[Elecraft] Long Term Reliability: K2 5 year anniversary

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

K2 S/N 1289 is just 4 years old and has yet to have anything "fail". I've
done a number of mods like most pre S/N3000 owners. It was one of the units
used as an early test bed and then a FT unit for the stability mods. That
work involved temperature-cycling the rig by transmitting into a dummy load
until the heat sink was too hot to hold my hand on. Did that at least 50
times to check the drift characteristics.

As a matter of "form" going back to my vacuum tube final days, I picked up a
spare set of finals when I built the rig. They're still in my semiconductor
supply box untouched in spite of transmitting into very high SWR's more than
once. 

I can't offer an opinion on the RIT control. I never use it. I prefer to do
RIT with the main tuning control. I find it much nicer than twiddling with
the little knob. 

Ron AC7AC



-----Original Message-----
Both K2's here are approaching the 5 year mark. #139 was on the air July 4th
weekend; #583 in October. One consideration prior to buying them had to do
with unproven reliability: Would the radio(s) last?  

They are not only alive and well but functioning perfectly. The only problem
I've had is with the RIT controls in both radios. Fortunately, replacing the
pot is a relatively easy job...
Wanted to discuss K2 reliability statistics w/ Elecraft at Dayton but
couldn't get within 5 feet of Wayne or Eric due to the clamoring crowd :-)
It would be interesting to hear from others at or near the 5 year milestone.

73,  John  K1JD