[Elecraft] K3s Odd sound vibrations Edit - Hypothesis, Steps, Conclusion, and Request.

[Jerry Moore]

Have you done this ? 
Even after wedging the ferrite beads I can get the case to buzz harmonically
if I lower the monitor tone significantly. I'm happy because it works where
I listen. 
Once I finish with Morse Academy classes it will probably be rare for me to
use the built in speaker. I would like a permanent fix for it but that's
probably not going to happen.

I'm feeling pretty bad about the whole thing but am throwing in the towel.

I'm cursed with being a technician, engineer, and now a systems analyst.
It's hard for me to let go of things that should work.
Why have an internal speaker if the case has loose components/audio
harmonics that will result in distortion. 
Why have a monitor adjustment that will go to 60 if you are going to
question WHY a customer want's it that high. (I have hearing loss from the
Navy).
Why deny there's an issue when recent forum posts and reflector posts ?
Chalked up to "bent speaker", "old dsp code".etc.. 

They've offered for me to send it in for their repair/review -( presumably
at my expense for shipping, I'm east coast..  ) or replace the speaker.

I find it interesting that nobody at Elecraft seems to be able to reproduce
the issue. 

At this point I'm going to just glue the ferrite beads down and chalk it up
to bad engineering and apparently I'm the only person in the world with a
new K3S that does this. 
 
I'm still happy with the radio and would probably still buy it again. I am
starting to question overall value to cost. To be fair I believe Howard has
done all that he can. I also believe Elecraft has either an image to uphold
or a K3s audio reputation to repair. 

If Elecraft will be at the Charlotte, NC Hamfest I might just cart my rig up
and show it off. Might be interesting to see what the sales folks say.


Jerry Moore
CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists
AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324
http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB
An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and
Patriotic.


-----Original Message-----
From: Clay Autery [mailto:cautery at montac.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 2:26 PM
To: Jerry Moore; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3s Odd sound vibrations Edit - Hypothesis, Steps,
Conclusion, and Request.

Howard is a good man.  Glad you were able to ID the issue cause.  Sorry it
took me so long to get on-board.  I'm studying for my Extra exam Saturday
and am not paying close attention)

IDEALLY, the external speaker (if I had the money right now, 2 each) would
be a great "fix", but I would also HAVE to fix the internal speaker induced
issue (curse of being me).

Fixing the beads will stop their migration inside the enclosure, BUT to
"fix" it so that they won't buzz AT ALL at any freq, will require one or
more of the following:

1) AFTER the silicone is cured fixing the beads to a specific location on
the conductor, coat the outside of all beads with a thin insulating layer of
silicone that will stop them from vibrating the entire conductor/bead
assembly against dense parts in the module (PCB or metal).
2) Silicone the bead/conductor assembly to a convenient hard surface such
that they can NOT make direct metal to metal contact... and will not move at
all under normal ops.

______________________
Clay Autery, KG5LKV
(318) 518-1389

On 2/17/2016 1:05 PM, Jerry Moore wrote:
> That's exactly what I found. After speaking with Howard I've wedged 
> the ferrite with a bit of cardstock and the buzzing is gone where I 
> listen. If I change the spot frequency around I am able to find 
> harmonic spots that make the case buzz. Howard also gave permission 
> via one of the other folks there to put a dab of silicon on the ferrites
to stop the rattle.
> Easy fix. The result seems to depend on where you like the monitor 
> frequency to be.
>
> I like Howard's suggestion to go with an external speaker or use a
headset.
> At this point it's fixed for my use.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jerry Moore
> CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists
> AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324
> http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB
> An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, 
> and Patriotic.