Elecraft

Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

Classic

List

Threaded

6 messages Options

Richard Corfield

Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

I've tried my KX3 today and noticed that the left hand volume rotary
encoder is not working. Is this a common problem? Is there anything I can
do to try to get it working again?

I'm in the UK and this is a second hand radio, so I can't so easily just
sent it back to Elecraft I don't think.

A firmware restore has given me a non-zero AF Gain setting, but no sidetone
as that is turned low and can't change without this encoder.

Thanks

- Richard
______________________________________________________________
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]

Bill Frantz

Re: Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

On 6/12/19 at 2:52 PM, [hidden email] (Richard
Corfield) wrote:

>I've tried my KX3 today and noticed that the left hand volume rotary
>encoder is not working. Is this a common problem? Is there anything I can
>do to try to get it working again?
>
>I'm in the UK and this is a second hand radio, so I can't so easily just
>sent it back to Elecraft I don't think.
>
>A firmware restore has given me a non-zero AF Gain setting, but no sidetone
>as that is turned low and can't change without this encoder.

Sometimes control buttons fail to work due to the ribbon cable
connecting the two halves of the KX3 becoming loose or
developing bad connections. Opening the KX3 and
unplugging/replugging the cable at both ends frequently fixes
this class of problem. Using a contact cleaner on the cable
contacts may also help.

73 Bill AE6JV

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | When it comes to the world | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506 | around us, is there any choice | 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | but to explore? - Lisa Randall | Los Gatos,
CA 95032

______________________________________________________________
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]

Richard Corfield

Re: Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

I've tried that with no success. Though I'd have been surprised as the
trace labelling on the connector indicate microcontroller serial data
rather than individual switches. I'd expect the switch handling to be done
on the switch board.

I have SotaBeam's powerpole adapter fitted to the power connector which has
a slightly longer screw. Could that affect things? Looking behind the panel
I'd think not as there's just space between the switch rubber there. I
plugged a remote speaker into the headphone jack, but a 3.5mm stereo plug
is a 3.5mm stereo plug and I'd not expect that to damage things either.

- Richard

On Wed, 12 Jun 2019 at 23:53, Bill Frantz <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On 6/12/19 at 2:52 PM, [hidden email] (Richard
> Corfield) wrote:
>
> >I've tried my KX3 today and noticed that the left hand volume rotary
> >encoder is not working. Is this a common problem? Is there anything I can
> >do to try to get it working again?
> >
> >I'm in the UK and this is a second hand radio, so I can't so easily just
> >sent it back to Elecraft I don't think.
> >
> >A firmware restore has given me a non-zero AF Gain setting, but no
> sidetone
> >as that is turned low and can't change without this encoder.
>
> Sometimes control buttons fail to work due to the ribbon cable
> connecting the two halves of the KX3 becoming loose or
> developing bad connections. Opening the KX3 and
> unplugging/replugging the cable at both ends frequently fixes
> this class of problem. Using a contact cleaner on the cable
> contacts may also help.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz | When it comes to the world | Periwinkle
> (408)356-8506 | around us, is there any choice | 16345
> Englewood Ave
> www.pwpconsult.com | but to explore? - Lisa Randall | Los Gatos,
> CA 95032
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Richard Corfield

Re: Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

Serial number is 8383, if that helps place the manufacturing date and
therefore whether it's part of a batch with a known issue?

- Richard

On Thu, 13 Jun 2019 at 08:03, Richard Corfield <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I've tried that with no success. Though I'd have been surprised as the
> trace labelling on the connector indicate microcontroller serial data
> rather than individual switches. I'd expect the switch handling to be done
> on the switch board.
>
> I have SotaBeam's powerpole adapter fitted to the power connector which
> has a slightly longer screw. Could that affect things? Looking behind the
> panel I'd think not as there's just space between the switch rubber there.
> I plugged a remote speaker into the headphone jack, but a 3.5mm stereo plug
> is a 3.5mm stereo plug and I'd not expect that to damage things either.
>
> - Richard
>
> On Wed, 12 Jun 2019 at 23:53, Bill Frantz <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> On 6/12/19 at 2:52 PM, [hidden email] (Richard
>> Corfield) wrote:
>>
>> >I've tried my KX3 today and noticed that the left hand volume rotary
>> >encoder is not working. Is this a common problem? Is there anything I can
>> >do to try to get it working again?
>> >
>> >I'm in the UK and this is a second hand radio, so I can't so easily just
>> >sent it back to Elecraft I don't think.
>> >
>> >A firmware restore has given me a non-zero AF Gain setting, but no
>> sidetone
>> >as that is turned low and can't change without this encoder.
>>
>> Sometimes control buttons fail to work due to the ribbon cable
>> connecting the two halves of the KX3 becoming loose or
>> developing bad connections. Opening the KX3 and
>> unplugging/replugging the cable at both ends frequently fixes
>> this class of problem. Using a contact cleaner on the cable
>> contacts may also help.
>>
>> 73 Bill AE6JV
>>
>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Bill Frantz | When it comes to the world | Periwinkle
>> (408)356-8506 | around us, is there any choice | 16345
>> Englewood Ave
>> www.pwpconsult.com | but to explore? - Lisa Randall | Los Gatos,
>> CA 95032
>>
>>

Don Wilhelm

Re: Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

Richard,

I suggest you contact [hidden email] for that information and
possible resolution.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/13/2019 3:07 AM, Richard Corfield wrote:
> Serial number is 8383, if that helps place the manufacturing date and
> therefore whether it's part of a batch with a known issue?
>
> - Richard
>
______________________________________________________________
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]

Thorsten Fricke

Re: Left hand rotary encoder failure on KX3

Richard,

as you're in UK, you may also try to contact QRP Project in Berlin,
Germany. They're doing the official Elecraft support for Europe and it
might be quicker than sending the TRX to US

Hope this helps
73 Thorsten, DH4FT

Am 13.06.19 um 14:45 schrieb Don Wilhelm:

> Richard,
>
> I suggest you contact [hidden email] for that information and
> possible resolution.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 6/13/2019 3:07 AM, Richard Corfield wrote:
>> Serial number is 8383, if that helps place the manufacturing date and
>> therefore whether it's part of a batch with a known issue?
>>
>> - Richard
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]