Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Dave Fugleberg]

Thanks Fred -
When I get time, I might just pull the radio out of the rack and
remove/reset those pins...
Yeah, in the 'olden days'  (mid 80s in my case) I was a bench tech fixing
dumb terminals from airports, among other things..they were connected to
each other in a daisy-chained serial 'party line'.  I could usually tell
how strong the lightning-induced surge was by how many components were
blown and how charred the circuit board was...

73 de W0ZF

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 1:34 PM Fred Jensen  wrote:

> Much of the K3 functionality as a radio is analog on the main RF board
> [well, except for the DSP of course].  I believe that many [most?] of the
> signals on the Coveted Golden Connector Pins are digital chatter between
> the brains and the other parts of the radio that tell them what to do but
> don't affect the functionality.  i.e. it might go to the wrong band, or
> BAND +/- might affect the mode instead, but all of the radio still works
> fine.  If you are so inclined to do a little bench work, you might try
> removing and reseating those connectors a couple of times ... maybe with a
> light coat of DeOxit.
>
> Good luck.  In the "Olden Days," you could almost always find the problem
> by looking in the corner of the chassis where the small fire had started.😉
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 11:13 AM:
>
> I thought about that, Fred, but my serial number is in the low 8000s. I
> assembled the kit. It came with the gold pins.
> Could still be a bad connection I suppose. I've found at least 4 different
> ways to trigger the behavior, but it doesn't seem to affect any
> functionality.
>
> On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 1:04 PM Fred Jensen  wrote:
>
>> Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins?  Mine [S/N 642]
>> began doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and MODE +/-
>> buttons.  Pressing really hard would sometimes make it work.  The K-POD
>> proved to be a work around, but the new connector pins on a trip to the
>> factory for another problem solved it.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
>> Sparks NV DM09dn
>> Washoe County
>>
>> Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:
>>
>> Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
>> time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
>> Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
>> says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
>> no idea why.
>> I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
>> nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
>> band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
>> changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
>> 73 de W0ZF
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R  
>> 
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
>> Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
>> I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
>> upper to AUTO or something.
>> There is a ton of info in the manual...
>> Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Dave Fugleberg]

Thanks Jack. I've never used macros, and none are shown in the K3 utility,
so I don't think that's the issue.  I've identified at least 4 ways to
trigger the strange behavior from the front panel, and one via CAT.
73 de W0ZF

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 1:34 PM Jack Brindle  wrote:

>  the behavior I might expect if a macro was being executed. Is it possible
> that you have one saved, either in the K3 or the computer that is set to
> trigger at the times you noted? Mostly they execute so fast you don’t see
> the activity, but if the K3 is busy it might slow down a ways. Band change
> is one of those times.
>
> 73,
> Jack, W6FB
>
> On Nov 8, 2023, at 1:04 PM, Fred Jensen  wrote:
>
> Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins?  Mine [S/N 642]
> began doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and MODE +/-
> buttons.  Pressing really hard would sometimes make it work.  The K-POD
> proved to be a work around, but the new connector pins on a trip to the
> factory for another problem solved it.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:
>
> Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
> time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
> Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
> says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
> no idea why.
> I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
> nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
> band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
> changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
> 73 de W0ZF
>
> On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R 
> wrote:
>
> That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
> Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
> I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
> upper to AUTO or something.
> There is a ton of info in the manual...
> Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Fred Jensen]

Much of the K3 functionality as a radio is analog on the main RF board 
[well, except for the DSP of course].  I believe that many [most?] of 
the signals on the Coveted Golden Connector Pins are digital chatter 
between the brains and the other parts of the radio that tell them what 
to do but don't affect the functionality.  i.e. it might go to the wrong 
band, or BAND +/- might affect the mode instead, but all of the radio 
still works fine.  If you are so inclined to do a little bench work, you 
might try removing and reseating those connectors a couple of times ... 
maybe with a light coat of DeOxit.


Good luck.  In the "Olden Days," you could almost always find the 
problem by looking in the corner of the chassis where the small fire had 
started.😉


73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 11:13 AM:
I thought about that, Fred, but my serial number is in the low 8000s. 
I assembled the kit. It came with the gold pins.
Could still be a bad connection I suppose. I've found at least 4 
different ways to trigger the behavior, but it doesn't seem to affect 
any functionality.


On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 1:04 PM Fred Jensen > wrote:


Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins?  Mine [S/N
642] began doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and
MODE +/- buttons.  Pressing really hard would sometimes make it
work.  The K-POD proved to be a work around, but the new connector
pins on a trip to the factory for another problem solved it.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:

Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
no idea why.
I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
73 de W0ZF

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R 

wrote:


That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
upper to AUTO or something.
There is a ton of info in the manual...
Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Jack Brindle via Elecraft]

 the behavior I might expect if a macro was being executed. Is it possible that 
you have one saved, either in the K3 or the computer that is set to trigger at 
the times you noted? Mostly they execute so fast you don’t see the activity, 
but if the K3 is busy it might slow down a ways. Band change is one of those 
times.

