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The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

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Paul Huff-4

The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

A couple of weeks ago we had a large thunderstorm roll through here with unfortunate consequences. It took out our DVR cable box and the HDMI port on the TV that it was attached to. The TV and its other HDMI port are fine. An external USB hard drive hooked up to my computer (which was turned off) was also impacted but after disconnecting it, rebooting, etc., it is working fine.

But it appears that I have also lost the KIO2 interface unit between my Elecraft K2 and computer. The radio was disconnected from the antenna and turned off and is fine. I didn’t even notice that there was a problem until I realized that my computer log was not getting mode and frequency information from the rig. (I don’t operate digital so logging is really the only thing that I use the KIO2 for.) The USB ports on the computer are all good and the logging software does “think” that there is an input but no communications is taking place. So that means that there is either a problem with the KIO2 itself, or the serial-to-usb unit that it connects through.

Does anyone have suggestions on how I can go about diagnosing (and fixing) this issue?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

73,

Paul - N8XMS
Paul - N8XMS
100% QRP CW
Past President of the NAQCC
http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>

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wayne burdick

Re: The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

Administrator

Hi Paul,

If all else fails, let me know. I have a spare K2 with a KIO2 that I never use, and I'll be happy to send it to you.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On Aug 18, 2020, at 5:11 PM, Paul Huff <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> A couple of weeks ago we had a large thunderstorm roll through here with unfortunate consequences. It took out our DVR cable box and the HDMI port on the TV that it was attached to. The TV and its other HDMI port are fine. An external USB hard drive hooked up to my computer (which was turned off) was also impacted but after disconnecting it, rebooting, etc., it is working fine.
>
> But it appears that I have also lost the KIO2 interface unit between my Elecraft K2 and computer. The radio was disconnected from the antenna and turned off and is fine. I didn’t even notice that there was a problem until I realized that my computer log was not getting mode and frequency information from the rig. (I don’t operate digital so logging is really the only thing that I use the KIO2 for.) The USB ports on the computer are all good and the logging software does “think” that there is an input but no communications is taking place. So that means that there is either a problem with the KIO2 itself, or the serial-to-usb unit that it connects through.
>
> Does anyone have suggestions on how I can go about diagnosing (and fixing) this issue?
>
> Thanks in advance for any replies.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul - N8XMS
> Paul - N8XMS
> 100% QRP CW
> Past President of the NAQCC
> http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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engineercm

Re: The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

In reply to this post by Paul Huff-4

Hi, Paul.

I had the same problem a few years back. Unless you can see a carbon trace
somewhere, it's likely to be the diodes or the microprocessor. I replaced
the microprocessor purchased from Elecraft and that fixed it. You may want
to try snipping and replacing the diodes, first. I purchased two
microprocessors just in case it ever happened again: my K2 is the QRP radio
for the station with connection to logging software. The K3 was
untouched.

As I recall, the lightning strike took out the uVerse modem and a board in
my PC. After that, I changed to using WiFi for the PC instead of a cable
just to eliminate one path for future lightning strokes.

On Tue, Aug 18, 2020 at 8:13 PM Paul Huff <[hidden email]> wrote:

> A couple of weeks ago we had a large thunderstorm roll through here with
> unfortunate consequences. It took out our DVR cable box and the HDMI port
> on the TV that it was attached to. The TV and its other HDMI port are
> fine. An external USB hard drive hooked up to my computer (which was
> turned off) was also impacted but after disconnecting it, rebooting, etc.,
> it is working fine.
>
> But it appears that I have also lost the KIO2 interface unit between my
> Elecraft K2 and computer. The radio was disconnected from the antenna and
> turned off and is fine. I didn’t even notice that there was a problem
> until I realized that my computer log was not getting mode and frequency
> information from the rig. (I don’t operate digital so logging is really
> the only thing that I use the KIO2 for.) The USB ports on the computer are
> all good and the logging software does “think” that there is an input but
> no communications is taking place. So that means that there is either a
> problem with the KIO2 itself, or the serial-to-usb unit that it connects
> through.
>
> Does anyone have suggestions on how I can go about diagnosing (and fixing)
> this issue?
>
> Thanks in advance for any replies.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul - N8XMS
> Paul - N8XMS
> 100% QRP CW
> Past President of the NAQCC
> http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

--
73,

Clark, WU4B
Little Pistol With Wires
QRPARCI #10815
SKCC #3892
NAQCC #5055
CWOPS #1869
Collins Collectors #AC90-12432
Southeastern DX Club <http://www.sedxc.org>
North Georgia QRP Club <http://www.nogaqrp.org>

*"It is vain to do with more what can be done with less."*
*Attributed to *William of Occam (1288 AD - 1348 AD)
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Don Wilhelm

