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[K2] Random LCD display - Speed and Power

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Martin Rath-2

[K2] Random LCD display - Speed and Power

Hi,

I happen to be in Europe for a few weeks of holidays and wanted to use my
old K2 that I never imported into Singapore for some QSO's.

I'm facing an issue with the LCD randomly flickering and displaying the
power and speed.

I have also experienced that when I'm in the middle of a QSO the speed will
randomly change.

I have unfortunately absolutely no ways of measuring anything but if anyone
of you would have an idea it would be great. I have uploaded a short video
to Youtube showing what is going on :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYvkC6y-A_E

Thanks for your input and best 73's de Martin 9V1RM
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Don Wilhelm

Re: [K2] Random LCD display - Speed and Power

Martin,

While that may happen rarely in any K2 - when the firmware is quite
busy, your video shows it happening frequently, which is abnormal.

The most common cause of that behavior is in late K2s with the new
encoder - the one with the encoder board that sits close to the control
board. If that describes your K2, then flush cut the encoder board
leads (really close to the board) and do the same on the control board
in the area where the encoder board can contact the solder side of the
Control Board.

If your K2 has the older encoder, then look for a bad solder connection
on either the Control board or the Front Panel board.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/31/2017 5:06 AM, Martin Rath wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I happen to be in Europe for a few weeks of holidays and wanted to use my
> old K2 that I never imported into Singapore for some QSO's.
>
> I'm facing an issue with the LCD randomly flickering and displaying the
> power and speed.
>
> I have also experienced that when I'm in the middle of a QSO the speed will
> randomly change.
>

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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Martin Rath-2

Re: [K2] Random LCD display - Speed and Power

Hi Don,

Thanks for your usual support.

I built the K2 back in 2004 : I don't know if it would have the new or the
old encoder board.

I would need to check what type of encoder board I have inside but I cannot
recal having it on a different board (and by looking at the construction
manual that I have it doesn't seem to refer to any additional control
board). I have no mean to actually open it here as I'm far from my work
bench. Are you refering to the board described in this manual :
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740177%20K2%20Encoder%20Installation%20Instructions,%20rev%20B.pdf
? If yen then I clearly have the old one with the long leads. In my manual
it's described in figures 5-18 and 5-19 on page 32.

The K2 had not been used for several years (almost 6 !). It has now been
plugged to a battery for over 48 hours and doesn't exibit the blinking
phenoma anymore (and it never did befofre. I wonder if it could be related
to chemical capacitors ...

73's Martin 9V1RM

On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 1:01 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Martin,
>
> While that may happen rarely in any K2 - when the firmware is quite busy,
> your video shows it happening frequently, which is abnormal.
>
> The most common cause of that behavior is in late K2s with the new encoder
> - the one with the encoder board that sits close to the control board. If
> that describes your K2, then flush cut the encoder board leads (really
> close to the board) and do the same on the control board in the area where
> the encoder board can contact the solder side of the Control Board.
>
> If your K2 has the older encoder, then look for a bad solder connection on
> either the Control board or the Front Panel board.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 7/31/2017 5:06 AM, Martin Rath wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I happen to be in Europe for a few weeks of holidays and wanted to use my
>> old K2 that I never imported into Singapore for some QSO's.
>>
>> I'm facing an issue with the LCD randomly flickering and displaying the
>> power and speed.
>>
>> I have also experienced that when I'm in the middle of a QSO the speed
>> will
>> randomly change.
>>
>>