[Elecraft] First K2 question

[Fred (FL)]

Hi!

As a previous builder of MANY Heathkits, 2 or 3
good sized Boats, a 3-car PoleBarn, a couple of Homes,
and most recently K2 # 5422 - I had success
with these methods:

Assumption:  Elecraft's Christine and the other
very smart Techs, rarely if ever seem to mispackage
or short items from the various K2 section packages.
I think in K2 # 5422 - I was short 1 small diode.

0. Get yourself a good set of basic TOOLS; a solder
sucker, a good pair of small flush-cut dikes, a sharp
knife, small tweezers, and very good low-rosin Kester
Solder.  A good sized hand magnifiying glass.  Some
rubber bands.  Throw the de-solder braid, in the
trash can.  A good solder-station - can be found
for $25.   A good basic digital VOM, with C's
measurent capability, also like $25.  A jar of
alcohol.  Nice clean rag.  Anti-static desk mat,
wrist-strap.  A good desk lamp.

00. Inventory MAJOR SECTIONS - are the
PCB board there, are there bags for each section,
etc.  Are the chasis metal parts there?

1. Buy the Mr. TOROID Guy's toroid set, for your
Elecraft kit.  He does a much better job of building
these critical L parts, than we will probably do.
I felt this was the single most important decision I
did - when I built K2 # 5422.  If one is the least
tired, or rushed - and trys to wind an important L
toroid - good luck!  Screwing just 1 up - will cause
you all sorts of troubleshooting time.  And mis-wound
toroids may give you a K2 that may never really stack
up among the best performers.

2. DO NOT do a complete INVENTORY of all the Elecraft
Parts, when you start.  I know this sounds dumb, but
the chance of homogenizing all the parts together is
too tempting and too possible.  The risk of breaking
or loosing parts is also risky.  The risk of handling
all those parts, probably without any static
protection, could ruin semiconductor parts.

I've felt it is very risky to attempt to INVENTORY
all the K2 parts, at the start.  First you probably
haven't the foggiest which part is for what.  And
if you loose or homogenize them together - GOOD
LUCK!  (I'm still searching for that 1 small diode,
that I had at the onset - but which vanished 3 weeks
later)

3. Concentrate on building each K2 section alone.
Work on it, check it, test it, perform whatever
checks the manual calls for.  The manual technique
is organized that way.

4. Sort out those parts needed for that ONE SECTION,
into small ceramic bowls: capacitors, diodes,
resistors take care of themselves, mechanical
fasteners, wire items, IC's & transistors, and
misc devices.   Have a "mechanical" bowl.

As you near the completion of each K2 section -
attempt to determine if you have any missing
or broken parts to replace.  GET THOSE ORDERS
into Elecraft, and request FIRST CLASS US POSTAL
delivery.  The $5 postal fee is well worth it!
Do this part-order process, like 5 days before
you expect to complete a given section.

5. DO NOT use use Styrofoam containers to store parts
- I tend to think this stuff stores static charge (Q),
and can ruin semiconductor parts POW.

Putting parts and devices into holes in cardboard
- was not productive for me.  If you sort into ceramic
bowls - it forces you to recognize those
parts you have to work with, and you will quickly
learn the physical appearance of all these many
many different parts. You will know what a "103"
is, a "2N4446" is, etc.  5 or 6 ceramic bowls works.

When the bowl(s) are empty - hopefully you are at
the end of a build section, in the manual.

6. If you must retrace yourself, and install missing
or broken parts in a previous kit section - make some
notes in your manual, to point your way for going
back - when the Elecraft parts package arrives.

7. By all means, take your time.  Perhaps 2 hour
sints at the most.  If you start getting groggy
or tired, you concentration will vanish - and
mistakes will happen.  EXPECT to make some
builder mistakes.  We are all human.

8. Enjoy the project - heck, we could probably buy
a completed transceiver for a similiar price, and
save the hundred hours it takes to build a K2.  But,
you will end up with an inferior commercial product,
and one that you haven't the foggiest idea of how it's
built or how it performs and operates.

Melted solder smells good!  :)

Enjoy - 
Fred & 73's
... hit my thumb with my hammer, more than once!
N3CSY
.... FL, NY
8/2006

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