[Elecraft] K2 - Revival of a resting one...
Jon
jhpike at cox.net
Thu Apr 12 14:25:54 EDT 2018
Hi Don...
Well, so far I'm pretty certain I did the A > B changes, and I did do
the IF and the SSB crystal and cap filter mods. I'll be reading thru
that again, in my first look I got the impression there might have been
a later, better, version of the Xtals? Wasn't sure. PSK was just
starting out, and I recall doing the IMD improvement change. (What ever
happened to PSK-31 and keyboard ragchew contacts, anyway? Ooops, don't
want to start anything...)
Finally building and using the KIO2 is pretty slick, have been running
WSJT-X and monitoring some WSPR and FT8, kinda cool to have computer
control of the rig, watch it do auto bandswitching while collecting WSPR
spots. I still have to find the spare mic connectors I used to have
handy and build the TX half of the cabling. Don't worry K9YC, there
will be #31 ferrite involved... And, I'm pretty sure I did the Pin 1
issue mods, grounding the mic shell and headphone jack solidly...
OK, the AT issue sounds like it happened after my board. And, someday I
might get the KPA100 and do the two box setup, so the KSB2 FW update is
something to remember.
I know I used to have my S/N in posts here... kinda surprised I haven't
been able to find a single post of mine, going back thru the reflector
site archives. I had the kit around 2000, would think I was chatting
away into 2001 or longer, where the archive ends. I dont see any
easier search method than opening a month at a time though, might be
missing them. Anyone know if there's a more comprehensive search
method? My S/N was in the 1500's, if I remember right...
Definitely need to go thru my filters, had been tweaking them a bit,
not in the way you're supposed to, and I know they're not right now.
Have a few audio spectrum programs that we wish we had back then, so
will be doing a full filter setup/alignment shortly.
Jon, KA6MOK K2 #????
On 4/12/2018 6:35 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Jon,
>
> I don't think the serial number information for older K2s is still
> available from Elecraft.
>
> As for the upgrades, I suggest you download the instructions for the
> K2 A to B upgrade. That is only the basic upgrade. The 1st page of
> the instructions lists several other upgrade kits. Download the
> instructions for each of them to determine which (if any) have been
> installed on your K2. Installing all of them will give you a K2 that
> is almost equal to a new K2.
>
> In addition, changing the IF crystals to the current crystals will
> improve the filters on your K2. If you have the KSB2 board, change
> those crystals as well - Elecraft sells a set of 14 matched crystals
> for the K2 and KSB2 as well as a set of 7 for the base K2 only.
> While you have the crystals off the KSB2 board, it is easy to change
> the filter capacitors to extend the filter bandpass from the original
> 2.1kHs to the new 2.4kHz - the capacitor kit is SSBCAPKT.
>
> As far as firmware, upgrade the MCU and KIO ICs to the new version.
> The only other firmware upgrade that is needed may be the KSB2 which
> should be upgraded if you ever add the KPA100.
>
> The KAT2 wiring change was only valid for a short run of boards when
> the vendor printed the boards upside-down.
>
> Download the KSB2 PSK mod instructions to see if you have the updated
> resistor and capacitor changes - if not, change them.
>
> If all that is done, your K2 will perform like a new one.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 4/12/2018 2:28 AM, Jon wrote:
>> Hello all!
>>
>> Long time no mailing list... I have a nice, vintage K2, that I
>> want to spruce up, tune up, and bring back to it's full MOJO. Kind
>> of a it's not dead yet, it's just resting. Actually, it's been in
>> use, off and on over the years, am now getting more serious about
>> plying the airwaves.
>>
>> Been looking over the various places of K2 lore, for updates and so
>> forth, Sverre's site, Don's, and of course the Elecraft site.
>>
>> First order of business , is it possible to have my S/N looked up?
>> Found a database that I don't seem to be in, found that the Elecraft
>> list archives go back to 2001, but I'm not finding a post of mine in
>> there, so hopefully the Elecraft Records Repository would still
>> contain it somewhere. Then I can proudly post it on the bottom of my
>> mails, like it was done back in the day. ;-)
>>
>> Next, I have a range of boards for it, the NB, SSB, Antenna tuner,
>> 160m antenna, and just built my long languishing KIO2 kit, to bring
>> this K2-10 into the 21 (20th?) century. I have started to go thru
>> them and see if I have all the mods and etc that should be done on
>> them, have done many already, but back about '03-04. Guess this is
>> just a matter of looking things up, though I have a few questions
>> there and probably will have more.
>>
>> Another next, I've been having difficulty checking to see which
>> versions of firmware are the latest, and what the various versions
>> add. Is there a version change log or something like that?
>>
>> Here's what I have so far, looks like the two main ones are down a
>> bit, but I don't know what I'm missing, or if I really need the
>> updates.
>>
>> MCU 2.01f
>> RF 1.02
>> KSB2 1.04
>> ATU 1.03 f
>>
>> Here's the PCB versions marked on the boards:
>>
>> Main rev A
>> Control rev A
>> ATU rev C (note, the board does NOT match the picture of the
>> recent note stating some cut and jumper rework should be done on a
>> rev C)
>> NB and 160m rev D
>> SSB don't have, will have to yank it to read
>>
>> So, the beginning of a journey. Will greatly appreciate whatever
>> tips and directions I could be pointed in.
>>
>> Jon - KA6MOK K2 #????
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