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K3 static electricity

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Steve Ellington

K3 static electricity

What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every
time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off,
frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but
somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough
charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things
but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob
or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version.

Steve
N4LQ
[hidden email]

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Guy, K2AV

Re: K3 static electricity

Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. If you are rubbing
your feet over a rug, spray it with static spray. Or ground yourself
on a little bit of static pad that you put there for the purpose. Do
something so you are not a lightning bolt every time you move.

You keep zapping it like that, you WILL destroy something in it. Hope
your insurance company does not read this reflector. Contributory
negligence not useful in settling claims.

Static pops are universally bad for everything electronic, not just K3's.

73, Guy.

On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 9:39 PM, Steve Ellington <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every
> time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off,
> frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but
> somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough
> charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things
> but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob
> or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version.
>
> Steve
> N4LQ
> [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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K1LI

Re: K3 static electricity

Steve,

In addition to being bad for your radio, the dry air that's allowing the
static charges to build up on your skin aren't good for the rest of your
body (sinuses, skin, etc.). We use a "whole house" humidifier that sits on
the floor near the wood stove ("Vermont crude" is a lot cheaper than the
slick stuff, even though it's more work...). No problems with static,
snoring, etc.

--
73 -- Brian -- K1LI
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Bill W4ZV

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Guy, K2AV

Guy, K2AV wrote

Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. If you are rubbing
your feet over a rug, spray it with static spray. Or ground yourself
on a little bit of static pad that you put there for the purpose. Do
something so you are not a lightning bolt every time you move.

I completely agree. All 3 of us live in NC where low humidity is seldom a problem. It's a very different story than when I lived in Colorado and could draw a 1/2" arc by walking across a carpet. If Steve has static electricity here, it's definitely his problem. I've never had static problems in my shack since moving back to NC from Colorado 16 years ago.

73, Bill

P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 static electricity

Steve,

I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has
faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly
conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be
interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be
adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the
VFO knob.

Paul, W9AC

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P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

A little further investigating and I found this:

> "We also had a few occasions where the operator stood up (sliding across
> the chair) and touched the radio [Omni VII] and got zapped - resulting in
> the radio needing to be turned off and on again. Unlike the ORION, this
> routine takes only a couple of seconds. Ten-Tec's response: "The static
> discharge is real. The fix is already implemented in production. It is
> just a case of adding a ground from the encoder frame to the chassis."

My guess is that Ten Tec can probably supply you with a kit that will work
just fine with the K3.

Paul, W9AC

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N5NA

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

I had this problem occur with my Omni VI back in the 90's. When I would
walk in the room and touch the VFO the rig would shut down. A friend
across town had the same problem with his Omni VI. It took us a while
to figure out it was static electricity.

Ten-Tec's fix was to send out a short piece of braid with a solder lug
on each end. One end went around the encoder shaft, the other end was
attached to the rig chasis. That solved the problem.

Someone said "Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's." I have
to disagree. The K3 shouldn't be susceptible to static electricity.

73,

Alan N5NA

Paul Christensen wrote:

> Steve,
>
> I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has
> faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly
> conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be
> interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be
> adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the
> VFO knob.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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>
>

KM5Q

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
course) and it's never once caused a reaction.

You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.

Windy KM5Q

> Steve Ellington
> Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:40:06 -0800
>
> What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3?
> Every
> time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes
> off,
> frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it
> recovers but
> somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop
> enough
> charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge
> things
> but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this
> VFO knob
> or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version.
>
> Steve
> N4LQ
> [hidden email]

AC7AC

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

Steve Ellington

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by N5NA

Just received this from Elecraft:
"The paint should be removed around the inside of the front panel where the
encoder mounts. This was not done on some early models, but it should have
been done on all later units. You might check that, and make sure the lock
washer is there on the threads of the encoder and the hex nut on the front
panel is tight."

