[Elecraft] Notes to new K2 builders - Part 1

[Daniel Reynolds]

> They [Radio Shack] also have a complete 24" X 26" mat and wrist strap for
$24.99 (P/N 276-2370).

I bought all of my tools about a year ago at Radio Shack - including the
temp-controlled soldering station (with ability to ground the tip), and the
wrist-strap/mat combo. When I attached these two devices to the common
electrical ground point in the electrical outlet (using a male banana plug), I
had no problems at all (that I can tell) with ESD. (The only problem I had was
non-ESD related - a semi-bad (intermittent) crystal in the PLL section of my
K2.) The only K2 internal options I HAVEN'T built are the 160m, DSP, I/O, 100W
amplifier, and SSB (but I just got the SSB in the mail yesterday).

It might seem expensive at $25, but I think the ESD safe mat and soldering iron
are worth every penny. I've used these same tools for every K2 option I've
built, and they (the tools and the kits) have worked well.

- Daniel/AA0NI
Oklahoma City

p.s. BTW - I don't work for Radio Shack - I just wanted to see if it was
possible to build the K2 without ordering high-tech tools online.