73,
Jack, W6FB

> On Nov 8, 2023, at 1:04 PM, Fred Jensen  wrote:
> 
> Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins?  Mine [S/N 642] began 
> doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and MODE +/- buttons.  
> Pressing really hard would sometimes make it work.  The K-POD proved to be a 
> work around, but the new connector pins on a trip to the factory for another 
> problem solved it.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
> 
> Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:
>> Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
>> time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
>> Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
>> says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
>> no idea why.
>> I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
>> nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
>> band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
>> changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
>> 73 de W0ZF
>> 
>> On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R 
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
>>> Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
>>> I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
>>> upper to AUTO or something.
>>> There is a ton of info in the manual...
>>> Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech
>>> 
>>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Dave Fugleberg]

I thought about that, Fred, but my serial number is in the low 8000s. I
assembled the kit. It came with the gold pins.
Could still be a bad connection I suppose. I've found at least 4 different
ways to trigger the behavior, but it doesn't seem to affect any
functionality.

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 1:04 PM Fred Jensen  wrote:

> Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins?  Mine [S/N 642]
> began doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and MODE +/-
> buttons.  Pressing really hard would sometimes make it work.  The K-POD
> proved to be a work around, but the new connector pins on a trip to the
> factory for another problem solved it.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:
>
> Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
> time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
> Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
> says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
> no idea why.
> I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
> nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
> band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
> changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
> 73 de W0ZF
>
> On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R  
> 
> wrote:
>
>
> That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
> Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
> I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
> upper to AUTO or something.
> There is a ton of info in the manual...
> Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech
>
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Fred Jensen]

Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins? Mine [S/N 642] 
began doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and MODE +/- 
buttons.  Pressing really hard would sometimes make it work.  The K-POD 
proved to be a work around, but the new connector pins on a trip to the 
factory for another problem solved it.


73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:

Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
no idea why.
I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
73 de W0ZF

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R
wrote:


That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
upper to AUTO or something.
There is a ton of info in the manual...
Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Fred Jensen]

Has your K3 received the coveted Golden Connector Pins?  Mine [S/N 642] 
began doing things like that, especially on the BAND+/- and MODE +/- 
buttons.  Pressing really hard would sometimes make it work.  The K-POD 
proved to be a work around, but the new connector pins on a trip to the 
factory for another problem solved it.


73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Dave Fugleberg wrote on 11/8/2023 9:16 AM:

Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
no idea why.
I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
73 de W0ZF

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R 
wrote:


That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
upper to AUTO or something.
There is a ton of info in the manual...
Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Dave Fugleberg]

Thanks Keith - I totally missed that in the manual, as it's been a long
time since I've used the decode feature. I tried changing the threshold to
Auto...now I get the same behavior as before, except when it flashes it
says thr Auto.  So it's definitely showing me that menu setting, but I have
no idea why.
I should mention that the behavior does not occur every time. It happens
nearly any time i use the REV button, but maybe only one of of every 4-5
band changes will trigger it.  As noted, this happens sometimes when
changing bands via CAT, so it's not just from poking the front panel.
73 de W0ZF

On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 10:50 AM Keith Trinity WE6R 
wrote:

> That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
> Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
> I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the
> upper to AUTO or something.
> There is a ton of info in the manual...
> Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Keith Trinity WE6R]

That "thr  4" is from the TEXT DEC  settings.
Long press CWT/0 (zero) button to see the setting.
I would think it would not do anything if "OFF", but try setting the 
upper to AUTO or something.

There is a ton of info in the manual...
Keith WE6R K3/K4 Tech

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[Elecraft] K3 - Display flashes "thr 4 OFF" intermittently

[Dave Fugleberg]

I've noticed some strange behavior with my K3 lately.  Sometimes the
display will flash twice very quickly and beep twice. I had to take a video
with my phone to see what it says because it happens quickly.  The upper
part of the LCD says "thr4", and the lower part says "OFF" when this
happens.
This seems to be triggered when I do one of these three things:
Change band with the BAND button
Change band via CAT command
Press, then release the REV button.

It doesn't seem to hurt anything, but it's sure annoying.

The only thing i can find in the menus remotely close to this is the AGC
Onset point, (which IS set to 4 on my rig), but that display in the menu
shows 004 on top and AGC THR on the bottom.

Any ideas what causes this? The radio SN is in the low 8000s.

73 de W0ZF
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