[Elecraft] K2 Modifications

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Scott,

I am a new ham that just got back into radio after a 30 some year hiatus. I
like you joined the reflector about the same time I purchased the kit. I did
however spend about two years looking at the K2 and Elecraft in general
before making my purchase decision. After reading many favorable reviews of
the Elecraft line products as well as their service, I made my decision to
jump in.
I worked in the computer IT field for many years and subscribed to a lot of
forums for the various tools I used. After awhile, you get the feeling that
they are simply there for what they are intended for. To give users a medium
that allows for the exchange of ideas, tweaking and honing of skills, and
sometimes a better way to skin the cat - and not just a place to read about
all the bad news. This reflector is no different.
As has already been said, there are many on this reflector who are highly
competent engineers, techs, operators and just plain good people who think
out of the box and are looking for (or at least discussing) ways to improve
a device that they themselves spent many hours assembling, testing and
operating. Each of us feels a great deal of ownership in these radios even
if we didn't design it from scratch.
With all that being said, my experience with my K2 was fantastic. I really
didn't have any problems with building, testing or operating it (it is a
fully loaded K2 with the KPA100 and a KAT100). I did destroy a couple of
fragile parts that I man handled (totally my fault) and they were quickly
replaced by the fine staff at Elecraft.
As has been stated, most of the problems are self inflicted which you would
expect since these fine radios are constructed by the buyer. If this happens
during your assembly, this reflector and the service staff at Elecraft are
great resources in helping resolve any issues.
My only regret is that since this is my first radio, I really don't have
anything to compare it to. I really like my K2 and feel that it performs
very well, and everything I've read here backs that up. My guess is that I'm
getting spoiled using it everyday and that when I get a chance to use
something else in its price class, I may very well be disappointed ;-)
Anyway, I hope this calms your fears. The K2 is a well engineered machine
and I think you'll have many great years using it. Besides, if I can build
something like this without lighting my house on fire, I'm sure anyone can
;-)

Take care and 73,
Dave W8FGU

> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of wsm at amaonline.com
> Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 9:14 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Modifications
> 
> I ordered my K2 before I joined this forum, and now that I did, I am
> thinking maybe I shouldn't have ordered it. It hasn't been delivered
> yet.
> Is everyone having trouble with them as it sounds on this froum?  Why
> is it necessary for all the modifications that are being done to them?
> 
> What's all this about completely removing RFC10 from the KPA100? Did
> Elecraft do a bad job of designing this thing?
> 
> I just ordered the basic unit plus the noise blanker, and was
> planning on adding the kpa100, and the KSB2 ssb unit later. I had
> the understanding that these two options were plug in boards, but
> it sounds like a rebuild to add anything. I have always hesitated to
> take components out of a circuit board because there is a good chance
> that damage to the board might occur.
> 
> Will a new kit that I just ordered four days ago need modifications,
> and if so, how will I know what modifications I will need to do?
> 
> Would someone please tell me why I shouldn't put this thing up for
> sale on Ebay in the unopened box?
> 
> Thanks
> Scott N5SM
> 
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