[Elecraft] KX3 help

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Thaire,

Is the message occurring in receive mode?

If so, try plugging in headphones. This disables the speaker amplifier, which in theory could be a source of high current. Turn on the radio and immediately set AF GAIN to zero.

If that allows the radio to stay on longer, tap DISP and rotate B to get to the voltage, current, and temperature displays. Write down the values, turn off the radio, and email the values to me directly. 

If the current is just on the edge of what is allowed in RX mode for some reason, you could try turning off some things, e.g.:

   MENU:RX ISO -> OFF
   MENU:RX I/Q -> OFF
   MENU:BKLIGHT -> OFF
   PREAMP OFF
   HF BAND (2 m or 4 m draws more current)

If this doesn't get current down to a usable level, open up the radio and try re-seating the flex circuit connectors at both ends.

I'll wait up to hear from you. I have a few other things you can try based on your results above.

73,

Wayne
N6KR

On Aug 20, 2015, at 10:30 PM, "Thaire Bryant" <W2APF at myfairpoint.net> wrote:

> I am in the Timor Sea on board National Geographic ship Orion.  Using
> C6APF/MM on board and VK6/W2APF when on land in Kimberly of Western
> Australia.
> 
> Yesterday after making two QSO's into Japan on 17M while on land, I got a
> "HI CUR" message on KX3.  I thought it might be heat and broke down.  Just
> set up on shipboard 
> 
> and got the same message: "HI CUR", three beeps and shut down.  I had
> internal rechargables and was using a Lipo cell for power.  I got the same
> message 
> 
> with and without the Lipo and with and without the rechargables.  I did a
> quick check inside and can see no visible shorts.  The radio was cool today
> having
> 
> been in air conditioning just prior to set up.  I get the same message with
> and without antenna connected, and with or without key attached.
> 
> 
> 
> Any thoughts?  Still have ten days to go and no back up.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks and 73,
> 
> 
> 
> Thaire  W2APF