Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Problem fixedEncoder shaft was not grounded. I removed VFO A knob, nuts and washer. All metal was totally painted black. I scraped off some paint, replaced washer and nuts and no more static zaps. Thanks! Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com To: a...@cablespeed.com; KM5Q k...@mac.com; 'e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; Elecraft' e...@elecraft.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:46 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Greg - AB7R a...@cablespeed.com To: KM5Q k...@mac.com; 'e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; Elecraft' e...@elecraft.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft sent: I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.89/2539 - Release Date: 12/01/09 14:32:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Steve, I own K3/100 serial number 409 and I note yours is number 410. I have never had a static electricity problem with my encoder knob or any part of the rig. Mine sits on a wooden desk which is sitting on wall to wall carpeting and the rig is grounded via the house wiring Your 2nd. front panel must be the culprit. 73, Bob VE3XM. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Steve, In addition to being bad for your radio, the dry air that's allowing the static charges to build up on your skin aren't good for the rest of your body (sinuses, skin, etc.). We use a whole house humidifier that sits on the floor near the wood stove (Vermont crude is a lot cheaper than the slick stuff, even though it's more work...). No problems with static, snoring, etc. -- 73 -- Brian -- K1LI __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Guy, K2AV wrote: Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. If you are rubbing your feet over a rug, spray it with static spray. Or ground yourself on a little bit of static pad that you put there for the purpose. Do something so you are not a lightning bolt every time you move. I completely agree. All 3 of us live in NC where low humidity is seldom a problem. It's a very different story than when I lived in Colorado and could draw a 1/2 arc by walking across a carpet. If Steve has static electricity here, it's definitely his problem. I've never had static problems in my shack since moving back to NC from Colorado 16 years ago. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-static-electricity-tp4091602p4094103.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Steve, I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the VFO knob. Paul, W9AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
A little further investigating and I found this: We also had a few occasions where the operator stood up (sliding across the chair) and touched the radio [Omni VII] and got zapped - resulting in the radio needing to be turned off and on again. Unlike the ORION, this routine takes only a couple of seconds. Ten-Tec's response: The static discharge is real. The fix is already implemented in production. It is just a case of adding a ground from the encoder frame to the chassis. My guess is that Ten Tec can probably supply you with a kit that will work just fine with the K3. Paul, W9AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q Steve Ellington Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:40:06 -0800 What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off, frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I had this problem occur with my Omni VI back in the 90's. When I would walk in the room and touch the VFO the rig would shut down. A friend across town had the same problem with his Omni VI. It took us a while to figure out it was static electricity. Ten-Tec's fix was to send out a short piece of braid with a solder lug on each end. One end went around the encoder shaft, the other end was attached to the rig chasis. That solved the problem. Someone said Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. I have to disagree. The K3 shouldn't be susceptible to static electricity. 73, Alan N5NA Paul Christensen wrote: Steve, I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the VFO knob. Paul, W9AC __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Since touching the VFO knob causes the problem while touching the case does not, I suspect your VFO encoder is not grounded to the front panel sheet metal. You can check with an ohmmeter if you're not adverse to removing the VFO A knob*. Put one probe on the metal shaft of the encoder and the other on a bare metal chassis ground point such as the knurled nut on the PHONES jack. If it's not nearly a dead short, there's a grounding problem. If the circuit is open, suggest you post a query to k3support at elecraft dot com. *The knob comes off easily. First slide the rubber tire off (get your finger nails behind the edge nearest the front panel and work it off toward you). Then you'll find set screw holes under the tire. A wrench came with your K3 that will loosen the screws. When you put it back together, the usual approach to getting the tension against the felt washers behind the knob right is to stand the K3 on its back panel and set the knob onto the encoder shaft. The weight of the knob usually produces the right amount of friction. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off, frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Just received this from Elecraft: The paint should be removed around the inside of the front panel where the encoder mounts. This was not done on some early models, but it should have been done on all later units. You might check that, and make sure the lock washer is there on the threads of the encoder and the hex nut on the front panel is tight. The problem is the K3, not my house. Humidity is now 37% which is pretty typical for this time of year. I will check the grounding of the VFO knob and report back to the group. I did not have this problem last year. During the summer, Elecraft sent me a new front panel with the latest revisions. Since then I've had this static problem so someone must have slipped up! 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Alan Sewell N5NA alan.n...@gmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:15 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity I had this problem occur with my Omni VI back in the 90's. When I would walk in the room and touch the VFO the rig would shut down. A friend across town had the same problem with his Omni VI. It took us a while to figure out it was static electricity. Ten-Tec's fix was to send out a short piece of braid with a solder lug on each end. One end went around the encoder shaft, the other end was attached to the rig chasis. That solved the problem. Someone said Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. I have to disagree. The K3 shouldn't be susceptible to static electricity. 73, Alan N5NA Paul Christensen wrote: Steve, I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the VFO knob. Paul, W9AC __ 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 __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Karl N6XVT, Ground the radio. If it is, test it. The see if your front panel is grounded. Hope it will help. N6XVT 73 Sent from my iPhone On Nov 30, 2009, at 6:39 PM, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com wrote: What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off, frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft sent: I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Greg - AB7R a...@cablespeed.com To: KM5Q k...@mac.com; 'e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; Elecraft' e...@elecraft.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft sent: I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Thanks Steve. Please keep k3supp...@elecraft.com informed of what you find. Also check the hex nuts the go over the encoder shaft on the top of the FP (under the knob) to make sure they are snug enough to ensure the bare metal underneath is in contact with the inside tooth washer. If those retaining nuts are not snug you may not have good contact. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:46 , Steve Ellington sent: I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Greg - AB7R a...@cablespeed.com To: KM5Q k...@mac.com; e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; Elecraft' e...@elecraft.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft sent: I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Re static discharge problems: I've posted this story before but it sounds like it is worth repeating. K3 #95 suffered from ESD when I touched the VFO A knob, and in reaction the radio would go all dark, then re-boot on its own. The first time it occurred, I had no idea of what had just happened and it was a frightening experience. The second time it happened, I felt the shock when I touched the knob and I noticed that I had just finished sliding my wheeled chair over a protective plastic mat over the floor, which pointed to the source of the static electricity. I did three things: 1. Threw away the plastic floor mat; 2. Checked the VFO A encoder shaft to see if it was grounded to the chassis. It wasn't. 3. Had Elecraft fix the encoder grounding problem when I had the radio in there for other reasons. There have been no recurrences and we are well into ESD season here. Gary, VE1RGB -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Greg - AB7R Sent: December 1, 2009 7:51 PM To: a...@cablespeed.com; 'KM5Q'; 'e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; 'Elecraft''e...@elecraft.com; 'Steve Ellington' Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity Thanks Steve. Please keep k3supp...@elecraft.com informed of what you find. Also check the hex nuts the go over the encoder shaft on the top of the FP (under the knob) to make sure they are snug enough to ensure the bare metal underneath is in contact with the inside tooth washer. If those retaining nuts are not snug you may not have good contact. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:46 , Steve Ellington sent: I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Greg - AB7R a...@cablespeed.com To: KM5Q k...@mac.com; e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; Elecraft' e...@elecraft.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft sent: I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html --- - No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. If you are rubbing your feet over a rug, spray it with static spray. Or ground yourself on a little bit of static pad that you put there for the purpose. Do something so you are not a lightning bolt every time you move. You keep zapping it like that, you WILL destroy something in it. Hope your insurance company does not read this reflector. Contributory negligence not useful in settling claims. Static pops are universally bad for everything electronic, not just K3's. 73, Guy. On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 9:39 PM, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com wrote: What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off, frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.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 __ 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
