[Elecraft] K2 Build: Requesting Tips and Tricks

Sat Jun 16 11:15:23 EDT 2018

I just finished mine, and its loaded.

I agree with all the previous advice, I picked up another 40 drawer 
parts cabinet for the parts, used them both,  and kept them in order 
that way.  Each board had its own area of the cabinets,Packing Box bag 
in one area,  Control Board in the next, RF board in another, etc.  I 
then segregated the parts by type. All the capacitors in one section, 
either by the PCB board number, or in the case of the '102' and '103' 
capacitors, all in one drawer and grabbed them as needed.    Marked them 
across the front of the drawer with a Sharpie and masking tape.

My resistors came all taped ready to go in order, just find the right 
end of the 'string' and work from there.   Verify the colors, but it 
will save you a lot of time searching for the next resistor.

Check and double check all the polarity and pin installations of the 
electrolytic capacitors, diodes and transistors.   As far as ICs, make 
sure you have them positioned properly.     When the manual says to 
verify PIN 1, you verify PIN 1.

My only fault was that I installed an IC backwards.   I looked at that 
thing daily and did not see that the large 'dimple' on the top and to 
one side of the IC was NOT the side with pin1 and the notch.     It 
wasn't a costly mistake, but I lost about 4 weeks waiting for it to come 
back from Elecraft.      FWIW ... I wasn't the only person who missed 
that, so I didn't feel so bad :)

Make sure you have the right solder, and a GOOD temperature controlled 
soldering station.  I got a Hakko FX888 from Amazon for $97.00.

Have a VERY GOOD digital meter that can measure capacitance, resistance, 
DC voltage, etc.    Comes in handy when verifying parts you can see 
easily, but later on during the alignment steps.

I had a good time putting it together.  I'm ready to build another one 
just because it was enjoyable, frustrating at times, but mostly 
enjoyable.    The support from Elecraft is amazing, an email at 8 pm ET, 
would get a reply by 10 pm only because I don't think Don sleeps!

Don't hesitate to send emails if you have a question, as the book says, 
they will not let you fail.     Make sure you make the changes in the 
main manual as listed in the errata, definitely saves you time, and 
errors.      I'd also download the K2 Manual Appendices from the 
website, and print out the board component location diagrams.   Once you 
start placing components, you may not be able to see exactly where that 
final part goes, but the diagrams help, and taping them up over your 
bench keeps you from having to flip back and forth from your 
installation step to the diagram.   I even printed out the inventory 
parts list from that file, made the changes from the errata, and used 
that to identify parts if needed to keep me from flipping back and forth.

Finally, the Elecraft website has a lot of good tips under its "Builder 
Resources" page.  I will let you know that many of the K2 mods there are 
already incorporated in the new kits, so you can read about them, but 
you don't have to do them.   You can verify if you need anything yourself.

Enjoy, there is nothing that gives me greater satisfaction to turn on my 
K2/100 and say .. "I built that .. and it works !!!"

Neil, KN3ILZ

On 6/15/2018 7:33 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> Its been 15 years or so [K2 S/N 4398] but my resistors were taped in 
> the order of insertion.  If yours are, don't remove them before 
> needed.  I measured each of mine as I was about to insert it, and all 
> were correct.  I can see the colors, I just can't name them so this 
> was a huge gift from Elecraft. Benton Harbor just sent a bag, but of 
> course auto-insertion equipment hadn't been invented then either. 
> [:-)  I've always wondered how the machine that tapes them works.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
>
> On 6/15/2018 4:03 PM, Brian Denley wrote:
>> Scott:
>> Get some magnification aid: binocular microscope, magnifying lamp, 
>> etc.  Some of those parts are pretty small and solder joints need to 
>> be inspected.  Good lighting is a must as well as an anti static mat.
>>
>> Brian
>> KB1VBF
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>>> On Jun 15, 2018, at 2:14 PM, hawley, charles j jr 
>>> <c-hawley at illinois.edu> wrote:
>>>
>>> I took about 10 years to build it. I started, then moved the ham 
>>> shack to the new addition. I recorded every mod, change and 
>>> alternate part over the 10 years and essentially wrote a new updated 
>>> assembly manual. Bought all the add on options. Bought new firm ware 
>>> that I never got to use and bought new again at the finish. Turned 
>>> it on and guess what, no issues. Somehow I like the way it sounds, 
>>> maybe better than the K3...
>>>
>>> Chuck
>>> KE9UW
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone, cjack
>>>
>>>> On Jun 15, 2018, at 11:24 AM, Martin Sole <hs0zed at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I built 7723 last year and it was an outstanding way to while away 
>>>> a good few days in the desert.  Here's a couple of things that 
>>>> might help you along:
>>>>
>>>> It's not one kit it's 3. Think of it like that and keep everything 
>>>> separate. Even though you will do a minimal build on the RF board 
>>>> for test purposes it's still 3 kits.
>>>>
>>>> It's not a one day build. Even if you spend every waking hour on it 
>>>> (you wont!) it still takes a fair few days/weeks/months to get 
>>>> through.
>>>>
>>>> The book is right! Even when it's just plain wrong, it's right. Go 
>>>> back read it again, ask on here. But that build book must have been 
>>>> worked over almost 8000 times, it's right.
>>>>
>>>> I couldn't find any suitable trays to organise components but I 
>>>> bought a set of small(ish) plastic pots with lids. Big enough to 
>>>> get my fingers in. I had 12 I think which was more than enough, 
>>>> about 4 inches diameter and a couple of inches deep. Keeping the 
>>>> lids on and marked with the contents helped keep from them 
>>>> scattering from a careless movement or other accident.
>>>>
>>>> Keep everything as Elecraft intended. If it came in a separate 
>>>> little brown envelope, inventory it then put it back in the 
>>>> envelope. Keep the resistors on their tapes, they are in fitting 
>>>> order.
>>>>
>>>> Get a good quality pair of flush cutters and learn how to use them. 
>>>> It's worthwhile perfecting the technique of close cutting the leads 
>>>> before soldering, makes a nice board to handle afterwards and is 
>>>> very very very necessary in the area of the main vfo encoder.
>>>>
>>>> Ask questions here, it's a fantastic resource.
>>>>
>>>> Last, but by no means least, enjoy! As the ads say, it's the most 
>>>> fun you have with your clothes on. Though that might depend on how 
>>>> you do your kit building :)
>>>>
>>>> 73
>>>> Martin, HS0ZED
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 15/06/2018 21:45, Scott wrote:
>>>>> I'll be starting a K2 build in the near future after the inventory 
>>>>> is complete.  A partial inventory is complete at this point.  I'm 
>>>>> looking for tips and tricks for a successful build.  Right now my 
>>>>> biggest problem as I see it, is how to organize all the caps and 
>>>>> resistors to make the build go smooth and relatively quick.  At 
>>>>> any rate, all suggestions are welcome.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>>>
>>>>> Scott
>>>>> AD5HS
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
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