[K3] Line in / out socket failure

[Julian, G4ILO]

I'm just embarking on a shack renovation so everything is disconnected at the moment. While disconnecting the cables from my K3 which is an early model S/N 222 I was reminded of an issue I have noticed over the past few months concerning the sockets for line in / line out. They seem to be deteriorating to the extent that one of them in particular the cable will just fall out of the socket with the slightest persuasion. Often just fiddling with some of the other cables is enough to result in a loss of data, which the first time this happened resulted in a lot of time wasted trying to look for problems on the computer side...

Has anyone else had trouble with these sockets? Are they user replaceable using parts obtainable in the UK?

[MontyS]

Julian -
I have been having this problem for several months.  I must disconnect my K3
often due to frequent thunder storms here in Florida.

I find that using the cables going to the two DIN plugs as supports has
helped.  I haven't yet tied the 4 cables together with tie-wraps, but will
do so when my troubles escalate further.

The jacks look like common stuff and ought be available in the UK.

Monty K2DLJ K3 sn699
>
> Has anyone else had trouble with these sockets? Are they user replaceable
> using parts obtainable in the UK?
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
 

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[Mike Short]

I also live in FL with frequent thunderstorms. I just disconnect power and
antenna lines. I don't have grounds between equipment. I leave everything
else connected. If I had to unplug, I would do it on the computer end. Just
me...

Mike
AI4NS

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Monty Shultes
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 11:42 AM
To: Julian, G4ILO; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Line in / out socket failure

Julian -
I have been having this problem for several months.  I must disconnect my K3

often due to frequent thunder storms here in Florida.

I find that using the cables going to the two DIN plugs as supports has
helped.  I haven't yet tied the 4 cables together with tie-wraps, but will
do so when my troubles escalate further.

The jacks look like common stuff and ought be available in the UK.

Monty K2DLJ K3 sn699
>
> Has anyone else had trouble with these sockets? Are they user replaceable
> using parts obtainable in the UK?
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
 

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[Stewart Baker]

I have found that a number of these sockets on my K3 are becoming loose.
Frequently I have to reseat the headphone plug  because one channel is missing audio.
Also if I move them I get scratching noises. They weren't the greatest when I first built
my K3, but they are definitely getting worse.

Stewart G3RXQ
On Sun, 25 Apr 2010 09:22:26 -0700 (PDT), Julian, G4ILO wrote:

>
> I'm just embarking on a shack renovation so everything is disconnected at the
> moment. While disconnecting the cables from my K3 which is an early model
> S/N 222 I was reminded of an issue I have noticed over the past few months
> concerning the sockets for line in / line out. They seem to be deteriorating
> to the extent that one of them in particular the cable will just fall out of
> the socket with the slightest persuasion. Often just fiddling with some of
> the other cables is enough to result in a loss of data, which the first time
> this happened resulted in a lot of time wasted trying to look for problems
> on the computer side...
>
> Has anyone else had trouble with these sockets? Are they user replaceable
> using parts obtainable in the UK?
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

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[Brendan Minish]

I use an old audio patch bay to manage the I/O connections for my K3(s)
this makes it very easy to reroute things and significantly reduces the
need to reach around the back of the radio.

http://ei6iz.com/?p=4

patch bays can be found on ebay and normalised (or half normalised)
paths can be used for your default configuration so that you will only
need to use patch cables when you wish to alter how something is
connected by default

1/8" mini-jacks are not the most solid of connectors so one does need to
be careful with them. It is also worth checking to ensure that the board
that carries the jack sockets (KIO3 audio daugherboard) is not pushed
too far back causing the rear panel to prevent the jacks from going all
the way in.
how far this goes in is set by the black spacer fitted to J91, in one of
the K3's I have put together this was a little too far back, it can be
adjusted out by (carefully) using a small screwdriver to move it
forwards a few mm on the pins of j91

the minijacks themselves are standard parts and all the usual parts
suppliers should have them should yours need replacing


Stewart wrote:
> I have found that a number of these sockets on my K3 are becoming loose.
> Frequently I have to reseat the headphone plug  because one channel is missing audio.
> Also if I move them I get scratching noises. They weren't the greatest when I first built
> my K3, but they are definitely getting worse.

