[Elecraft] K3 - Intermittent FP switches

[Alan. G4GNX]

Having just completed the gold pin modification, I can confirm that it is 
associated with the KPA3, not the main power input or the front panel. AFAIK 
there are no other gold pin mods for the K3.

I suggest removing the front panel and connectors and carefully re-seating 
them. You might also want to consider the use of De-Oxit, but do ask 
Elecraft first, as they may advise against it.

Bear in mind that this is a computer issue where signals from switches are 
multiplexed. If one connection gets disturbed, it will affect the action of 
several switches and give weird intermittent results, with some being 
seemingly unrelated.

73,

Alan. G4GNX

-----Original Message----- 
From: Fred Jensen
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2017 7:58 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Intermittent FP switches

Related question:  My K3 [S/N 642] which I built from the kit has
developed an "intermittent front panel problem," where tapping a switch
doesn't always yield the action it should.  For example, tapping MODE UP
might yield the same result as tapping AGC.  There is no guarantee that
the next MODE UP will result in AGC however, and in fact, it may
actually result in MODE UP or something else.  I have found that if I
tap a switch strongly, requiring me to hold the K3 itself, it will
usually result in the proper action.

Some switches seem to be better than others, and those that I use the
most seem to be better than those I rarely use.  I began to notice this
several years ago, occurring rarely.  Frequency of occurrence has
increased slowly since then.

I know there is a mod to the FP connectors that involves gold pins, but
I don't know if that would correct this problem.  The radio works just
fine otherwise.  Maybe I'm just wearing out the switches?

73,

Fred ("Skip") K6DGW
Sparks NV USA
Washoe County DM09dn