[Elecraft] Mod for more AF gain on K2

[G3VVT at aol.com]

Another alternative to fit the 386 in the place of an LM380 audio amp in  the 
K2 would be to cut the print on the affected pins and fit insulated wire  
straps to change the print layout. Have not checked the 386 pin out to confirm  
the details, but pin 5 would need isolating from ground on the top/component  
side of the control board and on the underside 4 lines of print to pins 6, 7, 8 
 would need to be cut with something like a Dremel tool. New insulated wire  
straps could then be added to change the print to that required for the  386.
 
My own K2 (serial no. 4168) does not suffer from low audio and is run with  
the AF gain control at 1/4 to 1/3 rotation from minimum for most uses  with 
either the normal internal speaker or a single earpiece headset/electret  mic 
that I use with the K2. Is mostly used for SSB with OP1 filter in use,  only 
resort to using the "drum" (CW) in extreme circumstances to complete a  contact 
when condition are poor. I would be more susceptible than many to the  effects 
of low audio after loosing most of my hearing on one side after an  accident at 
work and the remaining ear down to telephone bandwidth only.
 
Is the low audio complaint applicable only to early K2's, the effects of  
narrow filters in CW reception or is it a random effect caused by gain  variation 
of active components?
 
Regards,
Bob, G3VVT