[Elecraft] #5390 Completed - Novice's Reflections on Building a K2

[Don Wilhelm]

Wyn,

Congratulations on your accomplishments and thanks for the description of
your efforts.
Enjoy your K2 whether /P as originally intended, or for your home station
QSOs as well.

73,
Don W3FPR


> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Wyn Hughes
> Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 1:18 AM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] #5390 Completed - Novice's Reflections on Building a
> K2
>
>
> For any novices like myself:
>
> Completed K2 #5390 today. Basic 10 - 80 m cw model. No options
> (yet). Everything tested basically ok. Log records;
>
> Early February 2006: bought in preference to a Tentec Argo V
> (high current draw on the Argo, not suitable for light /P,
> clinched it for the K2)
>
> Feb - April 2006: slow, rather nervous and self questioning lead
> up to the actual build. Read the manual and did basic inventory
> of parts. Built the Ngen for soldering practice. Bought a decent
> temp controlled soldering station and desoldering gun (China
> made). Bought Kester 44 solder from Mouser. Lots of research on
> internet and ARRL handbook re soldering, and components last iron
> I used was a 100 watt for PL259 plugs and amp building. Practice
> soldering and desoldering for small solid state parts. . Sorted
> components into large number of plastic boxes with compartments
> for like types. This made the job seem less daunting from a
> psychological viewpoint.
>
> April 30, 2006 - started on the Control Board build then Front
> Board. Took 5 days solid work, over a couple of weeks, time
> permitting. All tested ok.
> (Soldering the ICs not as hard as it sounded. However, required a
> high magnification illuminated desk lamp, plus a new pair of
> reading spectacles. Only had to use the desoldering gun a couple
> of times, but it was worth the money). Experienced quite a lot of
> backacke, prefer to solder 'up close and personal' with the
> magnifier, easier to detect/avoid solder errors.
>
> However much care you think you take, errors will occur. Good
> organization and method helps and for a novice like me, was
> essential. Finished the RF Board 40 meter rx about a week ago.
> Surprised that it worked first time. (I could not hear the
> 'birdie' on 7000 khz until the BFO had been set as per the
> manual. Don't automatically assume there is an error immediately.
> Check and double check. If tired, put the kit away until next time).
>
> July 9, 2006: Completed. Tested basically ok. Very responsive on
> receive. I even listened to the BBC on 21660 relay from Singapore
> with a 5 ft wire antenna on the floor. Saved me turning on the IC-781.
>
> Total number of days worked on: 20 days (including the 5 days to
> finish the Control/Front boards). Some days were short (an hour),
> many like yesterday were long and arduous.
>
> Time taken to build? Not sure, would guess minimum 60 hours,
> probably closer to 80 hours.
>
> Issues? Power output on 28 mhz was a little low on the internal
> K2 meter yesterday, about 8-9 watts. The internal meter was
> reading up to 15 watts out on all other bands. Expert K2 buildern
> locally suggested rewiding T2 - too tired to do that now.
> 'Prodded' T2 a few times (tried to tidy it up/elevate it a bit
> more off the board). Hooked up the Bird 43 today with a 50 watt
> slug. Noted that power readinggs on all bands today were a little
> lower, according to the K2 internal meter. However, on the Bird
> 43, there is 9 watts out indicated on 28 mhz and up to12 - 13
> watts out on other bands, depending on the band. Probably not too
> much wrong, but may rewind T2 and maybe T3 for experiment in due course.
>
> Also managed to scuff off the paint very slightly about 1.5mm x
> 1.5mm on the front panel cover at the curve on the top, despite
> thinking I was lsietening to the advive in the manual to watch
> out for that. Will get some touch up paint from Elecraft.
>
> Was it worth it? Time will tell. I don't think anyone would want
> to build the K2 as a commercial venture, only for the pleasure of
> doing so. I will try some /P, which is what I kot the K2 for, in
> the next couple of weeks. Quite an experience building the K2,
> still have some backache. Overall, a positive experience. I
> suspect the K2 project may also serve a slightly different
> purpose from that which it was acquired for. Instead of just
> using it as a utilitarian /P radio, it will serve as a
> self-educational radio. I always wondered what transistors and
> ICs actually did, now I have a slightly better idea.
>
> Cheers and 73 from Hong Kong,
>
> Wyn, VR2AX (ex VS6UK), GW3YGH
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