[Elecraft] In training for K2...

[Ron D' Eau Claire]

> I'd love to build the K2 but feel I need a bit of a kit-
> building refresher before tackling such a project. (Last
> Heathkit I built was in the early 70s!).
>
> I'm thinking about building a K1 first, but don't know if
> I'll have the funds to do both a K1 and K2...
> Thanks, John Pfeifer - KL0WN - Kodiak, Alaska

Unless you have completely forgotten how to solder, you'll find the K2
EASIER than those Heathkits you built those years ago.

No wiring harnesses. No complicated mechanical assemblies with shafts, cams,
etc. to make work. Good assembly instructions - even better than Heath's.

All you have to do is put common components with leads (No surface-mount
stuff) in the right holes and solder them in place.

You can even pick up a pre-wound set of toroids if you don't want to deal
with them. Just drop 'em in the board and solder them in place. Eric just
announced them the other day and the order form is on the web site.

There are comprehensive in-process tests to ensure that your build is
successful. They are right in the assembly instructions as you go.

The ONLY issue with building a K2 is the number of parts. There are a lot of
them. You will stuff three circuit boards for a very basic K2 - more if you
add the noise blanker, antenna tuner, 160 meter band, single-side band, etc.

That does NOT make it any harder, just longer. Take your time and it will go
perfectly. All you have to do is insert the part and solder the leads,
insert the part and solder the leads, insert... you get the idea. When you
are done, you plug the boards together and turn it on.

Frankly, most "small" kits out there are much harder to get working properly
than a K2.

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289