[Elecraft] Option and building

Mon Jun 3 23:11:00 2002

One more thing. The basic K2 is designed to get something working fairly =
soon after you start. This is very important feedback to the builder so f=
rustration and loss of interest doesn't set in. If you build the options =
first you will not get this feedback because they don't do anything witho=
ut the K2. It is quite a good feeling of accomplishment when you push the=
 power button the first time and the display lights up ELECrAFt and no sm=
oke. This is what gives you the confidence to continue, knowing you are d=
oing it right. The genius in the design is the testing of each section so=
 you know it works and you get that reinforcement that you can do it.

Don Brown
KD5NDB
----- Original Message -----
From: Don Brown
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 9:45 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Option and building

Hi

If you want to start out with a practice kit before you jump into the K2 =
You may want to build the OHR WM2 at:

http://www.ohr.com/wattmeter.htm

or the 100 watt dummy load at:

http://www.ohr.com/rfl100.htm

These are easy kits to build and very useful when you get the radio built=
 and need to align it.

I agree with Ron. Don't build the options before the K2, same goes for th=
e K1. The option manuals assume you have built the radio first so a lot o=
f the early handholding is skipped in the manuals for them. The most dema=
nding options are the SSB and ATU because of the compact design the parts=
 are much closer together so they are a little harder to assemble than th=
e basic K2. The KPA100 is not to difficult, just a little tedious because=
 there is more mechanical assembly than the basic radio. All of the other=
 options are a piece of cake once you have the basic K2 under your belt

(no affiliation with OHR)

Don Brown
KD5NDB

4 K2's
2 K1's
all options
KPA100 field tester

----- Original Message -----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2002 8:51 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Option and building

> While building most of the options first may be an OK thing to do - oth=
er
> than they cannot be fully tested until the basic K2 is complete, and I
> personally don't recommend it, I would caution anyone contemplating
building
> the SSB module before the basic K2.
> Why you ask? - IMHO, the SSB option is the most compact option for the
K2 -
> the board space is very cramped and requires careful soldering in tight
> places - making the K2 a good practice kit for the SSB module <G>.
> Don Wilhelm  - Wake Forest, NC   W3FPR

I did not find the module manuals up anywhere near the same level of
instruction detail for the builder as the basic K2 manual either. They ar=
e
okay, but if someone is having their first crack at a complex kit buildin=
g
job, the basic K2 is a far better "first step" than any of the modules du=
e
to the better documentation and as Don says, more room on the PCB!

Also, the basic K2 book has you run some checks just about the time one i=
s
absolutely certain he/she must have made a mistake that is going to keep =
the
thing from working. You run the resistance tests or you actually power th=
e
partially-complete K2 up and run checks of the circuits built so far. It =
is
a GREAT reinforcement to see things work "as advertised".

If you build the modules first, you have NO way to tell if you did it rig=
ht
until you have completely assembled and tested the K2!

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289

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