David,
Your problem sounds EXACTLY like the one I had with my K3 (#96). I went
through the same sequence of events as you seem to be experiencing.
Initially, the K3 started turning back on by itself; then later it wouldn't
turn off at all, and had to be unplugged from power to turn it off
completely. When it wouldn't turn off, the LCD remained dimly lit, but no
audio, etc. Removing power and then plugging power back in again
effectively recycled the radio, but the "power button" was not used at all.
For a time the K3 would suddenly return to normal operation with the power
switch functioning correctly, but this happened only a few times, and didn't
last for very many cycles. Other than the problem of powering the radio on
and off, the radio worked just fine. All of this sounds like what you are
also experiencing. Gary Surrency at Elecraft had me check various voltages,
etc., but nothing turned up the problem. They even sent me a new front
panel to install, but that wasn't the problem either. Ultimately I had to
return the K3 to Elecraft, as they felt it was probably something on the
main board that would have to be serviced. The repair itself was performed
by Rene in Aptos. He determined that there was a problem with a "leaky"
component, on the I/O board I believe.
In any event, Elecraft is aware of this issue, and can readily solve it.
Hopefully they can do it now without you having to return the radio, which
would be more of a problem for you since you are in the U.K. I suggest you
contact either Gary or Rene at Elecraft support. You might mention to them
that we have corresponded, and that your problem seems identical to the one
I experienced. In your case they may just send you a new I/O board,
assuming I am correct that it was where my problem existed. There
apparently have been a couple of other similar cases that may not have
involved the I/O board, but still had the same symptoms. Changing the front
panel apparently solved at least one problem that I am aware of. If it is
the I/O board or front panel, you probably wouldn't need to send the radio
back to Elecraft. The upside of returning the entire radio is that, besides
fixing your problem, they will go over it thoroughly, and probably make any
mods that have come out since your radio was shipped. They did that for me.
My K3 is performing perfectly now.
Hope this helps, or at least gives you some comfort. In any event, I doubt
seriously that your friends who borrowed your K3 did anything wrong. It was
just coincidence that the problem occurred while in their possession. I bet
they are feeling awful, thinking they might have caused the problem.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Ferrington, M0XDF" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ""Crafters"" <[email protected]>
Cc: "K3Support" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:20 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] power switch problem
My K3 appears to have developed a power switch problem - it won't turn
off.
While away on Scout camp last week, I allowed another 2 hams to work the
K3 while I was not present (one is quite young and the other an adult) -
later on, one of them noticed that the K3 had turned itself on (after
they had turned it off and walked away). The K3 was working correctly for
the first few days and as far as I know, was not 'bounced' around while
sitting on the table during the week. All functions appear correct except
for this.
After investigation, I found I can not turn it off. Pressing the power
button results in one of the following behaviours:
Most common: LCD just shows background colour (light is on), LEDs are
off, effectively the rig is off (no AF etc), but the LCD is not and I
can't turn it back on with a press of the power button.
Occasionally: K3 turns off correctly, but then turns back within a matter
of seconds.
Less occasionally: as above, but turns back on after a few minutes.
Rarely: Appears to turn off as per first scenario, but LCD flickers.
To resolve this, I have to pull out the power cord and plug it back in,
in which case the K3 turns on - so it's like the power switch is
permanently on.
This is not the ALARM function. In fact, I tried the alarm to see if it
would turn on correctly - it won't, but it did bleep at me when I pulled
the power out the back and plugged it back in.
I have tried a 'master reset' holding the power switch in, it make no
different, doesn't reset and doesn't turn off etc.
In preparation for the reset, I went through and noted all the config
settings, changing a couple on the way. After that, the K3 turned off ok,
but came back on after a few minutes.
Holding the power switch while applying power results in the LEDs coming
on, but nothing else.
I thought this might have been a problem with dampness, but the rig has
been in my indoor shake for 3 days now. I also considered supply voltage,
since at camp I was using a L/A battery, but its back on the 13.615v
supply now (I have a Medusa Research Power Analyzer).
I'm about to install the KRX3, so will be taking it apart, but would
prefer to resolve this first.
Any suggestions?
This has been working perfectly since December.
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
--
Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it
takes in. -- Leonardo da Vinci
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