[Elecraft] Building the K2

Thu May 15 13:42:59 2003

The SSB Adapter looks fun

(look at those tiny toroids)

--- "Tom, W6WW" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I agree it seems to be going much faster than I anticipated.  One
> good thing
> is that when the basic K2 is done we have it to play with and still
> lots
> more to build in the options.
> 
> 73
> Tom, W6WW
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Harry Yingst" <[email protected]>
> To: "Tom, W6WW" <[email protected]>; "Elecraft_Reflector"
> <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 1:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Building the K2
> 
> 
> > My only problem is that it is getting done too fast.....
> >
> > I guess I'll just have to buy more
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- "Tom, W6WW" <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > Harry,
> > >
> > > Talk about coincidence!  I started my K2 last weekend.  Now about
> to
> > > finish
> > > up the front panel board.  And I went to Radio Shack and bought
> the
> > > same
> > > clippers and pliers. (I think I will upgrade later to something a
> > > little
> > > smaller, but these have worked pretty well.  I also invested in a
> > > good
> > > soldering station after the control board, and as you say it
> makes a
> > > huge
> > > difference.  I also bought a PanaVise, and it already has become
> > > indispensible - how did we do these things without one?
> > >
> > > I agree the instructions are generally very well done and
> > > understandable.
> > > From time to time there are some things that are a little
> unclear,
> > > but I
> > > have sorted them out OK with a little analysis.  (One thing I
> can't
> > > recall
> > > is how to tell which pin of a transistor is the collector - the
> base
> > > is the
> > > middle, but which way do you look at it to find the collector?)
> > >
> > > This brings back my Heathkit days, and I am enjoying it.  Now I
> > > understand
> > > why K2ers are so hungry for more things to build.  Can't wait to
> get
> > > back on
> > > the air, but that will require a power supply and antenna....
> > >
> > > 73
> > > Tom, W6WW
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Harry Yingst" <[email protected]>
> > > To: "Elecraft_Reflector" <[email protected]>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 9:51 AM
> > > Subject: [Elecraft] Building the K2
> > >
> > >
> > > > I got my K2 kit on Monday I made the appropriate errata changes
> to
> > > the
> > > > manual and preformed the Inventory.
> > > >
> > > > Although it is time consuming it is worth doing the inventory. 
> Not
> > > > only so you know if your missing anything, but it also gives
> you a
> > > > chance to inspect and get familiar with the various parts
> before
> > > > assembly actually starts.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I had opted to change out the Stock IC Sockets with Machine
> Tooled
> > > IC
> > > > Sockets (With Permission from Gary at Elecraft).
> > > >
> > > > I only changed out the 4 sockets (two 28 pin, and two 40 pin) I
> did
> > > not
> > > > add any other IC sockets.
> > > >
> > > > As per Gary at Elecraft: "We don't recommend IC sockets for any
> > > other
> > > > IC's other than the ones we provide sockets for (the PICs). It
> can
> > > > result in reliability or RF problems in some cases."
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Last night (Tuesday) I actually got to start building.
> > > >
> > > > My impression so far is that this is a very nice kit, The
> manual is
> > > > excellent.
> > > >
> > > > I almost completed the control board (just need to add the
> ICs),
> > > > working at a comfortable pace even stopping to take a break
> here
> > > and
> > > > there.
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > > 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.  They also have a nice set of 6" Narrow-Jaw
> > > Needle-Nose
> > > > Pliers for $5.99 that are great for forming transistor leads,
> etc.
> > > >
> > > > 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).
> > > >
> > > > Harry - AB2PN
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > .
> > > >
> > > > __________________________________
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> > >
> > >
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> >
> > =====
> > Harry - AB2PN
> >
> > __________________________________
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> >
> 
> 
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=====
Harry - AB2PN

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