[Elecraft] KX3, KXPD3, intermittent keying

[Jim Sheldon]

My KXPD3 which is only a bit over a week old has developed the intermittent keying problem too but both pivot pins were inserted correctly when I checked.  At first I thought it was a problem with the little set screws used as contact points building up crud on the ends and not connecting with the stainless posts.  Cleaning them did not cure the problem so, after thinking about it a bit, my take on the matter is:  both arms are made out of aluminum, aluminum oxidizes almost immediately on contact with air.  Rather than trying to use the pivot points as paddle ground, I think it would be much better to drill/tap a 2-56 hole in each arm, sand off the anodizing and using a solder lug under an internal or external tooth star washer, connect a small, very flexible wire  between each paddle arm and ground.  That would make a much better connection and should keep the problem from re-occurring.

Even though the arms are either moving on the pivots or the pins are moving on the aluminum pieces used for ground, it doesn't take very long for the oxide to build up and cause intermittent keying.  I've only had mine a bit over a week and already I've experienced several cases of this.  

It would void the warranty on a $130 accessory, especially if I screwed it up or I'd attempt to  drill/tap and make the mod myself as it does get a bit frustrating at times, especially when running 30 wpm or better in a QSO.


Jim Sheldon - W0EB