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K2 Front Panel Issue

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KW4H

K2 Front Panel Issue

Got a K2 here in the initial build process that's doing something unusual
-- at the first power-up test (nothing is built but the front panel,
control board, and a little bit of the main board), the display comes up as
it should but none of the front panel buttons function in any way. For
example, pressing "display" does nothing. It would appear that the front
panel is getting power because the display comes up. Thought I'd check on
the mailing list before doing more complex checks, maybe someone's seen
this before. I've build K2's before and never experienced this.

73,

Steve, KW4H
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KW4H

Re: K2 Front Panel Issue

Yup, the firmware comes up -- I get the "elecraft" signal in the display
and then the usual 40 meter freq. After that, the display is frozen with
the frequency display and the buttons do nada.

My best guess is that it's probably something simple like a missed solder
connection (it happens to all of us!), but so far I've not found anything,
and all the boards passed their resistance checks.

Steve, KW4H

On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 8:17 PM, John Cooper <[hidden email]> wrote:

> do you see the firmware flash? I know holding any key will make the
> firmware flash turning the k2 on but no other keys will work till its
> released. wondering if maybe one of the switches are shorted together
> somehow like a small forgotten lead across the contacts or a solder blob.
> Probably not since it sounds like you’ve built a lot. Also on the front
> panel board check U2 for proper orientation and soldering.
>
> wt5y
>
> -----Original Message----- From: KW4H
> Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 8:39 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Front Panel Issue
>
>
> Got a K2 here in the initial build process that's doing something unusual
> -- at the first power-up test (nothing is built but the front panel,
> control board, and a little bit of the main board), the display comes up as
> it should but none of the front panel buttons function in any way. For
> example, pressing "display" does nothing. It would appear that the front
> panel is getting power because the display comes up. Thought I'd check on
> the mailing list before doing more complex checks, maybe someone's seen
> this before. I've build K2's before and never experienced this.
>
> 73,
>
> Steve, KW4H
> ______________________________**______________________________**__
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> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.**htm<http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> Post: mailto:[hidden email].**net <[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-3

Re: K2 Front Panel Issue

Steve,

Maybe a long shot, but try removing U6 (Control Board) from its socket and
plugging it back in again - with power off of course while you do this :-)

My K2 "froze" in similar fashion about 2 years after I had built it, and the
cause was poor contact between one or more of U6's pins and the IC's socket
due probably to "corrosion". The type of socket used does not provide a "gas
tight" connection, and pulling and reseating the IC should clean the socket.
Even unused sockets of this type can sometimes cause "problems".

73,

Geoff
LX2AO (aka GM4ESD)

Steve KW4H wrote on December 22, 2011 at 4:24 AM:

Yup, the firmware comes up -- I get the "elecraft" signal in the display
and then the usual 40 meter freq. After that, the display is frozen with
the frequency display and the buttons do nada.

My best guess is that it's probably something simple like a missed solder
connection (it happens to all of us!), but so far I've not found anything,
and all the boards passed their resistance checks.

Steve, KW4H

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KW4H

Re: K2 Front Panel Issue

Sounds like a great idea, thanks. I'll give that a try.

If nothing else works, I'm going to have to start doing things the old
fashioned way (scopes and probes), with the final solution of getting
Elecraft on the phone. Looking for the easier solutions first....!

73, Steve.

On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 7:10 AM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy <[hidden email]>wrote:

> Steve,
>
> Maybe a long shot, but try removing U6 (Control Board) from its socket and
> plugging it back in again - with power off of course while you do this :-)
>
> My K2 "froze" in similar fashion about 2 years after I had built it, and
> the cause was poor contact between one or more of U6's pins and the IC's
> socket due probably to "corrosion". The type of socket used does not
> provide a "gas tight" connection, and pulling and reseating the IC should
> clean the socket. Even unused sockets of this type can sometimes cause
> "problems".
>
> 73,
>
> Geoff
> LX2AO (aka GM4ESD)
>
>
>
> Steve KW4H wrote on December 22, 2011 at 4:24 AM:
>
>
>
> Yup, the firmware comes up -- I get the "elecraft" signal in the display
> and then the usual 40 meter freq. After that, the display is frozen with
> the frequency display and the buttons do nada.
>
> My best guess is that it's probably something simple like a missed solder
> connection (it happens to all of us!), but so far I've not found anything,
> and all the boards passed their resistance checks.
>
> Steve, KW4H
>
>
>
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 Front Panel Issue

In reply to this post by KW4H

Steve,

Check to be certain all ICs are soldered at all pins, but first check
the orientation of the diodes on the front panel.
The DC voltage chart in the back of the manual may be helpful.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/21/2011 9:39 PM, KW4H wrote:

> Got a K2 here in the initial build process that's doing something unusual
> -- at the first power-up test (nothing is built but the front panel,
> control board, and a little bit of the main board), the display comes up as
> it should but none of the front panel buttons function in any way. For
> example, pressing "display" does nothing. It would appear that the front
> panel is getting power because the display comes up. Thought I'd check on
> the mailing list before doing more complex checks, maybe someone's seen
> this before. I've build K2's before and never experienced this.
>
> 73,
>
> Steve, KW4H
>

KW4H

Re: K2 Front Panel Issue

The problem has been fixed -- thanks to all for the help.

I took the front panel assembly apart and discovered a missed solder
joint. Sigh! All's well now!

Steve, KW4H

>
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