K2 Build Sequence Question

[jperelst]

I'm thinking of building a K2.  My thought is that I eventually want a K2 w/ 100 watts and SSB, but I'd like to take it in stages by first building a K2, then upping it to 100 watts, and then finally adding SSB.  

More specifically, I thought I'd do the following:

1.  Order the K2 and a KAT100 this week (I figure the KAT100 rather than the KAT2 given my intention of eventually moving up to 100 watts).  I expect that I'll also add the KNB2 at this point since things can be pretty noisy at my QTH.

2. Add the KDSP2 later this year (Nov/Dec) once I get some familiarity with the K2 itself.

3. Add the KPA100 around April 2009, which should be just in time for me to work with it a little before Field Day 2009.

4.  Add the KSB2 at some later date (probably sometime in the first half of 2010).

For those who have done something like this -- or at least thought about it -- are there any significant gotcha's that you think I should know about?  Is adding the KPA100 or the KSB2 very difficult and would you strongly argue against adding later versus build now?  Should I switch the sequence (e.g., SSB first, then 100 watts)?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jon
KB1QBZ


     
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[Dick Dievendorff]

I can't comment on the KPA100 or KAT100.

Your intentions of an incremental build make sense to me.

I'd make sure that the KAT100 will function as an autotuner with the basic
10 watt rig (I'm not sure it doesn't, but I'd check).

Do you really need the KAT100 initially?  If you have antennas with
reasonable SWR maybe you could wait and get the KAT100 with the KPA100.

The KSB2 is a bit more "busy" than most other K2 boards, but once you've
built it, the installation on the K3 is pretty straightforward.

Some builders would suggest using rework eliminators for a staged build.  I
did use them, and the only one I wish I hadn't installed is the transverter
rework eliminator. I have/had no plans for the K2 transverter support, and I
ended up backing out the install of that particular rework eliminator
because it caused more difficulty than it solved.

Others on this forum with more K2 experience than I will chime in, I'm sure.
I've just built one K2, and it's the QRP version.

73 de Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jon Perelstein
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 9:19 AM
To: elecraft reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Build Sequence Question

I'm thinking of building a K2.  My thought is that I eventually want a K2 w/
100 watts and SSB, but I'd like to take it in stages by first building a K2,
then upping it to 100 watts, and then finally adding SSB.  

More specifically, I thought I'd do the following:

1.  Order the K2 and a KAT100 this week (I figure the KAT100 rather than the
KAT2 given my intention of eventually moving up to 100 watts).  I expect
that I'll also add the KNB2 at this point since things can be pretty noisy
at my QTH.

2. Add the KDSP2 later this year (Nov/Dec) once I get some familiarity with
the K2 itself.

3. Add the KPA100 around April 2009, which should be just in time for me to
work with it a little before Field Day 2009.

4.  Add the KSB2 at some later date (probably sometime in the first half of
2010).

For those who have done something like this -- or at least thought about it
-- are there any significant gotcha's that you think I should know about?
Is adding the KPA100 or the KSB2 very difficult and would you strongly argue
against adding later versus build now?  Should I switch the sequence (e.g.,
SSB first, then 100 watts)?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jon
KB1QBZ


     
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[Dick Dievendorff]

I checked, the KAT100 supports the basic K2 without the KPA100.

I wish I'd checked before I sent the note below.

Sorry,
Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dick Dievendorff
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 9:44 AM
To: [hidden email]; 'elecraft reflector'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 Build Sequence Question

I can't comment on the KPA100 or KAT100.

Your intentions of an incremental build make sense to me.

I'd make sure that the KAT100 will function as an autotuner with the basic
10 watt rig (I'm not sure it doesn't, but I'd check).

Do you really need the KAT100 initially?  If you have antennas with
reasonable SWR maybe you could wait and get the KAT100 with the KPA100.

The KSB2 is a bit more "busy" than most other K2 boards, but once you've
built it, the installation on the K3 is pretty straightforward.

Some builders would suggest using rework eliminators for a staged build.  I
did use them, and the only one I wish I hadn't installed is the transverter
rework eliminator. I have/had no plans for the K2 transverter support, and I
ended up backing out the install of that particular rework eliminator
because it caused more difficulty than it solved.

Others on this forum with more K2 experience than I will chime in, I'm sure.
I've just built one K2, and it's the QRP version.

73 de Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jon Perelstein
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 9:19 AM
To: elecraft reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Build Sequence Question

I'm thinking of building a K2.  My thought is that I eventually want a K2 w/
100 watts and SSB, but I'd like to take it in stages by first building a K2,
then upping it to 100 watts, and then finally adding SSB.  

More specifically, I thought I'd do the following:

1.  Order the K2 and a KAT100 this week (I figure the KAT100 rather than the
KAT2 given my intention of eventually moving up to 100 watts).  I expect
that I'll also add the KNB2 at this point since things can be pretty noisy
at my QTH.

2. Add the KDSP2 later this year (Nov/Dec) once I get some familiarity with
the K2 itself.

3. Add the KPA100 around April 2009, which should be just in time for me to
work with it a little before Field Day 2009.

4.  Add the KSB2 at some later date (probably sometime in the first half of
2010).

For those who have done something like this -- or at least thought about it
-- are there any significant gotcha's that you think I should know about?
Is adding the KPA100 or the KSB2 very difficult and would you strongly argue
against adding later versus build now?  Should I switch the sequence (e.g.,
SSB first, then 100 watts)?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jon
KB1QBZ


     
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Jon,

The KAT100 can be used with the basic K2, there are 4 internal K2
signals that must be routed to the KAT100 for it to function.  So the
base K2 MUST be equipped with the KIO2 or a suitable substitute (see the
websites dealing with the external KPA100 for the substitute - if it
works for the KPA100, it will also work for the KAT100).

If you can manage the finances initially, I would suggest that you
purchase the KSB2 initially.  There are components from that option to
be added to the front panel.  While it is not a burdensome chore to take
the face plate off the front panel board later, it certainly is easier
if you add those components before you mount the front panel board to
the metal plate.

Other than those comments given only for your consideration, your plan
sounds fine.

73,
Don W3FPR

Jon Perelstein wrote:

> I'm thinking of building a K2.  My thought is that I eventually want a K2 w/ 100 watts and SSB, but I'd like to take it in stages by first building a K2, then upping it to 100 watts, and then finally adding SSB.  
>
> More specifically, I thought I'd do the following:
>
> 1.  Order the K2 and a KAT100 this week (I figure the KAT100 rather than the KAT2 given my intention of eventually moving up to 100 watts).  I expect that I'll also add the KNB2 at this point since things can be pretty noisy at my QTH.
>
> 2. Add the KDSP2 later this year (Nov/Dec) once I get some familiarity with the K2 itself.
>
> 3. Add the KPA100 around April 2009, which should be just in time for me to work with it a little before Field Day 2009.
>
> 4.  Add the KSB2 at some later date (probably sometime in the first half of 2010).
>
> For those who have done something like this -- or at least thought about it -- are there any significant gotcha's that you think I should know about?  Is adding the KPA100 or the KSB2 very difficult and would you strongly argue against adding later versus build now?  Should I switch the sequence (e.g., SSB first, then 100 watts)?
>
>
>  

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