I've suggested several times in the past that Elecraft pass on the
necessary information (schematics, PC board layouts, parts lists, etc)
for the modules they no longer intend to support to someone who might be
willing to act as a third party replacement vendor ... but just like you
all I've ever heard is crickets in response. It's pretty sad since
(especially in this case) component availability isn't always the
problem ... Elecraft has simply decided they don't want to bother with it.
Which is why when the KIO3 on my K3 inevitably dies like many others
have, my next rig won't be an Elecraft. I remember ads promising
lasting support when I bought the K3, but that obviously didn't happen.
Dave AB7E
On 5/7/2025 7:06 PM, Bob McGraw wrote:
Well it happened. While operating one of the digital modes for several
hours today I lost communication between the radio and computer. My
K3S, s/n 10169, just stopped communicating with the computer.
Nothing has or was changed in station configuration and under clear blue
skies, no lightning and no power spikes recorded. The Device Manager
does not show the normal comm port number. Can not control the radio
from the computer and there is no audio from the radio to the
computer. Tried the K3 Utility and it can not find the radio port.
Thus can't revert to a known good backup configuration.
Tried shutting down the radio, turning off power, disconnecting the USB
cable, rebooted computer, replaced USB cable. Turned on power supply,
turned on radio. No change.
Conclusion is failure of the KIO3b. I am told by Elecraft service that
no replacements are available. Also checked with Larry Sharpo, K6RO,
who indicated he had none available.
Any suggestions? Pack it up, get a RA and send it to Watsonville. But
on the other hand I read, one customer radio was returned as not
repairable. 🙁 It is not a happy thought to loose such a nice
feature on still one of the best performing radios in the marketplace.
Since many seemed to have experienced failure of the KIO3b for various
reasons, there is a demand for these boards. I ask each of you to
communicate with Eric and ask for a new production run of these boards.
I know they are used in the upgrade of K3 radios and standard with K3S
radios. And there are a few thousand of each being used every day.
Yes, I know it is a 10 year old radio, but ??????
ERIC : PLEASE consider a production run of these.
73
Bob, K4TAX
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