[Elecraft] Tools and construction

[John Veach]

I always get this feeling reading posts on what tools to buy and how long it
take to build the K2 that some folks might be scared off by costs or
complexity.

I built my K2 in about 40 hours of construction time over about 4 weeks.  I
used a two heat position soldering iron from Radio
Shack.  I did buy an anti-static mat and already had a magnifying visor.  I
use solder I bought at a hamfest and all in all have about $50 in tools
which I used for other projects before the K2, except for the static mat.
K2/100 #2985 works just fine and I have no scope, no expensive temp
controlled soldering iron and didn't take  months  to build the kit.

I run my K2 as my primary rig from my motorhome with an R5 vertical mounted
on the ladder. (The IC706 MKII lives in my car)

My shack, tools and antennas are pretty simple since my XYL (KB4FFO) and I
are full time Rvers, living in our motorhome and traveling the US and Canada
for over four years now.

I had to build the K2 at my desk which  of course, is in the RV.  No way to
leave things out for long periods of time, since the desk and associated
chair are part of our living room.

While I have no particular objection to owning nice expensive tools and or
taking months to build one of these kits, I just want to let the non owners
know that simple tools and short time frames are possible when building a K2
(or K1 or any of the Elecraft kits)

So don't be afraid to jump onto the Elecraft bandwagon just because you
don't have a scope, nice soldering station or a basement to leave the kit
out while construction is going on.  If you can get or already have this
stuff, great.  If not, just melt some solder and have fun anyway.

John KE4D
k2/100#2985
www.TheRollingHome.com
Cannonville, UT for another week