[Elecraft] K2 RF Board: Missing Bag of Parts #!!??#

[Mark J. Dulcey]

N2EY@aol.com wrote:

> This sort of thing is why the first order of business with any kit is 
> "inventory the parts". If there are any problems or questions, an email will 
> resolve them quickly - and I do mean quickly!
> 
> While building #2084, I discovered that they had sent me two right cabinet 
> sides, and I could not find the 47 pF capacitor. I emailed Elecraft directly 
> and got a response in 41 minutes! Replacement parts were on the way, first 
> class, that same day. Granted, this was a weekday, but it's hard to beat 41 
> minutes and same-day service.
> 
> Turned out the 47 pF cap problem was my mistake - didn't read the code 
> correctly.  I didn't have to return parts or convince anyone in Aptos, they 
> just sent replacements based on my word alone. Try that with most companies!


My experiences have also been excellent, though not quite perfect.

My K2 kit was complete; no problems there. I did have problems with the 
instructions for putting in the front panel pots, and ruined a couple as 
a result; Elecraft cheerfully sent replacements. I also needed 
replacements (more user error) for the cable connectors on the KAT2. And 
the email support from Gary Surrency was extremely helpful when I was 
troubleshooting a KAT2 problem. (That was the only option I had trouble 
getting to work - my problem turned out to be caused by a small flake of 
metal held in place by leftover flux that was shorting two pins.)

One of my options (I forget which one) was missing one resistor. (It 
wasn't a value mixup or anything; the total count was one short.) I have 
an ample collection of 1/4 watt resistors, so I just filled in from my 
stock rather than troubling Elecraft to ship one. But I am certain that 
they would have cheerfully sent me a resistor if I had needed it. To 
counterbalance that, my K2 kit had two extra .1uF capacitors.

It seems to me that Elecraft is doing an excellent job. There may still 
be a LITTLE bit of room for improvement, but not much.