[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for October 15th & 16th, 2006

[Tracker]

It was good to get back on the net.  As many of you know, my K2 has been
inoperable for about a year.  I had worked with Gary and determined the
final transistors were shot.  That is where things went terribly wrong.

Let me say now, building the Elecraft K2 was my first major build.  I had
built several smaller, less complex, projects, but this was by far the most
intense.  The K2 worked the first time out and I loved it.  I built it in
1998.  I've never done any troubleshooting or repairs or mods to any of my
projects, so I have little experience there.

In replacing the final transistors and the other parts, I had a difficult
time unsoldering the parts for removal (I could not clear the solder from
the through holes).  I did the absolute wrong thing, I used a very small
drill (much smaller than the through holes) between my fingers to remove the
solder and open the hole.  Unfortunately, this destroyed the through-hole
plating and broke the connection between each side of the PCB (I would never
have found that, but Gary did).  Gary repaired my sloppy repair and made
sure K2 # 00539 was in good working order before returning it to me.

LESSON # 1: NEVER, NEVER use a drill bit to remove solder.
LESSON # 2: Solder wick is, at best, used for removing EXCESS solder, not
unsoldering parts.
LESSON # 3: Invest in a solder rework station with good suction to remove
the solder in through-hole boards.

I learn something every time I deal with QRPers.  Thanks you to everyone who
has shared so much.  I will continue to learn from you and maybe some day I
can do the same for someone else.

Mark Saunders, KJ7BS
Glendale, AZ
TinyTrak4 Beta Tester
Elecraft K2 # 00539
FISTS # 2972
SKCC # 2240



-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kevin Rock
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 8:29 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for October 15th & 16th, 2006

Wow is all I can say.

What a great way to spend a Sunday evening.  The NCS hat got bounced  
around and there were check ins from all over.  Then there was Carter,  
N3AO.  Eastern Pennsylvania better watch out!  There are buttons popping  
off this guy's vest.  Congratulations to Kay and Carter, they've just  
become grandparents.  A fine baby boy has come into the world.  Now it is  
your duty to spoil him rotten ;)  And get him operating QRP of course!  A  
KX1 should be just about the right size for him.  Ask Wayne and see what  
he thinks.

Then there was Ray checking in on both bands with his KX1 from North  
Carolina.  I am not sure what he feeds that rig but he somehow manages to  
break pileups and fight his way through heavy QSB.  Must be spinach!  On  
forty meters I had been warned to watch out for Dale, K6PJV, working from  
Ft. Stevens, Oregon.  That is 48 miles from me as the crow flies.  He made  
it but the going was rough.  I passed him to Tom for a real check in ;)   
When Ken checked in on forty I started wondering.  Then sure enough I  
understood; he was running a straight key.  Commendable fist too with  
little notice of the switch from his keyer.  True amateur spirit.  But I  
would have to say the same of you all.  Very polite, fine operators.  Like  
I said before, what a great way to spend a Sunday evening!

On to the lists =>

On 14050 kHz at 2256z:
N0SS - Tom - MO - K2 - 008  QNI #165!!!  Thanks for the help.
K2HYD - Ray - NC - KX1 - 608    You may need to send that rig back to  
Wayne for special tests :)
N6JW - John - CA - K2 - 3290
N3AO - Carter - PA - K2 - 678    Congratulations!!
K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422
K6DGW - Fred - CA - K2 - 4398
K5BGB - Rod - TX - K2 - 1126    I heard you at 239.
N7NLU - Karl - OR - K2 - 4227
W0CZ - Ken - ND - K2 - 1031    QNI #135!!!
AB9V - Mike - IN - K2 - 3993
N9SF - Bob - IN - K2 - 5308
KI8JM - Bob - OH - K2 - 3630
K4ZMV - Jim - GA - K2 - 5731    Welcome to ECN!

On 7045.5 kHz at 0157z:
N0SS - Tom - MO - K2 - 008
W0CZ - Ken - sunny ND - K2 - 1031    Straight key night is not too far off.
K6PJV/7 - Dale - OR - K2 - 5345
AE6GC - Jack - CA - KX1 - 1403    QNI #5!
VE3XL - Ric - ON - K1 - 968
N6JW - John - CA - K2 - 3290
N7NLU - Karl - OR - K2 - 4227    I could just make you out on 40.
KJ7BS - Mark - AZ - K2 - 539   QNI #5!
K2HYD - Ray - NC - KX1 - 608

If there are any errors in the above lists please email me the corrections.

Thank you for the fun times.  One of these days I am going to take this  
show on the road again.  Next week I may be operating from a new  
location.  But that one will only be thirty feet away in my new work  
area.  I think Tom may be jealous though since he uses his bench for  
building, repairing, and operating.  I am in the same boat and am taking  
steps to give myself plenty of room.  I do not like having to move  
everything multiple times a week to simply work on something else.  I will  
have at least three benches with plenty of shelf space soon.  I don't know  
how long this happy state will last but I will enjoy it until my  
documentation and projects overrun the space alloted them.  Can you  
imagine having a dedicated operating position?  Most of us can only  
dream.  I am not sure how folks in RVs manage.

Until next week stay well and stay warm,
    73,
       Kevin.  KD5ONS  (Net Control Operator 5th Class)





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