[Elecraft] Building the K2

[Phil Wheeler]

Harry Yingst wrote:

>My impression so far is that this is a very nice kit, The manual is
>excellent.
>

A massive understatement, Harry <grin>

>I would have to attribute a lot of the quick build time to a well
>written manual and good tools.  A good quality soldering iron is a
>must, and a PanaVice sure makes the task a lot easier.
>

Indeed -- and if you ever have to make mods (mine is S/N #380 and has 
lots of mods to keep it current), a good desoldering tool (e.g., my 
Hakko 808) is also vital.

>
>Tip: For good and cheap flush cutters check out your local radio shack
>store they have a nice pair of 5" Nippy Cutters for $3.99 I usually get
>a new pair about every 6 months and then use the old pair for other
>household uses.  
>

OTOH -- I have a Swiss-made Utica tool for that which I've been using 
for as long as I can remember; no need to replace really fine tools 
(unless you lose them as I sometimes do).  I've used those cutters for 
everything I've built for the last 20 or more years, including the 
latest K2 mod (PLL temp stability mod with thermistor board) I added 
yesterday.

>All in all this looks like a very nice kit (once you get over the
>"Dang, those toroids I have to wind sure are small).
>

Toroids are good for character building :-)  But I must confess that I 
bought prewound toroids when I did the KAT100, mostly because I had some 
time constraints due to travel; they were excellent.

My original K2 manaual went missing a couple of years ago.  I found it 
under the clothes dryer when I was repairing it last week.  Leafing 
through it to read my copious build notes, I was amused by the "One Year 
Limited Warranty" near the front.  Elecraft's excellent support is 
better than any lifetime warranty I've ever heard of!

But I'm sure all this boundless praise embarrasses Wayne, Eric, Gary, 
Scott etal -- Not!

73, Phil