[Elecraft] Need advice - upgrade vs. K2

[Allan Bacon]

I have built K2 4670 working great, soon to add the 100W/tuner.

To learn more about this wonderful hobby, I also just bought an original K2
# 389 with the internal battery kit. This will be my QRP radio. This is also
obviously a Rev A model. It came with the following un built modules.

KNB2 Rev C dtd 3 Feb 2000

KAT2, Rev B, dtd Feb 14, 2000

KSB2, Rev B, dtd Nov 15, 199

>From the Elecraft web site, there are obvious upgrades (A-B kit and all the
others) that I will incorporate, but are there any upgrades to the un built
modules? Or after doing all the basic K2 mods, should I buy the latest
modules to this K2?

All suggestions/plan of action as to a course of action would be
appreciated.

73,
Allan Bacon
KI4HRN


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 6:06 PM
To: Craig Black; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Need advice - upgrade vs. new K2

Craig,

If you plan to keep it, I would say that you should upgrade the current K2
no matter what - and do ALL the upgrades and all the optional pieces too -
including the Keying waveshape change, the PLL Temperature compensation
change and the Extremely Strong signal Handling diodes (no parts kit for
this last one, but it takes only 2 1N4148 diodes).  You will end up with a
K2 that performs just like a new one - it will only have a few more
components mounted on the bottom of the board, and you will not have an AGC
Threshold pot (unless you squeeze a tiny trimmer in there). Do change the
Filter crystals too.  No-one will know it has been upgraded unless they know
what to look for.  I can supply photos of my fully upgraded SN 0020 should
there be any doubt.

As far as a new K2 - well, if you want 2 of them, then the upgrade plus the
new build is the only way to go for economy.  I don't know what financial
constraints you may have, but the outlay for an upgraded K2 plus a new K2
will certainly be less than buying 2 new ones!

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> This falls into the "help me rationalize what I want
> to do" bucket, but make it factual.
>
> I am an owner of a K2 sn 1014 who loves to build. It
> has SSB, NB, 160M, auto tuner and battery. (Also have
> a KX1 and a T1)
>
> Should I;
> 1. Upgrade the K2 and add the KP100 (Upgrades are
> about $140 total)...or
> 2. Buy a new K2 with the SSB option and KP100 ?
>
> The end results are of course different as in #2 I
> would have 2 K2's.
>
> Are there any comments on installing the full boat of
> upgrades required for an old K2 to get it current ?
>
> Thanks
> Craig
>