[Elecraft] K3 strange power surging behavior

[David Bunte]

Ray -

One of the great things about this list is that when a person does have a
problem with an Elecraft product, there are a large number of users willing
to help resolve such issues.  Also, please remember, that for "most" of us,
if our rig is working as we want it to, we are not likely to say anything.

I believe that problems which may show up here, represent a small
percentage of users... and, in many cases it appears to me that the problem
is not with the rig itself, but perhaps a faulty cable, or a parameter that
needs to be adjusted.

I am by no means an expert, but I have had my K3 for a little over three
years now with NO problems at all, and I know a number of other folks whose
experience is more like mine, than like those with problems.  I do have one
friend with a K3 that frustrated him at first because it worked one day,
and not the next.  It turned out that there was NOTHING at all that was
wrong with the rig, but as he was getting used to it, he often pushed
buttons without paying attention to what he was doing, and without
following the manual.  He is 92 years old, and does sometimes get in a
hurry.  In each such case, I was able to put the parameters back where they
needed to be, or tell him on the phone how to do that.  It has now been
several months since he experienced any such problems, and the rig performs
perfectly.

I think if you "pull the trigger" on the K-Line you will be very well
served.  My K3, P3 and KPA500 are, by far, the best I have owned in 57
years.  I know there are a number of fine radios out there.  I was able to
borrow a K3 from a friend, and that clinched it for me.  I have not wished
for anything else since I put the K3 on the air.

I don't weigh in on this list very often, because I am usually just working
DX and chewing the rag with great satisfaction.

What ever you decide, I wish you the best.

73 de Dave - K9FN


On Mon, Jul 7, 2014 at 10:13 PM, Raymond Bass <w7ykn at att.net> wrote:

> I've been thinking about getting the K3, P3 and the amp but with all these
> problems I keep seeing I hesitate to purchase. I talked to a few owner that
> love the k3 so perhaps this is only a small group that has problems or do a
> lot of owners have these problems? I ned to know more before I shell out a
> lot of hard to dollars.  Any suggestion fellows?
>
> W7YKN
>
>
>
> On Monday, July 7, 2014 8:03 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Bill,
>
> I cannot assure you that this is not some delayed effect of the
> lightning strike,
> However, try doing the TX Gain Calibration before anything else. You may
> want to run it 2 or 3 times if it does not help initially.
>
> If that does not correct it, you will have to contact support for
> further assistance.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 7/7/2014 10:09 PM, NZ0T wrote:
> > My K3 SN 1502 with MCU 4.83 is exhibiting a strange surge in transmit
> power
> > level.   When the rig is keyed in CW with the power set all the way up
> power
> > output surges from a high of around 140 (!) watts down to 60 watts and
> back
> > in a rapid fashion.  It is at it's worst on 30 meters shows at least a
> high
> > power spike on all bands except 160 and 80 before it settles down to
> around
> > 100 watts.  If I turn the power down the cycling is much less severe but
> > there is still a leading spike of around 140 watts.  I have tried
> reloading
> > the firmware with no luck.  I have checked all my jumpers and connections
> > and they are fine and the rig does this even straight into a dummy
> load.  My
> > power supply is an Astron RS-35M in great shape.
> >
> > I should mention that we suffered a lightning strike last Labor Day
> weekend
> > that took out my Ten Tec tuner, W2 wattmeter and a few other things but
> the
> > K3 was not affected at all and I hope this problem is not some delayed
> thing
> > from that strike!
> >
> > An ideas?  The rig is almost six years old - maybe I need to open it up
> and
> > make sure screws are all tight?
> >
> > 73 Bill NZ0T
> >
> >
>
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