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KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

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Michael Jarvis

KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

Hello,

I'm a fairly new owner of a KX2 with a KXPD2 paddle, and I just noticed this evening that something is causing the paddle to get "stuck" sending dots. I have backed off the contacts and verified that the little wires aren't shorted, and I seem to have narrowed down the problem to how snugly it is attached to the KX2.

If I tighten then thumb screws finger-snug, it starts sending dits as if it's shorted. Backing off the thumb screws a bit seems to help with the issue. Obviously there's a short somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. I'm not sure why the tightness of the thumb screws on the KXPD2 would cause a short.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next? I'm leaving for a camping trip tomorrow, and I'm taking the KX2 with me. I had hoped to use the KXPD2 paddle, but it looks like I may be packing one of my other paddles for this trip just in case.

Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!

73, Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ

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wayne burdick

Re: KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

Administrator

Mike,

It sounds like your KXPD2 may have a 3D printed housing that was prepared incorrectly (sanded too much on the back side). This could leave the screw heads slightly exposed. You can contact support to obtain a replacement.

As a temporary workaround, place a bit of adhesive label material on the back, over the screws.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

----
http://www.elecraft.com

> On Jun 16, 2018, at 11:37 PM, Michael Jarvis <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I'm a fairly new owner of a KX2 with a KXPD2 paddle, and I just noticed this evening that something is causing the paddle to get "stuck" sending dots. I have backed off the contacts and verified that the little wires aren't shorted, and I seem to have narrowed down the problem to how snugly it is attached to the KX2.
>
> If I tighten then thumb screws finger-snug, it starts sending dits as if it's shorted. Backing off the thumb screws a bit seems to help with the issue. Obviously there's a short somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. I'm not sure why the tightness of the thumb screws on the KXPD2 would cause a short.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next? I'm leaving for a camping trip tomorrow, and I'm taking the KX2 with me. I had hoped to use the KXPD2 paddle, but it looks like I may be packing one of my other paddles for this trip just in case.
>
> Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!
>
> 73, Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

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Nr4c

Re: KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

In reply to this post by Michael Jarvis

I can’t remember, but are the screws IDENTICAL? Are the ends the same?

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Jun 17, 2018, at 2:37 AM, Michael Jarvis <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I'm a fairly new owner of a KX2 with a KXPD2 paddle, and I just noticed this evening that something is causing the paddle to get "stuck" sending dots. I have backed off the contacts and verified that the little wires aren't shorted, and I seem to have narrowed down the problem to how snugly it is attached to the KX2.
>
> If I tighten then thumb screws finger-snug, it starts sending dits as if it's shorted. Backing off the thumb screws a bit seems to help with the issue. Obviously there's a short somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. I'm not sure why the tightness of the thumb screws on the KXPD2 would cause a short.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next? I'm leaving for a camping trip tomorrow, and I'm taking the KX2 with me. I had hoped to use the KXPD2 paddle, but it looks like I may be packing one of my other paddles for this trip just in case.
>
> Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!
>
> 73, Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

wayne burdick

Re: KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

Administrator

I think we’re talking about two different pairs of screws:

- The thumb screws in the KXPD2 are identical in length (with blunt tip). I’m sure that’s not Mike’s issue.

- The other screws are the 2-56 pan-heads that hold the paddle together. These come in from the back side. It’s possible they’re shorting to the case when the paddle is cinched down. I proposed a workaround while he awaits a replacement paddle.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On Jun 17, 2018, at 8:57 AM, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I can’t remember, but are the screws IDENTICAL? Are the ends the same?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
>> On Jun 17, 2018, at 2:37 AM, Michael Jarvis <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm a fairly new owner of a KX2 with a KXPD2 paddle, and I just noticed this evening that something is causing the paddle to get "stuck" sending dots. I have backed off the contacts and verified that the little wires aren't shorted, and I seem to have narrowed down the problem to how snugly it is attached to the KX2.
>>
>> If I tighten then thumb screws finger-snug, it starts sending dits as if it's shorted. Backing off the thumb screws a bit seems to help with the issue. Obviously there's a short somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. I'm not sure why the tightness of the thumb screws on the KXPD2 would cause a short.
>>
>> Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next? I'm leaving for a camping trip tomorrow, and I'm taking the KX2 with me. I had hoped to use the KXPD2 paddle, but it looks like I may be packing one of my other paddles for this trip just in case.
>>
>> Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!
>>
>> 73, Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ

Michael Jarvis

Re: KX2 / KXPD2 shorting with stuck dots and "ERR KEY"

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

This was it! The screw heads protrude a tiny bit from the back side of the housing. The protrusion is a VERY small amount--probably less than a millimeter, but that's enough to make contact with the case when tightened securely.

I had already left for my camping trip when I received your response, and I didn't have adhesive tape handy, but instead I took a very thin piece of cardboard and placed it between the KXPD2 and the KX2 housing, and that resolved the problem for now.

I will contact support tomorrow about a more permanent fix. In the meantime, placing the thin insulating layer between the KXPD2 and the KX2 is a satisfactory work-around.

Thank you very much!

73,
Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ

> On Jun 17, 2018, at 8:42 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> It sounds like your KXPD2 may have a 3D printed housing that was prepared incorrectly (sanded too much on the back side). This could leave the screw heads slightly exposed. You can contact support to obtain a replacement.
>
> As a temporary workaround, place a bit of adhesive label material on the back, over the screws.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
>
> ----
> http://www.elecraft.com
>
>> On Jun 16, 2018, at 11:37 PM, Michael Jarvis <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm a fairly new owner of a KX2 with a KXPD2 paddle, and I just noticed this evening that something is causing the paddle to get "stuck" sending dots. I have backed off the contacts and verified that the little wires aren't shorted, and I seem to have narrowed down the problem to how snugly it is attached to the KX2.
>>
>> If I tighten then thumb screws finger-snug, it starts sending dits as if it's shorted. Backing off the thumb screws a bit seems to help with the issue. Obviously there's a short somewhere, but I'm not sure where to check. I'm not sure why the tightness of the thumb screws on the KXPD2 would cause a short.
>>
>> Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try next? I'm leaving for a camping trip tomorrow, and I'm taking the KX2 with me. I had hoped to use the KXPD2 paddle, but it looks like I may be packing one of my other paddles for this trip just in case.
>>
>> Any suggestions will be appreciated! Thanks!
>>
>> 73, Mike Jarvis - N5MAJ
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]