[Elecraft] Bizarre K2 keyer issue

[Don Wilhelm]

Lloyd,

Do you have the 2 diodes to permit using a hand key in addition to 
paddles (auto-detect)?

If so, try removing the diodes to see if it works - Turn off auto-detect.

Do you have a microphone connected?  If so, remove it on the possibility 
that there may be a mic problem with the PTT switch.

If no diodes, put a 1/8 inch stereo plug in the key jack and short 
across the tip and sleeve contacts and then across the sleeve and ring. 
See if either the dots or the dashes become extended.  If not 
investigate the external cable(s) to the paddles.

If you have trouble with just the stereo plug, the next suspect is the 
key jack - although they seldom fail (I have only 2 in all the K2s I 
have serviced), that is the least expensive possible fault.

Eliminating the above as a problem, the only thing left is the firmware.

On 8/28/2018 4:08 PM, LL wrote:
>   This is the weirdest thing ever.
> 
> So my wonderful K2, #4442, was pressed into service once again, a few
> months ago, after some needed TLC from Alan Wilcox.
> 
> All was fine. In fact, it was all wonderful!
> 
> So I just built a new antenna; got it up yesterday, it's a 40M full-wave
> Delta Loop. Hoping for some DX.
> 
> Early last evening, I got some plugs on the end of the feedline, and
> connected both antlers to the rig. After comparing received sigs, I decided
> to call CQ, and compare RBN results. But someone replied, and I began a
> QSO.
> 
> That's when this trouble began. I was unable to send intelligible code;
> extra dits were being inserted. I tried changing menu settings, fiddled
> with the key. I finally had to just bag the QSO and go QRT.
> 
> This never happened before. Whether operating, or in test mode, the keying
> is intermittently whacky. It will sometimes send a couple or five extra
> dits. In HAND mode, it will extend dahs, randomly.