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Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 18:06:59 -0700
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <rondec at easystreet.com>
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 sluggish on transmit

Dave, G4AON, wrote:
"Keying speed 25 wpm, using internal keyer. If I change bands, or recall a
frequency in the same band, I can send as many as 7 "dits" on the paddle
with longish spaces between, before full power is achieved, each successive
"dit" increases the power slightly until full power is reached. "

I believe that's normal, Dave. One brief 'dash' will bring the power up to
full output, but it can take several brief dits.  It is happening because
the power control defaults to minimum power after the sort of changes you
described, and you need to transmit long enough for the power sensor to note
the amount of r-f voltage at the output and adjust the power accordingly.

At least mine behaves like that  <G>.

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289
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Date: Thu, 03 May 2001 11:46:46 -0700
From: Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: K2 sluggish on transmit

Hi Dave (and Ron, etc.),

Ron's description (below) is accurate. Sorry for not responding to this sooner.

In CW mode, the K2 and K1 both use closed-loop ALC (automatic level
control) in firware to determine the right setting for the D-to-A
converter than controls the BFO attenuator. This is how power output is
set. When you change bands (or power-up the radio), the DAC is set to a
relatively safe (low) value to prevent excessive overshoot as the ALC
loop stabilizes. So it can take a dash or two to get it settled, or you
can press TUNE. 

The alternative to this would have been to implement the ALC in
hardware, but we felt that the firmware method was adequate. (In SSB
mode, the ALC *is* handled in hardware, on the SSB adapter.)

Further details can be found in theory of operation section.

73,
Wayne
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