[Elecraft] Power Pole connectors

[Dominic Baines]

Chris,

I had this issue with both of my KX3 #1082 and #2334 after using on and 
off for about 12 months on DX trips from beaches where they get used 
with the connectors being done/undone over and over.

The power barrel connector on the later model numbers (Elecraft will 
have to advise) are not just soldered to the PCB but the body is glued 
as well, the earlier ones were just soldered, what they told me at the 
time. They sent me replacements which I fitted, and glued down as well. 
There was not enough room to drill and cable tie too which i had 
considered.... Anyway it means that nearly ALL the 'strength' is in the 
connection to the PCB tracks, there is no use of the KX3 chassis to 
secure it etc ... not good if you are rough in any way. Even an 'oops', 
snagging the DC cable and pulling the KX3 etc or bang against the DC 
connection might cause a problem.

I ended up doing this (might be what Wayne referred to).... used a small 
square tab of velcro and attached the smooth (not the hooky side) under 
the KX3 below the power connector. I then made up a pigtail with APP to 
the barrel connector. The APP had the hooky side of the velcro on it. IF 
I need APP then I used that. Otherwise I secured the DC lead with a loop 
to the same velcro pad.

The connection unfortunately is not so solid it will suffer long term 
abuse without failure.

I had thought about replacing the power with a chassis mount but then 
you face the whole problem of end plate removal etc.... and a pair of 
APP inside the KX3 would have been better but simply didn't fit.

72

Dom
M1KTA


On 02/18/2015 05:25 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote:
> Cut off debate on this list?  Hah! Impossible.  ;)
>
> I'm the one who started this iteration of the APP debate, because I am
> experiencing issues with them.  In my initial post on the subject, I
> reported that even a very slight movement of the radio kills power.
> Tonight I've carefully inspected my cable and the connectors, and the
> more I look, the less I like.  On the cable end, I might not have had
> the contact fully engaged on the black side, we'll see. It clicked
> when I pushed it further.  But it wasn't obvious to my eye.   But on
> the radio, the connectors on my brandy new K3 are loose.  I can move
> them from side to side, and the black one actually slides towards the
> inside by about 1/32 of an inch or so when I mate them.  I can
> literally move them from side to side.  I've taken a short video, but
> don't want to attach it to this list posting.  Perhaps I'll send it to
> support in a dedicated e-mail, or to anyone else directly if you're
> interested.
>
> Is this movement of the RF board-mounted connectors normal?  If so,
> I'll live with it, and do what I can to make the connection more
> robust.
>
> If I could get a locking pin into the connector without taking the
> entire radio apart, I will do that, and that would help keep the pair
> on the RF board more rigid.  I bought some of those, too.
>
> Thanks for all the helpful advice.
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris
> K1AY
>
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 17, 2015 at 9:29 PM, Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com> wrote:
>> We've weighed the pros and cons of APP connectors on multiple occasions, done careful testing and measurements, etc., and on balance we feel that APP is the best option. Not to cut off debate, but I'm just sayin'....
>>
>> I know of one gentleman who soldered wires to the RF PCB and attached a connector of his choice, outside the box. To each his own!
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR