Elecraft

K2/10 to K2/100

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John Fritze

K2/10 to K2/100

One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the
instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a
couple of questions:

Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason
to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner
still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be
available to use if running less than 20 watts?

When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it
on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for
storage?

This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with
100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making
contacts QRP.

--
John Fritze Jr
K2QY
[hidden email]
ACACES president 2014
Albany County RACES Radio Officer
ARES ENY DEC Northern District
Hudson Div. Asst. Director
Twitter: @k2qy
401 261 4996 (cell)
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2/10 to K2/100

John,

The normal mounting for the KPA100 is in the same place as the top cover
for the QRP K2. That means the KAT2, KBT2 and KIO2 will be removed.
Optional mounting is to install the KPA100 (usually with the KAT100-2)
in a separate EC2 enclosure. That latter configuration leaves the K2/10
with its options intact.

When the KPA100 is installed (even with the KPA100 in the EC2 enclosure)
the KAT2 is not active. With the external KPA100, the KAT2 is bypassed
and forced to the ANT1 output.

For the battery question, I would recommend connecting the battery
terminals directly to either a Smartcharger, or to a 13.8 volt float
charge. Either can be left connected continuously. Fuse the positive
lead for safety - if the direct battery connection develops a fault a
LOT of current can flow and may result in molten metal flying about and
create a fire hazard.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/8/2014 2:01 PM, John Fritze wrote:

> One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the
> instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a
> couple of questions:
>
> Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason
> to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner
> still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be
> available to use if running less than 20 watts?
>
> When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it
> on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for
> storage?
>
> This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with
> 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making
> contacts QRP.
>

k6dgw

Re: K2/10 to K2/100

In reply to this post by John Fritze

On 9/8/2014 11:01 AM, John Fritze wrote:

> Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason
> to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner
> still be inside

No, it's attached to the top of the K2.

> Will it still be available to use if running less than 20 watts?

QRP to QRO and back is a "Top Swap." Took me about 5 min until I sold
the KPA100 and KAT100. Remove case screws, lift top, disconnect cables,
set aside. Fetch other top, connect cables, reinstall top.

Note: The two small coax cables with the 2-pin Molex connectors [Aux RF
and 12 VDC] *CAN* be cross connected. This is unwise, it will short the
12 VDC. I recommend you paint the connectors and the mates on the RF
board different colors.
>
> When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it
> on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for
> storage?

I never had the battery pack. What kind of batteries are they?

>
> This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with
> 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making
> contacts QRP.
>

If the battery is an A123 LiFePO4 or LiPoly, be sure to fuse the 12 VDC
leads [see above warning re cross connection]. I've found that
automobile spade fuses seem to have very low contact resistance. At
100W, you're going to draw somewhere in the general vicinity of 14-17 A.
LiFePO4's [and LiPoly] batteries are small and light but they have a
minuscule internal resistance and will deliver a huge slug of current
into a short, you need to be careful.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

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Philip Carter-3

Re: K2/10 to K2/100

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

The original battery is a sealed Powersonic 2.9AH, mounting flat to the lid about the width of the K2 and 3 or so inches deep. It fits in front of the antenna tuner and just behind the speaker.

On Monday, September 8, 2014 2:50 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

John,

The normal mounting for the KPA100 is in the same place as the top cover
for the QRP K2. That means the KAT2, KBT2 and KIO2 will be removed.
Optional mounting is to install the KPA100 (usually with the KAT100-2)
in a separate EC2 enclosure. That latter configuration leaves the K2/10
with its options intact.

When the KPA100 is installed (even with the KPA100 in the EC2 enclosure)
the KAT2 is not active. With the external KPA100, the KAT2 is bypassed
and forced to the ANT1 output.

For the battery question, I would recommend connecting the battery
terminals directly to either a Smartcharger, or to a 13.8 volt float
charge. Either can be left connected continuously. Fuse the positive
lead for safety - if the direct battery connection develops a fault a
LOT of current can flow and may result in molten metal flying about and
create a fire hazard.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/8/2014 2:01 PM, John Fritze wrote:

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Johnny Siu

回覆︰ K2/10 to K2/100

In reply to this post by John Fritze

Hello John,

If you don't need an integrated linear with the K2 in one enclosure, I would suggest you go for KXPA100.

This linear is not only fitted to the KX3 but also any other radios like K2. It can be fitted with internal ATU KXAT3 if you wish.

On the other hand, if you don't need 100W power, you could consider the Hardrock HR50 (50w output with internal ATU as well) at a much lower price.

In fact, there are quite a few good choices.

73

Johnny VR2XMC

________________________________
寄件人︰ John Fritze <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
傳送日期︰ 2014年09月9日 (週二) 2:01 AM
主題︰ [Elecraft] K2/10 to K2/100

One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the
instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a
couple of questions:

Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason
to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner
still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be
available to use if running less than 20 watts?

When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it
on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for
storage?

This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with
100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making
contacts QRP.

--
John Fritze Jr
K2QY
[hidden email]
ACACES president 2014
Albany County RACES Radio Officer
ARES ENY DEC Northern District
Hudson Div. Asst. Director
Twitter: @k2qy
401 261 4996 (cell)
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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vk2rq

Re: 回覆� K2/10 to K2/100

The K2/10 with KXPA100/KXAT100 is a very nice combo. The amp auto-senses the frequency, and recalls the appropriate antenna and tuning solution for that frequency. You just need to make up a simple keying circuit, which has been discussed here before.

73, Matt VK2RQ

> On 9 Sep 2014, at 9:29 am, Johnny Siu <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hello John,
>
> If you don't need an integrated linear with the K2 in one enclosure, I would suggest you go for KXPA100.
>
> This linear is not only fitted to the KX3 but also any other radios like K2. It can be fitted with internal ATU KXAT3 if you wish.
>
> On the other hand, if you don't need 100W power, you could consider the Hardrock HR50 (50w output with internal ATU as well) at a much lower price.
>
> In fact, there are quite a few good choices.
>
> 73
>
> Johnny VR2XMC
>
>
> ________________________________
> 寄件人�U John Fritze <[hidden email]>
> 收件人�U [hidden email]
> �魉腿掌讴U 2014年09月9日 (�L二) 2:01 AM
> 主�}�U [Elecraft] K2/10 to K2/100
>
>
> One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the
> instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a
> couple of questions:
>
> Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason
> to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner
> still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be
> available to use if running less than 20 watts?
>
> When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it
> on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for
> storage?
>
> This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with
> 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making
> contacts QRP.
>
> --
> John Fritze Jr
> K2QY
> [hidden email]
> ACACES president 2014
> Albany County RACES Radio Officer
> ARES ENY DEC Northern District
> Hudson Div. Asst. Director
> Twitter: @k2qy
> 401 261 4996 (cell)
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net/
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]