[Elecraft] A K2 board layout-enhancement suggestion.

[Don Wilhelm]

Dave,

I too think a grid system would be a helpful addition, but there is quite a
bit of work involved because all references in the manuals would have to be
changed to that new system, so I don't expect it anytime soon (if ever).

Actually, the most component locations in the K2 build process were thought
out rather well - you work on one area of the board at a time, so once you
locate the general area, all subsequent locations are nearby until the area
is moved, and the manual tells you of these moves.  The order of insertion
in any area seems to consider the ease of placing and soldering of
components rather than any other order.

I do believe a grid system may not work much better than what exists for the
initial build - but a grid system would surely come in handy afterwards -
chasing down a component location to find a potential troublespot or to
change a component to a different value for a mod can be trying.  It is easy
to identify a component on the schematic, but translating it to the board
location is often challenging.

OTOH, many of the board location charts respond to a 'find' in Adobe Acrobat
Reader (those that are imbedded in the document as an image do not).

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----

I seem to be spending most of my construction time just finding where the
parts go. Especially the capacitors.

It occurred to me that if there were an addendum, on a separate sheet, and
laid out like a map, identifying parts placement would be easier.

Example: If the main board was separated into a grid, like a map, with
x-axis 'A' through 'E' and y-axis 1-5, one could specify: install C59, 0.1
(104) in B3. Your "looking" area would be greatly minimized, yes?

Each "grid-square" could have the components in that square listed at the
bottom of the square, or separately.