[Elecraft] [POSSIBLE SPAM] Common K3 failure modes???

[Dr. William J. Schmidt]

I actually designed and build a K3IO "ethernet" replacement KIO3 board...before the USB version was available.   I probably have the only "ethernet" K3 on earth.   I may revive that card and replace the ethernet stuff with USB parts so that I can fix some of these K3's laying around.  I think there is ZERO chance that Elecraft will release parts/ boards/ gerbers for these parts.  There is nothing in it for them to do so and may cause maintenance headaches for them.  Some of us can pick up the slack though...


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of David Gilbert
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2022 10:47 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [POSSIBLE SPAM] Common K3 failure modes???


I have also.  The K3IO module is pretty fragile, it seems.  Of all the requests I've seen here on the reflector over the years for a replacement item, the K3IO tops the list from my memory ... you can't just buy a replacement from Mouser or Digi-Key like you can the input diodes.  And when it goes bad, the K3 becomes essentially useless for contesting.

I keep saying that Elecraft should pass on the PC board artwork and component specs (I assume that not all of them are standard devices) for key discontinued modules to someone who might be interested in offering replacement as a 3rd party.  It's one of my key gripes with Elecraft that they seem to have no interest in doing so.

Dave   AB7E