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K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

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N2TK

K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time
troubleshooting?

Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON) headphones
work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when I
unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES to
listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't turn
off the speakers when plugging in the headphones.

Any ideas what could have happened?

Tnx for any feedback.

N2TK, Tony

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Dave Perry N4QS

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

Tony,

Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the
stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without thinking from
the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack. The
speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had to send my
K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output transistor. It was
under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was in the shop,
I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out interface.
So they came out okay on the deal.

But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo
receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you have to be
looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo.

Dave, N4QS

----- Original Message -----
From: "N2TK, Tony" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

> Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time
> troubleshooting?
>
>
>
> Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON) headphones
> work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when I
> unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES to
> listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't turn
> off the speakers when plugging in the headphones.
>
>
>
> Any ideas what could have happened?
>
>
>
> Tnx for any feedback.
>
> N2TK, Tony
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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N8CEP

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

Doesn't the manual state that a mono plug is ok? I better unplug my speaker.
I must have read wrong. Thanks a lot for the post!

Keith W8GX

On Jan 3, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Dave Perry N4QS wrote:

> Tony,
>
> Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the
> stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without thinking from
> the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack. The
> speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
> failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had to send my
> K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output transistor. It was
> under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was in the shop,
> I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out interface.
> So they came out okay on the deal.
>
> But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo
> receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you have to be
> looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo.
>
> Dave, N4QS
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "N2TK, Tony" <[hidden email]>
> To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem
>
>
>> Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time
>> troubleshooting?
>>
>>
>>
>> Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON) headphones
>> work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when I
>> unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES to
>> listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't turn
>> off the speakers when plugging in the headphones.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any ideas what could have happened?
>>
>>
>>
>> Tnx for any feedback.
>>
>> N2TK, Tony
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>

Steve Ellington

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

The manual says: (page 20)
"A stereo plug is recommended......If you only have a mono plug, set CONFIG:
SPKRS to 1 and disable right -channel audio"
So yes it says mono is ok. But it doesn't say you'll blow your transistors.
You gotta find that out by other means, some of which aren't pleasant.
Steve
N4LQ
[hidden email]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Keith Hamilton" <[hidden email]>
To: "Dave Perry N4QS" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

> Doesn't the manual state that a mono plug is ok? I better unplug my
> speaker.
> I must have read wrong. Thanks a lot for the post!
>
> Keith W8GX
>
>
> On Jan 3, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Dave Perry N4QS wrote:
>
>> Tony,
>>
>> Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the
>> stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without thinking
>> from
>> the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack.
>> The
>> speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
>> failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had to send
>> my
>> K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output transistor. It
>> was
>> under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was in the
>> shop,
>> I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out
>> interface.
>> So they came out okay on the deal.
>>
>> But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo
>> receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you have to
>> be
>> looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo.
>>
>> Dave, N4QS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "N2TK, Tony" <[hidden email]>
>> To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM
>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem
>>
>>
>>> Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time
>>> troubleshooting?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON)
>>> headphones
>>> work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when I
>>> unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES to
>>> listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't
>>> turn
>>> off the speakers when plugging in the headphones.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Any ideas what could have happened?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Tnx for any feedback.
>>>
>>> N2TK, Tony
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.124/2598 - Release Date: 01/03/10
04:41:00

______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Tom Hammond-2

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

In reply to this post by N8CEP

Older K3's were susceptible to damage if a MONO plug was inserted into
the STEREO jack on the back panel. Subsequent to that, there was both
a hardware and a software mod to new(er) K3s to eliminate the threat of
damage from that happening.

UNfortunately, I cannot quote book, verse, and phrase of exactly when
this 'factory' change occurred. I believe it's spoken to in the K3
Mods section of the Elecraft web site... QRX... lemme check... OK...
here's the info from http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_app_notes.htm and down
at "K3 AF Output Mod Kit. Rev C":

This modification is needed for all K3s shipped approximately
before 01/12/09 containing either a Revision "XB" or Revision
"A" KIO3 board. You must inspect the KIO3 board to see whether
the modification has been made. Modified boards will include
the leaded resistors. You can see one of the resistors by
removing the top cover and inspecting the side of the KIO3
board facing away from the rear panel. Photos of what the added
resistors look like are in the document.

Hope this helps.

73,

Tom Hammond N0SS

At 15:12 01/03/2010, Keith Hamilton wrote:

>Doesn't the manual state that a mono plug is ok? I better unplug my speaker.
>I must have read wrong. Thanks a lot for the post!
>
>Keith W8GX
>
>
>On Jan 3, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Dave Perry N4QS wrote:
>
> > Tony,
> >
> > Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the
> > stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without
> thinking from
> > the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack. The
> > speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
> > failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had
> to send my
> > K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output
> transistor. It was
> > under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was
> in the shop,
> > I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out
> interface.
> > So they came out okay on the deal.
> >
> > But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo
> > receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you
> have to be
> > looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo.
> >
> > Dave, N4QS
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "N2TK, Tony" <[hidden email]>
> > To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
> > Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM
> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem
> >
> >
> >> Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time
> >> troubleshooting?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON) headphones
> >> work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when I
> >> unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES to
> >> listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't turn
> >> off the speakers when plugging in the headphones.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Any ideas what could have happened?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Tnx for any feedback.
> >>
> >> N2TK, Tony
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> 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
> >
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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

N8CEP

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

Already changed my speaker to a stereo plug! I'm not
going to take chances! Again thanks a lot!