Re: The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

In reply to this post by Paul Huff-4

Paul,

Get out the KIO2 manual and do the DC voltage checks as your 1st response.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/18/2020 8:11 PM, Paul Huff wrote:
> A couple of weeks ago we had a large thunderstorm roll through here with unfortunate consequences. It took out our DVR cable box and the HDMI port on the TV that it was attached to. The TV and its other HDMI port are fine. An external USB hard drive hooked up to my computer (which was turned off) was also impacted but after disconnecting it, rebooting, etc., it is working fine.
>
> But it appears that I have also lost the KIO2 interface unit between my Elecraft K2 and computer. The radio was disconnected from the antenna and turned off and is fine. I didn’t even notice that there was a problem until I realized that my computer log was not getting mode and frequency information from the rig. (I don’t operate digital so logging is really the only thing that I use the KIO2 for.) The USB ports on the computer are all good and the logging software does “think” that there is an input but no communications is taking place. So that means that there is either a problem with the KIO2 itself, or the serial-to-usb unit that it connects through.
>
> Does anyone have suggestions on how I can go about diagnosing (and fixing) this issue?
>
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Greg Beat

Re: The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

In reply to this post by Paul Huff-4

Paul -

Wayne has made a generous offer for swapping the KIO2 board.
==
For component level techs (reading or following along)
Elecraft KIO2 Manual (Parts List on second page)
https://ftp.elecraft.com/K2/Manuals%20Downloads/KIO2%20man%20rev%20C%20.pdf

ESD and lightning events likely damaged the 1N4148 diodes (4 on the KIO2) OR
the Maxim RS-232 bridge chip. Newer Maxim i/O chips now have 15 kV ESD protection to minimize this issue. (Product managers finally listened).

Maxim MAX1406CPE (RS-232/TTL bridge chip), $3.51 each
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/maxim-integrated/MAX1406CPE/MAX1406CPE-ND/1130155

greg
w9gb
==
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2020 20:11:35 -0400
From: Paul Huff <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Email List <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

A couple of weeks ago we had a large thunderstorm roll through here with unfortunate consequences. It took out our DVR cable box and the HDMI port on the TV that it was attached to. The TV and its other HDMI port are fine. An external USB hard drive hooked up to my computer (which was turned off) was also impacted but after disconnecting it, rebooting, etc., it is working fine.

But it appears that I have also lost the KIO2 interface unit between my Elecraft K2 and computer. The radio was disconnected from the antenna and turned off and is fine. I didn?t even notice that there was a problem until I realized that my computer log was not getting mode and frequency information from the rig. (I don?t operate digital so logging is really the only thing that I use the KIO2 for.) The USB ports on the computer are all good and the logging software does ?think? that there is an input but no communications is taking place. So that means that there is either a problem with the KIO2 itself, or the serial-to-usb unit that it connects through.

Does anyone have suggestions on how I can go about diagnosing (and fixing) this issue?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

73,

Paul - N8XMS
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Paul Huff-4

Re: The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died

Yes, he certainly has! And I have already thanked him for the offer. I can’t think of any other company head who would do something like that!

I’m going to take a look at those diodes. That would be a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. Swapping out the chip is probably more than I want to tackle.

Thanks and 73,

Paul - N8XMS
100% QRP CW
Past President of the NAQCC
http://www.naqcc.info/ <http://www.naqcc.info/>

> On Aug 19, 2020, at 5:01 PM, Greg Beat <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Paul -
>
> Wayne has made a generous offer for swapping the KIO2 board.
> ==
> For component level techs (reading or following along)
> Elecraft KIO2 Manual (Parts List on second page)
> https://ftp.elecraft.com/K2/Manuals%20Downloads/KIO2%20man%20rev%20C%20.pdf <https://ftp.elecraft.com/K2/Manuals%20Downloads/KIO2%20man%20rev%20C%20.pdf>
>
> ESD and lightning events likely damaged the 1N4148 diodes (4 on the KIO2) OR
> the Maxim RS-232 bridge chip. Newer Maxim i/O chips now have 15 kV ESD protection to minimize this issue. (Product managers finally listened).
>
> Maxim MAX1406CPE (RS-232/TTL bridge chip), $3.51 each
> https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/maxim-integrated/MAX1406CPE/MAX1406CPE-ND/1130155 <https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/maxim-integrated/MAX1406CPE/MAX1406CPE-ND/1130155>
>
> greg
> w9gb
> ==
> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2020 20:11:35 -0400
> From: Paul Huff <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
> To: Elecraft Email List <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
> Subject: [Elecraft] The KIO2 unit in my K2 has died
>
> A couple of weeks ago we had a large thunderstorm roll through here with unfortunate consequences. It took out our DVR cable box and the HDMI port on the TV that it was attached to. The TV and its other HDMI port are fine. An external USB hard drive hooked up to my computer (which was turned off) was also impacted but after disconnecting it, rebooting, etc., it is working fine.
>
> But it appears that I have also lost the KIO2 interface unit between my Elecraft K2 and computer. The radio was disconnected from the antenna and turned off and is fine. I didn?t even notice that there was a problem until I realized that my computer log was not getting mode and frequency information from the rig. (I don?t operate digital so logging is really the only thing that I use the KIO2 for.) The USB ports on the computer are all good and the logging software does ?think? that there is an input but no communications is taking place. So that means that there is either a problem with the KIO2 itself, or the serial-to-usb unit that it connects through.
>
> Does anyone have suggestions on how I can go about diagnosing (and fixing) this issue?
>
> Thanks in advance for any replies.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul - N8XMS