[Elecraft] W2 Wattmeter Failure

[Roger Crofts]

I made a rare QSO on 630 metres the other day. My W2 wattmeter was in-line between the 630m transmitter and the 630m tuner. I was not using the W2, because my 630m transmitter has its own internal SWR meter. When I returned to normal HF operation, I noticed the W2 was not working. I discovered all four unity gain op-amps in the W2 directional coupler were destroyed. I replaced the op-amps and the W2 operated normally again. The W2 wattmeter is not intended to operate below 1.8 MHz, but it does have a 2KW rating, so one could be forgiven for assuming it could handle 50 watts at 475 KHz. Next time I operate on 630 metres, I will by-pass the W2.
Roger, VK4YB