Hi Bruna, I moved my Leonessa Key from the CW Machine to my new K3 and encountered failures on the dash sometimes. I think that I have confirmed it to be dirty contact on the Leonessa since the K3 works fine with the Elecraft Hex key.
I would like specific instructions on how to clean this. I got lots of different suggestions on the reflector but want to make sure I do it correctly and don't damage anything. Can you also confirm that this key gas gold contacts? Thanks, Don KA1KU (KB1YBG) Sent from my iPhone On Sep 4, 2012, at 11:46 AM, "David Cutter" <[email protected]> wrote: > It's all about wetting current. On a building site machine design I used > 30mA of dc and a level detector to sense when the switch had been pushed and > they lasted years. A few pA from digital circuits is often not enough to wet > precious metal contacts which are open to the ambient. Try cleaning fluid > before using a diamond tipped polishing tool. Once that thin plating is > gone, it will give even more problems. I seem to remember German silver as a > good, hard contact material. Look at the technology of relay contacts. > > David > G3UNA > > > >> >> >> On Sep 4, 2012, at 7:42 AM, Lee Trout <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> ...I have noticed that my Begali is quite sensitive to dirty contacts. On my >>> Begali, intermittent operation is a sure sign the contacts need cleaning... >>> >> Hi Lee, >> It seems you're correct. I switched to my hex key and the problem went >> away. Back to Begali and it returned. For example my call becomes KAJ.. >> and 73 becomes 7V as it delays on the dash. >> I never suspected the key since I have been using it with the CW Machine >> with no problems. Perhaps one draws more current? >> Also, my K3 is in my new radio room, a finished family room 1/2 below grade >> and with much higher humidity, been from 45 to 70% as I run the >> dehumidifier. Just wondering if this may be the cause. The CW Machine is >> upstairs with AC and thus very low humidity. >> Last, how should I clean the contacts? I think with just a strip of paper >> but know I must be careful. Also the Leonessa has the contacts stacked >> vertical with dash on bottom and hard to reach. >> >> Thanks, >> Don KA1KU > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
