[Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not shut off, it would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the meter was in that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in the display saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was unsuccessful in restoring any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, and it transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, and there have been no problems. First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
Hi Dennis, I am certain you checked for this issue but my first thought would be that you had a power supply issue or power cable issue. 73, John WB4YAL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
When it was not transmitting and you were troubleshooting, did you cycle power? 73, Ed W0YK On Mar 9, 2017 5:54 AM, Dennis wrote: > > In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not > shut off, it > would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the > meter was in > that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in > the display > saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was > unsuccessful in restoring > any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. > > I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, > and it > transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, > and there > have been no problems. > > First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? > I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem > happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ > intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? > > Dennis W1UE > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to e...@w0yk.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
I had a similar event last October in the New York QSO Party with my K3, s/n67xx. After the first QSO (from a beautiful overlook in Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan) it simply stopped putting out RF. It went into transmit, just no RF. I tried power cycling, jiggling external connectors, etc. After about 10 minutes, and about one minute before giving up for the contest, while moving things around I unintentionally snapped the front bail, and things snapped back to life. It has worked fine ever since. 73 - Jim K8MR > On Mar 9, 2017, at 8:54 AM, Dennis wrote: > > In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not shut > off, it > would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the meter > was in > that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in the > display > saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was unsuccessful in > restoring > any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. > > I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, and it > transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, and > there > have been no problems. > > First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? > I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem > happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ > intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? > > Dennis W1UE > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
First thing I did- and the first thing I do whenever I have any funny happen- is to cycle power. I did so several times. It still wouldn't transmit. UE On 3/9/2017 9:00 AM, Ed Muns wrote: When it was not transmitting and you were troubleshooting, did you cycle power? 73, Ed W0YK On Mar 9, 2017 5:54 AM, Dennis wrote: In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not shut off, it would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the meter was in that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in the display saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was unsuccessful in restoring any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, and it transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, and there have been no problems. First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to e...@w0yk.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
I did try the "drop" test- hold up the front of the radio a little bit, and then drop it so that it contacts the table. Kinda shake things up a bit. No luck. When I also brought it home, I put it in the case, drove it 72 miles back to my house, brought it in, and set it up 2 days later. So it was jostled fairly good. As I say, when I got it home it worked, and has worked, fine. Dennis W1UE On 3/9/2017 9:10 AM, Jim Stahl wrote: I had a similar event last October in the New York QSO Party with my K3, s/n67xx. After the first QSO (from a beautiful overlook in Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan) it simply stopped putting out RF. It went into transmit, just no RF. I tried power cycling, jiggling external connectors, etc. After about 10 minutes, and about one minute before giving up for the contest, while moving things around I unintentionally snapped the front bail, and things snapped back to life. It has worked fine ever since. 73 - Jim K8MR On Mar 9, 2017, at 8:54 AM, Dennis wrote: In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not shut off, it would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the meter was in that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in the display saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was unsuccessful in restoring any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, and it transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, and there have been no problems. First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
