[Elecraft] Re: K2 Modifications

[zl1aih at ihug.co.nz]

Hi Scott,
I have built two K2s, #767 and #3725.
The only problems I experienced were my own fault.
They were very quickly solved on this reflector by 
very experienced folk like Don W3FPR, Tom N0SS 
and many others who contribute to this list.

I'm the only one (so far) that turned TWO pages of 
the manual over at once, thus missing some very 
important steps. <G>

The K2 has evolved since #767 but most importantly 
both of my transceivers are right up there with latest 
serial numbers, in that I have updated via the 
Elecraft list.   They both have the KI02 interface, 
160m separate Rx antenna options, KAF2 audio 
filters and the N0SS amp keying circuit. 

My shack is presently the base for the ZM1A CW 
serious contest station.   We have two suites of 
antennas for 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres (quads 
and verticals) located 300' apart.

Of a selection of FT-1000xxx (with all the latest 
filters), Icom 7xxx, etc. transceivers, only the IC-780 
and K2 ( plus amps) demonstrate no interstation 
interference at the 500w level.   

>From the two most experienced CW contest ops in 
our group (ZL3CW and ZL1GO), the only complaint 
has been that "the K2 moves when you push the 
buttons".   Since then, I have secured the bail to the 
bench.<G>

Scott, you can build your K2 with confidence 
knowing that you have support from this reflector no 
matter what problems you might encounter.
You will have a transceiver that is right up there with 
the best.

73, Ken ZL1AIH (ZM1A team in CW contests) 
    



 

> 
> 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?
>