[Elecraft] K2 new builder

[lstavenhagen]

Hi George,

I just finished my K2 a few weeks ago, it was actually my first kit and came
out working with no problems. The main tips I'd give in retrospect on my
experience mostly from the perspective of a first-time builder:
- start reading the manual now. I.e. download it from the manuals section on
elecraft's site, it's in PDF format. Also for any of the options you ordered
too. Go through it in detail until the kit arrives. Read ahead in it even
after you start building, during breaks or after building sessions, etc.
- don't skip the parts inventory. The concern isn't missing parts (my kit
wasn't missing anything) but going through and identifying the parts. Some
of them like the tiny caps will take a lot of time to figure out what they
are, which is which etc. If you do this during the parts inventory, you've
already seen the part when you're doing the build and it'll go all that much
faster (i.e. some of the teeny capacitors in the band-pass filters, etc).
In my case, I've never built a kit radio before ever. Or actually a kit
anything ever. Also, prior to my K2 the last time I really tried to build
anything electronic was in the mid 70's when I was a kid trying to homebrew
a tube rig. And it did nothing but catch on fire. Kind of ended my building
career until just a couple months ago hi hi. So I had a lot of refreshing of
memory to do when it came to ID'ing parts, etc.
- try to avoid "marathon" building sessions. I.e. don't work for more than
an hour or so at a time and take breaks if you do. When you get into a hurry
is when you make mistakes and it takes some of the fun out of it too.
- if something is confusing don't guess. Stop and double check with the
manual and then if all else fails post a question on here. Don and all the
folks on here are a bottomless pit of information about what to do if
something isn't clear.

As for tools, I'd say you can't build the kit without (i.e. these were my
most used and crucial tools and are _required_):
- good temp-controlled soldering station with 1/32" 700F screwdriver profile
tips (i.e. the Weller WTCPT, etc)
- flush cutting (NOT bevel cutting) SMALL electronic wire cutters (i.e.
Xcelite from Mouser, etc)
- .020 diameter solder (Kester 44 from Mouser, go ahead and buy a lb of it).
- a magnifying glass (RadioShack has a good lighted one that I'm still
using) and strong pair of reading glasses (depending on whether you're near
or farsighted, I'm farsighted).
- computer with Internet access.

I'd very strongly suggest:
- a high quality and large anti-static mat with a wrist strap, this will end
all worries about ESD. this can also double as your table top mat for the
rig when it's finished too.
- small solder wick.
- a VOM.

Finally, again if you're a first time builder like me, just be prepared for
the rig to kind of take over your life for a few weeks hi hi. It took me
about 3 weeks and a little more to get mine completely finished, just doing
an hour or two in the evenings after work. It was slow for me because I had
no kit-building experience and so some things took a long time (like some of
the toroids). 

But in the end you'll be rewarded with a really exceptional radio. The RX
performance is simply outstanding, you won't believe it was a rig you built
yourself with discrete components!

Gud luck es 73,
LS
W5QD
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