[Elecraft] K3 suddenly died

[Lewis Phelps]

I'm looking for troubleshooting ideas.  

My K3-10 suddenly died while in use.  Here's what happened:

I was listening and transmitting on 15 meters. Heard a station in Kansas 5-9 calling into the California QSO Party. I couldn't reach him despite a strong signal from him. SWR 1.1:0 outputting 12 watts. 

Beginning to think I was having some kind of problem, I decided to power off the K3 and turn it back on to reset it. When I hit the power switch, the rig shut off with a fairly loud "pop" from the speakers. 

Then it wouldn't turn back on at all. 

Power supply is fine; 13.98 volts from 50 amp Astron linear supply. Power cable is fine; full voltage at rig end of power cord. 

Disconnected all peripherals (speakers, straight key, transverter control cable and RF coax cables to xv432, and mic (Kenwood MC-90 into front panel). Still no joy.

Any suggestions, other than packing it to send to the Mother Ship?

Lew N6LEW



Lew Phelps N6LEW
Pasadena, CA DM04wd
Elecraft K3-10 
Yaesu FT-7800 
Lew at N6LEW.US
www.ntlew.us