I had something somewhat similar happen and the best I could tell it was related to power supply issues. Now I use thicker wire direct from the power supply to the K3 and it so far seems to be working better. An advertised way to fix it is to re-load the firmware and recalibrate the transmit power. From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dennis Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2017 6:41 AM To: Jim Stahl Cc: Reflector Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting I did try the "drop" test- hold up the front of the radio a little bit, and then drop it so that it contacts the table. Kinda shake things up a bit. No luck. When I also brought it home, I put it in the case, drove it 72 miles back to my house, brought it in, and set it up 2 days later. So it was jostled fairly good. As I say, when I got it home it worked, and has worked, fine. Dennis W1UE On 3/9/2017 9:10 AM, Jim Stahl wrote: > I had a similar event last October in the New York QSO Party with my K3, > s/n67xx. After the first QSO (from a beautiful overlook in Fort Tryon Park in > Manhattan) it simply stopped putting out RF. It went into transmit, just no > RF. I tried power cycling, jiggling external connectors, etc. After about 10 > minutes, and about one minute before giving up for the contest, while moving > things around I unintentionally snapped the front bail, and things snapped > back to life. > > It has worked fine ever since. > > > 73 - Jim K8MR > > >> On Mar 9, 2017, at 8:54 AM, Dennis >> <mailto:egan.denni...@gmail.com%3e> wrote: >> >> In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not shut >> off, it >> would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the meter >> was in >> that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in the >> display >> saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was unsuccessful in >> restoring >> any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. >> >> I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, and it >> transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, and >> there >> have been no problems. >> >> First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? >> I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem >> happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ >> intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? >> >> Dennis W1UE >> __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.com<mailto:gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.com> __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
No TX power is a common problem, especially on DXpeditions. Other than power supply issues, it is usually one of three things: 1. Intending to use the BAND button, one holds down the right MODE button by mistake, putting the K3 into TX TEST mode. The "TX" icon flashes. But, since you reported that the TUNE button flashes "0 watts" instead of flashing "TX TEST", it's probably something else in this case. 2. CONFIG:TX INH is set to LO=Inh (visible only when CONFIG:TECH MD is ON). CONFIG:TX INH should be OFF unless you're using a lockout circuit that depends on the inhibit line. A "floating" pin 10 on the ACC port can cause TX to be intermittently inhibited when CONFIG:TX INH is set to LO=INh. When TX is inhibited, the K3 will display "0 Watts" when you press the TUNE button. The "TX" indicator also flashes when the rig is inhibited, similar to TX TEST mode. 3. The most likely cause, which I've seen many times, is that the jumper board connecting the subreceiver to the main board in the back left side of the K3 has partially pulled out. This happens almost every time a K3 is subject to any kind of strong mechanical stress, such as transport in checked luggage. Make sure the SubRx is firmly seated and the problem should disappear. If you don't have a SubRx, there's still a jumper board that must be in place in the same spot. 73, Bob, N6TV On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 6:38 AM, Dennis wrote: > First thing I did- and the first thing I do whenever I have any funny > happen- is to cycle power. I did so > several times. It still wouldn't transmit. > > UE > > On 3/9/2017 9:00 AM, Ed Muns wrote: > >> When it was not transmitting and you were troubleshooting, did you cycle >> power? >> >> 73, >> Ed W0YK >> >> On Mar 9, 2017 5:54 AM, Dennis wrote: >> >>> In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not >>> shut off, it >>> would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the >>> meter was in >>> that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in >>> the display >>> saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was >>> unsuccessful in restoring >>> any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. >>> >>> I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, >>> and it >>> transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, >>> and there >>> have been no problems. >>> >>> First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit >>> state? >>> I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem >>> happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ >>> intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? >>> >>> Dennis W1UE >>> >>> __ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to e...@w0yk.com >>> >> > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n...@arrl.net > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting
