power than 52w driving my amplifier way past the limit for a second or two before settling back down. It seems to me that it also does not necessary settle on the right power output. The problem also happens when you switch bands. The transmitter power output will initially be very high (i.e. closer to 100W) and then appears to require some settling time to go back to the power that it is actually set for when transmitting on SSB after a band change. I do not have my K3 setup for a different power output on each band. But, I know my amp, and know the results of using other transceivers with it. There is something definitely wrong with the (my) K3 power output management on SSB. I do not use external ALC. The amp is an Acom 2000A. 73, Kam N3KS Ksira at corpten.com Bjorn wrote: > > I am right now in the middle of the SAC contest when I notice that the K3 > has a problems keeping output power stable. I noticed some excessive high > output from the amp when investigating I found that my K3 set to drive the > amp with between 20-30 watt output depending on band, delivers > substancially > more. Ouptut power pulsate between nothing and full power, delivering more > than 100 watts in bursts into the amp (designed for 30W input). > > The problem is easiest to reproduce on 80 meters, but I am sure I saw the > power wobble a few seconds b4 stabilizing on higher bands to. Even when > the > radio has cooled down to a PA temp of 34C the problem is there. > > I think I read somthing about a similar prioblem somewhere, would > apreciate > any leads that I might help to narrow down and eliminate the problem. > > 73 de Björn /SM0MDG (SE0X in SAC) > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > Bjorn, I posted about this very problem a couple of months ago but had virtually no feedback so it's interesting to hear of someone else being affected. As you say the power would drop quite suddenly then come back up; when running an amp it once went right up to ~100w even though set for about 35w - it tripped the amp.... Seems to do this on phone too but cw is easiest to see when it's happening. To be honest it has hardly happened to me at all recently and I wonder if you have the latest firmware installed. I did contact Elecraft support and I seem to remember they said it was an AlC control software problem and to keep downloading the latest firmware which would eventually sort it, and as I say it seems much better now here. However the other day I was on phone and the power was all over the place; it then started giving me TXG Error messages and I had to do the 5 and 50 watt power output config from start to finish which seemed to fix it. Good luck in the contest - family duties here else I would be giving away some points for you.... 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 145) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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> I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38.
I haven't had a chance to test the newest firmware yet, but I have seen somewhat similar ALC behaviour in various versions of the K3 firmware and have heard several times that Elecraft is working on "fixing" it. I do wonder to what extent this may have to do with the fact that a software controlled internal ALC might not always be able to react quickly and smoothly enough to changes in the power levels, either due to user action or internal reasons. It also reminds me a bit of the power instability in the K2, which is at least partially caused by adc resolution. Without having checked, does the K1 also use a software ALC similar to the K3 and/or K2? Does the K1 also have similar power level "agitation"? I would hate to think that this "blemish" is not 100% solvable, i.e. that a software controlled ALC will always be a bit "dirty". I also do wonder to what extent Wayne has actually been able to recreate the problem, or if only some K3s (ones he doesn't have access to) are affected. Or could other gremlins be at work, e.g. poor TX firmwarwe alignment at 1mW, 5W and 50W? Faulty internal power and/or SWR measurements? etc. Enough silly speculation... Now back to work... vy 73 de toby -- DD5FZ (ex 4n6fz, dj7mgq, dg5mgq, dd5fz) K2 #885 K2/100 #3248 K3/100 #67 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Kamal Sirageldin
hello
the same probleme here K3 S/N 153 in ssb mode with the amplifier EMTRON DX2SP the security overdrive 73 terry F5MOO Kamal Sirageldin a écrit : > Bjorn, > > I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38. For me, the problem > appears to be in SSB mode, and not CW. For example, if I adjust the power > output of my K3 by a very small amount i.e. say from 50w to 52w output, it > will initially transmit much more power than 52w – driving my amplifier way > past the limit for a second or two before settling back down. It seems to > me that it also does not necessary settle on the right power output. > > The problem also happens when you switch bands. The transmitter power > output will initially be very high (i.e. closer to 100W) and then appears to > require some ‘settling’ time to go back to the power that it is actually set > for when transmitting on SSB after a band change. I do not have my K3 setup > for a different power output on each band. But, I know my amp, and know > the results of using other transceivers with it. There is something > definitely wrong with the (my) K3 power output management on SSB. I do not > use external ALC. The amp is an Acom 2000A. > > 73, > Kam N3KS > Ksira at corpten.com > > Bjorn wrote: > >> I am right now in the middle of the SAC contest when I notice that the K3 >> has a problems keeping output power stable. I noticed some excessive high >> output from the amp when investigating I found that