[Elecraft] K2 Miscellaneous Build Questions

[Vic K2VCO]

Jon Perelstein wrote:

> 1.  On the Control Board, when I installed capacitor C4 (0.47 microF,
> monolithic cap "474"), it somewhat overhangs and touches diode D1
> (1N4148).  C4 is a rather thick (fat) capacitor and there doesn't
> seem to be any way to install it without it overhanging and touching
> D1.  Is this okay?

The bodies of the components can touch without any problems. They are 
very well insulated!

> 2.  After getting through pg. 14 and most of the capacitors on pg.
> 15, I noticed that my new diagonal cutters (bought from Radio Shack)
> are slightly magnetic -- that is, they attract and pick up the
> clipped leads.  I have of course gotten rid of them -- but do you
> think that using those cutters could have damaged anything?
> Fortunately, I had not gotten to any of the ICs or transistors when I
> discovered this.

Magnetism is *not* a problem. What is a problem is electrostatic charges 
such as are caused by walking on a rug, petting a cat, or just existing. 
This is why you should use an antistatic wrist-strap and mat. But 
magnetic tools will not hurt anything in a K2.

> 3.  Why is it after getting all the way through pages 14, 15, and 16,
> it appears that there are more components than ever remaining to be
> installed??  Do they procreate at night when I'm not looking?

Yes.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco