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

[Michael Jarvis]

This was it! The screw heads protrude a tiny bit from the back side of the housing. The protrusion is a VERY small amount--probably less than a millimeter, but that's enough to make contact with the case when tightened securely.

I had already left for my camping trip when I received your response, and I didn't have adhesive tape handy, but instead I took a very thin piece of cardboard and placed it between the KXPD2 and the KX2 housing, and that resolved the problem for now.

I will contact support tomorrow about a more permanent fix. In the meantime, placing the thin insulating layer between the KXPD2 and the KX2 is a satisfactory work-around.  

Thank you very much!

73,
Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ

> On Jun 17, 2018, at 8:42 AM, Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com> wrote:
> 
> Mike,
> 
> It sounds like your KXPD2 may have a 3D printed housing that was prepared incorrectly (sanded too much on the  back side). This could leave the screw heads slightly exposed. You can contact support to obtain a replacement.
> 
> As a temporary workaround, place a bit of adhesive label material on the back, over the screws.
> 
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----
> http://www.elecraft.com
> 
>> On Jun 16, 2018, at 11:37 PM, Michael Jarvis <michael at jarvis.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 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
>> 
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