[Elecraft] K2 #2644 success!

[frastephen@comcast.net]

Well, K2 #2644 is on the air!!!!

The "maiden voyage" was with YO3JD in Bucharest on 14060 at 2337z on
5/30/02!  He gave me a 569.

Not bad for 5 watts, huh!?!?

Our Internet service was down for a week so I did not get to share my
"building" excitement with you all!

I spent 54 hours building #2644.  Completed everything this afternoon and
got up and running on the air this evening.

The construction went relatively smoothly.  I was so blessed -- everything
checked out FB the first time at each stage of the construction.  Not one
glitch!  I have to admit I was expecting some problems -- None!  Can you
tell I am excited?

Well, now for a few observations that may be of interest for all those
"Dayton Elecraft" purchasers like me...

Having the illuminated magnifier made all the difference in the world!  I
could not have done the kit without it and it sure prevents LOTS of
mistakes!  I bought a cheapy $19 one at Staples.

The Soldering Station from Circuit Specialists ($34) is really great --
again, a soldering station is a "must".

I was lucky to be able to put a fait amount of time into the kit in a short
period of time, but as you can see my pace was a lesirurely 54 hours.  Take
your time and I am sure you will save lots of  troubles later.  I
doubled-checked every part before soldering and caught a few potential
errors that way.

Inventory the whole kit before you start building -- I found that it helped
to become familiar  and comfortable with the kit right from the start.  It
took me about 5 hours to do the inventory, but it was worth the effort to
make the learning curve a little less steep.

DON'T BE FRIGHTENED (as I was) BY TOROIDS.   It is LOTS easier than you
would think.

On the other hand I HATED getting the enamel off the toroid wires -- my
least favorite part of the project.  In my previous experience with toroids
I used the butane lighter method.  This time I used the "solder blob"
method.  In retrospect, I think the butane lighter method (even though you
need to partially unwind the coil to do it) is still more efficient and less
prone to cold joint issues.

I was AMAZED at how easy the alignment procedures are.   It took me longer
to tune my MFJ Cub, I think!  This Elecraft really is "ELEgant" in its
design and ease of alignment (and hence, the ability to reproduce a
reasonable facsimile of the ideal radio at home with simple tools and
equipment -- quite an achievement, to say the least!!!)

Here's a question ... why don't they have you install the bottom-mounted
parts first?  It seems it would be LOTS easier to do that, but I am sure
there is a good reason why the instructions don't do it that way.

Well, K2 #2644 "designed in California, built by a ham in New Jersey" is on
the air!  Hope to see you there!

Have fun ... and if you are thinking about building a K2 or K1 and are not
sure -- go ahead and treat yourself!!  It is a blast!  This is the most fun
I have had in ham radio for a LONG time!


Thanks Wayne and Eric and all at Elecraft!

Peace & 73,
Stephen
W3SMK