[Elecraft] K3 shuts down

Wed Aug 28 11:22:22 EDT 2024

Sure.  I wouldn't have presumed otherwise.  However, there are many 
older rigs out there, from before digi modes were so popular, and not 
driving them into ALC is at least a good place to start if they don't 
apecify otherwise.

73, Pete N4ZR

On 8/28/2024 10:38 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
> Pete,
>
> That advice is good for Elecraft rigs, and of course fine for this 
> email list.
>
> I'd just caution readers that come across this to realize that their 
> rig's manual will tell them where to set the ALC for digital modes.  
> It does vary by rig manufacturer.
>
> 73,
>
> -- Dave, N8SBE, Hamshack Hotline 590-0971, HamsOverIP 101018, 
> AmateurWire 1348
>
> On 2024-08-28 10:21, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
>> I think many of us do this, but months ago I also started following 
>> advice on the WSJT reflector and made sure to set my audio so that 
>> the ALC indication peaked at 4 bars or just occasionally tickling the 
>> 5th.  Said to clean up the FT8 signal.
>>
>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>>
>> On 8/28/2024 10:12 AM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote:
>>> Also, for digital modes, I run my equipment at half power, max.  So, 
>>> for a 100W XCVR, I run it at 50W.
>>>
>>> This serves two purposes.  One, it's easier on the PA, and two, it 
>>> leaves a 3dB 'overhead' for the digital mode, and less likelihood of 
>>> distortion getting into your TX signal.  This has been SOP for many 
>>> years for digital modes.
>>>
>>> A difference of 1/2 S-unit on the receiving end will generally be 
>>> unnoticed, and your equipment will thank you, as well as any 
>>> receiving nodes that may not be able to decode your signal if you 
>>> are pushing your equipment to its limits.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> -- Dave, N8SBE, Hamshack Hotline 590-0971, HamsOverIP 101018, 
>>> AmateurWire 1348
>>>
>>> On 2024-08-28 07:24, G4GNX wrote:
>>>> My K3S did this a couple of months ago - 40m SSB - 100W. I 
>>>> restarted it and it continued for nearly another month before 
>>>> switching off again. It did it a couple of times more over a week 
>>>> or so, before finally turning off and refusing to turn on again.
>>>>
>>>> On investigation, I realised that I had “temporarily” connected the 
>>>> K3S power cable to a distribution box, using PowerPoles - bad move. 
>>>> When tracing the cable routing, I pressed against one of the 
>>>> PowerPoles and the radio came back on again. I found it impossible 
>>>> to pull the PowerPoles apart, which was due to the plastic covers 
>>>> being badly distorted by heat. I eventually got round to pulling 
>>>> the PowerPoles apart by force and unfortunately the + connector 
>>>> flew in the air and I haven’t found it yet. 😀
>>>>
>>>> However, the contact in the dis-box looks suspiciously like it’s 
>>>> gotten hot and coupled with the other “evidence” I conclude that 
>>>> the contacts deformed under heat caused by high current spikes (SSB).
>>>>
>>>> Also, my IC-9700 (although connected to a different PSU - via 
>>>> PowerPoles) did the same thing, but unlike the K3S, it just 
>>>> rebooted itself.
>>>>
>>>> I have completely rewired all of the high power cables in my shack 
>>>> directly back to the PSU (Sharman Multicom - 60A) and I’ve had no 
>>>> more problems.
>>>>
>>>> In your case, you’re running 100W for longer periods and that is 
>>>> one possible cause of a premature breakdown. You could save 
>>>> yourself a lot of trouble, by examining all of the power 
>>>> connections, including the PowerPoles on the K3 itself.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Alan - G4GNX
>>>> South Coast UK
>>>> Elecraft K4D / KPA500 / KAT500 / IC-9700
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 28 Aug 2024, at 03:30, Glenn Thorne <kd0q.glenn at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Just tonight my K3 with KPA3 running 100 watts shuts down during 
>>>>> digital
>>>>> transmissions.  It appears that it happens after the PA temp is 47 C.
>>>>> Maybe the first time it hits 48 C?
>>>>>
>>>>> I checked the KPA3 FN1 - 4 settings and it appears that the fans 
>>>>> work.
>>>>>
>>>>> At what PA temps should the fans come on?  Increased speed?
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas where to start troubleshooting will be appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Glenn - KD0Q
>>>>
>>>>
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