[Elecraft] RE: A Bad Thing Happened To My K2 - Update 1

[Mark Saunders, KJ7BS]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.  Here is some more information
resulting from your suggestions.

I have no measurable RF output on 40m or any meaningful RX on 40m.  

The RX/TX works on all other bands including 160m.

I get the same RX/TX results from ANT1 & ANT2 and main.

I get the same RX results on the receive ANT.

Mark, KJ7BS
Glendale, AZ
Editor, The SKCC Centurion
Elecraft K2 S/N 0539
Fists # 2972 CC 1806
SKCC # 2240 C56 T20
MQFD # 128
QRP-ARCI # 12647
AZ ScQRPions
COGRC Emergency Communications

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mark Saunders, KJ7BS
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:04 PM
To: Elecraft Mail List
Subject: [Elecraft] A Bad Thing Happened To My K2
Importance: High

This evening I had a guest ham in the shack who was curious about my K2 and
asked if we could hook it up.  So we did.  I pointed out which 12v power
strip, power cord, and antenna to use.  While I was getting the proper
computer interface cables hooded up, my guest connected the radio to the
power and switched it on.  I heard a loud snap and immediately looked in the
direction of the K2 operating position.  My guest had a strange look on his
face and I asked what happened.  There was a spark from the outside of the
antenna connector on the back of the K2 to the center connector of the coax.

 

That can't happen, right?  Wrong.

 

After shutting down the power supply and inspecting things, I discovered my
guest had wired the power backwards.  Fortunately the reverse polarity
circuitry protected the radio and internal battery.  The radio was operating
from the battery, that's why it came on.  I still can't understand where the
spark came from.  However, I now have virtually NO receive on 40m, that's
where the radio was when the spark occurred.  I have transmit and receive on
all other bands and transmit on 40m, just no receive on 40m.

 

That spark killed something dealing with 40m receive.  It is so bad I can't
even hear the local oscillator around 7000 KHz with the pre-amp on.  There
is no CW or SSB receive.

 

Mark, KJ7BS
Glendale, AZ
Editor, The SKCC Centurion
Elecraft K2 S/N 0539
Fists # 2972 CC 1806
SKCC # 2240 C56 T20

MQFD # 128
QRP-ARCI # 12647
AZ ScQRPions

COGRC Emergency Communications

 

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