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[N7US]

Similarly, I use an old Radio Shack "Stereo Audio Line Source Selector"
plugged into the speaker jack.  I have speakers and two different headphones
plugged into it so I just switch to the one I want to use and avoid any wear
on the radio headphone jack. It also keeps the front panel jack unused.

Jim N7US



-----Original Message-----


I use an old audio patch bay to manage the I/O connections for my K3(s)
this makes it very easy to reroute things and significantly reduces the
need to reach around the back of the radio.

http://ei6iz.com/?p=4

patch bays can be found on ebay and normalised (or half normalised)
paths can be used for your default configuration so that you will only
need to use patch cables when you wish to alter how something is
connected by default

1/8" mini-jacks are not the most solid of connectors so one does need to
be careful with them. It is also worth checking to ensure that the board
that carries the jack sockets (KIO3 audio daugherboard) is not pushed
too far back causing the rear panel to prevent the jacks from going all
the way in.
how far this goes in is set by the black spacer fitted to J91, in one of
the K3's I have put together this was a little too far back, it can be
adjusted out by (carefully) using a small screwdriver to move it
forwards a few mm on the pins of j91

the minijacks themselves are standard parts and all the usual parts
suppliers should have them should yours need replacing


Stewart wrote:
> I have found that a number of these sockets on my K3 are becoming loose.
> Frequently I have to reseat the headphone plug  because one channel is
missing audio.
> Also if I move them I get scratching noises. They weren't the greatest
when I first built
> my K3, but they are definitely getting worse.

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[MontyS]

Mike,
A nearby strike a year ago June fried my KIO3 board and other things, with
the antenna and power disconnected.  I had to return the radio for service.
FWIW.

Monty K2DLJ

> I also live in FL with frequent thunderstorms. I just disconnect power and
> antenna lines. I don't have grounds between equipment. I leave everything
> else connected. If I had to unplug, I would do it on the computer end.
> Just
> me...
>
> Mike
> AI4NS
 

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[Jim Brown-10]

On Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:05:34 +0000, Brendan Minish wrote:

>1/8" mini-jacks are not the most solid of connectors

The GOOD ones are quite robust. The problem is that the vast majority of
these connectors are CHEAP JUNK.  The GOOD ones are made by Switchcraft.
They're not cheap.

73,

Jim K9YC


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[Stewart Baker]

Good idea Brendan, however I am trying to reduce the number of interconnects
in the shack, not increase them. I recently went thru a tidy up and get rid of
unnecessary cabling in the shack exercise...

I will have a look at the jack socket positioning on my K3 as you mentioned.

73
Stewart G3RXQ
On Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:05:34 +0000, Brendan Minish wrote:

> I use an old audio patch bay to manage the I/O connections for my K3(s)
> this makes it very easy to reroute things and significantly reduces the
> need to reach around the back of the radio.
>
> http://ei6iz.com/?p=4
>
> patch bays can be found on ebay and normalised (or half normalised)
> paths can be used for your default configuration so that you will only
> need to use patch cables when you wish to alter how something is
> connected by default
>
> 1/8" mini-jacks are not the most solid of connectors so one does need to
> be careful with them. It is also worth checking to ensure that the board
> that carries the jack sockets (KIO3 audio daugherboard) is not pushed
> too far back causing the rear panel to prevent the jacks from going all
> the way in.
> how far this goes in is set by the black spacer fitted to J91, in one of
> the K3's I have put together this was a little too far back, it can be
> adjusted out by (carefully) using a small screwdriver to move it
> forwards a few mm on the pins of j91
>
> the minijacks themselves are standard parts and all the usual parts
> suppliers should have them should yours need replacing
>
>
> Stewart wrote:
>> I have found that a number of these sockets on my K3 are becoming loose.
>> Frequently I have to reseat the headphone plug  because one channel is missing audio.
>> Also if I move them I get scratching noises. They weren't the greatest when I first built
>> my K3, but they are definitely getting worse.

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[oe9fwv]

Julian, G4ILO schrieb am 25 Apr 2010 um 9:22:

> Has anyone else had trouble with these sockets? Are they user replaceable
> using parts obtainable in the UK?

I have a problem with the rear Mic connector. I'll have to replace it.
If anyone has a source for GOOD matching sockets, I'd appreciate the
information.

73! de Werner OE9FWV

--
Why be politically correct if you can be right?-- Erik V. Petersen


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