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

[David Gilbert]

Well, if Elecraft were to release the parts/specs/boards/gerber files to 
a 3rd party they would relieve themselves of the repair burden they 
clearly don't want, and any jeopardy for repair quality would fall on 
the 3rd party.  More importantly from Elecraft's perspective, it would 
address the image problem they have of leaving customers stranded 
without a repair path.  When I needed my K3IO repaired, Elecraft refused 
to do it and told me I should just buy the USB version ... and of course 
they no longer even offer that. None of which has anything to do with 
component obsolescence, by the way.  The key parts listed on the 
schematics are all still readily available, but of course replacing them 
can be problematic due to their small size.

As I've said before, the advantage of a modular design is nonexistent if 
the modules don't exist.

Some people have suggested buying a complete spare rig for parts.  I 
think that's ridiculous.  If I'm going to put out that much money for 
contingency purposes I'll buy a new rig from a company that didn't put 
me in that situation.

I hope you indeed consider offering a replacement K3IO board.  I'd 
probably buy one as a spare.

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 6/22/2022 9:40 AM, Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote:
> 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
>