[Elecraft] K2 building mistake - my blindspot

[Edward R Cole]

Fred K6DGW wrote

"You can check and re-check as much as you want.  You're just going over
the same steps you went over the first time when you installed the
part[s].  You just did it [or think you did], it is basic human nature
to look right past the problem, a lot like proofreading what you've just
written.  The key is to have some mechanism, separate from just looking
at the construction steps, to yield a check."
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I've found separating a project into steps and checking/testing after 
a break (next day is best) helps to see things with a fresh 
perspective.  It also helps to keep multiple mistakes from clouding 
the issue.  One can often make a few ohmmeter tests to see if 
continuity exists (or doesn't).  Measuring expected voltage levels or 
signals can reveal a missed step or error.

The same approach works when writing up a technical 
piece.  Professional tech writing never leaves proof reading to the 
original author.  In my experience my work was reviewed by at minimum 
two other people.  After each review the original author gets to see 
the results of proofing and make corrections.  After a few review 
loops the product approaches nearly no errors either in composition 
or technical accuracy.  When I did not have the benefit of a 
reviewer, I resorted to proofing after a sufficient time away from 
writing.  Repetition of reviewing your work also helps.  Spell 
checkers give one almost the same benefit of having a second pair of 
eyes read your draft.

Of course when applying this to building your favorite project it is 
hard not to resist "just plugging it in...and hoping for no 'smoke' 
".  This, too often, results in letting out some smoke --- oops!

One rule I always made in repair work was the final functional test 
after the item was fully reassembled and supposedly 
"repaired".  Stuff can happen that will leave a contact or connector 
not fully made.  The "Final" test is where you catch that.  Nothing 
more embarrassing then to show a customer the "repaired" item and 
have it not work!


73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
dubususa at gmail.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"