[Elecraft] KIO3b Failure

[Bob McGraw]

Dave et al;

I agree.  I'm disappointed that Elecraft hasn't made efforts to make 
available a replacement or an update to a  known failure issue seemingly 
common with the KIO3b.   As stated earlier and elsewhere, I will just 
revert to RS-232 communication and the use of an external soundcard.   
That does work.

The station has every piece of equipment, including the desktop 
computer, electrically bonded to a common point.  My failure occurred 
after a few hours of operating and while in the receive mode.  There was 
no lightning in the area, clear blue skies,  and my power line recording 
monitor did not capture any power surges.

I view that the performance of my Elecraft K3S is the best in terms of 
performance radios in the market today.   A K4D has lots of features and 
touted SDR technology, but at $6K+ is way out of my retirement budget 
for a hobby.

  Yes, I am disappointed but I will just live with the results. At 82, 
that likely won't be many more years.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 5/10/2025 11:00 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
> Message: 8
> Date: Fri, 9 May 2025 21:44:49 -0700
> From: David Gilbert<ab7echo at gmail.com>
> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KIO3b Failure
> Message-ID:<8a45b1f2-04d3-4be9-a78d-3d89d9d1767a at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>
> 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