[Elecraft] K3 synthesizer problem

[Dyarnes]

NQ7R and all,

Tom, that does sound like a very odd problem.  I Don't remember seeing it 
discussed previously here.  However, your suggestion that Gary Surrency may 
be lacking in interest to solve it doesn't sound like Gary at all!  He has 
been around the Elecraft scene, almost from inception, and has always been 
very responsive, and he is very good at identifying problem resolutions!  My 
guess is that he may simply have run out of ideas without being able to get 
"hands on".  Not every problem can be solved by email.  It also appears that 
the two of you have exchanged several emails, and that doesn't sound like 
someone who is not trying to be helpful.

I suppose if you have another K3 around, and could substitute one 
synthesizer board for another that way, you could probably determine whether 
or not Gary's suggestion is correct.  He's probably suggesting that to avoid 
your having to send the rig to Elecraft for service, but that really may be 
your best option due to the uncertainty.  Maybe you could just send them 
your synthesizer board and they could test it somehow.  That might be even 
easier, from a shipping standpoint.  However, maybe that's not a practical 
approach for whatever reason.

Anyway, I know rig problems are depressing, and I sympathize with your 
frustration.  There's a tendency to feel abused, since everyone else's rig 
seems to be working fine, but yours isn't!  Unfortunately, bad things can 
happen to good people!  However, I sincerely believe you are in better hands 
with Elecraft than you would be with just about any other manufacturer. 
When rig problems develop, and you can't fix them yourself, you have to 
"bite the bullet" somewhat.  You just have to work with them to determine 
the most expeditious way of resolving the problem.  By the way, if I had to 
guess, I'd bet Gary is probably close to right in his suggestion, but since 
he can't be positive, he obviously can't give you any guarantees.  Unless 
some other option comes to mind, I'd probably just send the rig in and be 
done with it.  Besides, there is usually the additional benefit of them 
possibly identifying other anomalies, which they could then deal with 
without necessitating another trip back and forth.  Kind of like getting a 
20,000 mile service on your car!

Dave W7AQK