K3 Noisy fans?
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I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when
the cooling fans switched on, making it very hard to hear over the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through the padding on my headphones. Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration isolators, etc? Charlie, N0TT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I ran my K3 hard enough over the weekend to think about monitoring the PA temp. As I was CQing on Saturday when condx were el-stinko from where I am and responses were few and far between I watched the temp slowly rise until it got to 50C and then stabilize. Curious to see what the fans sounded like I took off the phones and couldn't hear the fans at all. I put my hand over the vents on top and could feel the air flow so I knew they were running but it wasn't until I put my head down close to the rig that I could hear them. Mine are very quite even when running at nearly full flow. Just my observations of course with S/N 1889. 73, Patrick, W7TMT > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Missouri Guy > Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 9:31 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? > > I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when the > cooling fans switched on, making it very hard to hear over > the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through the padding on > my headphones. > > Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration isolators, etc? > > Charlie, N0TT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n0tt1
> I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when the
> cooling fans switched on, making it very hard to hear over > the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through the padding on > my headphones. > > Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration isolators, etc? This is not normal. The K3 fans are so quiet that one has to look at the rear panel to see if they are rotating. Suggest you contact Elecraft Support. Ed - W0YK _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by W7TMT
On serial number 1993, one of the fans kicks in pretty early and there is
no doubt what's going on. With headphones this is not a problem, but without I have problems when listening to weak cw-signals. Compared to my earlier Omni 7, which was without fans this is a step down regarding noise. Maybe some of us have got fans which is not within Elecrafts specs ? 73, Trond LA8NHA K1 # 1995 K2 # 6594 -----Opprinnelig melding----- Fra: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] På vegne av W7TMT Sendt: 09 December, 2008 7:24 AM Til: [hidden email] Emne: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? I ran my K3 hard enough over the weekend to think about monitoring the PA temp. As I was CQing on Saturday when condx were el-stinko from where I am and responses were few and far between I watched the temp slowly rise until it got to 50C and then stabilize. Curious to see what the fans sounded like I took off the phones and couldn't hear the fans at all. I put my hand over the vents on top and could feel the air flow so I knew they were running but it wasn't until I put my head down close to the rig that I could hear them. Mine are very quite even when running at nearly full flow. Just my observations of course with S/N 1889. 73, Patrick, W7TMT > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Missouri Guy > Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 9:31 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? > > I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when the > cooling fans switched on, making it very hard to hear over > the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through the padding on > my headphones. > > Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration isolators, etc? > > Charlie, N0TT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n0tt1
Take the top cover off the radio Charlie and check for nearby connecting wires contacting the fans - when they do you get an alarming buzz but if the degree of contact is very slight I presume it may just sound like a 'normal' noisy fan. The K3 fans are completely noiseless.
BTW you don't have to wait for the temp to rise to check the fans 'cos there is a menu entry (Config - KPA3...??) where you can test the 4 speed settings of the fans. I always check this after being inside the radio to make sure I won't get a fright half way through a sessions when the fans come on.... 73, Stewart Rolfe GW0ETF
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The fans are whisper quiet on the K3, if yours aren’t there is
something wrong - possibly as suggested by Stewart below, a wire touching the hub or the blades, or possibly a missing washer causing distortion to the fan casing. Mine just don't come on and I have to use the CONFIG menu entry to get them to spin so I can check them. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- Those who walk bravely through life, unafraid of loss or failure, find that they very rarely lose or fail. On 9 Dec 2008, at 09:16, GW0ETF wrote: > > Take the top cover off the radio Charlie and check for nearby > connecting > wires contacting the fans - when they do you get an alarming buzz > but if the > degree of contact is very slight I presume it may just sound like a > 'normal' > noisy fan. The K3 fans are completely noiseless. > > BTW you don't have to wait for the temp to rise to check the fans > 'cos there > is a menu entry (Config - KPA3...??) where you can test the 4 speed > settings > of the fans. I always check this after being inside the radio to > make sure I > won't get a fright half way through a sessions when the fans come > on.... _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n0tt1
