[Elecraft] Newbie requests advice
Ron D'Eau Claire
rondec at easystreet.com
Fri Jan 27 13:43:50 EST 2006
I just received my new K2, SSB and 160M options too. I've also ordered the
rework eliminator kit. I've redlined my insructions with errata and rework
updates. Assembly starts tonight.
I've hunted around for a general advice thread, but there is so much
information out there I can't seem to sift out what I'm looking for. I know
the hot end of a soldering iron from the cold end, and I have some test
quipment including scope and signal generator. If anyone out there has
adice or can point me to the right place, please reply. In particular, if
anyone has experience with the rework eliminator please reply. I'm
concerned that the test and alignment procedure may not work as it should
with these mods.
----------------------------------------------------
Success building a K2 is fun and easy!
1) Incorporate the errata items into your K2 manual and build the basic K2.
2) Do the inventory. Even if you don't count all the parts, be sure you know
which is which before you start stuffing the boards. There is a lot of good
info about identifying parts in the front of the manual.
3) Follow the instructions *exactly* as given in the manual. Do not skip
steps.
4) Take time and care to ensure you have every part in the right place,
oriented correctly when orientation is important (those parts are carefully
identified in the manual).
5) Make sure you soldered all leads and pins as directed. Personally, I
install and solder each part individually. I find it far too easy to miss
leads when I "gang solder" lots of component leads at once or parts move
enough before I've soldered them that they are not longer properly
positioned down against the board.
6) Do all the in-process resistance, voltage and operational tests as you
come to them! Keep in mind that when a resistance is given as more (>) or
less (<) than some value, ANY value that is either more or less than that is
fine. That is, if something says the resistance is "> 100 k ohms" a value of
infinity on your meter is just fine!
7) If you find a problem, solve it before proceeding! Once you go on with
the build, it may be very difficult to find the problem later. You can post
any questions you have here. Of course, advice directly from Elecraft is
available by e-mail from: service at elecraft.com
7) When you have completed the basic K2 and it is working per the manual,
start adding the SSB and 160 meter options by first incorporating any errata
items in their manuals, then doing the build and test. Do one module at a
time before going onto anything else. You can do them in any order you like.
8) The "rework eliminators" come from another group. I haven't used them.
Apparently they do make troubleshooting a little easier by making it simple
to remove a module to ensure it is not the source of a problem. I haven't
had any problems (other than cockpit trouble) with my K2 built in 2000, so I
can't comment on how valuable they are. I have *not* seen anyone posting
problems resulting from incorporating them during the build. If you want to
do that while you are doing the original build, that's your choice.
Good luck, OM! Give as name/call sometime when you post a message again <G>.
Ron AC7AC
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