The problem is the K3, not my house. Humidity is now 37% which is pretty
typical for this time of year. I will check the grounding of the VFO knob
and report back to the group. I did not have this problem last year. During
the summer, Elecraft sent me a new front panel with the latest revisions.
Since then I've had this static problem so someone must have slipped up! 73
Steve
N4LQ
[hidden email]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Sewell N5NA" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity

>I had this problem occur with my Omni VI back in the 90's. When I would
> walk in the room and touch the VFO the rig would shut down. A friend
> across town had the same problem with his Omni VI. It took us a while
> to figure out it was static electricity.
>
> Ten-Tec's fix was to send out a short piece of braid with a solder lug
> on each end. One end went around the encoder shaft, the other end was
> attached to the rig chasis. That solved the problem.
>
> Someone said "Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's." I have
> to disagree. The K3 shouldn't be susceptible to static electricity.
>
> 73,
>
> Alan N5NA
>
>
> Paul Christensen wrote:
>> Steve,
>>
>> I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory
>> has
>> faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly
>> conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be
>> interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be
>> adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of
>> the
>> VFO knob.
>>
>> Paul, W9AC
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09
02:59:00

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KARL MARDERIAN

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

Karl N6XVT,
Ground the radio. If it is, test it. The see if your front panel is
grounded.
Hope it will help.
N6XVT 73
Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 30, 2009, at 6:39 PM, "Steve Ellington" <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3?
> Every
> time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes
> off,
> frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it
> recovers but
> somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop
> enough
> charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge
> things
> but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this
> VFO knob
> or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version.
>
> Steve
> N4LQ
> [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: K3 static electricity

Administrator

In reply to this post by KM5Q

I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a
problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet
metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving
the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP
sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this.

73, Eric

====
KM5Q wrote:

> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
> course) and it's never once caused a reaction.
>
> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.
>
> Windy KM5Q
>
>

Greg - AB7R

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside
tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back.

-------------------------
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065

On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent:

>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a
>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet
>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving
>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP
>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this.
>
>73, Eric
>
>====
>KM5Q wrote:
>> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
>> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
>> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
>> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
>> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
>> course) and it's never once caused a reaction.
>>
>> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.
>>
>> Windy KM5Q
>>
>>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: [hidden email]','','','')">[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 static electricity

I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is
actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this
problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73
Steve
N4LQ
[hidden email]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg - AB7R" <[hidden email]>
To: "KM5Q" <[hidden email]>; <'[hidden email]>;
<[hidden email]>; <-@mailman.qth.net>; <[hidden email]>;
"Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity

>I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact
>with the inside
> tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back.
>
> -------------------------
> 73,
> Greg - AB7R
> Whidbey Island WA
> NA-065
>
>
> On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent:
>
>>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a
>>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet
>>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving
>>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP
>>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this.
>>
>>73, Eric
>>
>>====
>>KM5Q wrote:
>>> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
>>> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
>>> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
>>> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
>>> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
>>> course) and it's never once caused a reaction.
>>>
>>> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.
>>>
>>> Windy KM5Q
>>>
>>>
>>______________________________________________________________
>>Elecraft mailing list
>>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>Post: [hidden email]','','','')">[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

Greg - AB7R

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

Thanks Steve. Please keep [hidden email] informed of what you find.

Also check the hex nuts the go over the encoder shaft on the top of the FP (under the
knob) to make sure they are snug enough to ensure the bare metal underneath is in
contact with the inside tooth washer. If those retaining nuts are not snug you may not
have good contact.

-------------------------
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065

On Tue Dec 1 15:46 , "Steve Ellington" sent:

>I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is
>actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this
>problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73
>Steve
>N4LQ
>[hidden email]
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Greg - AB7R" [hidden email]>
>To: "KM5Q" [hidden email]>; [hidden email]>;
>[hidden email]>; -@mailman.qth.net>; [hidden email]>;
>"Elecraft'" [hidden email]>
>Cc: [hidden email]>
>Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
>
>
>>I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact
>>with the inside
>> tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back.
>>
>> -------------------------
>> 73,
>> Greg - AB7R
>> Whidbey Island WA
>> NA-065
>>
>>
>> On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent:
>>
>>>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a
>>>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet
>>>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving
>>>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP
>>>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this.
>>>
>>>73, Eric
>>>
>>>====
>>>KM5Q wrote:
>>>> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
>>>> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
>>>> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
>>>> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
>>>> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
>>>> course) and it's never once caused a reaction.
>>>>
>>>> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.
>>>>
>>>> Windy KM5Q
>>>>
>>>>
>>>______________________________________________________________
>>>Elecraft mailing list
>>>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>Post: [hidden email]','','','')">[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: [hidden email]','','','')">[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: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09
>02:59:00
>

Gary Bartlett VE1RGB

Re: K3 static electricity

Re static discharge problems:

I've posted this story before but it sounds like it is worth
repeating.

