[Elecraft] K3 Powerpole Replacement

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I have Jones plugs on my antenna entry panel, for rotators, etc.  When 
something starts getting flakey, I look at the first - I should by stock 
in CAIG Labs!  Oddly, plain old DIN plugs are much more reliable here.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 12/9/2013 9:07 AM, Charlie T, K3ICH wrote:
> I'd take good old Jones Plugs any day over APP's, for all factors, 
> current rating, ease of use, reliability, cost AND re-usability.
>
> Soldered connections (no crimps) and they have simple locking ears 
> that are easier to use than the Molex squeezer.
>
> But then again, I'm a dinosaur wishing for a situation that will never 
> be (kinda like our country now).
>
> 73, Charlie k3ICH
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Wilhelm" <don at w3fpr.com>
> To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 12:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Powerpole Replacement
>
>
>> Jeff,
>>
>> I am not sure what your circumstances are, but I have found that the 
>> APP connectors are more durable than the Molex connectors typically 
>> used by the YakIcKenwood gear.
>>
>> Perhaps you do not have any slack in the cables, and any movement of 
>> either the cable or the gear will create a force sufficient to 
>> separate the connector.  A bit of slack in the cable should prevent 
>> that condition.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>
>> On 12/8/2013 10:42 PM, Jeff Cochrane wrote:
>>> On Mon, 09 Dec 2013 13:01:06 +1000, Don Wilhelm 
>>> <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Don,
>>> Thanks for the reply but I'm talking about Elecraft factory 
>>> installed APP's both in the radio and on the cable.
>>>
>>> I have also made my own cables using genuine and non-genuine APP's 
>>> and they are exactly the same, they will NOT stay together under 
>>> actual portable operating conditions.
>>>
>>> Upon inspection through a magnifying glass all connectors I have 
>>> here are indeed assembled correctly and this is the SECOND K3 I've 
>>> with similar issues. (The first radio I had owned from new (#4257))
>>>
>>> In the case of my first K3 it would overheat the connectors that 
>>> were soldered into the PCB!
>>> Granted it had an issue with extremely poor soldering of the 
>>> connectors but the fact remains that on that radio and the one I 
>>> presently own, the APP's are not up to snuff.
>>> They just do not grip each other well enough to cope with the 
>>> rigours of operating portable in the bush and other adverse 
>>> environments.
>>> Hence my desire to change out the APP's and go for something that is 
>>> considerably tougher.
>>>
>>> I've also had a few emails off the list so far that are also 
>>> detailing similar issues and doubts with APP's and I have no doubt 
>>> that I will be getting more.
>>>
>>> I guess that I've found the reason why APP's are not an approved 
>>> connector for any emergency gear by any emergency authority in any 
>>> country as they are just too unreliable.
>>>
>>> As I live in an area that regularly gets cyclones (hurricanes) and 
>>> flooding each year I want be be able to rely on my gear in case of 
>>> an emergency as well as my normal day to day operations, therefore I 
>>> really want to ditch these unreliable connectors and get something 
>>> decent installed.
>>>
>>> So my question stands, what are my alternatives?
>>>
>>>
>>
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