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List:       elecraft
Subject:    Re: [Elecraft] Common K3 failure modes???
From:       Fred Jensen <k6dgwnv () gmail ! com>
Date:       2022-06-27 22:58:10
Message-ID: 061c9926-f0b9-d84a-3364-3ed5c45edb40 () gmail ! com
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Realistically, a manufacturer can only rely on the first category -- 
readily available parts.  Production scheduling, staffing, sales, 
distribution all require a predictable, steady, stable supply of ALL 
components.  Microprocessor, microcontroller, and ASIC parts are 
especially sensitive because, to remain competitive in their markets, 
their manufacturers must keep pace with technology, and providing a 
stable supply of older, superceded parts is almost always a non-starter.

The US Air Force monitors the availability of a myriad of parts for an 
aircraft and the requirements for them.  As parts will become 
unavailable, they will often contract for a "lifetime buy" to support 
the aircraft until its retirement from the fleet, which might be decades 
in the future. This works because the USAF has the financial resources 
for the purchase and the space to warehouse all those items and the 
capability to distribute them.  A lifetime buy for K3 parts is out of 
the question for Elecraft.

My K3 is serial #642.  Elecraft has upgraded it twice, and I've 
purchased all of the modular units I will need ... plus a couple I find 
I don't need. [:=)  It is wholly unreasonable for me to expect that 
Elecraft will be able to continue upgrades in perpetuity.  I was told it 
was modular when I bought it, it turned out it was, it has met my needs 
and expectations and still does.  I've been licensed for 70 years this 
summer.  If it finally fails or fails to meet my needs, I will retire it 
and get a new one.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW #142
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Geert Jan de Groot wrote on 6/27/2022 2:24 PM:
> On 27/06/2022 20:39, elecraft-request@mailman.qth.net wrote:
>> Four categories:
> > ....
>
> I didn't want to start a flame fest, but I was trying to find what 
> mods one should do as a preventive measure. Buying the input-diodes 
> that fail on very strong input signals (discussed on the list) is one 
> thing.
> Protecting the LPA amplifier (the extra diodes) is a good and simple 
> investment too - took me all of 10 minutes to install them.
>
> Comments about the 8V regulator - I bookmarked these messages, 
> assuming that an 7808 voltage regulator should be obtainable.
> Thanks for the other comments - I think my radios are now in a 
> reasonable shape against known mishaps.
>
> Several other mods (like "gold pins") have been published and should 
> be considered known.
>
> Scarcity is another issue, and it's big. Elecraft often uses Microchip 
> controllers in their radios (I don't know about the K4. but for older 
> models this is true).
> I have been trying to buy various Microchip processors for other 
> projects and for many, stock has completely dried up with 
> www.microchipdirect.com quoting availability end of 2023 for many 
> popular devices. I don't know if Elecraft has had sufficient parts 
> stock for their production, but it is likely that redesigns would be 
> needed otherwise (Wayne has commented on this happening on the K4 a 
> few times).
>
> I wonder if the "last run of K3 modules" is also affected by this, 
> explaining the long lead time on these modules.
>
> Over the years there has been a mix of modifications, partially 
> already solved in new production runs, etc. For instance, recently 
> learned about the "hardware AGC" mod that I didn't know about - when I 
> opened up my radio I found that the "modification" had been fixed in a 
> later RF board revision and hence my radio already had this modification.
>
> In that regard, I've suggested that Elecraft gives each K4 hardware 
> modification a number, and to put a sticker inside the radio: "mod 01, 
> 02, 03, 05 done" so one doesn't need to investigate if a mod applies 
> to a certain radio revision. I have not seen any hardware mods for K4 
> yet, so either they aren't happening (lucky!) or this is handled some 
> other way. But, if you buy a radio second-hand, a sticker structurally 
> showing what mods have been "done" would have been very nice.
>
> Geert Jan



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