Charlie,
Yes, I have battled the fan noise, too. I got replacement fans which seemed a little quieter, but I still had no doubt when they were running. I noticed that if I removed the fan panel from the rig and held it in my hand while the fans were running, they were very quiet. So I went to the local hardware store and found some neoprene (rubber) washers about 1/16 inch thick. I placed them on the bolts between the fans and the mounting plate. That has helped to quiet them down quite a bit. I still know when they're running, but it's tolerable. I've also found that where I place the K3 on my desk makes a difference in how loud the fans sound. My desk is in a corner of the room and if I place the K3 so the back is pointing into the corner, the walls reflect any sound right back toward me and the fans are louder. If I place it on a table in the middle of the room, I don't notice the noise nearly as much. 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Dec 8, 2008, at 9:31 PM, Missouri Guy wrote: > I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when > the cooling fans switched on, making it very hard > to hear over the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through > the padding on my headphones. > > Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration > isolators, etc? > > Charlie, N0TT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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That's how my K3 is set up too, in a corner where walls can reflect
any noise. I still think there is something else wrong. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- They know enough who know how to learn. -Henry Adams (1838-1918) On 9 Dec 2008, at 14:55, Joe Planisky wrote: > I've also found that where I place the K3 on my desk makes a > difference in how loud the fans sound. My desk is in a corner of > the room and if I place the K3 so the back is pointing into the > corner, the walls reflect any sound right back toward me and the > fans are louder. If I place it on a table in the middle of the > room, I don't notice the noise nearly as much. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I think you got lucky and have extra quiet fans :-)
73 -- Joe KB8AP On Dec 9, 2008, at 7:20 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: > That's how my K3 is set up too, in a corner where walls can reflect > any noise. > I still think there is something else wrong. > 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 > -- > They know enough who know how to learn. -Henry Adams (1838-1918) > > On 9 Dec 2008, at 14:55, Joe Planisky wrote: > >> I've also found that where I place the K3 on my desk makes a >> difference in how loud the fans sound. My desk is in a corner of >> the room and if I place the K3 so the back is pointing into the >> corner, the walls reflect any sound right back toward me and the >> fans are louder. If I place it on a table in the middle of the >> room, I don't notice the noise nearly as much. > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n0tt1
I can't hear my fans at all. I periodically turn them on from the menu to make sure they are working. The back of the K3 is just a few inches from the wall so I would expect any sound to be reflected right back to me. On the other hand the fan on my 746Pro (sitting right next to it) is very loud and annoying when I transmit. Since I have the K3, that isn't very often. ;-) Rob NV5E > To: [hidden email] > Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 05:31:25 +0000 > From: [hidden email] > CC: > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? > > I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when > the cooling fans switched on, making it very hard > to hear over the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through > the padding on my headphones. > > Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration > isolators, etc? > > Charlie, N0TT > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere_122008_______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I'll add my comment on the fans ...
Mine are -totally- quiet and I'm one of those who have to look to see if they're running, which they don't do very often ...I'm a 100W CW only owner. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP K3 # 56 K2 # 5665 [hidden email] _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Joe Planisky
My fans make no audible sound.
Monty K2DLJ a/n 699 >I think you got lucky and have extra quiet fans :-) > > 73 > -- > Joe KB8AP > > On Dec 9, 2008, at 7:20 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: > >> That's how my K3 is set up too, in a corner where walls can reflect >> any noise. >> I still think there is something else wrong. >> 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 >> -- >> They know enough who know how to learn. -Henry Adams (1838-1918) >> >> On 9 Dec 2008, at 14:55, Joe Planisky wrote: >> >>> I've also found that where I place the K3 on my desk makes a >>> difference in how loud the fans sound. My desk is in a corner of >>> the room and if I place the K3 so the back is pointing into the >>> corner, the walls reflect any sound right back toward me and the >>> fans are louder. If I place it on a table in the middle of the >>> room, I don't notice the noise nearly as much. >> > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Rob May-2
No fan noise here. Actually had to look closely. Yep! They are running.
