[Elecraft] Upgrade suggestions for the K2.

[CRAIG W BEHRENS]

I agree … and … perhaps having a higher degree of integration with some (modest) amount of functional circuits could add more bang for the buck, help keep the cost down.
Perhaps the direct USB I/F port could be a "stamp card," for example.
Also, how big a deal would it be to add 6-meters?

72/73 & DX,
Craig W. Behrens -- NM4T

> Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:25:28 +0100
> From: arcticpeak at yahoo.no
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] Upgrade suggestions for the K2.
> 
> I'm currently in the process of building my first K2, I started last Thursday and have been building for an hour or two each evening after the kids have been put to bed.
> (Small electronic parts and a 1 years old and a 3 year old doesn't mix well together, hi, hi.)
> Now my building has come to an halt because the RF-board P1 connector was missing from the bag, (No, it have not been eaten by my daughters, hi, hi!) and while waiting for the part I have been looking into the options available for the K2.
> I'm going to equip my K2 for QRP, so I will be getting the internal ATU, battery, RS-232, DSP,160 m and 60 m etc...
> The options I ordered with the kit is the SSB board and the mic.
> When looking at the options and the basic K2 I think that there are room for more options, these are my suggeistions:
>  
> USB computer interface:
> A computer with a COM-port is difficult to get nowadays, so most of us rely on a RS-232-to-USB converter, I think that such a device can be built right into the K2.
> Maybe even with an onboard USB soundcard for digimodes. The USB chips is probably available only as SMD's, but they can be presoldered lik it is on the current DSP.
>  
> Battery with charger controller:
> I think that a LiIon, LiPo or A123 battery with a charger controller built right into the K2 wil enhance portability because of lighter weight and longer endurance.
>  
> IF DSP:
> I think that it is possible to design an IF DSP that can go right into the K2 IF. The biggest problem is if it's feasable to control the IF-DSP with the current Front Panel.
>  
> I'm sure that the members on this list have more suggestions for a "mid-life upgrade" to the K2, come on, let me hear them, and also please tell what you guys think of my ideas?
>  
> 
> Best regards,
> Martin Storli 
> LA8OKA
> Oslo, Norway 
>  
> ARCTICPEAK's Radio pages! 
> http://www.arcticpeak.com/radio.htm
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