[Amps] exciter overshoot

[Gudguyham at aol.com]

I have noticed that some amplifier manufactuers discuss "exciter overshoot"  
in their operating manuals.  Apparently some exciters at the moment of  
initial RF keydown will for a split fraction of a second put out full power  
regardless of the RF setting on the exciter, and even a split second burst of  power 
beyond 100 watts.  It is a known fact that a bandswitch or a  tuning capacitor 
arc can occur if too much drive is applied with too light  loading to the 
amplifier.  I know that Alpha amps respond very quickly to  sudden spikes in 
overdrive.  One ham I know had a major problem with his  Alpha amp using an Icom 
exciter.  Could some bandswitch and tuning  capacitor arcs be attributed to 
exciter overshoot?  I know from personal  experince that some of the arcs I have 
seen occured when the initial drive from  the exciter was applied. THE 
QUESTION IS..............
 
Has anyone measured exciter overshoot?  It would have to be done with  a 
scope I am sure since a meter would never react that fast to see it.
 
Lou W1QJ