[Elecraft] K2 lifespan

[Lee Buller]

Shane....

I am not at EE or a Computer Programmer....but I do love electronics and 
computers.  What ham radio has taught be over the last 46 years is that I can 
learn by 1) reading a book, 2) doing the project., and 3) trial and error.  I 
love to figure out how it does work.  Take some time and "read the manual" and 
look at the schematic.  Follow the receive signal through the RX until it comes 
out the speaker.  Look how the schematic starts the CW or SSB signal and how it 
goes through the chain of circuits through the amplifier - tuner - to the 
antenna port.  Do all this BEFORE you put it together.  Then, when you start 
putting your K2 together, you will know what is going on when you are "stuffing" 
parts on the board.  You can also print out the schematic and mark off or 
highlight each part you put on the board.  That way you can follow along from 
the physical and the theoretical.

But, a K2 is not an electronics course.  But, it is a way to learn if you take 
the time to read the manual first, figure out the schematic, and understand the 
theory behind what the engineers were doing.  It is quite simple.  Even a person 
with a BS in Liberal Arts did it...understood it...and learned a lot from the 
experience.

It is quite interesting how the engineers put the K2 together.  It really is an 
engineering marvel...from the electronics to the mechanical structure.  The 
software is really good....using multiple micro-processors that is rather 
clever.

I learned so much putting my K2 together about solid state electronics...when my 
high school schooling taught be hollow state electronics or tubes.  Buy a new 
ARRL Handbook and follow along.  


I try to learn something everyday about something.  Learning is life long.....

Lee Buller K0WA
BA Radio and Television
MS  Journalism and Mass Communication
PHD  School of Hard Knocks



 In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't 
have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any 
Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is Common 
Sense divine?

Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind. 
-  John W. (Kansas)