[Elecraft] K2 repair advice

[Don Wilhelm]

Adam,

It does not require any exotic de-soldering equipment to remove components,
even those multi-legged critters.

It is relatively easy to remove any component - PROVIDED you do not make any
attempt to salvage the broken component.
With whatever tools you have available (small saws, pliers, diagonal
cutters, etc.), crush or otherwise dissect the component until you can
remove one pin at a time.  After the component pins are removed, while
heating the solder pad, push a stainless steel needle through the hole to
remove the old solder - a large sewing needle will do fine, but put a handle
on it so you don't burn your fingers - you can clean up a bit with solder
wick.

Once you have the holes clean, install the new component.

Remember that the board must be preserved - it is more valuable than the sum
of the parts onstalled on it - the components are expendable.

All de-soldering for the upgrades can be done easily by following the same
procedure.

Certainly, the exotic de-soldering stations make it quicker and easier, but
that is not the only way.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I have a question for the gurus regarding fixing my K2.  Back
> in 2003 I built a K2 with KPA100, KDSP2, SSB, 160 mod and
> external ATU and used it to operate mobile in South America
> for a period of time.  I then returned to the U.S. to begin
> med school and have been off the air since.  I'd like to get
> back into radio now with my K2.
>
> Shortly before I went QRT three years ago I noticed that the
> front panel earphone jack broke.  It provides audio to
> external headphones, but does not correspondingly cut audio
> out from the internal speaker.  Very annoying.
>
> I have only a short holiday vacation and then it's back to the
> grind at work.  I don't have the time to teach myself how to
> take apart the rig again, nor frankly would I trust myself to
> do a good job removing a part soldered onto the board at
> several points.  In the meantime I've simply unplugged P5 from
> the control board.  I'm worried that the front audio jack will
> completely break and then I'll be totally out of luck.
>
> The question is: What is the best option for getting
> assistance fixing my rig?  Should I send it to Elecraft
> service?  Can I send it to Elecraft service?  Should I
> subcontract out a rig builder?
>
> I noticed that there are several hardware/firmware upgrades
> that have come out that are also applicable for my rig.  It
> would be great to install these at the same time.
>
>
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