[Elecraft] newbie

[Hisashi T Fujinaka]

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004, Larry Phipps wrote:

>
> I'm considering a K2/100, but I have a question about serviceability. I'm assuming because it's a kit with no SMT parts that everything is accessible for trouble-shooting. Is this true? Can you reach all of the important rf component pins from the top with a scope probe while the rig is operating?
>
> I ask this because my TS-850S currently has a receiver problem, and most of the rf path parts are SMT and on the bottom of the board, where they can't be probed while the rig is functional... I'm really bummed about it. It's going to be a major pain in the a** to fix.
>
> My favorite rig I ever had for service was a Drake TR-7, but I don't think any current radios use the kind of construction it did. The K2 looks like my best bet for service in a modern rig. What do you guys say?
>
> ALso, are there any features I will really miss compared to my TS-850S?

I like appliances, myself, but I got the K2 because I'm a big believer
in the receiver design. I think it's similar to something proposed by
Wes Hayward, W7ZOI, that I was supposed to build in high school. Wes is
the father of a friend of mine. I finally got to build the receiver, 23
years later.

There are a few parts that are mounted on the surface as mods, but
they're leaded parts. Plus, you have great accessibility to both sides
of the main board.

I have a couple of thoughts about the mods. One one hand, I wish
Elecraft would respin the PC boards. On the outer hand I'm incredibly
happy that Elecraft incorporates these mods into later kits. I'm sure
they have some minimum number of PC boards they have have fabricated,
and they can't just throw them out for a small mod.

Anyway, check the manuals (they're all online) if you want to see what
I'm talking about.

Anyway, I have the K2/100, NB, 60M, 160M (for the second rx input,
really), and SSB. I really like the radio. It interfaces with my
computer more easily than my IC706MKIIG, has a better quieter receiver,
and excellent adjustable filtering.

I don't believe in the K2 mojo hype (I'm also not a believer in QRP when
you have the ability to run some power, like I do at home), but this is
a great radio for those conditions. (I don't crank down the power unless
the guy on the other end is really loud and from California :) or if I'm
running off of batteries.)

I hope that helps.

Oh, and I broke a part when I was building the kit (a small 100uH
inductor on the bottom of the main board) and while it took us five
hours to troubleshoot, I was able to fix it on my own. (The thing ALMOST
works with the part broken, but has a raspy sound on transmit and on
spot.) I'd say the radio is great for someone who fixes his own gear.

-- 
Hisashi T Fujinaka - htodd at twofifty.com
BSEE(6/86) + BSChem(3/95) + BAEnglish(8/95) + MSCS(8/03) + $2.50 = latte