If this has previously been discussed - please forgive me. This weekend ten meters was "open" (as much as it could be at the bottom of a cycle) and the 10-10 contest gave me a great opportunity to try out the 10 meter band on my recently completed K3 #1318(latest firmware). All seemed well until I noticed that my power output on SSB was down as indicated on the K3 power meter and where I normally see 100 watt pep output on my tuners average reading meter. So I grabbed my Bird 43 (with PEP option) and a dummy load. Sure enough, only about 50 watts PEP even though the control on the K3 is at 100? Placed the K3 into tune and 95-100 watts out? Go back to SSB and now the PEP power is back where it should be at approx 100 watts PEP. After a few more SSB transmission - low power again(still connected to the Bird and dummy load). This went on for a while as I checked and re-checked all of my mic and comp settings. All other bands worked correctly. Power supply not current limiting, all connections/cables good (connection to my stati o! ! n ground verified), fresh battery in my studio mic, SWR on ten meter antenna below 1.4:1 etc. etc. Took the LPA heat sink bottom cover off to make sure the LPA transistors were making good thermal contact. (I had added a spot of heat sink compound to each transistor during my assy process) There was a clear outline of the TO-220 transistor and an even film of compound indicating good pressure and contact. Put everything back together. Haven't seen the issue again - yet? But I am not convinced I did anything to make it go away?
Anyone else had this experience? Rodger N4NRW _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] 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
