[Elecraft] K2 BFO issues

[Anthony Clare]

Hello:

Looks like I am not the only one to have this problem. Just finished assembly
phase 2(?) on the K2. It was during the BFO tests that I realized there was
not enough signal at the test point for the internal counter. I checked for
poor solder, improper varactor diode install, verified that L33 was intact and
not being shorted by the 5 meg resistor, etc. I ran one crystal at a time, but
neither one would provide the proper signal level alone. I even checked L33 on
the inductance meter and it came out to about 39uH, which seems about right. I
assume the inductance meter has some error. The resistor measures out to about
5 meg.

Anyway, with the test pojnt NOT active, I get about 385 mV at pin 6 of the
NE602. in counter mode, that drops into the 250 mV range and I get about 25 mV
at the test point. When i use the band up/down buttons to check BFO range, it
drops to around 10 mV at either end.

I even tried some other crystals (4.915, 5.242, 9.000, etc.) I had laying
around to see what happened. Same low signal levels.

I hate to shotgun, but I have already replaced the 602 and J-310 since I have
tons in the parts pins.

Any ideas?

Anthony
n3kcb