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K3s Odd sound vibrations - Hypothesis, Steps, Conclusion, and Request.

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Jerry Moore

K3s Odd sound vibrations - Hypothesis, Steps, Conclusion, and Request.

Hi, I thought I had the sound issue licked with the loose case screws but I
still hear the buzz. I believe I found the issue and it's NOT the speaker
(well I don't believe based on my findings).

Hypothesis:

I strongly suspect loose transformer cores are the cause of the buzzing that
are especially louder at different harmonics.

Steps to reproduce and isolate the issue:

1. CW mode, Test (so no TX), Monitor all the way up (60? I think from
memory..Rig is disassembled atm..).

2. Send a string of code, you can hear the tones but a buzzing, listening
to received code results in the same buzzing distortion and appears
harmonic.

3. Disconnect all power/cables except ground.

4. Tap the covers, top, sides, front back, bottom, Found tapping the rear
bottom results in a perceptible rattle.

5. Remove bottom covers and inspect, no discernable cause, tapping board
results in a perceptible rattle.

6. Remove Fan assembly, PA-100 unit. Tapping results in perceptible
rattle.

7. Inspect KLPA3A board - There's a transformer core that's loose to the
board.

8. Tapping the KPA3A board results in a perceptible rattle.

9. Inspect the KPA3a board - it contains a transformer core that's loose
to the board.

Conclusion:

I believe that using a high temperature silicon or other adhesive approved
by Elecraft to secure the transformer cores to the circuit boards will
resolve the issue.

Request:

I'd like to have an Elecraft representative review my information and make a
determination as to its validity AND recommend an Elecraft acceptable
solution if they agree there's an issue.

Thanks in advance.

Jer

Jerry Moore

CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists

AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324

http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB

An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and
Patriotic.

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Nr4c

Re: K3s Odd sound vibrations - Hypothesis, Steps, Conclusion, and Request.

Why on earth would you turn the TX MON up all the way? My front door would be buzzing with it that loud.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Feb 16, 2016, at 10:14 PM, Jerry Moore <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi, I thought I had the sound issue licked with the loose case screws but I
> still hear the buzz. I believe I found the issue and it's NOT the speaker
> (well I don't believe based on my findings).
>
>
>
> Hypothesis:
>
> I strongly suspect loose transformer cores are the cause of the buzzing that
> are especially louder at different harmonics.
>
>
>
> Steps to reproduce and isolate the issue:
>
> 1. CW mode, Test (so no TX), Monitor all the way up (60? I think from
> memory..Rig is disassembled atm..).
>
> 2. Send a string of code, you can hear the tones but a buzzing, listening
> to received code results in the same buzzing distortion and appears
> harmonic.
>
> 3. Disconnect all power/cables except ground.
>
> 4. Tap the covers, top, sides, front back, bottom, Found tapping the rear
> bottom results in a perceptible rattle.
>
> 5. Remove bottom covers and inspect, no discernable cause, tapping board
> results in a perceptible rattle.
>
> 6. Remove Fan assembly, PA-100 unit. Tapping results in perceptible
> rattle.
>
> 7. Inspect KLPA3A board - There's a transformer core that's loose to the
> board.
>
> 8. Tapping the KPA3A board results in a perceptible rattle.
>
> 9. Inspect the KPA3a board - it contains a transformer core that's loose
> to the board.
>
>
>
> Conclusion:
>
> I believe that using a high temperature silicon or other adhesive approved
> by Elecraft to secure the transformer cores to the circuit boards will
> resolve the issue.
>
>
>
> Request:
>
> I'd like to have an Elecraft representative review my information and make a
> determination as to its validity AND recommend an Elecraft acceptable
> solution if they agree there's an issue.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jer
>
>
>
> Jerry Moore
>
> CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists
>
> AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324
>
> http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB
>
> An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and
> Patriotic.
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Jerry Moore

Re: K3s Odd sound vibrations - Hypothesis, Steps, Conclusion, and Request.

I resent the original and added a step. I get the buzzing with the monitor
down low. Increasing the level allows me the ability to better isolate and
hear it.
If you remove the screws from the top cover and hold it in your hand there
is no buzzing or distortion at any monitor level, or volume level. The
harmonic distortion appears to be completely and easily resolvable but I
need an approved adhesive to use. I'm not messing up my nice radio without
support and approval from the manf.

Jerry Moore
CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists
AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324
http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB
An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and
Patriotic.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nr4c [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 10:35 PM
To: Jerry Moore
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3s Odd sound vibrations - Hypothesis, Steps,
Conclusion, and Request.

Why on earth would you turn the TX MON up all the way? My front door would
be buzzing with it that loud.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Feb 16, 2016, at 10:14 PM, Jerry Moore <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi, I thought I had the sound issue licked with the loose case screws
> but I still hear the buzz. I believe I found the issue and it's NOT
> the speaker (well I don't believe based on my findings).
>
>
>
> Hypothesis:
>
> I strongly suspect loose transformer cores are the cause of the
> buzzing that are especially louder at different harmonics.
>
>
>
> Steps to reproduce and isolate the issue:
>
> 1. CW mode, Test (so no TX), Monitor all the way up (60? I think from
> memory..Rig is disassembled atm..).
>
> 2. Send a string of code, you can hear the tones but a buzzing,

listening
> to received code results in the same buzzing distortion and appears
> harmonic.
>
> 3. Disconnect all power/cables except ground.
>
> 4. Tap the covers, top, sides, front back, bottom, Found tapping the
rear

> bottom results in a perceptible rattle.
>
> 5. Remove bottom covers and inspect, no discernable cause, tapping board
> results in a perceptible rattle.
>
> 6. Remove Fan assembly, PA-100 unit. Tapping results in perceptible
> rattle.
>
> 7. Inspect KLPA3A board - There's a transformer core that's loose to the
> board.
>
> 8. Tapping the KPA3A board results in a perceptible rattle.
>
> 9. Inspect the KPA3a board - it contains a transformer core that's

loose

> to the board.
>
>
>
> Conclusion:
>
> I believe that using a high temperature silicon or other adhesive
> approved by Elecraft to secure the transformer cores to the circuit
> boards will resolve the issue.
>
>
>
> Request:
>
> I'd like to have an Elecraft representative review my information and
> make a determination as to its validity AND recommend an Elecraft
> acceptable solution if they agree there's an issue.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jer
>
>
>
> Jerry Moore
>
> CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists
>
> AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324
>
> http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB
>
> An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced,
> and Patriotic.
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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 Message delivered to
> [hidden email]

Vic Rosenthal

Re: K3s Odd sound vibrations - Hypothesis, Steps, Conclusion, and Request.

Why use adhesive (which I suspect Elecraft will tell you not to do)? You
can probably solve the problem by shimming the core with a piece of soft
plastic or foam, or putting a piece of tape under it.

73,
Vic, 4X6GP/K2VCO
Rehovot, Israel
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 17 Feb 2016 05:54, Jerry Moore wrote:

> I resent the original and added a step. I get the buzzing with the monitor
> down low. Increasing the level allows me the ability to better isolate and
> hear it.
> If you remove the screws from the top cover and hold it in your hand there
> is no buzzing or distortion at any monitor level, or volume level. The
> harmonic distortion appears to be completely and easily resolvable but I
> need an approved adhesive to use. I'm not messing up my nice radio without
> support and approval from the manf.
>
> Jerry Moore
> CDXA, INDEXA, SKCC, Fists
> AE4PB, K3S - S.N. 010324
> http://www.qrz.com/db/AE4PB
> An Amateur is - Considerate, Loyal, Progressive, Friendly, Balanced, and
> Patriotic.