[Elecraft] New Builder

Mon Aug 18 15:12:01 2003

Dear Ryan,
Good soldering skills is are key to success.  However, these are easily 
learned.  There's even a tutorial on the Elecraft web site!  Look in the 
"builder's resources" section.

Successful soldering begins with a reasonable soldering iron.  You can pay 
$100 (give or take) on a temperature controlled soldering station, but 
others have been successful with a $25 pencil iron from Radio Shack.  Have 
a look through the email list archives for several good recommendations 
from Hakko, Weller, Edsyn, and perhaps others.

The Elecraft instructions are very thorough and leave little (if any) to 
the imagination.  You can download them (again from the Elecraft site) to 
have a look-see.  In the rare instance where one cannot figure out the 
right way to go, Elecraft technical support is readily available, as is 
this list.  You will find prompt, helpful answers, without intimidation! 
Let me submit that Elecraft _doesn't want you to fail_!

The K2 is no harder than the K1 -- the skill set needed is the same. 
UNLESS you measure difficulty by the number of components, and therefore 
the number of hours needed to complete the assembly.  Also, with the 
increased number of components, the chance for placing a part in the wrong 
location increases.  This is easily combatted by careful, deliberate 
construction:  "check twice, solder once" to borrow from an old adage. 
However, let me caution against "warming up on options".  The needed 
detail in the options instructions assumes you've built the main radio, so 
in my opinion, you'll find the instructions for building the options a bit 
more terse -- adequate and complete, but just a bit briefer.  Also, 
there's some trickier soldering (higher component density) in several K2 
options.  And, finally, the options -- the fruits of your labor -- cannot 
be tested without the main radio.

When finished, you will be the proud owner of a high-performance radio... 
not a toy.  And, you'll be ready to tackle other projects -- not nearly as 
well documented.

73,
Steve
aa8af

Ryan Neary <[email protected]>
Sent by: [email protected]
08/15/2003 01:16 AM

        To:     [email protected]
        cc: 
        Subject:        [Elecraft] New Builder

Hi Everyone,
I'm thinking of getting a K1. I've never built anything before, and I 
was wondering if this is a good idea, or if I would be wasting my time 
and money.
Thanks,
Ryan KJ7OT