[Elecraft] [K2] where there's the smell of smoke...

[John Shadle]

Hi Don,
Thanks for the response.

I received an off-list reply from another fellow who mentioned U6 on
the KPA100 being an issue--but he said that I should be using the 3
conductor cable to connect the KPA100 to the USB-to-serial adapter. To
clarify, I *am* using the adapter in the KPA100 manual (DB9 female on
one end DB9 male on the other end) to connect to the USB-to-serial
cable.

In any case, I do agree that there is an issue related to the key or
something being shorted to ground--but I don't think that keying the
rig for the less than 2 minutes it took for me to run upstairs to get
my headphones would've caused something to burn up (which is
definitely what happened).

I'm concerned about the fact that I saw a small spark when I plugged
in the USB to my laptop and what ramifications that may have for the
KPA100 unit or its circuitry related to the rig control/DB9.

The key was definitely all the way in, though, I'll check that this
afternoon during my son's nap.

Thanks!
-john

On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 8:28 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>  John,
>
> Maybe you are working on it too late :-) .
>
> If the keying stops when the key is removed, I would suspect the key and
> cable rather than the K2.
> To see if there is a key jack problem, plug a bare 3.5mm stereo plug into
> the jack.
>
> If your plug is only partly inserted, the dash contact in the key jack can
> be touching the shell - that will key the K2 with dashes momentarily until
> the plug is seated.
>
> As a side-note -- I have found several K2 owners who severely tighten the
> dress nut on the key jack (and the BNC jack as well).  That really is not
> necessary and can damage the jack.  Just tighten a little bit beyond finger
> tight.  The nut holds neither the rear panel nor the jack in place, it is
> just there for appearance - just tight enough to keep the nut from backing
> itself off is sufficient.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 1/21/2011 10:25 PM, John Shadle wrote:
>>
>> First follow-up.
>>
>> When I unplugged the key from the back of the rig, the keying stops.
>> If I change the input to "hand" then it keys continuously (once I plug
>> the key back in). Again, if I remove the key, the keying stops.
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Still not sure what in the world I fried. Haven't opened up the case
>> to check yet. Need to get to bed now. Zzzz.
>>
>