[Elecraft] How to put an Elecraft K2 on 60 meters

[David Pratt]

Wayne's notes of 14 December give details on how the K2 can be adapted 
to operate on the 5260, 5280, 5290, 5400 and 5405 kHz, 5kHz-wide UK 
amateur bands available to Class A Licence holders of the required 
"Notice of Variation".

I have carried out the temporary modification to my K2, Serial 01583, 
and am pleased to give the results of my findings.

The double-pole switch arrangement, fitted to the 40m bandpass filter, 
with its additional 4.7pF top capacitor and the 50pF trimmers paralleled 
with 47pF, works fine.  The trimmers peak on 5.3MHz at around 
mid-travel.

I found the value of the fixed capacitor necessary to parallel the 
existing C70/C71 in the PLL to be 75pF.  In my K2, I find that 82pF is a 
bit high and 68pF a bit low.  The voltage readings at R30 range are 
between 4.58V and 7.44V from 5260 to 5405 kHz.

The full power of 15W is achieved on the 5MHz channels.  My KAT2 
firmware is version 1.03 and it apparently tunes okay, although I do 
have an SGC SG-230 Smartuner connected in tandem.

I have all the additional components mounted in bird's nest fashion on 
top of the board and this has not necessitated drilling any holes. 
However, a slight slip of the soldering iron has caused me to melt a 
small hole into the cover of relay K1 and I am hoping that this will not 
cause problems in the future. My K2 is now operating with its top cover 
removed and precariously positioned on its side to the right of the rig.

Naturally, with this temporary mod, my K2 setup is now looking somewhat 
unprofessional and I am reluctant to let anyone have sight of it.  I 
continue to look forward to the early release of the K60XV as and when 
it is available.

73

David G4DMP,  Leeds UK