[Elecraft] Crystal grounding for blow-by (was: Team Elecraft etc.)

[k6se@juno.com]

Ron, AC7AC wrote:

"There are only a few of mods that Wayne or Eric have stated clearly (on
this reflector) will be added to the K2 design. The volume control mod
and the 2nd Xfil filter flattening mod are two that come to mind."
----------
Those are exactly the same two mods I was referring to when I said that
foil traces had to be cut.  It was necessary to implement both mods in my
K2.  If I want to show off my K2 and someone one looks at the areas on
the PC boards where these mods are done, it doesn't look as good as it
was before the mod.

Another cut-the-foil-trace mod that had to be done when I built the
KPA100 was when the sidetone source was changed and two wires were
soldered in where foil traces should be.  This just makes the end product
look unclean, IMO.
==========

"Other mods may improve the performance somewhat (I'm thinking of the
excellent work John, KI6WX did on filter improvements) but those appear
to be mods that Wayne or Eric will have to evaluate further to see if it
seems worth the cost and time to them to add them to the basic kit."
----------
Since I haven't done that mod yet, if it reduces filter "blowby" it is an
absolute MUST mod, IMO.  It shouldn't be too hard for Wayne or Eric or
Gary to determine if this mod is worthwhile.  If they decide it is, they
don't have to re-write the manual.  All they have to do is put it in the
addendum which accompanies the manual.

As far as technical support goes, Elecratft is great.  Numerous phone
conversations a e-mails with Gary helped me in troubleshooting and
solving some problems I had in the initial testing phase of my K2.  He
was always there to help when I needed it.

However, I have a gripe when it comes to parts support.  My K2 had an IC
missing from it.  When I talked to Scott, he sent me the wrong part after
we agreed on the phone which part was needed.  When the wrong part
arrived it took another phone call to get the correct part sent.  This
caused a delay of about two weeks in completing assembly of the kit.

Another instance is that my KSB2 kit had one part missing -- the PC
board!!!  Another one week delay.

My KPA100 kit was missing two 68-ohm 2-watt resistors and the plastic
inserts for the ribbon cable plugs (and some cabinet screws).  I e-mailed
Scott about it on a Saturday, saying that the resistors were of utmost
importance and that the plastic inserts and screws could wait.  I
expected that he would read my e-mail on Monday and ship the resistors
the same day.  On Wednesday I received an e-mail from him saying that he
didn't have the plastic inserts in stock but would ship all of the
missing parts as soon as the plastic inserts arrived.  This outraged me
because I specifically said that it was the resistors that were the
important item.  I insisted that he send the resistors immediately by
some overnight delivery service, because by this time the kit was near
completion and further assemby was held up while awaiting the resistors. 
He sent them out Thursday via FedEx one-day service and they arrived
(including the inserts and screws!) here Friday morning.  Attached was a
receipt for the $15 they charged me for the delivery service!

I don't feel that delay was my fault by any means, but I didn't complain
about the $15 they charged me for a delivery for missing parts which
should have been delivered by Friday if they were shipped by ordinary
means on Monday (as they should have been)!

Support???  And I'll bet that I'm not alone when it comes to missing
parts in an Elecraft kit.

Maybe you can understand why I have a bad taste in my mouth about
Elecraft's strange ways of handling some of the things.

Make that  a "2" on my K2 rating on Eham.net.

73, de Earl, K6SE