[Elecraft] DISASTER..........

[W4MJT@cs.com]

It occurred during my KPA/100 construction.  Elecraft had chosen me
as a field tester and boy was I pumped.  I had enjoyed my K2 for 
almost a year and had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the KPA/100.
One day I recieved an email from Eric and he indicated that my status
as an alternate had changed.  WOW!!  A short time later the carton
arrived and being retired and time on my side, I started the inventory.
Everything was in order so I prepared my workbench, magnifier lamp,
soldering iron and other assorted essentials.  Everthing progressed
very nicely until I was nearly through with the construction, having the
KPA/100 inverted and laying to the right of the K2 with the cables
attaching the two.  My earphones were plugged into the K2 for the
test being conducted.  Suddenly my attention was diverted to an
alarming noise and I jumped up, not being aware that the earphone
cord was wrapped around by leg.  All I could say was "OH NO", "OH
NO", "OH NO", as the K2 and the KPA100 hit the concrete floor.  I
was literally afraid to look! Finally I generated up enough courage to
carefully pick up each unit and inspect.  All I could find was a slight
bend on the antenna jack on the K2.  There was not a single scratch
on the KPA/100.  I still hear the dull thud when the two hit the floor.
Well, esthetically it appeared that all was well.  The question was,
what was the hidden damage?  Quickly, I disconnected the two and
set the K2 up for the real test.  Just how good was this rig that I had
admired so much?  I was afraid to try, so instead I went upstairs for
a glass of tea.  Then I regained my positive thinking, returned and 
turned the rig on.  All went well, even after a couple contacts.  Gee,
how many would withstand that, I asked myself.  Well, surely the
problems were in the KPA/100.  I did have a couple "senior moments"
that Gary (Elecraft Support) and Tom (K0SS)helped me with, but so
help me, there was absolutely no damage to the KPA/100.  My
last lingering problem was rectified last weekend with Gary's help.
It was a problem with my KSB2, and I found that T2 will not work
correctly with 7 turns on the primary winding instead of 4.  I am sure
that Elecraft would not recommend what my K2/100 has been 
through, but I know at least one that survived it and did it in style.
My thanks go to Wayne, Eric and the rest of the Elecraft gang.
You are the greatest!

Furman Doty   w4mjt