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Re: [Amps] K3 spike problem

Subject: Re: [Amps] K3 spike problem
From: Alek Petkovic <vk6apk@bigpond.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:32:56 +0800
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>
No worries Bob.

Cheers from cool sunny Perth.
Alek. VK6APK



On 16/08/2012 8:27 PM, Bob Henderson wrote:
> It seems we have different interpretations of the same material.  I 
> didn't think anyone was blaming Charles.  I just saw helpful pointers 
> towards a solution.
>
> However, I observe Charles is prone to stir folks emotions with 
> sweeping statements of condemnation.  He gave the Alpha 87A similar 
> treatment last month.
>
> He isn't required to make any adjustment.  He has a choice.  He can 
> follow the very easy to follow Elecraft instructions, checking the 
> appropriate adjustments OR he can speak to Elecraft about sending his 
> K3 back to them for checking.  If he opts to check the adjustments 
> himself and that doesn't fix the problem he can still arrange to 
> return it to Elecraft for their attention.
>
> I have never needed to send anything back to Elecraft and have heard 
> only good things about their customer service.
>
> We might have worked.  I am very active, mostly CW.  OTOH the majority 
> of Cyprus hams currently active have calls in the 5B4A** series so you 
> might easily be thinking of someone with a similar call.
>
> Concerning your hands on experience with the K3.  We all appear stupid 
> until we review the manual.  I think this observation pretty much 
> applies to all modern transceivers regardless of manufacturer.
>
> 73 Bob, 5B4AGN
>
> On 16 August 2012 11:36, Alek Petkovic <vk6apk@bigpond.com 
> <mailto:vk6apk@bigpond.com>> wrote:
>
>     G'day Bob.
>
>     On the contrary. Several posters stated or implied that K3s did not
>     overshoot at all.
>
>     A couple of posts blamed Charles for the problem in that he did not do
>     the proper calibration or alignment procedure.
>
>     It is still my belief that Charles should NOT be required to make
>     any of
>     these adjustments if he bought a factory finished product. That is the
>     whole issue here and the only point that I was trying to make
>
>     Also, it is arguable that any realignment or calibration will not fix
>     Charles' problem because, from what he has described, the problem is
>     only evident on initial key up and subsequent keying only after a long
>     rest period. Perhaps his radio does have a genuine fault.
>
>     I don't profess to know jack about the K3 nor have I ever read
>     anything
>     about its problems, real or perceived. I tried to use one many times
>     while I was member of a local club but I was just too stupid to even
>     begin to understand how to operate it.
>
>     73 and your call looks familiar. Maybe we've exchanged reports on cw.
>     I've certainly seen you spotted on the cluster anyway.
>     Alek. VK6APK
>
>
>     On 16/08/2012 6:21 PM, Bob Henderson wrote:
>     > So who is telling Charles his K3 doesn't suffer overshoot. I
>     don't see
>     > anyone though I see plenty of folks drawing Charles attention to the
>     > fact that their K3s don't exhibit this problem.  I have also seen
>     > helpful references to the K3 manual concerning how to check the
>     set up
>     > to avoid overshoot.  No test equipment required.
>     >
>     > I also have 2 x K3 and as it happens an Alpha 87A which has given
>     > great service since I bought it in early 1994.  My Alpha87A doesn't
>     > complain when driven with either of my K3s.
>     >
>     > If I were Charles I would refer to the K3 set up instructions.
>     >
>     > So far as I am aware, the thing Charles said which has been disputed
>     > is that the K3 generally is known to suffer from overshoot problems.
>     > I am among those who dispute this statement, although I will
>     > acknowledge any transmitter improperly aligned may suffer from this
>     > effect.
>     >
>     > Best to read what is actually written rather than that which might
>     > have been.
>     >
>     > 73 Bob, 5B4AGN
>     >
>     > On 16 August 2012 09:16, Alek Petkovic <vk6apk@bigpond.com
>     <mailto:vk6apk@bigpond.com>
>     > <mailto:vk6apk@bigpond.com <mailto:vk6apk@bigpond.com>>> wrote:
>     >
>     >     Why are you all trying to tell Charles that the K3 has no
>     >     overshoot when
>     >     he has told you that it does? He has described the exact
