[Elecraft] K2 I/O Problem Fixed

[Mark, K2QO]

Hi Gang,

Here is the Readers Digest version of my repair. Bottom Line?  The Max 1406 chip on the I/O board was toast and Don Wilhelm was instrumental in getting me back on line.

On Friday evening of FD setup this year, my K2 (SN#543) worked FB and was talking to the computer at the K2ZR/Buffalo Lighthouse Crew FD. On Saturday, the op took the seat and, well, no info from the rig. Hmmmm..... Everything was unplugged overnight so the thunderstorms shouldn't have had an effect. Maybe ESD from plugging in the first antenna? Who knows.

During troubleshooting after FD, I caused a smoke release from L1 on the daughter board which is plugged into the front panel. This caused complications as I had no spare. 

But, THANK GOD we have Don Wilhem on the job! He guided me through the whole process with about 4 email go-arounds and SHAZAAM, a final determination that the MAX1406 likely died. A call the the Big-E, three days for the pony express, and about 10 minutes ago my favorite rig was moved from the workbench to the Op table where it is supposed to be. Fixed and ready for DX.

For the past few weeks I had my FT817 (IF rig for uW work) and my FT100D (Rover and 6M) on the Op table. They are not even in the same league as the K2. And to think that I've been considering a new fancy Yaesu to take over for the old K2.....

73,
Mark, K2QO
FN03ra