Correction to Item 2. I meant to write "A floating *PIN 7* (TX INH) can cause TX to be intermittently inhibited..." 73, Bob, N6TV On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 6:50 PM, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote: > No TX power is a common problem, especially on DXpeditions. Other than > power supply issues, it is usually one of three things: > >1. Intending to use the BAND button, one holds down the right MODE >button by mistake, putting the K3 into TX TEST mode. The "TX" icon >flashes. But, since you reported that the TUNE button flashes "0 watts" >instead of flashing "TX TEST", it's probably something else in this case. >2. CONFIG:TX INH is set to LO=Inh (visible only when CONFIG:TECH MD is >ON). CONFIG:TX INH should be OFF unless you're using a lockout circuit that >depends on the inhibit line. A "floating" pin 10 on the ACC port can cause >TX to be intermittently inhibited when CONFIG:TX INH is set to LO=INh. >When TX is inhibited, the K3 will display "0 Watts" when you press the TUNE >button. The "TX" indicator also flashes when the rig is inhibited, similar >to TX TEST mode. >3. The most likely cause, which I've seen many times, is that the >jumper board connecting the subreceiver to the main board in the back left >side of the K3 has partially pulled out. This happens almost every time a >K3 is subject to any kind of strong mechanical stress, such as transport in >checked luggage. Make sure the SubRx is firmly seated and the problem >should disappear. If you don't have a SubRx, there's still a jumper board >that must be in place in the same spot. > > 73, > Bob, N6TV > > On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 6:38 AM, Dennis wrote: > >> First thing I did- and the first thing I do whenever I have any funny >> happen- is to cycle power. I did so >> several times. It still wouldn't transmit. >> >> UE >> >> On 3/9/2017 9:00 AM, Ed Muns wrote: >> >>> When it was not transmitting and you were troubleshooting, did you cycle >>> power? >>> >>> 73, >>> Ed W0YK >>> >>> On Mar 9, 2017 5:54 AM, Dennis wrote: >>> In the middle of ARRL DX CW, my K3 stopped transmitting. It did not shut off, it would go into transmit and there were small flickers in ALC when the meter was in that position, but no power out. Pushing the TUNE button resulted in the display saying "0 watts". I played with it for several minutes, was unsuccessful in restoring any transmit capability, so subbed in the replacement rig and kept going. I brought my K3 home, plugged it in, connected a key and a dummy load, and it transmitted perfectly. No problems. I've used it about 3 hours since, and there have been no problems. First question, what could have happened to result in the no transmit state? I will be using my K3 again this weekend in a contest. If the problem happens again, what possible problems should I be looking for? Loose/ intermittent cable attached to the synthesizer? Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to e...@w0yk.com >>> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n...@arrl.net >> > > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting (solved)
A couple of weeks ago I posted that my K3 suddenly stopped transmitting during ARRL CW. The PTT would enable, it was not in TEST mode, the CW monitor would sound, but no output. Pushing the TUNE button would result in "0 watts" showing on the display. The problem persisted after I power cycled the radio, plugged/unplugged the DC source, tried various control changes, and a soft "drop" test. Through all of this, the Rx worked just fine. Nothing restored the radio transmitting ability. So, I swapped it out and continued the contest. When I got home, I hooked the radio up and it transmitted just fine. Something happened that stopped the radio from transmitting, but now it worked fine. So I posted my experiences here and asked for suggestions. A number suggested the DC power supply cable. My experiences at the site suggested that wasn't the culprit. A number suggested that I had somehow put the radio into "TEST" mode, but I was sure I had not. I even toggled into and out of "TEST" mode several times, but that didn't solve the problem. Several suggested that a voltage had been applied to the Inhibit pin of the ACC15 connector, but there was nothing plugged into the ACC15 socket. Two suggestions seemed most plausible: that one of the coax cables from the new synthesizer to the other boards was intermittent, or that the Sub Rx plugs was intermittent. Once I had a place to look, I opened the radio and did the following: 1. Took a pair of long nose pliers and GENTLY rotated and firmly seated each coaxial cable connector connecting the synthesizer board to the rest of the radio. All seemed to be secure and in tight, but they were all rotated just a little. 2. Checked the seating of the Sub Rx into its connectors. The back connector was not fully seated- I'd say it was about 80% seated, but there is a little play in the connector. It is now fully seated. Since then, I've operated the radio about 30 hours in contesting. The no transmit problem has not come back. Did I fix it? The problem had never happened before, I don't have a clear problem that was solved, but it has made it 30 hours now without a problem. At least for now, I feel the problem has been solved. Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting (solved)
Well, at least you did (a logical) SOMETHING which in all probability, fixed the intermittent. The hardest problems to solve are those where the fault just disappears but you did NOTHING to fix it. Fault...open lidclose lid...problem fixed = Yuge question mark! Thanks especially for sharing your "fix". It may save a few of us a lot of hair-pulling and/or a trip back to Elecraft. It is very frustrating to hear of a problem, and never find out what fixed, or didn't fix it. 73, Charlie k3ICH -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dennis Sent: Monday, March 20, 2017 7:34 AM To: Reflector Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting (solved) A couple of weeks ago I posted that my K3 suddenly stopped transmitting during ARRL CW. The PTT would enable, it was not in TEST mode, the CW monitor would sound, but no output. Pushing the TUNE button would result in "0 watts" showing on the display. The problem persisted after I power cycled the radio, plugged/unplugged the DC source, tried various control changes, and a soft "drop" test. Through all of this, the Rx worked just fine. Nothing restored the radio transmitting ability. So, I swapped it out and continued the contest. When I got home, I hooked the radio up and it transmitted just fine. Something happened that stopped the radio from transmitting, but now it worked fine. So I posted my experiences here and asked for suggestions. A number suggested the DC power supply cable. My experiences at the site suggested that wasn't the culprit. A number suggested that I had somehow put the radio into "TEST" mode, but I was sure I had not. I even toggled into and out of "TEST" mode several times, but that didn't solve the problem. Several suggested that a voltage had been applied to the Inhibit pin of the ACC15 connector, but there was nothing plugged into the ACC15 socket. Two suggestions seemed most plausible: that one of the coax cables from the new synthesizer to the other boards was intermittent, or that the Sub Rx plugs was intermittent. Once I had a place to look, I opened the radio and did the following: 1. Took a pair of long nose pliers and GENTLY rotated and firmly seated each coaxial cable connector connecting the synthesizer board to the rest of the radio. All seemed to be secure and in tight, but they were all rotated just a little. 