[Elecraft] Re: a K2 thought

[VR2BrettGraham]

W4BQP reported:

>I've had my K2 for several years now (#2268).  Recently, my audio pot
>developed the noisy condition so I decided to do the noisy pot mod.
>During the mod I discovered an unsoldered connection.  Apparently there
>was enough contact with the plated-through hole to make the connection.
>And I used the component by component method of soldering. So even with
>the most careful of construction techniques you can occasionaly mess up.

Plated through holes connect traces on one side of the printed
circuit board to those on the other side.

As my K2 is of about the same vintage as yours, such reports of flaky
plated through holes is of great concern, as the very same issue has
been a problem with other equipment manufacturers.

Problems with plated through holes is a serious PCB QC issue & is
one no decent PCB vendor should let slip through.  I doubt Elecraft
does its own QC on incoming PCBs (other than visual).

Would you be so kind as to elaborate on the dickie plated-through
holes that you found?

Based on your report, I am concerned my K2 is a time bomb waiting
to happen.

Thank you.

73, VR2BrettGraham