[Elecraft] K3 Erratic VFO behaviour, Switching bands and freq's

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Guy is quite right about the pin issue, however I have an early K3 with the
original pins and it works FB after 9 years. 

To be absolutely sure it isn't something external to the K3, first I'd
disconnect EVERYTHING except the main power cable, and see if the problem
persists.

Next I'd remove and replace the front panel assembly. It's not nearly as bad
as it sounds but doing so will exercise the connectors and clean any
oxidation that has accumulated on the pins. 

You can download a manual with a detailed procedure with photos for R/R the
front panel from Elecraft:

http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740130%20KDVR3%20Option%20Installation%20Rev
%20C.pdf

That manual is for adding the digital voice recorder which requires removing
the front panel (see pages 6, 7 and 8). 

One reason I have never had a problem is possibly because my K3 (S/N 00010)
has been apart countless times as I maintain the Kit Assembly manual with
updates, etc. So the connectors don't get a chance to oxidize. 

Another thing that I've done is to put a drop of contact cleaner on each
pin. I used DeOxit by Caig. But simply exercising those connectors seems to
have fixed issues for others. 

73, Ron AC7AC



-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Guy
Olinger K2AV
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2016 10:33 AM
To: G0PNM
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Erratic VFO behaviour, Switching bands and freq's

In the K3 there are a few digital lines from the front panel which carry
multiplexed information to the CPU. The only way I can think of that would
scramble unrelated front panel input according to your report is that the
multiplexed line is malfunctioning and screwing up the data stream into the
cpu. The essential way to do that is a poor connection in the connector
pin/socket between front panel and CPU board.

Don't remember serial when Elecraft went to gold pins, but if they aren't
gold in yours you need to upgrade. If they ARE gold then the connector
probably is not seated properly. There is a lot of good stuff in the
archives about the "pin problem".

The other thing hate to bring up is lightning/static damage. If you can get
to the seller you might want to discuss the problem with him and whether
unit non-professionally repaired/disassembled/reassembled.

73, Guy K2AV

On Sunday, September 18, 2016, G0PNM <pete.sobye at icloud.com> wrote:

> Hi all, New to the whole Elecraft scene.
> Just acquired my first K3 and its serial number is 07126.
> I have been experiencing some strange behavior while rotating the VFO 
> whereby the radio would change bands unexpectedly. On occasions, the 
> rig will jump to a supposed frequency well out of the range of the radio
i.e.
> in
> the VHF bands!
>
> I managed to capture this behavior on my phone and have uploaded it to 
> youtube. The link is here:- https://youtu.be/IILWIe7hPzg 
> <https://youtu.be/IILWIe7hPzg>
>
>
> I have waited a long time to get hold of an Elecraft, being my dream 
> radio but its quickly losing its sparkle and I am losing my hair!.
>
> ANY help would be much appreciated. I have only had it a week and I am 
> also emailing the supplier here in the UK.
>
> Thanks
> Pete G0PNM
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.
> nabble.com/K3-Erratic-VFO-behaviour-Switching-bands-and-
> freq-s-tp7622624.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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