Chris,
I had this issue with both of my KX3 #1082 and #2334 after using on and
off for about 12 months on DX trips from beaches where they get used
with the connectors being done/undone over and over.
The power barrel connector on the later model numbers (Elecraft will
have to advise) are not just soldered to the PCB but the body is glued
as well, the earlier ones were just soldered, what they told me at the
time. They sent me replacements which I fitted, and glued down as well.
There was not enough room to drill and cable tie too which i had
considered.... Anyway it means that nearly ALL the 'strength' is in the
connection to the PCB tracks, there is no use of the KX3 chassis to
secure it etc ... not good if you are rough in any way. Even an 'oops',
snagging the DC cable and pulling the KX3 etc or bang against the DC
connection might cause a problem.
I ended up doing this (might be what Wayne referred to).... used a small
square tab of velcro and attached the smooth (not the hooky side) under
the KX3 below the power connector. I then made up a pigtail with APP to
the barrel connector. The APP had the hooky side of the velcro on it. IF
I need APP then I used that. Otherwise I secured the DC lead with a loop
to the same velcro pad.
The connection unfortunately is not so solid it will suffer long term
abuse without failure.
I had thought about replacing the power with a chassis mount but then
you face the whole problem of end plate removal etc.... and a pair of
APP inside the KX3 would have been better but simply didn't fit.
72
Dom
M1KTA
On 02/18/2015 05:25 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote:
Cut off debate on this list? Hah! Impossible. ;)
I'm the one who started this iteration of the APP debate, because I am
experiencing issues with them. In my initial post on the subject, I
reported that even a very slight movement of the radio kills power.
Tonight I've carefully inspected my cable and the connectors, and the
more I look, the less I like. On the cable end, I might not have had
the contact fully engaged on the black side, we'll see. It clicked
when I pushed it further. But it wasn't obvious to my eye. But on
the radio, the connectors on my brandy new K3 are loose. I can move
them from side to side, and the black one actually slides towards the
inside by about 1/32 of an inch or so when I mate them. I can
literally move them from side to side. I've taken a short video, but
don't want to attach it to this list posting. Perhaps I'll send it to
support in a dedicated e-mail, or to anyone else directly if you're
interested.
Is this movement of the RF board-mounted connectors normal? If so,
I'll live with it, and do what I can to make the connection more
robust.
If I could get a locking pin into the connector without taking the
entire radio apart, I will do that, and that would help keep the pair
on the RF board more rigid. I bought some of those, too.
Thanks for all the helpful advice.
Regards,
Chris
K1AY
On Tue, Feb 17, 2015 at 9:29 PM, Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> wrote:
We've weighed the pros and cons of APP connectors on multiple occasions, done
careful testing and measurements, etc., and on balance we feel that APP is the
best option. Not to cut off debate, but I'm just sayin'....
I know of one gentleman who soldered wires to the RF PCB and attached a
connector of his choice, outside the box. To each his own!
73,
Wayne
N6KR
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [email protected]
