[Elecraft] Planning kit purchase

[David Wilburn]

I am close to being able to purchase my kits.  I still have to get my 
IC-718 sold.

Plan
====
K2		Radio		$629
KPA100		100w amp	$389
KAT100-1	100w atu	$239
KDSP2		DSP		$229
KSB2		SSB option	$ 99
KNB2		NB		$ 39

Later
=====
K60XV		60M & xvert	$ 89
XV50		6 Meter xvert	$369

Solder-I have a roll of RadioShack PN64-009E .032 diameter 60/40 
"standard rosin-core" solder.  Based on what I am reading in the 
archives, and not intending to start a "silver/no silver/lead/no lead 
discussion, the solder I have on hand (almost a complete 8oz roll) will 
be sufficient.  I have a grounded soldering iron, that has multiple heat 
levels.

Additionally I have a low wattage iron with a pencil tip.  It has been 
interesting watching the talk about the "pads and holes" and such.  I 
worked on the hardware side of main frame computers in the 80s, and 
dealt with multi-layer boards (6 or 7 layers) as well as the simple 
PCBs.  I know how much fun such a system can be for re-work.

I currently have a Fluke DMM, and I have just ordered a Fluke 115 which 
does frequency and capacitance.  I am going to head down to Harbor 
Freight some time this weekend and see if they have some of the over 
head magnifiers.  I have a place to work on the kit, but I do need to 
work on the lighting a bit.

Noise blanker-If I am operating from home, is this needed?  I'm kinda on 
the fence with this one.  My only experience with NB are on the 
commercial rigs.  I understand this one is better, but I have never 
really seen any impact from using any of them.  The archives seem to 
prove that user either love or hate this one.  Which does seem unusual 
as that is the primary choices.

It is stated on the website, that by installing the KAT100-1, there is 
no need for the KI02 interface.  Just want to ensure I will have 
everything I need for computer control.  I understand I will need their 
serial kit.  Is this what W1SERKT is?  The webpage seems to be broken 
for this.  The price list shows it, with a link, but the link goes to 
the "W1 140W Computing Wattmeter and SWR Bridge".

I plan on contacting "Rework eliminators" with my purchase list, and see 
what I need to get from them to fully integrate their products into the 
process.

Mini modules - The choices of the mini-modules is quite broad.  What 
would be useful for building the above kits?  The N-gen and 2T-gen seem 
useful for the alignment, but is one more useful than the other?  The 
XG2 seems like it would be quite useful.  Is there a need in the test 
and alignment for an attenuator such as ATI?

160m module-I have not found a way to get a 160m antenna up that suits 
me.  But for the price and getting the extra receive port, this seems 
like it might be worthwhile. Any thoughts?

Any other thoughts about the "plan"?  Anything I have overlooked?
-- 

David Wilburn
dave.wilburn at verizon.net
K4DGW
http://www.qsl.net/k4dgw
http://www.qsl.net/waarc