[Elecraft] A K2 Story!

[Roger Stein]

Like all K2s, mine began it�s journey in CA, made it�s way to TX as part of
a double order. One of the units was assembled, the other sat unassembled.
The initial purchaser, ByronWA5THJ, placed a request for some �clean� Drake
gear via one of the boat-anchor links.  I happened across the Drake gear
inquiry, already a month old at my viewing,  and answered it. (The fertile
beginning of the famed K2 �mojo� was already at work!!)  I informed him that
I had settled on replacing my Drake gear with a K2 kit and he replied that
he had one on the shelf, unassembled!!  Photos and details were exchanged
and a deal was struck. I was the original owner of the Drake B-line, having
traded a 75A4 w/spkr light assy, and flawless CE100V plus cash to Portland
Radio for it back in 1968!!!
(Still makes me gasp to think about it, too, but I was only 17 at the time!)

Other gear was disposed of via the Puyallup,WA. Mike n Key swap meet, for
additional funding of tools and accessories. This all took place early in
2002. I had been following the reflector for quite some time and had a list
of tools to acquire to make the assembly go smoothly. Construction began and
before long I had a 40 mtr RX!

I had a few home projects to finish before doing any more work on the K2,
namely a wood flooring project in the entry and hallway of our house.
Disaster struck on the very last cut. After turning off the table saw, my
right thumb tip brushed the blade.  There would be no more radio assembly
for this ham for many weeks ��I had a great surgeon who reconstructed the
tip of my thumb.

I traveled to the Seaside ham convention in June �02 where I met Wayne,
Lyle, and many other Elecraft enthusiasts.  It was at his gathering it
dawned on me that I was using the Rev B manual and not Rev.C!!  So, back to
the internet, research all the mods, print-out the proper manuals, some
e-mails to Don, W3FPR, and continue construction.

So finally, in Dec of 2003, #755 finally got on the air, thanks to the
Elecraft web site and many of you on the reflector.  For an antenna, I put
up a Sterba Curtain cut for 15 meters, based on the
http://www.hamuniverse.com/sturba.html website, between a couple of 70 foot
Douglas fir trees. It works great with the built in tuner and a 4:1 current
balun!!

It has been fun to check into the net, thanks Kevin, Tom, and Earl.  My AZ
ScQRPions Paddle kit #522 arrived today�..back to the shop!! Did I forget to
mention how much fun this has been?? Thanks Elecraft!

73, Roger, WA7BOC,  K2 #755,  a view of the shop/shack is at
www.rmcgraphics/workshop.htm