[Elecraft] K2 VCO trouble and fix

[Johnny]

Hi Harlan,

Quick, prompt and accurate support are the most important to kit building 
and Elecraft has been doing it.  Some of the hams in VR2 commented that the 
kits were over priced.  However, I explained to them that what you got was 
not only packs of electronic components but also the design concept and 
excellent support services.  I owned quite a range of rigs from IC756pro3 to 
FTDX9000 but K2 is the only one which I can service it myself.

As at today, I have built 10 K2s.  Each time I encountered different 
problems (big or small, oversight or careless).  Gary always can cure my 
problems in the first round.

Enjoy your kit building.

73

Johnny Siu VR2XMC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <HSHERRIFF at sc.rr.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 9:33 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 VCO trouble and fix


>
> OK, here were my symtoms:
>
> Just completed Assembly Part II.
> Performing the VCO alignment... all is well (all voltages well in
> range)until I get to the 10m band. The Low freq. reading is 3.046...
> ok so far. But as I tune towards 28,800 I lose lock at about 28,400 or
> so.... voltage ramps up to 8.4.
>
> I checked C71 - C74, D21-D26, T5. all are correct. Soldering looks
> good.
> I move the windings of T5 in and out... this just changes the freq I
> lose lock at, but not by much. Still can't get near 28,800.
>
> I rewind T5... just for the fun of it.... (?)
> NO help there either.
>
> I e-mail Gary at Elecraft (3:01pm)
> Get a reply from Gary (4:33pm)
>
> He gave me a PAGE worth of "might be"... one being to check RCF15. He
> said if it was open it can cause all sorts of odd problems.
>
> Well, it WAS open... I must have bent the leads to much or heated it
> too much, or whatever. Anyway, I bridged across it momentarily to see
> what effect it would have.
> Guess what?   ALL VCO voltages were well within limits...including 10m
> high freq. Without even touching L30. So, I ordered a new choke and
> thanked Gary for a quick and accurate response.
>
> My comment to him was:
>
> "What a great radio, what a great staff...."
> It don't get better than this.......
> Now, back to building the best radio on the market.... by the way, I
> was able to copy a little CW on 40m while setting up to adjust the IF
> amp...
>
> Thanks Elecraft for a great product and a GREAT staff.
>
> Harlan
> KI4IDA