[Elecraft] KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

[Michael Jarvis]

Hello, 

I'm a fairly new owner of a KX2 with a KXPD2 paddle, and I just noticed this evening that something is causing the paddle to get "stuck" sending dots. I have backed off the contacts and verified that the little wires aren't shorted, and I seem to have narrowed down the problem to how snugly it is attached to the KX2. 

If I tighten then thumb screws finger-snug, it starts sending dits as if it's shorted. Backing off the thumb screws a bit seems to help with the issue. Obviously there's a short somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. I'm not sure why the tightness of the thumb screws on the KXPD2 would cause a short. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next? I'm leaving for a camping trip tomorrow, and I'm taking the KX2 with me. I had hoped to use the KXPD2 paddle, but it looks like I may be packing one of my other paddles for this trip just in case. 

Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!

73, Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