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[K3] Speaker output amp kaput

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Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

[K3] Speaker output amp kaput

I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3, apparently by
just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly. Perhaps the
fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had something to do
with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned off the K3 by
pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my klutziness, immediately
pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the middle of a QSO.
The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead ever since.
Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a catastrophe for
me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to get it fixed.

Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have probably
missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some subject
headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is this a
user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?

And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile? Is there
something that can be done to better protect it?

My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory with all
applicable mods.

Bill W5WVO
New Mexico

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Dan Atchison

K3 Power off (subject change)

Unintentionally powering-off the K3 has happened to me many times and I am just lucky, I guess, that I've seen no problems with a quick response power-on.

This almost begs that powering-off the K3 be changed to a long hold as opposed to instantaneous. Indeed, it could be a long hold for both power-on and power-off. Just my opinion.

Dan -- N3ND

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO <[hidden email]>
To: [Elecraft] <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 2:19 pm
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3, apparently by
just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly. Perhaps the
fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had something to do
with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned off the K3 by
pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my klutziness, immediately
pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the middle of a QSO.
The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead ever since.
Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a catastrophe for
me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to get it fixed.

Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have probably
missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some subject
headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is this a
user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?

And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile? Is there
something that can be done to better protect it?

My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory with all
applicable mods.

Bill W5WVO
New Mexico

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Dave Hachadorian

Re: [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Go to the Elecraft mail archives and search for the thread "K3
speaker amp - sub side inop."

It's a tricky part to replace, but it's $5 if you do it yourself,
vs. about $140 (shipping, parts, labor) if Elecraft does it.

Another option is to just leave it dead, which I think I will do
next time it blows up. I don't know why it is so delicate. A good
rule is never turn off the agc with speaker connected.

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 11:19 AM
To: "[Elecraft]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

> I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3,
> apparently by
> just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly.
> Perhaps the
> fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had
> something to do
> with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned
> off the K3 by
> pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my
> klutziness, immediately
> pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the
> middle of a QSO.
> The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead
> ever since.
> Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a
> catastrophe for
> me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to
> get it fixed.
>
> Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have
> probably
> missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some
> subject
> headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is
> this a
> user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?
>
> And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile?
> Is there
> something that can be done to better protect it?
>
> My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory
> with all
> applicable mods.
>
> Bill W5WVO
> New Mexico
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Jim Rogers, W4ATK

Re: [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

In reply to this post by Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Bill,
Look at your K3 manual page 53. and note the menu item AF LIM. After
seeing the posts on the amp failure, I immediate set this to limit the
AF output to safe levels as I frequently operate without the AGC being
ON (digital modes). I have mine set to 20, just arbitrary, half way
between 17 and 23. I also try to remember to reduce the RF gain to the
S meter indicating S9 before turning off the AGC. It is not a cure for
the "fragile" nature of the AF amp device but hopefully it will save
me from a similar fate. I am glad to know that if I do blow mine up,
the headphones will still work.

73s Jim, W4ATK
On Oct 6, 2010, at 1:19 PM, Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO wrote:

> I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3,
> apparently by
> just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly.
> Perhaps the
> fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had something
> to do
> with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned off
> the K3 by
> pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my klutziness,
> immediately
> pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the middle
> of a QSO.
> The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead ever
> since.
> Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a
> catastrophe for
> me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to get it
> fixed.
>
> Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have
> probably
> missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some
> subject
> headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is this a
> user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?
>
> And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile? Is
> there
> something that can be done to better protect it?
>
> My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory with all
> applicable mods.
>
> Bill W5WVO
> New Mexico
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Re: [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

I have (and have always had) mine set to 20 also. Didn't help, in this
instance.

I often turn the AGC off when running JT65A on 20m using the JT65-HF
software, so that a strong signal somewhere in the 2 kHz passband doesn't
trigger the AGC and wipe out a weak -25 dB signal I'm trying to decode.

Bill W5WVO

--------------------------------------------------
From: "JAMES ROGERS" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 22:01
To: "Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "[Elecraft]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

> Bill,
> Look at your K3 manual page 53. and note the menu item AF LIM. After
> seeing the posts on the amp failure, I immediate set this to limit the AF
> output to safe levels as I frequently operate without the AGC being ON
> (digital modes). I have mine set to 20, just arbitrary, half way between
> 17 and 23. I also try to remember to reduce the RF gain to the S meter
> indicating S9 before turning off the AGC. It is not a cure for the
> "fragile" nature of the AF amp device but hopefully it will save me from
> a similar fate. I am glad to know that if I do blow mine up, the
> headphones will still work.
>
> 73s Jim, W4ATK
> On Oct 6, 2010, at 1:19 PM, Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO wrote:
>
>> I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3, apparently
>> by
>> just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly. Perhaps
>> the
>> fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had something to
>> do
>> with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned off the K3
>> by
>> pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my klutziness,
>> immediately
>> pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the middle of a
>> QSO.
>> The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead ever since.
>> Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a catastrophe
>> for
>> me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to get it
>> fixed.
>>
>> Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have probably
>> missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some subject
>> headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is this a
>> user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?
>>
>> And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile? Is there
>> something that can be done to better protect it?
>>
>> My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory with all
>> applicable mods.
>>
>> Bill W5WVO
>> New Mexico
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
>

Julian, G4ILO

Re: [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO wrote

I have (and have always had) mine set to 20 also. Didn't help, in this
instance.

I often turn the AGC off when running JT65A on 20m using the JT65-HF
software, so that a strong signal somewhere in the 2 kHz passband doesn't
trigger the AGC and wipe out a weak -25 dB signal I'm trying to decode.

