[Elecraft] KX1 Build Woes

[Don Wilhelm]

Mike,

Take a good look at the seating of U1 in its socket.  The pins should be 
inserted up to the shoulders.
It is takes a bit of pressure to seat the pins in the machine pin 
socket.  I suggest two thumbs on the top of the IC and fingers on the 
bottom of the board.  Squeeze hard.  Before doing that, examine closely 
to be certain no pins had been folded under.  You may have to remove the 
firmware to check for that condition.

That is the most common fault causing your symptoms, but it could be 
that the crystal is bad.  Did you take a long time (more that 5 or 6 
seconds) when soldering the ground wire to the crystal case?  If so, it 
may have gotten hot enough to damage it.

Bottom line, DS1 is most likely good, and the most likely failure is the 
firmware IC or the crystal as a second guess.
The only real test for faulty firmware is to try another one.  If you 
have a close acquaintance with a KX1 he may be willing to let you try a 
swap, but if not, contact parts at elecraft.com and request both a 
replacement KX1 firmware and just in case, a new crystal.

Handle the firmware IC with antii-static precautions, it is easily 
damaged.  A wrist strap is a minimum measure although an anti-static mat 
is a great addition.  If you are working on carpet, get a can of "Static 
Guard" from the grocery store (used to release static clingy clothing) 
and spray it on the carpet in your work area.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/27/2013 2:22 PM, Mikey - WB8ICN wrote:
> I bought a KX1 (S/N 000648) in May 2044 at Dayton and just now getting 
> around to building it.
>
> PCB Rev B1, 2003
> Software 1.0.1
> Manual dated 2003
>
> I finished installing up to the encoder (Z1) and checked the 
> resistance checks (page 26) which were good.
> Installed the microcontroller (U1).
> When Switch 1 is turned on, the lamp lights brightly.
> When Switch 2 is turned on, the LED display (DS1) does nothing. I know 
> Switch 2 is working because the voltages on U1 and U3 are present when 
> Switch 2 is on and not present when Switch is off.
> The voltage checks (page 28) for DC and AC are good...but that is as 
> far as I have gotten.
>
> I can see no activity on any of the pins for U1 using my Rigol DSO.
> I can see no sine wave from the 3.995MHz crystal (X1)...but don't know 
> if I should or not.
> I see no shorts to ground for any of the pins for U1 and RP1.
> I can see no solder bridges and have reheated the pins for DS1, U1 and 
> RP1.
>
> Is there a way to verify if DS1 is good or bad?
> Is there a way to verify is U1 is good or bad?
>
> At this point, I could either continue to populate the PCB till all 
> parts are installed and send back to Elecraft for troubleshooting, or 
> try to figure out if DS1 and U1 are good or bad.
>
> Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!
>
> 72...Mikey, WB8ICN
>
>
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