73 de KE4WY Jim -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rob May Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 10:58 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? I can't hear my fans at all. I periodically turn them on from the menu to make sure they are working. The back of the K3 is just a few inches from the wall so I would expect any sound to be reflected right back to me. On the other hand the fan on my 746Pro (sitting right next to it) is very loud and annoying when I transmit. Since I have the K3, that isn't very often. ;-) Rob NV5E > To: [hidden email] > Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 05:31:25 +0000 > From: [hidden email] > CC: > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? > > I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when > the cooling fans switched on, making it very hard > to hear over the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through > the padding on my headphones. > > Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration > isolators, etc? > > Charlie, N0TT > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywher e_122008_______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Joe Planisky
My K3 is also whisper quiet. I have to look at the fans to check whether
they're running or not because I cannot hear them running at all. 73 Glenn ON4WIX K3 #192 K2 #5361 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Planisky" <[hidden email]> To: "David Ferrington, M0XDF" <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:56 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? >I think you got lucky and have extra quiet fans :-) > > 73 > -- > Joe KB8AP > > On Dec 9, 2008, at 7:20 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: > >> That's how my K3 is set up too, in a corner where walls can reflect >> any noise. >> I still think there is something else wrong. >> 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 >> -- >> They know enough who know how to learn. -Henry Adams (1838-1918) >> >> On 9 Dec 2008, at 14:55, Joe Planisky wrote: >> >>> I've also found that where I place the K3 on my desk makes a >>> difference in how loud the fans sound. My desk is in a corner of >>> the room and if I place the K3 so the back is pointing into the >>> corner, the walls reflect any sound right back toward me and the >>> fans are louder. If I place it on a table in the middle of the >>> room, I don't notice the noise nearly as much. >> > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.15/1839 - Release Date: 9/12/2008 9:59 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Joe Planisky
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In reply to this post by Joe Planisky
> -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] [mailto:elecraft- > [hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe Planisky > Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 7:56 AM > To: David Ferrington, M0XDF > Cc: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? > > I think you got lucky and have extra quiet fans :-) > I had to look, or feel, to see that mine were running during the build test of the fans. Very quite even at the forth setting. Adam - KA7ARK _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Rob May-2
Though my K3 is still in utero and I have no personal experence with
the fan noise on it yet, I might suggest getting some foam baffling like you see on some speaker grills and mount that behind the radio and if possible, angle the batting to deflect the fans sound waves above or below, so they do not reflect directly back to the radio and as well, back to you. If you direct the sound lower you might have a bit of this baffling taped to the back of the desk and that will break up the resonance which will only serve to amplify the sound. An ideal material would be the irregular shaped sound proofing AKA acoustic tile as the material tends to not reflect sound but the irregular shapes on its surface break up resonance. Fiberglass would be great except for the obvious problem of the slivers. very wrinkled terrycloth would be better than nothing, if you can't find such batting, be creative; something you have on hand or can find easily will surely be of some help. Just use something fuzzy at the least. The closer the sound is immediately to right angles will increase the lower registers as in the reason floor mounted speakers carry more bass than ones mid level & in the open, up the wall. 73, Gary KA1J _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Joe Planisky
Mine are quiet. The idea of rig placement and rig use can make a big deal.
Try dropping your power slightly, e.g., 90 watts and try it. 73, Bill K9YEQ K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joe Planisky Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 9:56 AM To: David Ferrington, M0XDF Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Noisy fans? I think you got lucky and have extra quiet fans :-) 73 -- Joe KB8AP _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Adam Koczarski
>> I think you got lucky and have extra quiet fans :-) >> > I had to look, or feel, to see that mine were running during the build > test > of the fans. Very quite even at the forth setting. > > Adam - KA7ARK They have fans on them? Guess I better take a look and make sure there are some installed on my model. Milt, N5IA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by n0tt1
When I received my factory built K3 last spring (#1001) I thought
the fans were louder than I expected after reading about folks who had to physically check to see if there fans were on. I could hear the fans start up through my headphones when PA temp hit 37C. I sent the rig back and the good folks traded out a few other fan modules and reported that the noise level was the same and appropriate. I inquired about Elecraft changing fan suppliers. They said that had happened, but the new supplier's fans were as quiet. So, I believe there are a variety of experiences. My fans are not whisper quiet, but maybe I, too, have been spoiled by my TT rigs with external cooling fins and no fans. Gary W7TEA <quote author="Missouri Guy, N0TT"> I was trying to ferret out some weak signals on 160m when the cooling fans switched on, making it very hard to hear over the "whine" of the fans (or fan) even through the padding on my headphones. Has anyone tried to quiet them down with vibration isolators, etc? Charlie, N0TT
73,
Gary W7TEA K3 #1001, #5763 |
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