[Elecraft] Very Dissatisfied With Elecraft Support

[Jim Wiley]

Jon -

It sounds like you're starting to feel a bit better about your chances 
of successfully completing the K1 project. 


The K2 RF probe kit is a great idea, and can be used "as is" - that is 
to say, with no external covering.  However, if you feel uncomfortable 
about possibly disturbing a reading by inadvertently touching part of 
the circuitry when making measurements, any sort of tube that will cover 
the probe will work.  Non-conductive is probably a better choice. 
Possible suggestions:  the body of a large "fat body" ballpoint pen, 
sans inner parts of course, or a round plastic tube like toothbrushes 
sometimes come in, or even a short length of PVC plumbing pipe plus a 
couple of end caps (get the smallest that will fit - probably 3/8" or 
1/2", the thinnest wall you can find.  You get the idea. 


Your methodology in checking solder joints is right on.  However, 
remember that the relays are magnetic latching- so unless you measure at 
least one set of contacts with an ohmmeter,  you cannot be sure what 
state (open or closed) they are in.


Don't be embarrassed about going to a club and confessing your "newness" 
- we were all there once, and most hams are eager to help if they can.  
Almost every club has one or two technical experts, and they almost 
universally will help a newcomer - in fact, are more likely to help a 
newcomer than a more experienced ham. 


Welcome to the world of ham radio and Elecraft.  Having built a K2 and 
almost of the available options, I can only agree that Elecraft's 
technical support is absolutely unmatched.  I should have such good 
support for my Yaesu FT-100D - it's dead, and Yaesu's service department 
not only won't give any help, they tell me they no longer work on that 
model.    Nuff said!


By the way, as time and finances permit, my shack is slowly working it's 
way to 100% Elecraft.  The imports are on their way out.


- Jim, KL7CC




Jon Perelstein wrote:
> Thank you all for your responses.
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