[Elecraft] Swapping K2 tops [Now KAT100 innards]

[John Webster]

Thanks to all those who responded to my
query (Andy, Lyle, Ted and Phil).

Got it.  12 screws.

Now, you did not think that would be
the end of it, did you?  :)

That was just practice for the really
difficult question:  Can one swap KAT100
innards between -1 and -2 styles?

Of course, you CAN change from the
KAT100-1 to the KAT100-2 (EC2)
format, since there's a part kit to do it:
KAT100PNL.  The question is, is it
easily reversible?

First question.  Why would anybody
want to do THAT?  Well, consider:

Home station: K2 +EC2 (100w + ATU).
Quick grab and go QRP battery rig for
trips, and full "system" upon return.

Traveling Station: K2/100 + KAT100-1
(low profile ATU unit) for times where
space is at a premium and AC power
is available, e.g. long summer travel or
international trips.

Occasional switching between the two,
perhaps a couple of times a year.

Second question: Is it doable?  Judging
from the pictures alone, at first blush, no.
While the front panel seems independent
from the LED's, there are soldered
connections to the back panel (RF in and
out).  However . . .

The KAT100PNL kit comes with "Panels
and EXTRA CONNECTORS to convert
a KAT100-1 into a KAT100-2".  If this
includes the RF connectors it would appear
that this would not be that difficult a job,
since:
    The DC connector is not attached.
    The BNC connector screws off, or
        has only one lead to unsolder.
    The RS-232 port is only attached
        with two screws.
    The 3 PL-239 RF connectors have
        a single lead each to unsolder.

OR

Looking closely at the picture of the rear
of the KAT100-1 it appears that one
MIGHT not even need to remove the back
panel at all.  Would it fit into the lower half
of the back of an EC2 enclosure (with KPA
100 top)?  Appears that it might fit with a
bit of a space gap (bad idea for air flow?)
Also I cannot tell from the pictures whether
the panel hardware would be compatible.

Any help from somebody who has these toys
(or knows the answers) would be appreciated.

Yes, I know I should just get on with it, and
build the jolly things and do my own
experimentation.  So, think of it as a weekly
Elecraft trivial pursuit quiz   :)

Much obliged,

John, N6JW

----- Original Message -----
From: Lyle Johnson <wa7gxd@fidalgo.net>
To: <Elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 12:30 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Swapping K2 tops


> Hello John!
>
> > What I have not seen addressed is this:  How easy is it
> > to take the KPA100 top out of the EC2 and put it in
> > place of the standard K2 top, as and when needed (i.e. for
> > a Hotel trip with AC power available), and then switched
> > back to the EC2 again, upon return?
>
> Exactly twice as hard :-)  You will have to deal with 12 screws instead of
> 6.