[Elecraft] K1 Backlight Installation

[Scott Krebs]

I've reached the point in assembling my K1 where I install the backlight kit and have a few questions:

1. I assume that the black neoprene LCD spacer that comes with the K1 is not used when the backlight kit is installed? In other words, the only items under the LCD will be the insulator card and backlight?

2. The K1 manual directs shifting to the backlight installation instructions immediately after the installation of U1. However, one of the first steps of the backlight instructions is to remove U1. Is this step only applicable when installing the backlight on a completed K1 where the LCD has to first be removed, or is it also applicable to the backlight installation during a new build of a K1 (i.e., LCD not previously installed)?

3. Under the section "Preparation of the Backlight Installation Site," the backlight instructions direct the flush-trim of all component leads between the two rows of LCD PC board pads. Does this mean to flush-trim the U1 socket pins or does the insulator card rest on top of the untrimmed U1 socket pins?

4. The backlight instruction graphic shows the right side of the foam tape on the insulator card being completely flush with the right side of the blue backer paper. However, on my insulator card, the right side of the blue backer paper extends about 1/16 inch beyond the right side of the white foam tape. Should I trim the right side of the blue backer paper to be flush with the right side of the white foam tape?

5. Step 25 of the backlight instructions directs the testing of the backlight illumination level prior to soldering the LCD pins. Since I've yet to assemble the RF board and, therefore, can't apply power to the backlight as directed in this step, is there any other testing of the backlight that I need to do prior to soldering the LCD pins?

Scott
N4KTR