Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

I connect the computer to my K3S with one USB cable. That's all that's needed as it handles all of the signals and commands. KISS!Works great. Bob, K4TAX Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 10, 2019, at 4:51 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: > > I lost the SignaLink as well, but I think a lot of

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

I lost the SignaLink as well, but I think a lot of readers of this list use one. I currently use the internal "sound card" in my upgraded K3, or a home brew interface based on a $5 sound card from Amazon on my KX3. 73 Bill AE6JV On 3/10/19 at 2:40 PM, wes_n...@triconet.org (Wes) wrote:

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

True to a point.  I would (and did) lose the SignaLink.  I use my Lenovo laptop's internal sound card, even with a K3S. Wes  N7WS On 3/10/2019 2:16 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: What makes Don's excellend advice harder is that there may be as many as 4 audio level controls between the computer and

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

TUNE is a bit different than normal operating.  The power control is not as tight. I am speaking from my K2 experience, but the K3 has about the same power control mechanism 73, Don W3FPR On 3/10/2019 5:03 PM, John Simmons wrote: I have seen overshoot in the TUNE mode. -John NI0K

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

What makes Don's excellend advice harder is that there may be as many as 4 audio level controls between the computer and the transmitter. (The one in the program, the OS's control, one on the interface box (SignaLink), and the one on the radio.) My solution is to have all but one, the one in

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

I have seen overshoot in the TUNE mode. -John NI0K Don Wilhelm Sunday, March 10, 2019 2:40 PM I am left wondering if some K3 users who are seeing "Overshoot" are actually seeing what is referred to as "Power Hunting". That would occur mostly in Voice or DATA

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

I am left wondering if some K3 users who are seeing "Overshoot" are actually seeing what is referred to as "Power Hunting". That would occur mostly in Voice or DATA modes when the audio level is not set high enough. With insufficient audio, the K3 can initially go up to the set power, and

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

And with my P3 or SDR when one closely examines a signal, the evidence of improper ALC usage or ALC overshoot is very prominent with many signals. The sad thing is that it can be corrected with proper settings and usage. There is no need to occupy 10kHz of the band. And just listening to a

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

On 3/10/2019 11:34 AM, John Simmons wrote: Once I got my LP100, I began to see the same behavior with my K3. This type of output anomaly is a huge reason to use ALC. I've had an LP100 in line for several years, always set to read peak power, and the most overshoot I've seen from either of my

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

Wes, Once I got my LP100, I began to see the same behavior with my K3. This type of output anomaly is a huge reason to use ALC. 73, -John NI0K Wes Sunday, March 10, 2019 9:39 AM Indeed. Folks who would never think to turn off the AGC in their receivers get

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

Indeed.  Folks who would never think to turn off the AGC in their receivers get weak-kneed at the thought of AGC (ALC) being used in the transmit loop.  In "Fundamentals of SSB", Collins radio speaks of ALC (pp.7-10,11) without any negativity, and in fact calls it a form of speech compression. 

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

The underlying reality is that if you analyze the input-output transfer function for a linear amplifier with ALC, the resulting transfer function is not linear. Thus you would expect all sorts of odd behaviors as the function changes order when ALC engages. Simple math. Dr. William J.

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

Jim and all: I have been a ham and avid CW op since 1970. I remember the Drake twins having a wonderful sound on CW, an almost bell-like sound. Has anyone looked at the CW waveform of those old rigs compared to the new generation? -John NI0K Jim Brown

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

On 3/9/2019 12:57 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: Yes and some brand(s) of radios are affectionately known as "click generators" being the result of they way they control power. I wouldn't call that affection, but rather disgust. And I wouldn't blame it entirely on how they control power.

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

On 3/9/2019 9:59 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote: As a friend of mine puts it, the ALC controversy borders on being a religious issue. No, it does not. It is science. ALC should NEVER be used to set the output power of a power amplifier, because doing so produces lots of distortion (splatter,

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

As an example of how we feel about ALC with the K3 and KPA500, neither of my custom-made AUX-IO cables has the ALC pin (pin 15) connected. It is just not needed. If the KPA500 needs to protect itself, it will. 73! Jack, W6FB > On Mar 9, 2019, at 10:23 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: > > I would

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

On 2019-03-09 12:59 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote: Some brands require a one-time ALC calibration procedure prior to use. Once properly configured, they are usually free of the distortion Don rightfully talks about. Regardless of "calibration" most non-Elecraft transceivers have significant ALC

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

I would emphasize with the K3S and KPA500, if one follows the set-up EXACTLY as described in the KPA500 manual page 16 & 17, and in the K3S manual page 29 & 59,  all will be well with the EXT ALC engaged.    Anything else will be a PICNIC problem. I suggest the set-up be done with a 50 ohm

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

Along with this, it should be noted (especially for new Amateurs) that . . . Don is correct (always is) concerning the non-employment of ALC with respect to Elecraft transceivers which produce power differently from other brands.  On this reflector, the recommendation not to use ALC pertains

Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

Bob, It is important to understand that ALC does not control the amplifier, it is an attempt by the amplifier to control the transceiver. ALC is sent FROM the amplifier in an attempt to control the power of the transceiver. Used indiscriminately, that will cause distortion in the driving

[Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

Wondering how to do this. I see a cable on https://www.arraysolutions.com/k3alc A K3 ALC cable ... or any other ideas ? I have a W6PQL 2m SSPA with an ALC input on the back many thanks. -- 73 Bob KD7YZ AMSAT LM #901 __ Elecraft