[Elecraft] K2 upgrade mods tactical planning [was:Re: Return of the prodigal daughter]

[Margaret Leber]

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> Ha! I avoided getting into the mods, Margaret!
> 
> I'd build the basic K2 as you see in the book, see that it is working
>  properly, then add the mods one at a time while checking operation
> in between. That way, if you do stumble, you'll see where and what
> you did much more easily.

Point well-taken.

Sounds like a programmer thinking. Fortunately programming is not done
on double-sided PC boards. Anymore.

I'm still delighted that I've finished the N0SS noise source and the K2
control board and neither looks like the kind of train wreck some of my
earlier ventures into kitbuilding have. Of course, those traumas were
*long* ago and far away; I'm more experienced and have vastly better 
tools now. I think temperature-control on the soldering iron is a big 
factor. So are a Panavise and lighted magnifier...given my current 
vision the latter is just about a necessity.

> I would also recommend the AF gain control mod and the PLL and BFO 
> oscillator stability mods for a CW op... The new crystals are a good
> idea if you are including the SSB adapter.

Yes...definately doing the AF gain mod. and I do have the SSB adapter
in-hand. Interesting thing is, I suspect I'm likely to play more with CW
once I have a K2...I hardly ever do that now.

> If you're going to add the KPA100 for QRO operation, it's nice to
> install the keying shaping mod as well, although the K2 needs no
> apologies without it. And if you do that, you don't need the KIO2.
> The KIO2 is part of the KPA100 100 watt upgrade option.

(Vic Rosenthal wrote:)
> Ron is correct, but I'd like to add that the VFO stability mod should
> be considered a must if you are planning to add a KPA100.  The extra
> heat will cause very noticeable drift.

I doubt I'll do the KPA100; I already have a Yaesu FT-847.
But ya never know.

> But first, your K2 as it came will work FB. Use it and decide what
> you want it to do for you, then choose the  additions and mods that
> fit!

Yes, that's a good point. I suspect having a K2 will change the kind of
operating I do.

> So far, retirement isn't a visible stage of life for me either but
> I'm having fun in the meantime. Bob Hope laid out the future as far
> as I can see: when we reach 70 he says that us guys still chase
> women, but we'll only chase 'em downhill.

Well, I'm just past 50 and already I'll only run downhill anyway. And
even that way not very fast. :-)

  73 de Maggie

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-----/___.   _)Margaret Stephanie Leber CCP, SCJP/"The art of progress /
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