>     conditions
>     >     under which it does it and he has stated that the radio is
>     factory
>     >     assembled and therefore, factory tested and aligned. As
>     such, the
>     >     owner/operator should not have to perform further calibration or
>     >     alignment.
>     >
>     >     His radio DOES suffer from some form of overshoot, so please
>     don't
>     >     tell
>     >     him that it doesn't. He knows what he is seeing with his
>     particular
>     >     radio and the cause is not something that he has or has not
>     done.
>     >     It is
>     >     not his fault. It is a problem that came from the factory.
>     Accept
>     >     it as
>     >     fact.
>     >
>     >     73, Alek
>     >     VK6APK
>     >
>     >
>     >
>     >
>     >
>     >     On 16/08/2012 2:41 PM, Robert Mccormack wrote:
>     >     > Hi all,
>     >     >
>     >     > Message: 6
>     >     > Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:01:26 -0700
>     >     > From: "Jim W7RY" <jimw7ry@gmail.com
>     <mailto:jimw7ry@gmail.com> <mailto:jimw7ry@gmail.com
>     <mailto:jimw7ry@gmail.com>>>
>     >     > Subject: Re: [Amps] 87a will tell you, too
>     >     > To: <amps@contesting.com <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
>     <mailto:amps@contesting.com <mailto:amps@contesting.com>>>
>     >     > Message-ID: <65BE1EFA07494CE1B0CE2D8ED1508E57@JimsLaptop>
>     >     > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8";
>     >     >      reply-type=original
>     >     >
>     >     > I can get "over shoot" or a full-power brief spike of RF
>     is the
>     >     K3.   The
>     >     > rig is set for, say, 40 watts output and on its first key
>     down,
>     >     voice or CW,
>     >     > it jumps to 100 watts for a very brief moment and
>     strangely does
>     >     not repeat
>     >     > this spike as that one
>     >     >   key-down session continues, but repeats again after a
>     >     > longer stand-by period.   This is a common and very well known
>     >     problem with
>     >     > the K3, but not often discussed due to the powerful love
>     people
>     >     have for
>     >     > their K3 radios.  The factory has acknowledeged it but has
>     also
>     >     denied it..
>     >     > Facts in my shack.
>     >     >
>     >     > Charles Harpole
>     >     >
>     >     > Now I know why I don?t own a K3!  This would be unacceptable!
>     >     >
>     >     > 73
>     >     > Jim W7RY
>     >     >
>     >     > Hi Charles and Jim,
>     >     >
>     >     > Facts in my shack:-
>     >     >
>     >     > I have two K3s in my shack plus two more brought by guest
>     ops at
>     >     ZM1A multi-op contest station from time to time.
>     >     > None of those K3s have ever exhibited the 'overshoot' problem
>     >     described.
>     >     >
>     >     > Our amps include hb gg and gk, Drake L4B and Tokyo HP 1kw,
>     Icom
>     >     IC-2KL.
>     >     >
>     >     > Never had any problem with "overshoot".
>     >     >
>     >     > RTFM,
>     >     >   especially pages 49 and 50 in the K3 Owner's manual.
>     >     >
>     >     > We would never consider use of "external ALC" - it's more
>     >     trouble than it's worth
>     >     >
>     >     > Read Joe W4TV's post if you doubt my comments.
>     >     >
>     >     > 73,
>     >     > Ken, ZL1AIH (hosting ZM1A Multi-op in CW contests)
>     >     >
>     >     >
>     >     >
>     >     >
>     >     >
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>     >     >
>     >
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>     >
>     >     Family Businesses:
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>     <mailto:petkovicag@bigpond.com>
>     >     <mailto:petkovicag@bigpond.com <mailto:petkovicag@bigpond.com>>
>     >     SP Electrical. www.spelectrical.net.au
>     <http://www.spelectrical.net.au>
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>
>     Family Businesses:
>     Petkovic Air & Gas. petkovicag@bigpond.com
>     <mailto:petkovicag@bigpond.com>
>     SP Electrical. www.spelectrical.net.au
>     <http://www.spelectrical.net.au>
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>     <http://www.facebook.com/hampersbyhand>
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Family Businesses:
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Hampers by Hand. www.facebook.com/hampersbyhand





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