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K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

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George Johnson W1ZT

K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

Need some direction where to look.

My K3 seems to have lost control of the front panel buttons. RF operation
OK and VFO etc works. Just no PB control.

Emailed Support but it is the weekend so I could use any direction of where
to dig into the radio. Front panel connections come to mind but any other
suggestions are greatly appreciated.

George W1ZT

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ke9uw

Re: K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

Try the restore to a previous configuration. No idea if it's possible to do this with a config...and did you try a reload of the latest version?

Jack BMW Motorcycles
Chuck KE9UW
[hidden email]

Sent from my iPad

> On Sep 14, 2019, at 11:37 AM, George Johnson W1ZT <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Need some direction where to look.
>
> My K3 seems to have lost control of the front panel buttons. RF operation
> OK and VFO etc works. Just no PB control.
>
> Emailed Support but it is the weekend so I could use any direction of where
> to dig into the radio. Front panel connections come to mind but any other
> suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>
> George W1ZT
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Chuck, KE9UW

Chris_DL2MDU

Re: K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

In reply to this post by George Johnson W1ZT

In my case it had to do with a bad encoder.

/On the 4 small push-button encoders, tap each one and you will
probably find one that does not toggle the LEDs. //
//The old encoders leak resistance internally and it disrupts the
push-button matrix causing wrong button pushes. //
//Replace all 4, Elecraft part number E640018. //
//You may be able to tap or snap the bad one repeatedly to get it
back to working (but it will fail again). //
//Keith WE6R
/

With new encoders and additionally connectors update the K3 works fine now.

73 Chris, DL2MDU

Am 14.09.2019 um 18:37 schrieb George Johnson W1ZT:

> Need some direction where to look.
>
> My K3 seems to have lost control of the front panel buttons. RF operation
> OK and VFO etc works. Just no PB control.
>
> Emailed Support but it is the weekend so I could use any direction of where
> to dig into the radio. Front panel connections come to mind but any other
> suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>
> George W1ZT
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

73 Chris, DL2MDU

jh3sif

Re: K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

In reply to this post by George Johnson W1ZT

I have lost control of some particular PBs which have been used most often.
Elecraft support suggested to check SW ADC readings on pushing the particular PBs.
To check the reading, you go to CONFIG menu and select SW TEST to ON. You need to set TECH MD to ON for the test.

Please use SW TEST to test the performance of the buttons in question .
Pressing M>V with SW TEST on reads approximately 7 164 and flickering 7 165.
Pressing V>M with SW TEST on reads approximately 7 191 and flickering 7 192.
While in SW TEST, also check the performance of all four rotating knobs which contain push buttons and are near green LEDs.
The rotation of knobs do not report values in SW TEST, but depressing the buttons does. Values are approximately [0-3] 040.
Note if any on these switches are non functional, and if so, 'flick' the surface of the knob of the button to temporarily nudge it into functionality. Then, retest M>V. Occasionally, the effect of one knob button effects other buttons.

In my case, the problem was caused by worn switch contacts behind the PBs. So, replacing the switch units on the K3 front panel PCB fixed the problem.

73 de JH3SIF, Keith

> 2019/09/15 1:37、George Johnson W1ZT <[hidden email]>のメール:
>
> Need some direction where to look.
>
> My K3 seems to have lost control of the front panel buttons. RF operation
> OK and VFO etc works. Just no PB control.
>
> Emailed Support but it is the weekend so I could use any direction of where
> to dig into the radio. Front panel connections come to mind but any other
> suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>
> George W1ZT
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Barry

Re: K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

Another thought - oxidation in the ribbon cable connector. I just went
through this with a touchscreen thermostat. Removed the connector from the
PC board and put it back in and all good again.
Barry W2UP

--
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George Johnson W1ZT

Re: K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

In reply to this post by jh3sif

Keith and all,
Thank you for your quick suggestions. I have heard back from Elecraft Support also and am running these checks. The problem is intermittent and I was able to run the tests Keith described. Elecraft suggested the same tests this morning. Still intermittent but I am also able to control the radio via Win4K3Suite so it got me through several MARS traffic nets on the weekend. Will advise all of any "final" solution but your suggestions are very helpful.
I need a "live" spare K3 to back up my station. K3 radio is too important and too good to not be QRV!!
73, George W1ZT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Keith Onishi
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2019 6:27 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

I have lost control of some particular PBs which have been used most often.
Elecraft support suggested to check SW ADC readings on pushing the particular PBs.
To check the reading, you go to CONFIG menu and select SW TEST to ON. You need to set TECH MD to ON for the test.

