[Elecraft] even more data on e42 problem

[Mike Morrow]

 Sergio wrote:

>i checked the vfo freq..and here's what i get.. the lower end
>is 2930 when i try to find the upper end..get an e42 error as
>soon as i get to 3036..
>
>when i first built and aligned the rig.. the numbers i got for the
>vfo ends were:2905 and 3082..


If you've done any work around or with VFO coil L1, you'll likely get a good
shift in VFO frequency until you re-adjust the spacing of the turns on L1 to
get back to the desired range.  Sounds like you need to compress a turn or
two to get back to 2905 kHz.
..
>somehow, the vfo freq isn't right.. the span is all messed up..

The span (about 87 kHz) is likely still OK,  You're just loosing freqency
indication about halfway through the VFO pot's range so you don't know where
the high end is now.

>can someone give me some clues as to what to check next?

Can you **receive** signals when the display is OK?  If so, can you still
receive signals when you have the E42 error?  If so, your VFO is probably
OK, but there's a problem with the signal which is sent from the VFO to the
front panel MCU frequency counter.  In that case, you should be looking for
poor connections around counter buffer RF-Q9, RF-R6, RF-C8, RF-P1 pin 10,
FP-J1 pin 10, FP-Q1, FP-R11, FP-R12, and FP-U1 pin 6 [RF=RF PCB, FP=Front
Panel PCB].  Check the seating of the FP MCU (U1) and inspect pin 6 in
particular.  Intermittent connections anywhere in these locations could
cause your display to go crazy, even though the VFO and the rest of the
radio are still functioning normally.

Good luck and 73,

Mike / KK5F