KXPD3 again...
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Hi folks,
Well, after more than 2 months of operations with the KXPD3 and more than 350 QSOs, I still have trouble with that paddle. It occasionally misses either a dit or a dah. On these occasions, when I push the paddle, the contact don't produces anything. So far, the fixes that have read: - clean the black anodizing around the hole where the head of the thumb screw sits. I was told that it was done at the factory starting at a S/N earlier than mine, so I did not tried it. Maybe I should do it. - To 'file' the contacts screws.. Done this, but not much change... - Changing the spring: I did not do it, and wonder of it could be THE fix.. It is a bit strange that after all the complaints about the KXPD3, Elecraft has not fixed that once and for all...? About the spring, I would suggest that Elecraft provides us with a set of 3 to 4 new springs of different tensions so that we can test/choose the one that works best for each user. 73 de VE2PID KX3 S/N 190 |
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I finally got around to reshaping the cupped ends of the KXPD3 contact
screws as others have suggested, and it seems to have solved all of my KXPD3 issues. I can now adjust the paddles very tightly and no longer have runaway dits or dahs. I no longer have dropped dits or dahs, and I don't have the random delayed response problem which I had been experiencing. To accomplish the reshaping I disassembled the KXPD3, but left the screw in each paddle (extended several turns to provide better access, and secured with the set screw). That provided a handle and allowed me to keep it under control while using a fine white stone in my dental drill to do the shaping (I'm a retired dentist and still have an old belt driven handpiece on my workbench, but a Dremel mototool or something similar will work just as well) and I just rounded off the cupped ends. I didn't have to mess with the spring. I have taken a few closeup photos of the final result which I can post, but am not sure if the reflector will allow jpeg attachments (what say Wayne?) I also rotated the brass cylinders to move the wear marks (caused by the sharp cupped screw ends) away from the contact area. After several ragchew type qsos I'm confident that all of my previous KXPD3 issues have been solved. Don, N5LZ KX3 S/N 125 -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Pierre Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 7:43 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] KXPD3 again... Hi folks, Well, after more than 2 months of operations with the KXPD3 and more than 350 QSOs, I still have trouble with that paddle. It occasionally misses either a dit or a dah. On these occasions, when I push the paddle, the contact don't produces anything. So far, the fixes that have read: - clean the black anodizing around the hole where the head of the thumb screw sits. I was told that it was done at the factory starting at a S/N earlier than mine, so I did not tried it. Maybe I should do it. - To 'file' the contacts screws.. Done this, but not much change... - Changing the spring: I did not do it, and wonder of it could be THE fix.. It is a bit strange that after all the complaints about the KXPD3, Elecraft has not fixed that once and for all...? About the spring, I would suggest that Elecraft provides us with a set of 3 to 4 new springs of different tensions so that we can test/choose the one that works best for each user. 73 de VE2PID KX3 S/N 190 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KXPD3-again-tp7560531.html Sent from the Elecraft 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Pierre
Hi Pierre,
We're testing some different KXPD3 hardware, and will make it available free on request once we've ordered sufficient quantities. 73, Wayne N6KR Pierre wrote: > ...occasionally misses either a dit or a dah.... ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Don Butler
Don,
Great idea of using the lever to hold the set screw. I have tried it by hand with my Dremel and it is too difficult to hold. I will try your method. I also suspect the set screw as the issue. I have built a few kit paddles and whether it is screws or set screws, the best method is a nice round tip to avoid the problems. I will also try the spring change as I don't like any noise from my key and have purchased the latest ZNQRP paddle with ultrafine threads and the Begali travel lite. The KXPD3 with a finer thread rounded point set screw would be more than perfect. I don't know if set screws come any finer, if they did, I would re-tap mine for said improvement. The Elecraft paddles are very reasonably priced so I know they are very fair. 73, Bill K9YEQ -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Donald Butler Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 10:39 AM To: 'Pierre'; [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXPD3 again... I finally got around to reshaping the cupped ends of the KXPD3 contact screws as others have suggested, and it seems to have solved all of my KXPD3 issues. I can now adjust the paddles very tightly and no longer have runaway dits or dahs. I no longer have dropped dits or dahs, and I don't have the random delayed response problem which I had been experiencing. To accomplish the reshaping I disassembled the KXPD3, but left the screw in each paddle (extended several turns to provide better access, and secured with the set screw). That provided a handle and allowed me to keep it under control while using a fine white stone in my dental drill to do the shaping (I'm a retired dentist and still have an old belt driven handpiece on my workbench, but a Dremel mototool or something similar will work just as well) and I just rounded off the cupped ends. I didn't have to mess with the spring. I have taken a few closeup photos of the final result which I can post, but am not sure if the reflector will allow jpeg attachments (what say Wayne?) I also rotated the brass cylinders to move the wear marks (caused by the sharp cupped screw ends) away from the contact area. After several ragchew type qsos I'm confident that all of my previous KXPD3 issues have been solved. Don, N5LZ KX3 S/N 125 -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Pierre Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 7:43 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] KXPD3 again... Hi folks, Well, after more than 2 months of operations with the KXPD3 and more than 350 QSOs, I still have trouble with that paddle. It occasionally misses either a dit or a dah. On these occasions, when I push the paddle, the contact don't produces anything. So far, the fixes that have read: - clean the black anodizing around the hole where the head of the thumb screw sits. I was told that it was done at the factory starting at a S/N earlier than mine, so I did not tried it. Maybe I should do it. - To 'file' the contacts screws.. Done this, but not much change... - Changing the spring: I did not do it, and wonder of it could be THE fix.. It is a bit strange that after all the complaints about the KXPD3, Elecraft has not fixed that once and for all...? About the spring, I would suggest that Elecraft provides us with a set of 3 to 4 new springs of different tensions so that we can test/choose the one that works best for each user. 73 de VE2PID KX3 S/N 190 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KXPD3-again-tp7560531.html Sent from the Elecraft 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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