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K3 near salt water

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Robert Fanfant-2

K3 near salt water

All,While on a mini dx-pedition, most of the original exterior screws in my K3 developed rust after operating near salt water for 10 days. I have ordered the stainless steel screws to replace the original exterior K3 chassis screws.
1) Should I be concerned about rust developing inside my K3?2)Over the next several years, I plan to operate near salt water for extended periods and want to make sure I'm am not going to damage my K3. Is there anything I can, or could have done differently to prevent the rust from developing?
-rob N7QT
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W4GRJ

Re: K3 near salt water

I live on the water, St. Pete Beach, Fl. Besides amateur radio, I am a Fishing Guide and a Raymarine Beta Field Tester. Any electronics not specifically made for the marine environment and All electrical connections on the boat, I spray all down with Corrosion X
www.corrosionx.com

One of their advertisements is to take a marine radio which was subjected to salt water with the case off .....now not working. Then, submerge in a bucket of corrosion x over night then power on while still submerged in corrosion x ... Now working.

You could lightly spray the interior of the K3 before going on the DX expedition .

Jack
W4GRJ

On Dec 27, 2012, at 17:01, Robert Fanfant <[hidden email]> wrote:

> All,While on a mini dx-pedition, most of the original exterior screws in my K3 developed rust after operating near salt water for 10 days. I have ordered the stainless steel screws to replace the original exterior K3 chassis screws.
> 1) Should I be concerned about rust developing inside my K3?2)Over the next several years, I plan to operate near salt water for extended periods and want to make sure I'm am not going to damage my K3. Is there anything I can, or could have done differently to prevent the rust from developing?
> -rob N7QT
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: K3 near salt water

Administrator

We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void
the warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative, which
will make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it difficult
to repair when needed.

In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in normal
marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken (keep the
radio dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws did rust, the
interior connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The exterior
stainless screw kit for the K3 is the proper solution for this environment.

73,

Eric
---
www.elecraft.com

On 12/27/2012 2:42 PM, W4GRJ wrote:

> I live on the water, St. Pete Beach, Fl. Besides amateur radio, I am a Fishing Guide and a Raymarine Beta Field Tester. Any electronics not specifically made for the marine environment and All electrical connections on the boat, I spray all down with Corrosion X
> www.corrosionx.com
>
> One of their advertisements is to take a marine radio which was subjected to salt water with the case off .....now not working. Then, submerge in a bucket of corrosion x over night then power on while still submerged in corrosion x ... Now working.
>
> You could lightly spray the interior of the K3 before going on the DX expedition .
>
> Jack
> W4GRJ
>
>
> On Dec 27, 2012, at 17:01, Robert Fanfant <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> All,While on a mini dx-pedition, most of the original exterior screws in my K3 developed rust after operating near salt water for 10 days. I have ordered the stainless steel screws to replace the original exterior K3 chassis screws.
>> 1) Should I be concerned about rust developing inside my K3?2)Over the next several years, I plan to operate near salt water for extended periods and want to make sure I'm am not going to damage my K3. Is there anything I can, or could have done differently to prevent the rust from developing?
>> -rob N7QT
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 near salt water

I can add to that, although my experience is mainly with the K1 and K2.

I have repaired many K2s that were operated near a salt water
environment (yes even one on a sailboat). While the exterior showed
signs of this exposure, the boards and other components inside remained
pristine and free from signs of corrosion.

73,
Don W3FPR
.
On 12/27/2012 6:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:

> We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void
> the warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative,
> which will make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it
> difficult to repair when needed.
>
> In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in
> normal marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken
> (keep the radio dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws
> did rust, the interior connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The
> exterior stainless screw kit for the K3 is the proper solution for
> this environment.
>
> 73,
>
> Eric

Ken G Kopp

Re: K3 near salt water

In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Eric beat me to posting on this subject.

FWIW, with five years as a R/O / ET on NOAA ocean-going vessels,
I agree with Eric.

73!

On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void the
> warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative, which will
> make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it difficult to repair
> when needed.
>
> In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in normal
> marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken (keep the radio
> dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws did rust, the interior
> connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The exterior stainless screw kit
> for the K3 is the proper solution for this environment.
>
> 73,
>
> Eric
> ---
> www.elecraft.com

Mike Harris

Re: K3 near salt water

In reply to this post by Robert Fanfant-2

Whilst not necessarily the same as your salty operation, the house I
live in is 40 metres back from the harbour side. We regularly have high
winds and get salt spray/mist on the windows. My K3 #345 has so far not
been used outside the house and shows no sign of corrosion to the
apparently susceptible exterior screws.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

On 27/12/2012 19:01, Robert Fanfant wrote:
> All,While on a mini dx-pedition, most of the original exterior screws in my K3 developed rust after operating near salt water for 10 days. I have ordered the stainless steel screws to replace the original exterior K3 chassis screws.
> 1) Should I be concerned about rust developing inside my K3?2)Over the next several years, I plan to operate near salt water for extended periods and want to make sure I'm am not going to damage my K3. Is there anything I can, or could have done differently to prevent the rust from developing?
> -rob N7QT
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W4GRJ

Re: K3 near salt water

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

No debate here however, It is all a matter of degree of exposure... Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing.

