[Elecraft] K3/10 is sick and needs help!

[Don Wilhelm]

Dick,

Download either the KRX3 or KDVR3 installation instructions.  I know 
both tell you how to remove the Front Panel assembly.
That will tell not only how to remove the assembly, but just removing 
and re-instaling the Front Panel may wipe the pins enough to remove any 
oxidation and restore proper operation.

If tin pins, ask support at elecraft for the gold front panel pins. The old 
tin pins are not difficult to remove if you work on one pin at a time - 
remove the plastic separator, cutting it if you have to, then remove the 
pins one at a time.  Clean up with solder wick, and if solder remains in 
the holes, heat the solder pad and push it out with a wooden toothpick.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/7/2021 1:48 AM, RVZ via Elecraft wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> I received a used K3/10 this week via UPS Ground and it arrived sick.  The radio looks "Like New" even though it's an older unit: Serial 822.  Perhaps the radio has the front panel "tin pin" problem?  I'd appreciate you reviewing the following symptoms and let me know if you have any suggestions. Things that work: POWER button turns the radio on/off and the front panel Display lights and displays multiple items including Frequency. AF control turns the volume up/down.  VFO A and VFO B knobs change frequency. Receives signals well, S-meter works fine, and CW stations have a nice clear tone. Things that don't work: the BAND, MENU, DISP as pressing these have no action.  However, pressing some front panel buttons cause the wrong function, such as: pressing the XMIT button turns the PRE on/off and holding down the XMIT button turns on the ATT.  Similarly, pressing the ATU button on/off switches the AGC from Fast/Slow. I once had a K3 get sick after being shipped cross country and the solution was to Reset the radio through the recommended Initialization process.  However, I haven't been able to do an Initialization of this K3/10 because "pressing and holding down the SHIFT/LO button while pressing the POWER button" as the Manual instructs doesn't Initialize the radio as it should.
>