[Elecraft] Re: KNB2

[Bill Coleman]

On Jul 18, 2005, at 12:47 PM, wayne burdick wrote:

> A more sophisticated noise blanker is certainly possible. It would  
> need about twice as many parts, and to fit in the available space  
> would require nearly all SMDs, including 0603 size passives and  
> TSSOP ICs.

Now, I certainly don't want to challenge the designers of the K2, who  
have already proved their genius. However, I was looking closely at  
my K2 last night and as considering ways in which the KNB2 and KSB2  
boards might be expanded.

The KSB2 is a real challenge, since it starts to run into things. But  
there appears to be room for at least three to four more square  
inches if you are willing to deal with a really oddly shaped board -  
one square inch moving toward the control board from the right edge -  
between the XFIL1 side and the XFIL2 crystals. Another stuck between  
the XFIL2 and BFO crystals. Perhaps another on the left side of the  
XFIL2 crystals moving forward. And a lot more space moving toward the  
rear if you wrap around the edge of the KNB2.

For the KNB2, it seems a lot simpler. It looks really easy to double  
the size of the board just by moving the rear edge toward the back of  
the K2, up over the LPF toroids and relays. (You would have to leave  
a hole for R60) Or, if that isn't acceptable, the left edge could  
expand toward the left side, up next to the KSB2.

I don't have the K60XV, so maybe it's in the way, but there seem to  
be some possibilities for expansion other than going SMT.

Just some ideas.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901