PFR3 Continues

Just an update: successfully finished group 2, all tests passed (although due to some unplanned massive remodeling at my buddy's, we couldn't get the oscilloscope out). Happy happy! So of course, I soldiered on and started group 3, which begins with a few soldered components and then a pretext. It was on the protest that I completely fell apart. The mistakes?

1. There are two "U8" markings on the board. Pins 1 and 13 are supposed to be at zero volts with the power on and the rig in straight key mode, then 1.2 volts with the key closed. Odd, I was seeing 4 volts on pin 1. Oops... Wrong U8. On the correct U8, I see 0 volts with the key opened and 2 with it closed. The group weighed and said 2 volts is fine--less important the voltage vs. the fact that the circuit is open or closed.

2. Wrong resistors. As I posted to the reflector:

* Manual R6 & R7 should be YEL/VOL/YEL
* Errata: ORG/ORG/YEL
* Installed: YEL/VOL/YEL

Which is right? The errata and the manual agree on 470k, which is YEL/VOL/YEL. Press onward.

3. While troubleshooting the voltage issues, I literally went back to the beginning and checked every single component. Oops, I installed the wrong captor C24. Desoldering, replace, resolder in C56. Oh, whoopsies... Omitted R35 (I remember now I couldn't find it on the board when I was doing stage 2, and apparently I forgot to look again).

Needless to say, I have now checked every component, looked at every solder joint, and made sure everything works. Finally, time to press forward wih L7 to finish the transmitter, so I can start the BLT.

Lessons? Go slow. Mark your questions. Pay very close attention to markings, esp on your caps. If you're tired, stop--rushing won't get it done sooner.

I cannot wait till this is done, if only to put my quirky tom-foolery behind me!

The blue cap on the right side, next to the LCD? Yah, it goes about 5 o'clock from the Dove treat (my wife is the best!). You can see the big trace, right next to the little yellow 104 cap.

See the LCD display? See the conspicuously large resistor spot traced out in white marking, much like a victim's profile at a murder scene? Yah, I don't know how I missed it either!

See the vertical chip just next to the Dove treat? That's U8. Oh, but wait--see the other U8, just below the LCD. Hello, I'm Daryl. This is my brother, Daryl and this is my other brother Daryl. No offense to the boys at Hendricks. I'm sure this is my careless reading of the manual and/or errata. I've made enough dumb mistakes to prove them the experts! And hey, every problem is an opportunity to learn!