[Elecraft] K2 Intermitt

[W B Reese]

Dear Elecrafters,

For some years now my K2/100 S/N 838 has had an intermitt.

When I take it to a new location, it is generally jostled somewhat in 
moving it and hooking it up.

When all installed, everything works perfectly,... then...

Without warning, the received tone on the other guy gets "holes" in 
it.  Like a noise blanker is cutting out the audio on noise bursts, 
only the noise blanker is off and these holes are much bigger than 
noise blanker holes.  The holes get bigger and bigger until you can't 
read the other station, then, mysteriously, they go away and all is 
normal.  If you are transmitting during one of these episodes, the 
other station will report that you are breaking up.

Whatever it is, affects both transmitt and receive the same.

Some years ago I discovered that unplugging the anderson power 
connector on the rear and plugging it back in cleared the problem, 
but it troubled me that this is not a very good way to turn 
transistors on and off and it could result in transients.  It 
certainly made a loud "pop" in the loudspeaker.  Obviously, there was 
a problem in the power cord !  So the cord was replaced and the VCC 
was measured during a breaking up episode and found to be stable 
inside the K2/100.  So it was not the power cord.

The next solution was to turn K2 on it's left side and hit it with a 
good smart "whack" with my fist.  After one or two of these, the 
problem clears and does not come back until K2 is taken on a trip, 
and then it starts up again.

An "easy fix" and much less potentially destructive than jerking the 
power cord in and out.  Never the less, still embarrassing on field 
day when I'm out with the "boys."

Does anyone have an idea what might be causing this ?

Thanks,

TR, WB6TMY
K2/100 S/N 838



Tel: . . . 707-832-4304