[Elecraft] KPA100 Tightening the finals...

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I haven't noticed any looseness in mine since tightening them a few months
after the initial build, and I did some testing of the "drift" mods that had
me cycling the K2 finals over and over again hard enough that the heat sink
was too hot to leave my hand on for any length of time. 

So I'd guess that you're fine, now that you've done the initial
re-tightening.

Checking heat sink screws whenever I have a rig open is sort of "second
nature" to me after servicing gear professionally for a few years. On the
other hand, you don't want to crank 'em down so tight you damage the gaskets
and washers on the hardware. Snug 'em but don't do what I like to call
"Godzilla" them <G>. 

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100 Tightening the finals...


Just finished the KNB2 for my K2 (a birthday present from the in-laws 
-- yea!) and while I was inside the K2 to install it I tightened up 
the screws on the KPA100 finals per Elecraft's recommendation, since 
I've been using the radio for about 6 months now and this was 
probably overdue. They all took a little snugging up, maybe a little 
less than 1/8 turn.

My question is: will they stay tight now for all time? Or do I have 
to check them now and then? What's the theory on the thermal cycling 
here and how it effects these screws?

Just wondering...

-- Ward / KG6HAF _______________________________________________