Guy is quite right about the pin issue, however I have an early K3 with the original pins and it works FB after 9 years.
To be absolutely sure it isn't something external to the K3, first I'd disconnect EVERYTHING except the main power cable, and see if the problem persists. Next I'd remove and replace the front panel assembly. It's not nearly as bad as it sounds but doing so will exercise the connectors and clean any oxidation that has accumulated on the pins. You can download a manual with a detailed procedure with photos for R/R the front panel from Elecraft: http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740130%20KDVR3%20Option%20Installation%20Rev %20C.pdf That manual is for adding the digital voice recorder which requires removing the front panel (see pages 6, 7 and 8). One reason I have never had a problem is possibly because my K3 (S/N 00010) has been apart countless times as I maintain the Kit Assembly manual with updates, etc. So the connectors don't get a chance to oxidize. Another thing that I've done is to put a drop of contact cleaner on each pin. I used DeOxit by Caig. But simply exercising those connectors seems to have fixed issues for others. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2016 10:33 AM To: G0PNM Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Erratic VFO behaviour, Switching bands and freq's In the K3 there are a few digital lines from the front panel which carry multiplexed information to the CPU. The only way I can think of that would scramble unrelated front panel input according to your report is that the multiplexed line is malfunctioning and screwing up the data stream into the cpu. The essential way to do that is a poor connection in the connector pin/socket between front panel and CPU board. Don't remember serial when Elecraft went to gold pins, but if they aren't gold in yours you need to upgrade. If they ARE gold then the connector probably is not seated properly. There is a lot of good stuff in the archives about the "pin problem". The other thing hate to bring up is lightning/static damage. If you can get to the seller you might want to discuss the problem with him and whether unit non-professionally repaired/disassembled/reassembled. 73, Guy K2AV On Sunday, September 18, 2016, G0PNM <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi all, New to the whole Elecraft scene. > Just acquired my first K3 and its serial number is 07126. > I have been experiencing some strange behavior while rotating the VFO > whereby the radio would change bands unexpectedly. On occasions, the > rig will jump to a supposed frequency well out of the range of the radio i.e. > in > the VHF bands! > > I managed to capture this behavior on my phone and have uploaded it to > youtube. The link is here:- https://youtu.be/IILWIe7hPzg > <https://youtu.be/IILWIe7hPzg> > > > I have waited a long time to get hold of an Elecraft, being my dream > radio but its quickly losing its sparkle and I am losing my hair!. > > ANY help would be much appreciated. I have only had it a week and I am > also emailing the supplier here in the UK. > > Thanks > Pete G0PNM > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2. > nabble.com/K3-Erratic-VFO-behaviour-Switching-bands-and- > freq-s-tp7622624.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:[email protected] <javascript:;> > > 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] <javascript:;> > -- Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone ______________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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]