K3 #95 suffered from ESD when I touched the VFO A knob, and in
reaction the radio would go all dark, then re-boot on its own. The first
time it occurred, I had no idea of what had just happened and it was a
frightening experience. The second time it happened, I felt the shock when
I touched the knob and I noticed that I had just finished sliding my wheeled
chair over a protective plastic mat over the floor, which pointed to the
source of the static electricity.

I did three things:

1. Threw away the plastic floor mat;
2. Checked the VFO A encoder shaft to see if it was grounded to the
chassis. It wasn't.
3. Had Elecraft fix the encoder grounding problem when I had the
radio in there for other reasons.

There have been no recurrences and we are well into ESD season here.

Gary, VE1RGB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Greg - AB7R
Sent: December 1, 2009 7:51 PM
To: [hidden email]; 'KM5Q'; '[hidden email];
[hidden email]; -@mailman.qth.net; [hidden email];
'Elecraft''[hidden email]; 'Steve Ellington'
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity

Thanks Steve. Please keep [hidden email] informed of what you find.

Also check the hex nuts the go over the encoder shaft on the top of the FP
(under the
knob) to make sure they are snug enough to ensure the bare metal underneath
is in
contact with the inside tooth washer. If those retaining nuts are not snug
you may not
have good contact.

-------------------------
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065

On Tue Dec 1 15:46 , "Steve Ellington" sent:

>I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is
>actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this

>problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73
>Steve
>N4LQ
>[hidden email]
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Greg - AB7R" [hidden email]>
>To: "KM5Q" [hidden email]>; [hidden email]>;
>[hidden email]>; -@mailman.qth.net>; [hidden email]>;
>"Elecraft'" [hidden email]>
>Cc: [hidden email]>
>Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
>
>
>>I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact
>>with the inside
>> tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back.
>>
>> -------------------------
>> 73,
>> Greg - AB7R
>> Whidbey Island WA
>> NA-065
>>
>>
>> On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent:
>>
>>>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a
>>>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet
>>>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving
>>>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP
>>>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this.
>>>
>>>73, Eric
>>>
>>>====
>>>KM5Q wrote:
>>>> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
>>>> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
>>>> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
>>>> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
>>>> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
>>>> course) and it's never once caused a reaction.
>>>>
>>>> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.
>>>>
>>>> Windy KM5Q
>>>>
>>>>
>>>______________________________________________________________
>>>Elecraft mailing list
>>>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>Post: [hidden email]','','','')">[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: [hidden email]','','','')">[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: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09
>02:59:00
>

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Steve Ellington

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

Problem fixed....Encoder shaft was not grounded. I removed VFO A knob, nuts
and washer. All metal was totally painted black. I scraped off some paint,
replaced washer and nuts and no more static zaps. Thanks!

Steve
N4LQ
[hidden email]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Ellington" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; "KM5Q" <[hidden email]>; <'[hidden email]>;
<[hidden email]>; <-@mailman.qth.net>; <[hidden email]>;
"Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity

> I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is
> actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have
> this
> problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73
> Steve
> N4LQ
> [hidden email]
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Greg - AB7R" <[hidden email]>
> To: "KM5Q" <[hidden email]>; <'[hidden email]>;
> <[hidden email]>; <-@mailman.qth.net>; <[hidden email]>;
> "Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
>
>
>>I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact
>>with the inside
>> tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back.
>>
>> -------------------------
>> 73,
>> Greg - AB7R
>> Whidbey Island WA
>> NA-065
>>
>>
>> On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent:
>>
>>>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a
>>>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet
>>>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving
>>>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP
>>>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this.
>>>
>>>73, Eric
>>>
>>>====
>>>KM5Q wrote:
>>>> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest
>>>> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My
>>>> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a
>>>> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my
>>>> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of
>>>> course) and it's never once caused a reaction.
>>>>
>>>> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem.
>>>>
>>>> Windy KM5Q
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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abellve3xm@bell.net

Re: K3 static electricity

In reply to this post by Steve Ellington

Steve,
I own K3/100 serial number 409 and I note yours is number 410.
I have never had a static electricity problem with my encoder knob
or any part of the rig.

Mine sits on a wooden desk which is sitting on wall to wall carpeting
and the rig is grounded via the house wiring
Your 2nd. front panel must be the culprit.

73, Bob VE3XM.
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