[Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through what
options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires
and connectors.

I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a
new chassis connector.

Ain't radio fun?   :)

On Mon, Feb 19, 2018 at 11:54 AM, rich hurd WC3T <rich at wc3t.us> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3
> that happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random
> chance.    Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your
> experience(s).
>
> I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100.   The KXPA100 is
> connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a
> BNC connector on the other end.  All other interface cables are Elecraft
> standard.
>
> This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used.  Prior to this last
> acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using,
> and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box.
>
> No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig
> (maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I
> installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would
> put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost
> debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up.   If I
> twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then
> get bad again more often than not.   It could take up to 20 minutes to get
> everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me
> if I accidentally moved something after that.  And of course, while all
> this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the
> amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses.   After things calmed
> down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then
> good.
>
> Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to
> have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation.
> :)   Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the
> snow melts and the weather gets nice again.   :)    Hope I can get my IC706
> fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs.
>
> My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this
> last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor
> that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me
> even with this one.
>
> Are BNC connectors that finicky?   Is it possible that I just had a bad
> batch of low quality jumpers?   I'm just wondering if anyone else has had
> excessive fiddling with their BNC connections.
>
> ---
> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information
> Officer for Scouting
> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W)
> Grid: *FN20is*
>
>


-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*