[Elecraft] KX3/PX3/KXPA100 - PX3 taking 5 minutes to come on??? KXPA100 loses mind...

[Jack Spitznagel]

All, (particularly Don or one of the kind folks at Elecraft support)

There are two seemingly interrelated problems in this message that may 
indeed be independent.

    All other helpful souls - before you post an answer, please read
    this ENTIRE message. I am a tech type and no stranger to radio -
    computer control systems. I did check cabling to make sure it is OK,
    an solidly seated. Firmware is updated and I configured all devices
    from factory settings.

My trusty KX3/PX3/KXPA100 kit has been on the shelf for an all too long 
respite because the antenna farm was one tree short. It is going back 
into regular service alongside an ICOM 7300 now before I build field day 
and trail "go kits" for my beloved KX3 system. Since it takes about 2 
hours to get everything behaving here - this is going to be a lousy 
EMCOMM and Field Day solution... For the trail, it doesn't matter 
because the KX3 goes alone.

Here goes: As I was bringing things back online today, I found a 
stickynote to self about an issue I had with the PX3 and the KXPA100 
before I stopped using the kit in December. I am still observing the 
following behavior:

When the PX3 is powered on "cold", it takes about 5 minutes for the 
display to light up.

    This occurs regardless of the power on jumper position which is
    currently back in the enable (pin3/4) position.

    This occurs whether the KX3 or the KXPA100 are cabled in.

    Once the PX3 is "warm". I can turn it off and then on again and it
    comes right back to life.

During this PX3 "braindead" period, when the entire setup was cabled up, 
the amplifier will not work properly. To make things more annoying, 
after the 5 minute braindead spell is over and the PX3 is working and if 
the KXPA100 decides to cooperate, I have to go back into the menu, 
enable the KXPA100, then reset the power level for the whole system 
every time this happens... but the PA does not always stay on!!! Then I 
have to tweak the whole system until it decides to work... when the 
KXPA100 is enabled by the KX3 menu, it holds PA MODE ON a moment and 
then reverts to PA MODE OFF without my doing anything.

Today in desperation, I tore everything down and re-connected several 
times and FINALLY all 3 unit talked to each other and the PA stayed on.

This started occurring in the fall of 2016 (September or so), I do not 
recall that any of this happened when I first assembled the PX3 and 
began to use the KXPA100.

So before the inevitable deluge of helpful "Did'ja look" comments come - 
current firmware is :

KX3 is at MCU version 2.38, DSP is at 1.37

PX3 is at MCU revision 1.39

KXPA100 is at revision 1.39

AND ALL units are set for 38,400 and communicate with the computer.

All cables have been checked and are properly seated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jack Spitznagel KD4IZ

KX3 #6029 PX3#0941 KXPA#1488