[Elecraft] K2 #2498 Cure to ELE problem

Wed Feb 20 07:24:01 2002

First apologies that in my hast to post my request for help last night I
inadvertantly gave the wrong serial number.  I am sure that Jim AL7FS who has #2497
will forgive me!!

I have cured my problem, which was of displaying ELE on power up and otherwise dead.
I found an extensive analysis of this problem in the reflector archives, and
following that I was eventually found that signal /SPD RD, as listed in one of the
possible reasons, was held low and measured 3.9 ohms to ground.  Failing to find any
obvious reason, and initial tests indicating I had probably blown U3 with static, I
proceded to remove the 6B595 chip (not too difficult with my plunger solder sucker).
I was amazed to find the short still present with a solid 3.9 ohms to ground on pin 7
(and no sign of an internal short on the removed chip).

I have now isolated by track cutting the section of track on the top surface and hard
wired the signal on the board, which has cleared the short.  I suspect there is a
minute sliver of copper between this top section (from U3 pin 7 to the via hole) to
the adjacent ground plane, but try as I can I can see no trace of it  In other words,
it looks like a pcb manufacturing fault, perhaps others have had similar?

Anyway, I refitted the original chip, switched on, and was relieved to see the
Elecraft display followed shortly afterwards by 7.100.  Whew, what relief.

73s Dave G3YMC
[email protected]
[email protected]
http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk