[Elecraft] RE: B.I.T.E. suggestion

[Don Wilhelm]

Andy,
There is a problem with built-in test equipment that is not independently
powered (needs batteries that never run down!!!) - particularly those with
LED indicators, and that is if the reference voltage device fails, the
indications are faulty - and just an indication that there is some voltage
available is not enough when there is a problem.  Such built in 'test'
equipment is (IMHO) just for the sales sheets - a good engineer or
technician knows that these indicators are only good for 'on' or 'off' -
that may be OK for digital, but not enough for analog parts of the K2.

As you have stated - if the regulators fail, the front panel display is not
available, so that is when you can drag out your trusty VOM (no power
required except for resistance readings) and make some checks to see where
the problem is.

OTOH, today we do not experience much degradation in performance as we did
in days past with those old vaccuum tube devices.  Rarely do semiconductor
devices change characteristics - they are either dead or alive, so
troubleshooting is actually easier.  But to counter that - it is the
semiconductor devices that allow the designer to pack so much function into
a very small package - to the point where some things are just to complex to
test using traditional methods.  It is not possible to totally exercise some
of the more complex circuits fully (I have tried as a test engineer - and
yet failed due to the number of combinations possible).  But then I am
rambling!!!

IMHO, Wayne and Eric did include nice things like the voltmeter and
frequency counter so we could do some testing without any other equipment.
Add an inexpensive VOM to use when the front panel power goes out, and I'd
say the K2 has all the test equipment needed for emergencies - for
non-emergencies, there is alway that stuff on the workbench that does the
job easier.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----
>
> How about a couple of jumpers to jump the 5V and
> 8V lines to dropping resistors and a pair of LEDs?
> (Or use a three-position jumper and one LED.)

A couple of people have pointed out that there's a
voltmeter right there in the K2 front panel display.
Of course! But my point was, I'd like a visual way
to verify that the 8V or 5V regulator lines are dead
or not. If either one is dead, so will be front panel.