[Elecraft] Lost Receive on All Bands

[Dave Hachadorian]

Last year I had a similar failure - extreme loss of sensitivity 
in my K3.  I could just barely hear the loudest signals on the 
band.  My problem turned out to be PIN diode D5, which I replaced 
with a more robust version.  Helpful correspondence from Elecraft 
and from the Reflector is below.
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>From Elecraft:

If the rig has a KXV3 option installed, PIN diode D5 will be 
damaged by high levels of RF coming into the receiver (more than 
about 2w). This would affect both the main and sub when the 
antenna is shared.

Remove the KXV3 and jumper across J66 pins 8-10, and 13-15 and 
see if the sensitivity returns. If so, D5 needs replaced or the 
entire KXV3 if you are not able to replace the tiny SMD D5. This 
is Elecraft part #E560026 at $0.48 each.

If only the main is affected, it would be D25 on the RF board 
near the little stop band filter board.  This is Elecraft part 
#E560026 at $0.48 each.

It could also be the larger PIN diodes on the RF board or the 
KPA3 if a lot of power or a big lightning strike caused the 
damaged. See if the signals get strong with the Power knob below 
12w so the KPA3 PIN diodes are not in the signal path.

If you can determine which of these is the problem, you can order 
this part or any parts you might need from the Elecraft kits 
directly on our secure credit card page: 
http://www.elecraft.com/newcc.html. Just fill in the credit card 
information and in the "Comments" box describe the parts you need 
including the Elecraft Part Numbers (found in the Parts List of 
your Elecraft Manuals) and quantities.

---------------------------------

If the problem turns out to be PIN diode D5, as mine was, 
consider replacing the diode with a more robust version, as 
discussed here:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Update-re-K3-loss-of-RX-sensitivity-td5823238.html


Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ


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