[Elecraft] KIO3b Failure

[George Danner]

Bob,
Larry K6RO has a KIO3 for sale on ebay.
Might be a bunch of them around from those like me that upgraded to the
KIO3B.
The downside of going to a KIO3 is all the cables.

Sorry -  but I included the spare K3 modules when I sold my K3.

73 George AI4VZ

On Sat, May 10, 2025 at 12:45 AM David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> I've suggested several times in the past that Elecraft pass on the
> necessary information (schematics, PC board layouts, parts lists, etc)
> for the modules they no longer intend to support to someone who might be
> willing to act as a third party replacement vendor ... but just like you
> all I've ever heard is crickets in response.  It's pretty sad since
> (especially in this case) component availability isn't always the
> problem ... Elecraft has simply decided they don't want to bother with it.
>
> Which is why when the KIO3 on my K3 inevitably dies like many others
> have, my next rig won't be an Elecraft.  I remember ads promising
> lasting support when I bought the K3, but that obviously didn't happen.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
> On 5/7/2025 7:06 PM, Bob McGraw wrote:
> > Well it happened.  While operating one of the digital modes for several
> > hours today I lost communication between the radio and computer. My
> > K3S, s/n 10169, just stopped communicating with the computer.
> >
> > Nothing has or was changed in station configuration and under clear blue
> > skies, no lightning and no power spikes recorded. The Device Manager
> > does not show the normal comm port number. Can not control the radio
> > from the computer and there is no audio from the radio to the
> > computer.   Tried the K3 Utility and it can not find the radio port.
> > Thus can't revert to a known good backup configuration.
> >
> > Tried shutting down the radio, turning off power, disconnecting the USB
> > cable, rebooted computer, replaced USB cable. Turned on power supply,
> > turned on radio.  No change.
> >
> > Conclusion is failure of the KIO3b.  I am told by Elecraft service that
> > no replacements are available.   Also checked with Larry Sharpo, K6RO,
> > who indicated he had none available.
> >
> > Any suggestions?   Pack it up, get a RA and send it to Watsonville.  But
> > on the other hand I read, one customer radio was returned as not
> > repairable.  🙁    It is not a happy thought to loose such a nice
> > feature on still one of the best performing radios in the marketplace.
> >
> > Since many seemed to have experienced failure of the KIO3b for various
> > reasons, there is a demand for these boards.  I ask each of you to
> > communicate with Eric and ask for a new production run of these boards.
> > I know they are used in the upgrade of K3 radios and standard with K3S
> > radios.  And there are a few thousand of each being used every day.
> > Yes, I know it is a 10 year old radio, but ??????
> >
> > ERIC :   PLEASE consider a production run of these.
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Bob, K4TAX
> >
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