Since the K3 operates so differently (than traditional radios) for
proper modulation I thought I'd ask this:
In olden days amplifiers were rated in PEP typically as 2x average
(or CW) power, so for AM one had to set carrier at 1/4 full carrier
output to stay linear. (1/2 carrier for SSB).
But now I am setting up a 600w linear amp to run at P1 which is about
0.9 of P3 (saturated power) and wondering what level of carrier power
to run in SSB to stay linear and also not to overdrive and stress the
expensive LDMOS device in the amplifier.
I'm running the K3 in transverter mode on 28-MHz so max output is
1.5mw. I can view this with a scope. The amplifier is running at
1296-MHz which is too high a freq to monitor with my scope. I can
only observe average RF power from a directional coupler and diode
detector (like a Bird meter).
Normally, I just set power on the K3 to drive my amp to nominal full
power and select SSB mode. Modulation level is set by observing ALC
meter. I is ALC showing five bars when saying the word "five" loudly
and six bars with compression. So does this mean the K3
automatically adjusts RF power in SSB to stay linear with proper
modulation audio setting?
My reason is when running 1296 SSB to avoid overdriving the amplifier
into P3 possibly causing harm, as much as not wanting to produce
non-linear products.
73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[email protected]
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