[Elecraft] KXAT1 intermittent relay drop

[Don Wilhelm]

Alan,

Physically damaged relay cases are a sign of unreliable relays, Replace 
them.
There is no need to trim the plastic of any relay - it was most likely 
bitten by a hot soldering iron and then trimmed to remove the melted 
part.  It should have been replaced.

73,
Don W3FPR
On 7/17/2012 11:10 PM, Alan Jump wrote:
> I inherited a KX1 about three weeks ago, and until this afternoon it had
> been performing flawlessly on a random-wire antenna and counterpoise.
> Today, I was trying to call CQ on 20m, and after running a tuning cycle
> and seeing a 1.2:1 match, I started calling CQ as usual. In the middle
> of sending a character, the unit "clicked" and the background noise fell
> off enough to darken the S-meter bar display. I ran another tune cycle
> and saw a 9.9:1 match, but the background noise came back. Yet another
> tune cycle and the radio returned to the 1.2:1 match. The displayed
> output power didn't vary, showing 1.4 watts.
>
> I got curious and opened the case. Looking at the tuner board, I saw one
> relay (K7) that looked like a corner had been trimmed away. I can't tell
> if it was intentionally done by the original builder to afford clearance
> with a main-board toroid, or if it was heat damage. I looked through the
> documentation I was given along with the radio, and I don't see anything
> in the KXAT1 manual that calls for trimming anything for clearance, so
> my first instinct is a heat issue. I'll be emailing Parts to obtain a
> replacement relay in the morning.
>
>