[Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

Correction to Item 2.  I meant to write "A floating *PIN 7* (TX INH) can
cause TX to be intermittently inhibited..."

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 6:50 PM, Bob Wilson, N6TV <n6tv at arrl.net> wrote:

> No TX power is a common problem, especially on DXpeditions.  Other than
> power supply issues, it is usually one of three things:
>
>    1. Intending to use the BAND button, one holds down the right MODE
>    button by mistake, putting the K3 into TX TEST mode.  The "TX" icon
>    flashes.  But, since you reported that the TUNE button flashes "0 watts"
>    instead of flashing "TX TEST", it's probably something else in this case.
>    2. CONFIG:TX INH is set to LO=Inh (visible only when CONFIG:TECH MD is
>    ON). CONFIG:TX INH should be OFF unless you're using a lockout circuit that
>    depends on the inhibit line.  A "floating" pin 10 on the ACC port can cause
>    TX to be intermittently inhibited when CONFIG:TX INH is set to LO=INh.
>    When TX is inhibited, the K3 will display "0 Watts" when you press the TUNE
>    button.  The "TX" indicator also flashes when the rig is inhibited, similar
>    to TX TEST mode.
>    3. The most likely cause, which I've seen many times, is that the
>    jumper board connecting the subreceiver to the main board in the back left
>    side of the K3 has partially pulled out.  This happens almost every time a
>    K3 is subject to any kind of strong mechanical stress, such as transport in
>    checked luggage.  Make sure the SubRx is firmly seated and the problem
>    should disappear.  If you don't have a SubRx, there's still a jumper board
>    that must be in place in the same spot.
>
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV
>
> On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 6:38 AM, Dennis <egan.dennis88 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> First thing I did- and the first thing I do whenever I have any funny
>> happen- is to cycle power.  I did so
>> several times.  It still wouldn't transmit.
>>
>> UE
>>
>> On 3/9/2017 9:00 AM, Ed Muns wrote:
>>
>>> When it was not transmitting and you were troubleshooting, did you cycle
>>> power?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Ed W0YK
>>>
>>> On Mar 9, 2017 5:54 AM, Dennis <egan.dennis88 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting.  It did not
>>>> shut off, it
>>>> would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the
>>>> meter was in
>>>> that position, but no power out.  Pushing the TUNE button resulted in
>>>> the display
>>>> saying "0 watts".  I played with it for several minutes, was
>>>> unsuccessful in restoring
>>>> any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept
>>>> going.
>>>>
>>>> I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load,
>>>> and it
>>>> transmitted perfectly.  No problems.  I've used it about 3 hours since,
>>>> and there
>>>> have been no problems.
>>>>
>>>> First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit
>>>> state?
>>>> I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest.  If the problem
>>>> happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/
>>>> intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer?
>>>>
>>>> Dennis W1UE
>>>>
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>
>