my K3 set to drive the >> amp with between 20-30 watt output depending on band, delivers >> substancially >> more. Ouptut power pulsate between nothing and full power, delivering more >> than 100 watts in bursts into the amp (designed for 30W input). >> >> The problem is easiest to reproduce on 80 meters, but I am sure I saw the >> power wobble a few seconds b4 stabilizing on higher bands to. Even when >> the >> radio has cooled down to a PA temp of 34C the problem is there. >> >> I think I read somthing about a similar prioblem somewhere, would >> apreciate >> any leads that I might help to narrow down and eliminate the problem. >> >> 73 de Björn /SM0MDG (SE0X in SAC) >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> >> >> > > Bjorn, > > I posted about this very problem a couple of months ago but had virtually no > feedback so it's interesting to hear of someone else being affected. As you > say the power would drop quite suddenly then come back up; when running an > amp it once went right up to ~100w even though set for about 35w - it > tripped the amp.... > > Seems to do this on phone too but cw is easiest to see when it's happening. > To be honest it has hardly happened to me at all recently and I wonder if > you have the latest firmware installed. I did contact Elecraft support and I > seem to remember they said it was an AlC control software problem and to > keep downloading the latest firmware which would eventually sort it, and as > I say it seems much better now here. However the other day I was on phone > and the power was all over the place; it then started giving me TXG Error > messages and I had to do the 5 and 50 watt power output config from start to > finish which seemed to fix it. > > Good luck in the contest - family duties here else I would be giving away > some points for you.... > > 73, > > Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 145) > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Kamal Sirageldin
Hi
I´m using the same ACOM 2000 and the same think is happening here 73 Oms PY5EG -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of f5moo Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 11:11 AM To: Kamal Sirageldin Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 output power unstable hello the same probleme here K3 S/N 153 in ssb mode with the amplifier EMTRON DX2SP the security overdrive 73 terry F5MOO Kamal Sirageldin a écrit : > Bjorn, > > I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38. For me, the problem > appears to be in SSB mode, and not CW. For example, if I adjust the > power output of my K3 by a very small amount i.e. say from 50w to 52w > output, it will initially transmit much more power than 52w - driving > my amplifier way past the limit for a second or two before settling > back down. It seems to me that it also does not necessary settle on the right power output. > > The problem also happens when you switch bands. The transmitter power > output will initially be very high (i.e. closer to 100W) and then > appears to require some 'settling' time to go back to the power that > it is actually set for when transmitting on SSB after a band change. > I do not have my K3 setup for a different power output on each band. > But, I know my amp, and know the results of using other transceivers with it. There is something > definitely wrong with the (my) K3 power output management on SSB. I do not > use external ALC. The amp is an Acom 2000A. > > 73, > Kam N3KS > Ksira at corpten.com > > Bjorn wrote: > >> I am right now in the middle of the SAC contest when I notice that >> the K3 has a problems keeping output power stable. I noticed some >> excessive high output from the amp when investigating I found that my >> K3 set to drive the amp with between 20-30 watt output depending on >> band, delivers substancially more. Ouptut power pulsate between >> nothing and full power, delivering more than 100 watts in bursts into >> the amp (designed for 30W input). >> >> The problem is easiest to reproduce on 80 meters, but I am sure I saw >> the power wobble a few seconds b4 stabilizing on higher bands to. >> Even when the radio has cooled down to a PA temp of 34C the problem >> is there. >> >> I think I read somthing about a similar prioblem somewhere, would >> apreciate any leads that I might help to narrow down and eliminate >> the problem. >> >> 73 de Björn /SM0MDG (SE0X in SAC) >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> >> >> > > Bjorn, > > I posted about this very problem a couple of months ago but had > virtually no feedback so it's interesting to hear of someone else > being affected. As you say the power would drop quite suddenly then > come back up; when running an amp it once went right up to ~100w even > though set for about 35w - it tripped the amp.... > > Seems to do this on phone too but cw is easiest to see when it's happening. > To be honest it has hardly happened to me at all recently and I wonder > if you have the latest firmware installed. I did contact Elecraft > support and I seem to remember they said it was an AlC control > software problem and to keep downloading the latest firmware which > would eventually sort it, and as I say it seems much better now here. > However the other day I was on phone and the power was all over the > place; it then started giving me TXG Error messages and I had to do > the 5 and 50 watt power output config from start to finish which seemed to fix it. > > Good luck in the contest - family duties here else I would be giving > away some points for you.... > > 73, > > Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 145) > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: K3 output power unstable
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Hi Oms! Terry!
