[Elecraft] Re: ERR VCO Problem Activity Log

[Dick Roth KA1OZ]

Greg wrote:
> Try this...
> 
> Starting with the power OFF.  Turn it ON but HOLD the power button for 
> about 10 seconds...till you see MCU LD on the LCD.  The LCD will not be 
> lit.  This is a forced MCU load state.  No using your K3 utility program 
> in advanced mode, load JUST the MCU file by putting a check just in that 
> box, nothing else.  Then click on send checked items to K3.
> 
> After the MCU file loads and the radio resets, then upload the DSP1, FPF 
> and DSP data table files.
> 
> Standing by....
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dick Roth KA1OZ" <raroth7 at comcast.net>
> To: <k3support at elecraft.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 7:00 PM
> Subject: Re: ERR VCO Problem Activity Log
> 
> 
>> Greg wrote:
>>> hahahaha... No problem Dick.  Good night.
>>>
>>> Sounds like you may be OK now.  Start using your new rig but let us 
>>> know if the power problem creeps back in.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Greg
>>> AB7R
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dick Roth KA1OZ" 
>>> <raroth7 at comcast.net>
>>> To: "Greg" <ab7r at cablespeed.com>
>>> Cc: <ka1oz at arrl.net>; "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 8:20 PM
>>> Subject: Re: ERR VCO Problem Activity Log
>>>
>>>
>>>> Greg wrote:
>>>>> Don made a good point.  When you assembled the power pole, did you 
>>>>> make sure
>>>>> when inserting the pins that you heard a distinct click?  If not, 
>>>>> they may
>>>>> not be completly seated.  Try pushing them in more to see if they 
>>>>> click.
>>>>>
>>>>> Greg
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Dick Roth KA1OZ [mailto:raroth7 at comcast.net]
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:55 PM
>>>>> To: Greg
>>>>> Cc: ka1oz at arrl.net; gary at elecraft.com
>>>>> Subject: Re: ERR VCO Problem Activity Log
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Greg wrote:
>>>>>> So Dick...what is it doing now?  When the VCO CAL went slowly and the
>>>>>> speeding up some toward the end is correct behavior.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are you hearing normal signals now?  Have you done the REF CAL and 
>>>>>> TX Gain
>>>>>> CAL?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Greg
>>>>>
>>>>> {snip}
>>>>>
>>>>> I successfully ran the REF CAL and TX Gain last night while the radio
>>>>> was in its glory.  Now if I can only turn it on and off when I want
>>>>> to...(pardon the whine).
>>>>>
>>>>> What else can I do to provide hints of the radio's health?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> 73,
>>>>> Dick ka1oz
>>>>> Middleborough, MA
>>>>>
>>>>> K3/100(Kit) SN 000859
>>>>> Titan-DX (to come)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> I started with DC.  APP connectors are firm in their sockets and no 
>>>> wiggling causes outages.  When I installed the front panel, I was 
>>>> keenly aware from list traffic that great care had to be taken 
>>>> during this process.  I looked at each connecting point of each 
>>>> connector.  I've also given the baby "therapeutic taps" to see if 
>>>> anything was loose.
>>>>
>>>> If you guys don't mind...its 2317 here and I rise at 0500 to pay the 
>>>> mortgage, so I'll follow up tomorrow.
>>>>
>>>> ttfn &
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> 73,
>>>> Dick ka1oz
>>>> Middleborough, MA
>>>>
>>>> K3/100(Kit) SN 000859
>>>> Titan-DX (to come)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>> Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.10/1421 - 
>>>> Release Date: 5/7/2008 5:23 PM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Well I still have the turn on problem.  After I read what I sent you 
>> last, I thought better of taking the front panel connections for 
>> granted, so after I got home from work tonight I removed the front 
>> panel and exercised the various connections and put everything back 
>> together.
>>
>> It wouldn't turn on.  So I did some random gefinger poken and just as 
>> randomly the radio turned on.
>>
>> Let me review what I know about this nuisance:
>>
>> 1. When pushing the "Power" button, I hear a small relay click and my 
>> power supply indicates that the rig is drawing about an amp.
>>
>> 2. However, no panel leds light and there is nothing on the LCD display.
>>
>> 3. No tapping, nudging, or any other "therapeutic" man handling of any 
>> parts appears to improve the situation.
>>
>> 4. And then with a random push of the "Power" button...voila, the 
>> radio comes to life.
>>
>> 5. I reloaded the firmware code a couple of times at least.  I'm using 
>> the KUSB adapter from Elecraft and it is running the latest driver 
>> from Prolific.
>>
>> I don't know what else to mention, but I'm afraid to turn the rig off 
>> because I'm afraid I'll never be able to turn it on again!
>>
>> ttfn &
>> -- 
>> 73,
>> Dick ka1oz
>> Middleborough, MA
>>
>> K3/100(Kit) SN 000859
>> Titan-DX (to come)
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.14/1425 - 
>> Release Date: 5/9/2008 12:38 PM
>>
>>
> 
> 

Well, I've been keeping a low profile for the past couple of days for 
fear of waking the poltergeist that kept my K3 from turning on.  As of 
two days ago the radio has turned on upon command.  I've been afraid of 
jinxing the situation, but I finally did the last of the assembling and 
calibrating.  It is now a full fledged 100w K3.  I just got notice that 
the antenna mount shipped today.  I've been using a long wire to 
retraining my hearing.  I tried loading the wire, but my xyl came 
arunnin' to tell me that I'm being received real well on the family TV, 
so I went qrt.  With any luck I'll have the vertical mounted this 
weekend or next and try again with low-pass filter installed.

Thanks for everyone's offers of help.  This is a great group to be a 
part of.

ttfn &

-- 
73,
Dick ka1oz
Middleborough, MA

K3/100(Kit) SN 000859
Titan-DX (to come)