Jack
W4GRJ

On Dec 27, 2012, at 18:17, Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Eric beat me to posting on this subject.
>
> FWIW, with five years as a R/O / ET on NOAA ocean-going vessels,
> I agree with Eric.
>
> 73!
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void the
>> warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative, which will
>> make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it difficult to repair
>> when needed.
>>
>> In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in normal
>> marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken (keep the radio
>> dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws did rust, the interior
>> connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The exterior stainless screw kit
>> for the K3 is the proper solution for this environment.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Eric
>> ---
>> www.elecraft.com
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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>

tnnyswy

Re: K3 near salt water

>>> Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing. <<<

SIGH!!!!
Not hurt a thing! Except your WARRANTY!

(((73))) Milverton.

>________________________________
> From: W4GRJ <[hidden email]>
>To: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]>
>Cc: Elecraft <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
>Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 5:58 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 near salt water
>
>No debate here however, It is all a matter of degree of exposure... Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing.
>
>Jack
>W4GRJ
>
>
>On Dec 27, 2012, at 18:17, Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Eric beat me to posting on this subject.
>>
>> FWIW, with five years as a R/O / ET on NOAA ocean-going vessels,
>> I agree with Eric.
>>
>> 73!
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
>> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>> We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void the
>>> warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative, which will
>>> make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it difficult to repair
>>> when needed.
>>>
>>> In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in normal
>>> marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken (keep the radio
>>> dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws did rust, the interior
>>> connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The exterior stainless screw kit
>>> for the K3 is the proper solution for this environment.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Eric
>>> ---
>>> www.elecraft.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
>>
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>
>
>

W4GRJ

Re: K3 near salt water

I gave this information for edification purposes...not a dabble.

THIS THREAD IS CLOSED.

Jack
W4GRJ

On Dec 27, 2012, at 19:11, [hidden email] wrote:

> >>> Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing. <<<
>
> SIGH!!!!
> Not hurt a thing! Except your WARRANTY!
>
> (((73))) Milverton.
>
> From: W4GRJ <[hidden email]>
> To: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]>
> Cc: Elecraft <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 5:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 near salt water
>
> No debate here however, It is all a matter of degree of exposure... Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing.
>
> Jack
> W4GRJ
>
>
> On Dec 27, 2012, at 18:17, Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Eric beat me to posting on this subject.
> >
> > FWIW, with five years as a R/O / ET on NOAA ocean-going vessels,
> > I agree with Eric.
> >
> > 73!
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
> > <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >> We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void the
> >> warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative, which will
> >> make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it difficult to repair
> >> when needed.
> >>
> >> In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in normal
> >> marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken (keep the radio
> >> dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws did rust, the interior
> >> connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The exterior stainless screw kit
> >> for the K3 is the proper solution for this environment.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >>
> >> Eric
> >> ---
> >> www.elecraft.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
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

W4GRJ

Re: K3 near salt water

My IPad inserted dabble in place of debate....both words work to end this thread.

On Dec 27, 2012, at 19:37, W4GRJ <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> I gave this information for edification purposes...not a dabble.
>
> THIS THREAD IS CLOSED.
>
> Jack
> W4GRJ
>
>
> On Dec 27, 2012, at 19:11, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>>>>> Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing. <<<
>>
>> SIGH!!!!
>> Not hurt a thing! Except your WARRANTY!
>>
>> (((73))) Milverton.
>>
>> From: W4GRJ <[hidden email]>
>> To: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]>
>> Cc: Elecraft <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 5:58 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 near salt water
>>
>> No debate here however, It is all a matter of degree of exposure... Bottom line, corrosion x will not hurt a thing.
>>
>> Jack
>> W4GRJ
>>
>>
>> On Dec 27, 2012, at 18:17, Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> Eric beat me to posting on this subject.
>>>
>>> FWIW, with five years as a R/O / ET on NOAA ocean-going vessels,
>>> I agree with Eric.
>>>
>>> 73!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
>>> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>> We do not recommend spraying corrosion-x inside the K3. That will void the
>>>> warranty. Corrosion X is basically an oil based preservative, which will
>>>> make a mess of the inside of the radio and also make it difficult to repair
>>>> when needed.
>>>>
>>>> In general, we have not seen serious interior corrosion on K3s in normal
>>>> marine and tropical use where normal precautions are taken (keep the radio
>>>> dry etc..) In those cases where the exterior screws did rust, the interior
>>>> connectors etc. were free from corrosion. The exterior stainless screw kit
>>>> for the K3 is the proper solution for this environment.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>>
>>>> Eric
>>>> ---
>>>> www.elecraft.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
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Merv Schweigert

Re: K3 near salt water

In reply to this post by Robert Fanfant-2

My K3 is exposed to trade winds and salt air for as long as I have owned
it,
about 4 years now, had to put in the SS kit, but other than the exterior
screws rusting nothing else shows any signs of corrosion, much better than
any other gear I have here in the salt air.
Merv K9FD/KH6