[Elecraft] K3 - Reliability

[Jim Harris]

Bill and others,
With all the discussion about problems with the KX3 and K3 I feel is is timely to discuss the problems with my K3 and Elecraft's response.  My K3 arrived as the usual modular kit and is in the 34xx serial numbers.  I've had it three years this coming September (9/2012).  Details of failures are as below.
1.  Upon receipt the DSP PCB had 8+ volt buss shorted to ground.  Elecraft replaced the PCB and it was up and working about two weeks after ordering.
2.  Excessive current indication.  Elecraft sent a replacement HPA that did not correct the problem.  The replacment HPA had two 
capacitors hanging off the side.  Returned the K3 to Elecraft and they found a drive transistor in the LPA was defective.
3.  Loss of sensitivity at turn on.  Took about twenty minutes to reach full sensitivity.  After many weeks of back and forth discussions, Elecraft sent a relay which I installed.  It did not help.  Sent the K3 back to Elecraft.  They found a defective solder joint on the RF board.  They installed several updates.  Elecraft extended the warranty to 18 months.
4.  CONFIG menu was scrambled.  The adjustable items did not line up with the item it was to adjust.  Wayne at Elecraft got involved after several exchanges with support.  Finally resolved by doing a complete reset and installing all new software.  Had to recalibrate all functions and reset all adjustables in the menu as the back up was also corrupted.
5.  Power adjustment was erratic.  Sometimes it took five or more complete turns to change power from about 30 to 100 watts.  Other adjustments controlled by that encoder seemed to work okay.  Again, it took weeks back and forth with support.  They finally shipped a new encoder which I installed and that corrected the problem.
6.  ATU would not tune.  No relay action at all.  The ATU was not in bypass.  After instruction from support to recalibrate several functions and perform other tests, it begun to function properly.  I'm wondering if this K3 has had the gold pin modification.  Got near simultaneous responses from three different individuals in support when I emailed about the problem.  Some troubleshooting overlapped but the varying directions from three different technicians was confusing.  Do they have a triage system with one technician assigned to work a problem?
7.  Concentrite knobs near the microphone connector cracked.  I took the K3 to Field Day and when I removed it from it's Pelican like case after returning, the knobs were cracked.  Support sent replacements.  The replacements are a matt black and the other knobs are glossy black.  The replacements color and finish look weird compared to the originals that remain on the radio.
I and elecraft have been unable to determine if the frequency response modification has been done.  The radio was shipped at about the time the modification was begun.  It appears to have different capacitors from earlier PCB's but there was no daughter board  installed.  I installed a daughter board myself.
I also have a K2 and several mini-kits.  The k2 has had no major failures.  But I've calibrated the dial and set the filters several times.  
At the Dayton Hamvention in 2011 I attempted to discuss the radio with Eric.  His response was to call support and he turned away.  I realize it was at opening time but a "can you get back with me after we get open" would have been received much better.  I have worked the Elecraft booth at the Hamvention and operated an Elecraft table at local swapfests for several years. After the above listed problems, the extended time to resolve some of the problems and the exchange at the Hamvention I will no longer give my time to support Elecraft.
When my finances allow I will be replacing the K3 as my main radio with another brand.  I realize this may be a solitatiion for flames from those innebrated with the Elecraft kool-aid.  I once was a great fan of Elecraft but that has fallen by the way side with this K3.  

Take pride in the USA. 73

Jim, W0EM 

<<<<<<I have been reading the posts about the KX3 and it brings up a question about K3 reliability.

Prior to my purchase of a K3 last winter, I did all the usual research on reflectors and boards. I was looking for real-life user information and experiences. What impressed me most was the lack of reported serious failures - those requiring a visit to the factory. I do know that some K3s have required factory level warranty repairs. The question is: how many or what percentage. And, is there a particular problem(s) that appears often.

Most rigs, after being on the market for a period of time, have known short comings. Not so for the K3. I have read nothing that indicates a chronic problem(s).

Based on the above, I purchased and built a K3. Five months after completion - the rig is at the factory awaiting warranty repair (dark display with MCU LD shown). Needless to say, I do question the K3's reliability factor and would be very interested in the particulars of other failures requiring a return to the factory for warranty repairs.

I am still on the air, using my trusty Kenwood 480 while on vacation - so no total washouts.

Kindly keep the flames to a minimum - this is a serious question that I should have pushed prior to purchase.

Thanks,

Bill W2BLC >>>>>>>>>>>