[Elecraft] K2 first power-up

[Don Wilhelm]

LS,

On grounding the crystals - use a high heat (800 deg F) on the iron to 
heat the crystal can quickly, use a large tip if possible.  Put a large 
flat area of the iron on the side of the crystal can to aid heat 
transfer.  The key is to heat the crystal can as quickly as possible - 
long heat-soaking is what damages components more so than high temperatures.

As for the toroids, make a couple trial windings (Elecraft supplies 
extra wire).  To produce nice tight windings, smooth the wire around the 
*outside* of the core rather than trying to pull it tight - it is 
impossible to pull the wire tight once it rounds a corner of the core.  
You can space the turns neatly after you complete the winding.  Remember 
to count the turns correctly - each time the wire passes through the 
center of the core is one turn.  A straight wire through the center is 
one turn, a complete wrap around the core is 2 turns.  The most critical 
thing in winding the toroids is the number of turns.

73,
Don W3FPR

lstavenhagen wrote:
> The worst part seems to be coming up with the RX and then TX assembly, the
> only thing I'm dreading is grounding those crystal cans (the two on the
> control board were a real fight and I'm hoping I didn't already cook those
> two crystals). But I've read the tech. articles on the site about
> alternative ways to approach that and they've given me some good ideas on
> how to do that. 
>
> The toroid winding doesn't look too bad - I hope those aren't super-critical
> as far as spacing of the turns, etc.?
>
> LS
> W5QD
>   
>