Nice to hear from you. I hope you are both well. I think for sure that Elecraft has a problem with this. 73, Kam N3KS -----Original Message----- From: py5eg [mailto:[hidden email]] Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:16 AM To: f5moo; Kamal Sirageldin Cc: [hidden email] Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 output power unstable Hi I´m using the same ACOM 2000 and the same think is happening here 73 Oms PY5EG -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of f5moo Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 11:11 AM To: Kamal Sirageldin Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 output power unstable hello the same probleme here K3 S/N 153 in ssb mode with the amplifier EMTRON DX2SP the security overdrive 73 terry F5MOO Kamal Sirageldin a écrit : > Bjorn, > > I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 775, V2.38. For me, the problem > appears to be in SSB mode, and not CW. For example, if I adjust the > power output of my K3 by a very small amount i.e. say from 50w to 52w > output, it will initially transmit much more power than 52w - driving > my amplifier way past the limit for a second or two before settling > back down. It seems to me that it also does not necessary settle on the right power output. > > The problem also happens when you switch bands. The transmitter power > output will initially be very high (i.e. closer to 100W) and then > appears to require some 'settling' time to go back to the power that > it is actually set for when transmitting on SSB after a band change. > I do not have my K3 setup for a different power output on each band. > But, I know my amp, and know the results of using other transceivers with it. There is something > definitely wrong with the (my) K3 power output management on SSB. I do not > use external ALC. The amp is an Acom 2000A. > > 73, > Kam N3KS > Ksira at corpten.com > > Bjorn wrote: > >> I am right now in the middle of the SAC contest when I notice that >> the K3 has a problems keeping output power stable. I noticed some >> excessive high output from the amp when investigating I found that my >> K3 set to drive the amp with between 20-30 watt output depending on >> band, delivers substancially more. Ouptut power pulsate between >> nothing and full power, delivering more than 100 watts in bursts into >> the amp (designed for 30W input). >> >> The problem is easiest to reproduce on 80 meters, but I am sure I saw >> the power wobble a few seconds b4 stabilizing on higher bands to. >> Even when the radio has cooled down to a PA temp of 34C the problem >> is there. >> >> I think I read somthing about a similar prioblem somewhere, would >> apreciate any leads that I might help to narrow down and eliminate >> the problem. >> >> 73 de Björn /SM0MDG (SE0X in SAC) >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> >> >> > > Bjorn, > > I posted about this very problem a couple of months ago but had > virtually no feedback so it's interesting to hear of someone else > being affected. As you say the power would drop quite suddenly then > come back up; when running an amp it once went right up to ~100w even > though set for about 35w - it tripped the amp.... > > Seems to do this on phone too but cw is easiest to see when it's > To be honest it has hardly happened to me at all recently and I wonder > if you have the latest firmware installed. I did contact Elecraft > support and I seem to remember they said it was an AlC control > software problem and to keep downloading the latest firmware which > would eventually sort it, and as I say it seems much better now here. > However the other day I was on phone and the power was all over the > place; it then started giving me TXG Error messages and I had to do > the 5 and 50 watt power output config from start to finish which seemed to fix it. > > Good luck in the contest - family duties here else I would be giving > away some points for you.... > > 73, > > Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 145) > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by dj7mgq
Toby, Interesting your speculation about firmware alignment - I can do repeated 5w and 50w TX GN alignments and get huge variations in the gain figures. I would have thought the gain figures per band should stay fairly constant? 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3 145, V2.38 etc) |
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I notice the same thing with my K3 S/N 1577, V2.38. DSP1.90 I try repeated 5w and 50w TX Gain alignments and get huge variations in the gain figures. I am sure that will be resolved in next update firmware...
E72X, Gordan,
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Hello all,
I do have another power problem with my K3. I am in the WAG Contest right now and when I call CQ, the Power drops from 100w down to 50w, and sometimes up again. Sometimes there is now Output Power left. The it appears suddenly agn. Latest Firmware is installed... 73´s Hauke DJ7EC K3# 1865
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