Elecraft

K3: Internal keyer misbehaving

Classic

List

Threaded

3 messages Options

Stephen G4SJP

K3: Internal keyer misbehaving

Occasionally, at 100W I get the internal keyer locking up, sending a string
of dits. Having now built the KPA500/KAT500, it is now happening often
enough for me to worry more about it - it is, in fact, quite embarrassing!
When it happens it always sends dits and can be stopped by a further tap of
either paddle (Begali). I'm using the cable supplied with the Begali, with
it wrapped around a 'significant' ferrite (appropriate material type) just
before it enters the socket on the back of the K3.

Despite the origin of the cable, I shall try another one that I know is
well-shielded, but wonder if anyone else has experienced this problem?

73 Stephen G4SJP
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

W4JBB

Re: K3: Internal keyer misbehaving

Stephen,

I experienced the same thing with a Begali Adventure Mono. I forget
exactly how it's wired, but something was shorting between either tip or
ring and shield (I don't remember which). For me, I took off the grey
piece at the the end of the Adventure Mono and looked at it. The ground
is just compressed. Some strands had come loose and were making up with
the dit side. I re-wrapped it and I haven't had any more issues.

73,
Joel - W4JBB

On 12/15/13, 2:43 PM, Stephen Prior wrote:

> Occasionally, at 100W I get the internal keyer locking up, sending a string
> of dits. Having now built the KPA500/KAT500, it is now happening often
> enough for me to worry more about it - it is, in fact, quite embarrassing!
> When it happens it always sends dits and can be stopped by a further tap of
> either paddle (Begali). I'm using the cable supplied with the Begali, with
> it wrapped around a 'significant' ferrite (appropriate material type) just
> before it enters the socket on the back of the K3.
>
> Despite the origin of the cable, I shall try another one that I know is
> well-shielded, but wonder if anyone else has experienced this problem?
>
> 73 Stephen G4SJP
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Stephen G4SJP

Re: K3: Internal keyer misbehaving

In reply to this post by Stephen G4SJP

Rather red faced about this - but it looks as if my contact spacing on the
Begali Expedition was set far too narrow! Having cleaned and reset the
key, all seems well.

73 Stephen G4SJP

On 15 December 2013 20:43, Stephen Prior <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Occasionally, at 100W I get the internal keyer locking up, sending a
> string of dits. Having now built the KPA500/KAT500, it is now happening
> often enough for me to worry more about it - it is, in fact, quite
> embarrassing! When it happens it always sends dits and can be stopped by a
> further tap of either paddle (Begali). I'm using the cable supplied with
> the Begali, with it wrapped around a 'significant' ferrite (appropriate
> material type) just before it enters the socket on the back of the K3.
>
> Despite the origin of the cable, I shall try another one that I know is
> well-shielded, but wonder if anyone else has experienced this problem?
>
> 73 Stephen G4SJP
>