Me too. I normally listen via a pair of powered computer speakers plugged into the rear SPKRS socket not the K3 internal speaker. Does that mean I'm still vulnerable to this issue?

I don't use the PHONES socket, presumably because that would disable the front panel socket when I want to use headphones.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO

Re: [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

I would assume so, since that's what I was running, too.

I did find a speaker workaround -- since the K3's audio is always hooked up
to the computer for digital modes through the Line Out port, I went into the
"microphone" dialog in Windows and turned on the "listen to" option. I now
have speaker output back again, through the computer sound card and my
regular computer speakers -- but only one of them! For some reason, only one
channel of audio works when using this method. The cable from K3 Line Out is
stereo, but I suspect the Mic In port on the sound card is not.

My headset (Heil ProSet) is plugged into the rear jacks and stays there
permanently. Nothing is plugged into the front of the radio.

Bill W5WVO

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Julian, G4ILO" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 12:22
To: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Speaker output amp kaput

>
>
> Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO wrote:
>>
>> I have (and have always had) mine set to 20 also. Didn't help, in this
>> instance.
>>
>> I often turn the AGC off when running JT65A on 20m using the JT65-HF
>> software, so that a strong signal somewhere in the 2 kHz passband doesn't
>> trigger the AGC and wipe out a weak -25 dB signal I'm trying to decode.
>>
>>
>
> Me too. I normally listen via a pair of powered computer speakers plugged
> into the rear SPKRS socket not the K3 internal speaker. Does that mean I'm
> still vulnerable to this issue?
>
> I don't use the PHONES socket, presumably because that would disable the
> front panel socket when I want to use headphones.
>
> -----
> 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
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Speaker-output-amp-kaput-tp5608245p5611086.html
> Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Richard Davis-5

Re: K3 Power off (subject change)

In reply to this post by Dan Atchison

At least give us a long off!

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 6, 2010, at 13:27, Dan Atchison <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Unintentionally powering-off the K3 has happened to me many times
> and I am just lucky, I guess, that I've seen no problems with a
> quick response power-on.
>
> This almost begs that powering-off the K3 be changed to a long hold
> as opposed to instantaneous. Indeed, it could be a long hold for
> both power-on and power-off. Just my opinion.
>
> Dan -- N3ND
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO <[hidden email]>
> To: [Elecraft] <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 2:19 pm
> Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Speaker output amp kaput
>
>
> I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3,
> apparently by
> just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly.
> Perhaps the
> fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had something
> to do
> with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned off
> the K3 by
> pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my klutziness,
> immediately
> pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the middle
> of a QSO.
> The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead ever
> since.
> Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a
> catastrophe for
> me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to get it
> fixed.
>
> Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have
> probably
> missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some
> subject
> headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is this a
> user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?
>
> And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile? Is
> there
> something that can be done to better protect it?
>
> My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory with all
> applicable mods.
>
> Bill W5WVO
> New Mexico
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

hf4me

Re: K3 Power off (subject change)

At least make it optional if you do. If I get something screwed up hung
transmitting into open air or a closed switch, I want it to turn off NOW,
not after a delay.

73, de Jim KG0KP

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard" <[hidden email]>
To: "Dan Atchison" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Power off (subject change)

> At least give us a long off!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 6, 2010, at 13:27, Dan Atchison <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Unintentionally powering-off the K3 has happened to me many times
>> and I am just lucky, I guess, that I've seen no problems with a
>> quick response power-on.
>>
>> This almost begs that powering-off the K3 be changed to a long hold
>> as opposed to instantaneous. Indeed, it could be a long hold for
>> both power-on and power-off. Just my opinion.
>>
>> Dan -- N3ND
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO <[hidden email]>
>> To: [Elecraft] <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Wed, Oct 6, 2010 2:19 pm
>> Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Speaker output amp kaput
>>
>>
>> I recently fried (I believe) the speaker amplifier in my K3,
>> apparently by
>> just turning off the radio and turning it back on too quickly.
>> Perhaps the
>> fact that the AGC was disabled at the time might have had something
>> to do
>> with this, though that is just a guess. I accidentally turned off
>> the K3 by
>> pushing the POWER button by mistake, and, cursing my klutziness,
>> immediately
>> pushed the button again to turn it back on, as I was in the middle
>> of a QSO.
>> The radio came back on -- but sans speaker. It has been dead ever
>> since.
>> Configuration settings have been double-checked. It's not a
>> catastrophe for
>> me, because I normally use headphones anyway, but I'd like to get it
>> fixed.
>>
>> Since I'm not reading every post on the list these days, I have
>> probably
>> missed something about this, because I dimly recall seeing some
>> subject
>> headings about the speaker amplifier. I didn't read these. Is this a
>> user-replaceable part? If so, what is involved?
>>
>> And if this part is blowing up regularly, why is it so fragile? Is
>> there
>> something that can be done to better protect it?
>>
>> My K3 was recently (couple months ago) updated at the factory with all
>> applicable mods.
>>
>> Bill W5WVO
>> New Mexico
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>

John Ragle

Re: K3 Power off (subject change)

I would like to add my opinion to those who have already written about
a Power Off delay on the K3. I use an ICOM 910H for VHF/UHF coverage
which has this feature, and it is a nuisance, though minor.

My K3's power switch is ergonomically located in such a way that it
would seem almost impossible to punch it by mistake during a QSO, and I
would not like it to have a delay...it is fine the way it is; please
don't change it in future versions.

However, no matter how this shakes down, in case of "fire," one can
always turn off the power supply. I have yet to encounter one of those
with a time delay on the power switch. Even an "arc welder" supply like
the Astron 70 will power down and bleed off voltage very quickly.

John Ragle -- W1ZI
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