K2 troubleshooting help and/or troubled k2 for sale

[Gary Slagel]

Hi guys,
 
I've got a k2/100 giving me fits!  After about 30 minutes of qso time, output shuts down completely on 20 and 30 meters.  After a period of time (15 minutes to a couple hours) it will come back on and then run happily for as long as I want.  For instance, november sweepstakes it shut down, 30 minutes later came back up and I used it for the next 20 hours with no problems.  Bands other then 20 and 30 are fine.  I've done extensive testing.  It happens whether I'm running at 5 watts or 100 watts.  It happens whether connected to my antenna (3 ele tribander) or into a dummy load.  It sometimes doesn't happen, but 3 out of 4 times it does under identical test condx.   I've only tested on CW and the test platform was to record a 90 second message and have it repeat over and over with a 90 second interval between repetitions.  The only troubleshooting suggestion I could find in the manual suggested an insufficient power supply but I figured since I
 have the same problem runningn 5watts out that this shouldn't be the problem. 
 
My next step will be to ask elecraft to take a look at it but I thought I'd throw the problem out here first and see if anybody has seen a similar problem.
 
If anyone would like to take a wack at fixing the thing and get a really good deal on a K2 I'd be interested in selling it also.  I bought the rig already assembled in 2006 for $1400.  Not sure what a k2 with a problem is worth but I'd sell it for $750 and might consider offers as well.  The thing is fully decked out with the following options:
 
K2
KPA100 (100 W module)
KSB2 (SSB  Module)
K160RX (160M option)
K60XV (60M and transverter interface)
KNB2 (Noise Blanker)
FDIMP (Finger Dimple)
KDSP2 (Internal DSP and Clock option)
KAT100-1 (external 100W tuner)
MD2 (Desk Mic w/stand, very nice matching Elecraft Desk Mic)
Foot switch (plugs into mic cable)
Rework Eliminators ( set of 6 plug in boards)

If you're interested I can send pictures and try to give you some more details over the phone.
 
Thanks,
Gary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gary Slagel/N0SXX
Hot Springs, SD
http://marina.fortunecity.com/sanpedro/351


     
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[Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX]

Gary,
Sounds like you've got a thermal intermittent issue in the K2. I'd
examine the toroids' soldering to be
sure the enamel's been completely removed. Reflow all with a good hot
iron - sometimes a solder
connection can look okay, but still be bad (or worse, intermittent ).
Alan

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
Williamsport, PA 17701



Gary Slagel wrote:

> Hi guys,
>  
> I've got a k2/100 giving me fits!  After about 30 minutes of qso time, output shuts down completely on 20 and 30 meters.  After a period of time (15 minutes to a couple hours) it will come back on and then run happily for as long as I want.  For instance, november sweepstakes it shut down, 30 minutes later came back up and I used it for the next 20 hours with no problems.  Bands other then 20 and 30 are fine.  I've done extensive testing.  It happens whether I'm running at 5 watts or 100 watts.  It happens whether connected to my antenna (3 ele tribander) or into a dummy load.  It sometimes doesn't happen, but 3 out of 4 times it does under identical test condx.   I've only tested on CW and the test platform was to record a 90 second message and have it repeat over and over with a 90 second interval between repetitions.  The only troubleshooting suggestion I could find in the manual suggested an insufficient power supply but I figured since I
>  have the same problem runningn 5watts out that this shouldn't be the problem.  
>  
> My next step will be to ask elecraft to take a look at it but I thought I'd throw the problem out here first and see if anybody has seen a similar problem.
>  
> If anyone would like to take a wack at fixing the thing and get a really good deal on a K2 I'd be interested in selling it also.  I bought the rig already assembled in 2006 for $1400.  Not sure what a k2 with a problem is worth but I'd sell it for $750 and might consider offers as well.  The thing is fully decked out with the following options:
>  
> K2
> KPA100 (100 W module)
> KSB2 (SSB  Module)
> K160RX (160M option)
> K60XV (60M and transverter interface)
> KNB2 (Noise Blanker)
> FDIMP (Finger Dimple)
> KDSP2 (Internal DSP and Clock option)
> KAT100-1 (external 100W tuner)
> MD2 (Desk Mic w/stand, very nice matching Elecraft Desk Mic)
> Foot switch (plugs into mic cable)
> Rework Eliminators ( set of 6 plug in boards)
>
> If you're interested I can send pictures and try to give you some more details over the phone.
>  
> Thanks,
> Gary
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> Gary Slagel/N0SXX
> Hot Springs, SD
> http://marina.fortunecity.com/sanpedro/351
>
>
>      
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[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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