[Elecraft] K1 VFO problem

[Mike Morrow]

Tom,

You cite my name in your post, but I have absolutely no idea of what you refer.  I built my K1 serial 175 in November 2000 and I experienced NO problems start to finish.

Quote the posting to which you refer, including its date.

Mike / KK5F


-----Original Message-----
>From: Tom Johnson <kq6dv73 at gmail.com>
>Sent: Mar 23, 2019 9:03 PM
>
>I have exactly Mike Morrow's problem, and wonder if he ever got it resolved. 
>Mike, if you are still around I'd like to hear what your resolution was.
>
>I am awaiting arrival of an RF Probe kit so I can do signal testing to
>attempt to trace down my problem.  In the meantime I have looked over my
>board to the point it's invading my dreams, and I do not see any visible
>problem with the installation of any of the parts, with special attention
>to: Q9, Q1, R11, R12, L1, C2.  
>
>I did see that I had not firmly seated U1, and corrected that:  I was hoping
>that would do the trick, but it did not - still get the E42 code.
>
>It just seems to me that as everything tested out fine up until the
>installation of the L1 Toroid and the C2 capacitor (I'm using 68 pF disc for
>the 80 kHz range), that the issue should be centered there.  I've confirmed
>the 33 turns on the toroid, and fiddled with the it's placement.  I'm
>wondering if the winding direction makes a difference in the functioning of
>L1 - there is no picture of it in the manual, only a reference back to
>previous toroids, and I have wound it to match them.  I've also confirmed
>continuity of the windings on L1.  
>
>Lastly, I will reveal my testing ignorance here by mentioning my multimeter
>does measure frequency, but I am not sure if that applies in this case: ie,
>would that function as an RF Probe if I understood how to use it?
>
>I purchased my K1 18 years ago directly from Eric Schwartz when Elecraft was
>still quite young and I was active in the Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio
>Club. It is great to see how the company has grown and prospered!  It wasn't
>until settling into retirement that I mustered up the courage to tackle
>building this project.  
>
>If anyone has any theories on the K1 VFO failure issue other than those
>already offered, please clue me in.  
>
>73,
>Tom Johnson
>KQ7TJ (formerly KQ6DV)