Keith W8GX

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Ellington" <[hidden email]>
To: "Keith Hamilton" <[hidden email]>; "Dave Perry N4QS"
<[hidden email]>
Cc: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 4:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

> The manual says: (page 20)
> "A stereo plug is recommended......If you only have a mono plug, set
> CONFIG: SPKRS to 1 and disable right -channel audio"
> So yes it says mono is ok. But it doesn't say you'll blow your
> transistors. You gotta find that out by other means, some of which aren't
> pleasant.
> Steve
> N4LQ
> [hidden email]
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Keith Hamilton" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Dave Perry N4QS" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 4:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem
>
>
>> Doesn't the manual state that a mono plug is ok? I better unplug my
>> speaker.
>> I must have read wrong. Thanks a lot for the post!
>>
>> Keith W8GX
>>
>>
>> On Jan 3, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Dave Perry N4QS wrote:
>>
>>> Tony,
>>>
>>> Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into
>>> the
>>> stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without thinking
>>> from
>>> the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack.
>>> The
>>> speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
>>> failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had to
>>> send my
>>> K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output transistor. It
>>> was
>>> under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was in the
>>> shop,
>>> I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out
>>> interface.
>>> So they came out okay on the deal.
>>>
>>> But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo
>>> receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you have
>>> to be
>>> looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo.
>>>
>>> Dave, N4QS
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "N2TK, Tony" <[hidden email]>
>>> To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
>>> Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem
>>>
>>>
>>>> Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time
>>>> troubleshooting?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON)
>>>> headphones
>>>> work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when
>>>> I
>>>> unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES
>>>> to
>>>> listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't
>>>> turn
>>>> off the speakers when plugging in the headphones.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas what could have happened?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Tnx for any feedback.
>>>>
>>>> N2TK, Tony
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> 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
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.124/2598 - Release Date:
> 01/03/10 04:41:00
>
>

N2TK

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

In reply to this post by Dave Perry N4QS

Hi Dave,
Tnx for the info, but I don't think that is my problem. I have been using a
stereo plug in the K3 for over a year without a problem. And my external
speaker and internal speaker work fine if I turn on SPKR + PH. I just can't
get the internal or external speaker to work when there is no headphones
plugged in and SPKR + PH is OFF.
This is one of those problems where the night before it was fine and the
next morning it was not working. Power had not been turned off. In fact the
only time I normally turn off power is when I reboot after upgrading the
firmware.

73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Perry N4QS [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 3:58 PM
To: N2TK, Tony; 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

Tony,

Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the
stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without thinking from

the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack. The
speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had to send my

K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output transistor. It was

under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was in the shop,

I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out interface.

So they came out okay on the deal.

But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo
receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you have to be

looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo.

Dave, N4QS

----- Original Message -----
From: "N2TK, Tony" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 - Speaker/headphone problem

In reply to this post by Tom Hammond-2

And I might add that the first paragraph of that same application note
explains the 'why' - I quote:
"This modification protects the K3's audio amplifier if either speaker
output is connected to a short circuit or very
low impedance load. Two 470 ohm, 1/4 watt resistors are added to the
output circuit to suppress potentially
damaging voltage spikes that might otherwise occur."

A mono jack *will* short out the right channel.

73,
Don W3FPR

Tom Hammond wrote:

> Older K3's were susceptible to damage if a MONO plug was inserted into
> the STEREO jack on the back panel. Subsequent to that, there was both
> a hardware and a software mod to new(er) K3s to eliminate the threat of
> damage from that happening.
>
> UNfortunately, I cannot quote book, verse, and phrase of exactly when
> this 'factory' change occurred. I believe it's spoken to in the K3
> Mods section of the Elecraft web site... QRX... lemme check... OK...
> here's the info from http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_app_notes.htm and down
> at "K3 AF Output Mod Kit. Rev C":
>
> This modification is needed for all K3s shipped approximately
> before 01/12/09 containing either a Revision "XB" or Revision
> "A" KIO3 board. You must inspect the KIO3 board to see whether
> the modification has been made. Modified boards will include
> the leaded resistors. You can see one of the resistors by
> removing the top cover and inspecting the side of the KIO3
> board facing away from the rear panel. Photos of what the added
> resistors look like are in the document.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> 73,
>
> Tom Hammond N0SS
>
>
> At 15:12 01/03/2010, Keith Hamilton wrote:
>
>> Doesn't the manual state that a mono plug is ok? I better unplug my speaker.
>> I must have read wrong. Thanks a lot for the post!
>>
>> Keith W8GX
>>
>>
>> On Jan 3, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Dave Perry N4QS wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Tony,
>>>
>>> Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the
>>> stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without
>>>
>> thinking from
>>
>>> the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack. The
>>> speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor
>>> failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had
>>>
>> to send my
>>
>>> K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output
>>>
>> transistor. It was
>>
>>> under warranty so they repaired it for free.
>