[Elecraft] HI RFI Message - what to do?

[Lyle Johnson]

Hello Lee!

The HI RFI message is informing you that there is a problem in the 
station which is resulting in potentially damaging levels of RF being 
applied to the K3 receiver.

This could be due to another transmitting radio's antenna(s) being too 
close, someone accidentally connecting their transmitter to the K3's 
feedline and keying that transmitter, or any number of other possibilities.

It does not necessarily mean "The K3 front end is damaged and needs to 
be repaired."  It only means it was subjected to dangerous levels of RF.
It may or may not have sustained damage.

What does need to be done, and done immediately, is to ensure that the 
problem causing the excessive RF be remedied.  Step one is probably to 
disconnect the feedline from the K3.  The reason for the excessive RF 
needs to be identified and appropriate remedial action(s) taken.  Then, 
the radio needs to be evaluated to see if it has been damaged.

Often, the cause for this symptom comes down to station engineering. 
Sometimes, it is the result of a failure of a system component, or 
incorrect operation of the station.

Some Field Day sites are complex, with multiple transmitters and 
antennas operating on various bands simultaneously.  The more complex 
the station, the more important it becomes that careful system 
engineering be performed.

We'll review the manual to see if we can improve the description of the 
error message so the person seeing it and referring to the manual can 
better understand what it means.

73,

Lyle KK7P