Please use SW TEST to test the performance of the buttons in question .
Pressing M>V with SW TEST on reads approximately 7 164 and flickering 7 165.
Pressing V>M with SW TEST on reads approximately 7 191 and flickering 7 192.
While in SW TEST, also check the performance of all four rotating knobs which contain push buttons and are near green LEDs.
The rotation of knobs do not report values in SW TEST, but depressing the buttons does. Values are approximately [0-3] 040.
Note if any on these switches are non functional, and if so, 'flick' the surface of the knob of the button to temporarily nudge it into functionality. Then, retest M>V. Occasionally, the effect of one knob button effects other buttons.

In my case, the problem was caused by worn switch contacts behind the PBs. So, replacing the switch units on the K3 front panel PCB fixed the problem.

73 de JH3SIF, Keith

George Johnson W1ZT

Re: K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

Follow up to the Lost Control of the K3 Front Panel PB:
I was able to disassemble the front panel and apply contact cleaner selectively to the 4 inline connectors and then reassemble the panel. All has been working fine for the last 4 days now so I am declaring "victory" for the present time. I was advised by Elecraft Support that I may have a "gradually failing encoder" and to make sure I have a backup of the Configuration File for my radio (which I always do). My K3 S/N 7114 is about 7 years old now and on the air almost daily.

I am looking for a backup K3 or K3S to support my station in case something like this happens again. I need a quick recovery of operations if I lose the radio. I will have more of a discussion with Elecraft about encoder life and assess various options. Anyone who has gear they plan to replace (upgrade to K4) please contact me directly with interest and information.
Thanks again to all for your quick responses to my request for ideas.
73, George W1ZT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of George Johnson W1ZT
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2019 2:54 PM
To: 'Keith Onishi'; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

Keith and all,
Thank you for your quick suggestions. I have heard back from Elecraft Support also and am running these checks. The problem is intermittent and I was able to run the tests Keith described. Elecraft suggested the same tests this morning. Still intermittent but I am also able to control the radio via Win4K3Suite so it got me through several MARS traffic nets on the weekend. Will advise all of any "final" solution but your suggestions are very helpful.
I need a "live" spare K3 to back up my station. K3 radio is too important and too good to not be QRV!!
73, George W1ZT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Keith Onishi
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2019 6:27 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Lost Control of Front Panel Buttons

I have lost control of some particular PBs which have been used most often.
Elecraft support suggested to check SW ADC readings on pushing the particular PBs.
To check the reading, you go to CONFIG menu and select SW TEST to ON. You need to set TECH MD to ON for the test.

Please use SW TEST to test the performance of the buttons in question .
Pressing M>V with SW TEST on reads approximately 7 164 and flickering 7 165.
Pressing V>M with SW TEST on reads approximately 7 191 and flickering 7 192.
While in SW TEST, also check the performance of all four rotating knobs which contain push buttons and are near green LEDs.
The rotation of knobs do not report values in SW TEST, but depressing the buttons does. Values are approximately [0-3] 040.
Note if any on these switches are non functional, and if so, 'flick' the surface of the knob of the button to temporarily nudge it into functionality. Then, retest M>V. Occasionally, the effect of one knob button effects other buttons.

In my case, the problem was caused by worn switch contacts behind the PBs. So, replacing the switch units on the K3 front panel PCB fixed the problem.

73 de JH3SIF, Keith

______________________________________________________________
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Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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