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[K3] K3 memory question

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Jim Wiley

[K3] K3 memory question

My apologies if this has been asked before.

When reading various posts concerning the operation of the K3
transceiver, I get the impression that if the radio is powered off by
simply removing the 12 volt source, as opposed to using the K3 front
panel switch, there is the possibility of scrambling the memory that
manages the configuration of the set. Is this true?

If not, then no problem.

But, if this is true, are there any plans to implement some sort of
memory protection scheme, such as including a memory "keep alive" system
powered from an internal or external source? Your comments please.

- Jim, KL7CC
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Nr4c

Re: [K3] K3 memory question

Currently I believe the answers are maybe and no!

Removing power will at best return the radio to whatever condition it was in when last turned off by the PWR button. Whether anything gets scrambled or not is probably a crap-shoot, but I think odds are pretty low. But, it is possible and I wouldn't do it on purpose.

...bill nr4c

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

Jim Wiley <[hidden email]> wrote:

>My apologies if this has been asked before.
>
>When reading various posts concerning the operation of the K3
>transceiver, I get the impression that if the radio is powered off by
>simply removing the 12 volt source, as opposed to using the K3 front
>panel switch, there is the possibility of scrambling the memory that
>manages the configuration of the set. Is this true?
>
>If not, then no problem.
>
>But, if this is true, are there any plans to implement some sort of
>memory protection scheme, such as including a memory "keep alive" system
>powered from an internal or external source? Your comments please.
>
>- Jim, KL7CC
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>

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Gary Gregory-2

Re: [K3] K3 memory question

Last Unused settings..ie Band etc set but not used as in transmit etc will
be lost. Previous setting are saved when a normal shutdown is used.

Your memories are saved when you place them into memory and would be
unaffected UNLESS the sudden loss of power is done when the K3 is
'writing' info to the processor.

This has been my experience over the years I have used the K3. I have had
several of these unexpected power downs when careless folks remove plugs
from outlets and thry there lead to see if the outlet they are trying to
use is working or not in a trailer park. Amazing how many people do not
know how to check a circuit breaker....they walk among us sadly...:-(

Best not to ask me about the things I have seen while traveling...:-)

Hope this helps somewhat.

73

Gary

On 16 June 2013 11:07, bill conkling <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Currently I believe the answers are maybe and no!
>
> Removing power will at best return the radio to whatever condition it was
> in when last turned off by the PWR button. Whether anything gets scrambled
> or not is probably a crap-shoot, but I think odds are pretty low. But, it
> is possible and I wouldn't do it on purpose.
>
> ...bill nr4c
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
>
> Jim Wiley <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> >My apologies if this has been asked before.
> >
> >When reading various posts concerning the operation of the K3
> >transceiver, I get the impression that if the radio is powered off by
> >simply removing the 12 volt source, as opposed to using the K3 front
> >panel switch, there is the possibility of scrambling the memory that
> >manages the configuration of the set. Is this true?
> >
> >If not, then no problem.
> >
> >But, if this is true, are there any plans to implement some sort of
> >memory protection scheme, such as including a memory "keep alive" system
> >powered from an internal or external source? Your comments please.
> >
> >- Jim, KL7CC
> >______________________________________________________________
> >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
>

--
*Gary - VK1ZZ
Skype: Gary.VK1ZZ
Motorhome Portable
The Shack*
*Elecraft K3
P3 Panadapter
KPA500FT
KAT500FT**
KX3-K
*
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] K3 memory question

In reply to this post by Jim Wiley

Jim,

Whether that is a problem or not depends on what is happening when the
power plug is pulled.
It is akin to "pulling the plug" on a computer. In many cases, no harm
to the data is done.

BUT if the K3 is in the middle of writing something to memory, things
can become corrupted.

The memory in the K3 (that which needs to be protected) is EEPROM, so it
is already a "stay alive" type of memory - it does not need power to
retain the data. Once it is written, the data will stay intact until
changed regardless of power to the memory ICs.

Again, if a 'write to memory' cycle is interrupted by a loss of power,
corruption can occur.
Bottom line, use the front panel switch or the "power down" command (see
the Programmer's Reference) to power down the K3 before "pulling the plug".

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/15/2013 8:49 PM, Jim Wiley wrote:

Roger D Johnson

Re: [K3] K3 memory question

In reply to this post by Jim Wiley

This has happened to me on couple of occasions while puttering around in back of
my radio bench. The Anderson
Power-Poles are convenient but have virtually no retention. If this happens, you
must use the "Parameter Initialization"
routine on page 63 of the manual. NOTE: This will NOT work if you have the
RS-232 cable connected!!!

Then reload all your configuration settings using the K3 Utility program. You
DID save the settings, didn't you?

73, Roger

On 6/15/2013 8:49 PM, Jim Wiley wrote:

> My apologies if this has been asked before.
>
> When reading various posts concerning the operation of the K3 transceiver, I
> get the impression that if the radio is powered off by simply removing the 12
> volt source, as opposed to using the K3 front panel switch, there is the
> possibility of scrambling the memory that manages the configuration of the
> set. Is this true?
>
> If not, then no problem.
>
> But, if this is true, are there any plans to implement some sort of memory
> protection scheme, such as including a memory "keep alive" system powered from
> an internal or external source? Your comments please.
>
> - Jim, KL7CC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

--
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http://www.usslibertyveterans.org/
http://www.gtr5.com/

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EricJ-2

Re: [K3] K3 memory question

Use the little retainers available from Powerwerx and, I think, West
Mountain. I always use them in out of the way places like behind the rig
where it is easy to fumble around and knock things loose. You just snap
them in place, they hold very securely, then when you want to
disconnect, just pull it back out again. Convenient and secure.

http://www.powerwerx.com/powerpole-accessories/powerpole-retention-clips.html

Can't help with the K3 question, though.

Eric
KE6US

On 6/16/2013 2:38 PM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

> This has happened to me on couple of occasions while puttering around
> in back of my radio bench. The Anderson
> Power-Poles are convenient but have virtually no retention. If this
> happens, you must use the "Parameter Initialization"
> routine on page 63 of the manual. NOTE: This will NOT work if you have
> the RS-232 cable connected!!!
>
> Then reload all your configuration settings using the K3 Utility
> program. You DID save the settings, didn't you?
>
> 73, Roger
>
>
> On 6/15/2013 8:49 PM, Jim Wiley wrote:
>> My apologies if this has been asked before.
>>
>> When reading various posts concerning the operation of the K3
>> transceiver, I get the impression that if the radio is powered off by
>> simply removing the 12 volt source, as opposed to using the K3 front
>> panel switch, there is the possibility of scrambling the memory that
>> manages the configuration of the set. Is this true?
>>
>> If not, then no problem.
>>
>> But, if this is true, are there any plans to implement some sort of
>> memory protection scheme, such as including a memory "keep alive"
>> system powered from an internal or external source? Your comments
>> please.
>>
>> - Jim, KL7CC
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] K3 memory question

In reply to this post by Roger D Johnson

Roger,

If your APP connectors have little retention force, they are not
assembled correctly.
Take a look at the diagrams and pictures of the APP connectors on page
37 of the XV series transverter assembly manual for a good illustration
of how the APP connectors should look. Download that manual from
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/Assembly%20Manual%20XV50,144,%20222%20Rev%20D.pdf

The blades of the terminals should be securely locked over the spring
"tongue". If that is accomplished, the retention of APP connectors is
quite good.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/16/2013 5:38 PM, Roger D Johnson wrote: