[Elecraft] OT: troubleshooting "gotcha's"

[Don Wilhelm]

I have not previously posted on this thread, but there has been a lot of 
good information posted by others.

Let me re-enforce what others have said on this subject. Some excerpts 
follow:
- Look for the 'simple' things first.
- Break things down into basics - work into a good dummy load, work with 
minimum connections to the transceiver. (It might be external equipment 
causing the problem).
- Verify your test equipment.
- Do not make assumptions.
- What is working is just as important as what is not, but do verify 
what is working first.
- Work in an orderly manner - take notes if your memory of what has been 
done is lacking in the 'heat of battle'..
- If it was working before, there is only a single failure point.
- The problem is not usually the worst case scenario.
- RF voltage checks are important part of troubleshooting if you have a 
transmit problem.
- Intermittent problems are a bear to find - when you touch something in 
the area, it works and the problem disappears - look for faulty solder 
connections.

Familiarity with the block diagram (or better yet the schematic) of the 
transceiver is a great help as is some familiarity with the basics of 
electrical laws and circuits. (i.e. if the emitter DC voltage of a 
transistor is not correct, and the resistor value is correct, then the 
transistor is not drawing the expected current - simple Ohms law).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/8/2013 6:33 PM, Stan AE7UT wrote:
> Well let us hope I learned from the experience!
>
> I just ordered a K2 to build.  I'm so grateful for
> the patience and help from the group.
>
>