2. Checked the seating of the Sub Rx into its connectors. The back connector was not fully seated- I'd say it was about 80% seated, but there is a little play in the connector. It is now fully seated. Since then, I've operated the radio about 30 hours in contesting. The no transmit problem has not come back. Did I fix it? The problem had never happened before, I don't have a clear problem that was solved, but it has made it 30 hours now without a problem. At least for now, I feel the problem has been solved. Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to pin...@erols.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting (solved)
I have written about this before. I have had similar problems at Field Day, and some friends of mine have also had issues while in mobile contest use. >From what I can tell, the K3 can be very sensitive to power voltage levels. >If there is any issue with the power supply itself, or if the cables between >the power supply are too long or not of sufficient gauge, power levels can >drop at the K3 and can lead to problems including no or limited transmit power. As an example, I have an Astron power supply mediated through a PWRgate device and a separate power distribution panel. When I route my K3 power this way, I can see a drop of as much as one volt or more of input voltage according to the K3's internal voltage meter when I transmit. On the other hand, using a short run of thick gauge wire direct from the PS to the K3, the voltage drop is only .1 or.2 volts. My friend had problems in mobile use in a contest going from the vehicle generator (motor on) to car battery. He ended up installing a voltage booster device to get solid performance. When this happens I was able to restore function by reinstalling firmware and recalibrating the transmit power. From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Charlie T, K3ICH Sent: Monday, March 20, 2017 5:13 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting (solved) Well, at least you did (a logical) SOMETHING which in all probability, fixed the intermittent. The hardest problems to solve are those where the fault just disappears but you did NOTHING to fix it. Fault...open lidclose lid...problem fixed = Yuge question mark! Thanks especially for sharing your "fix". It may save a few of us a lot of hair-pulling and/or a trip back to Elecraft. It is very frustrating to hear of a problem, and never find out what fixed, or didn't fix it. 73, Charlie k3ICH -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dennis Sent: Monday, March 20, 2017 7:34 AM To: Reflector Elecraft <mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net%3e> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Stops Transmitting (solved) A couple of weeks ago I posted that my K3 suddenly stopped transmitting during ARRL CW. The PTT would enable, it was not in TEST mode, the CW monitor would sound, but no output. Pushing the TUNE button would result in "0 watts" showing on the display. The problem persisted after I power cycled the radio, plugged/unplugged the DC source, tried various control changes, and a soft "drop" test. Through all of this, the Rx worked just fine. Nothing restored the radio transmitting ability. So, I swapped it out and continued the contest. When I got home, I hooked the radio up and it transmitted just fine. Something happened that stopped the radio from transmitting, but now it worked fine. So I posted my experiences here and asked for suggestions. A number suggested the DC power supply cable. My experiences at the site suggested that wasn't the culprit. A number suggested that I had somehow put the radio into "TEST" mode, but I was sure I had not. I even toggled into and out of "TEST" mode several times, but that didn't solve the problem. Several suggested that a voltage had been applied to the Inhibit pin of the ACC15 connector, but there was nothing plugged into the ACC15 socket. Two suggestions seemed most plausible: that one of the coax cables from the new synthesizer to the other boards was intermittent, or that the Sub Rx plugs was intermittent. Once I had a place to look, I opened the radio and did the following: 1. Took a pair of long nose pliers and GENTLY rotated and firmly seated each coaxial cable connector connecting the synthesizer board to the rest of the radio. All seemed to be secure and in tight, but they were all rotated just a little. 2. Checked the seating of the Sub Rx into its connectors. The back connector was not fully seated- I'd say it was about 80% seated, but there is a little play in the connector. It is now fully seated. Since then, I've operated the radio about 30 hours in contesting. The no transmit problem has not come back. Did I fix it? The problem had never happened before, I don't have a clear problem that was solved, but it has made it 30 hours now without a problem. At least for now, I feel the problem has been solved. Dennis W1UE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to pin...@erols.com<mailto:pin...@erols.com> __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listin
