[Elecraft] Remove the Heat Sink or Go to the Dentist?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

> Does anyone have a solution to getting the thing back on without
> shorting either of the 2 power transistors to the casing?
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated, because I really enjoying looking at the
> inside of my K-2 :)
>
> Thanks
> Tom
> WB2QDG

I've only done it once since I built my K2 and it was no problem at all.

I put the K2 on its side so the screws would not fall out of the transistors
when the nuts were removed.

On the bottom, I removed the nuts and washers, and carefully slid the bottom
panel off while holding the screw tops with my fingers so they didn't get
jiggled out. Then I loosely replaced the nuts on the screws to keep the
hardware in place while I worked on the K2. I never removed any hardware
except the nuts.

Reassembly was done the same way in reverse. Remove the nuts and, while
holding two fingers on the tops of the screw heads, slid the bottom plate
back on and replaced the nuts just tight enough to keep the hardware in
place. After the mounting screws for the panel were tightened, the nuts were
made just "snug".

Remember, the nuts are simply there to ensure a good thermal connection to
the bottom panel. They do not need to be very tight at all! Just snug enough
to ensure there is contact between the pads and transistors for efficient
heat transfer.

A quick check with an ohmmeter told me that I could apply power without
worrying about any sparks.

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289