[Elecraft] Eric-WA6HHQ

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

We have had excellent reliability with the K3 FP switches - actually 
much better than on past rigs I've owned. Don't forget that many of the 
other K rigs (K1, K2, K3, KX1) have been out there for 8-10 years. We 
watch this carefully here both in manufacturing and via tracking our 
customer support issues. The switch technology used on the K3 is even 
more reliable than the switches used on pour past rigs. Its certainly 
possible for a problem to occur on an occasional rig, but its not 
something happening across the board. (If you or anyone is having a 
problem , please contact k3support at elecraft.com and they will get it 
straightened out immediately.)

In general , we see very few failures of switches on our older K rigs. 
And all of my demo K3s used at shows and my persoanl K3 have had zero 
issues here. Of course, any radio, not just ours, can have a switch fail 
due to very heavy use, or use in corrosive atmospheres (extreme humidity 
and salt) etc. But even in those cases (think VP6DX K3s) we haven't seen 
any major issues.

73, Eric


JIM DAVIS wrote:
> Question!
>
> I've noticed a lot of angst from other K3 customers concerning front-panel mounted "switches" and
> their habit of "FAILING" as of late!  Is this a "quirk" of manufacturing processes that Elecraft
> LET slip by OR is it only random and only a few units sent out that were affected???
>
> Eventhough I've personally not had any issues at all with my K3 it bothers me none the less that
> these problems would be unleashed upon customers who have a intrinsic TRUST in your product and 
> spenttheir "HARD-EARNED-$$$$" on your products!
>
>
>