[Elecraft] Bad timing

[Philip L. Graitcer]

Right in the middle of a nice run (at QRP levels) in the CQ-WW contest last night, my K3 #7120 - less than a year old - quit. Just stopped, as if the PS had been turned off. I checked the PS, power cord, and the power pole connectors and tried again. Removed all cables to the K3 and tried again. Nothing, except a slight click in the speaker, like there was power turning on. But no lights and no action in the K3 or P3 either. The K3 had shut down like this about 10 minutes earlier but started right up again, so I figured the first time I had mistakenly hit a bad switch, or the ghost of Buddy Holly (who hangs out in my shack) was playing with the controls.

Can this list-brain trust suggest troubleshooting steps I could take while I wait until Monday to call Elecraft? I've removed the covers, top and bottom, in the back part of the K3 to look for obvious damage. There was none, nor was there smoke or any other sound when the K3 shut down. Fuse does not appear blown.

Looks like I am out of the contest. At least my family will be happy to have me around.....maybe.

Phil, W3HZZ