[Elecraft] [Bulk] K2 Fault History?

[Don Wilhelm]

Jack,

Predicting the particular failure that you will experience is a pure SWAG.
However, the most common failure point for a basic K2 is the headphone 
jack.  If you have a KPA100, then the wattmeter diodes (1N5711) is the 
most common failure point - that can be minimized by connecting the K2 
to a dummy load when not in use and making certain all your antenna 
feedlines have a DC path across the feedline (5K to 50k resistor).
If you do have a KPA100 and the wattmeter diodes fail, it can take out 
the base K2 PA transistors because the K2 firmware thinks there is no RF 
output and increases the drive to the max - and that stresses the base 
K2 PA transistors.

Let it be said that the really most common failure for the K2 is 
soldering problems.  Parts failure is low on the list of expected 
failure points.

So, my list of most commonly used parts if you want to stock up.
Headphone jack
1N5711 diodes (2 needed)
K2PAKIT

73,
Don W3FPR
>>> Has there been any trends over time, where the same components have failed
>>> on a K2.  I was looking to buy some spares, in case I have a failure. At
>>> least I would not then have to wait for parts to ship, from Elecraft. A
>>> suggested spares list?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Jack  VK4JRC
>>>