[Elecraft] KAT2/Serial port no longer after 2 years of use.

[Robert Fanfant]

Went on a mountain topping QRP expedition last weekend. To my dismay, upon
powering up my K2, the auto-tuner and serial port no longer worked.

Finally got around to opening up my K2 last night and heard what appeared to
be a rattling sound as I move the K2 from side to side. Turning the K2
upside down and shaking it, out fell what initially appeared to be a couple
pieces of wood chips. Upon closer inspecting one of the wood chips appeared
to be part of a capacitor!! Thinking I had blown up one of my capacitors,  I
took the entired K2 apart and found the problem to be in the auto tuner.

It appears that the internal battery over a 2 year period had crushed one of
the capacitors that extended beyond auto tuner PC board. It appears that the
battery was resting on the capacitor and as I moved my K2 over the years the
battery won out. Just a note to all of you that have the internal battery
and autotuner installed.

-rob N7QT
K2# 1406