K2 S/N 1999

[Ed Lambert-2]

I have been inactive for about 5 years. My K2 is cw only with KNB2, KDSP2,
KAF2 (now uninstalled), KAT2, and KIO2.

 

I want to get back on the air and want to bring my transceiver up to current
specification for possible modification to K2/100. Discussion with Elecraft
staff at Dayton seemed to indicate that I really didn't need to do much to
my radio to install the KPA100 option. However, the KPA100 manual seems to
want a complete A to B upgrade in addition to K2KEYMDKT, E850138 and
BFOMDKT.

 

I have been stubbornly resistant to some of these upgrades because they
result in great insult to the inherent beauty of my radio (it has no trace
cuts nor does it have slapdash parts soldered hither and yon. I think I have
gotten past this squeamishness, however, and am ready to move forward.

 

My other possibility is to wait for the (I think) KPA500 and bypass the 100
watt upgrade altogether, hopeful that I will be able to bypass the 15 dB
amplification limits imposed by the FCC. (I have been waiting a long time
for the KPA 2000, KPA 1500 and KPA 1000, however.)

 

I would be interested in the experiences of those who have made the 100 watt
upgrade to an older K2 and also in the general thoughts of the 100 vs 500
watt option.

 

Ed Lambert K2 1999

KD3Y

______________________________________________________________
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

[Don Wilhelm-4]

Ed,

Yes, all the upgrades (and the optional ones too) is my recommendation -
why skimp when you have it all torn down.  Although not entirely
necessary for the KPA100 installation, the added heat of the KPA100
makes the BFO upgrade, the PLL upgrade and the Thermistor (PLL
temperature compensation) mods are highly recommended.  With an older
K2, you will have to modify the Control Board to change the sidetone
source and free U6 pin 25 for use with the computer interface, so you
have one cut right there that is required.

I recall our discussion at Dayton, and I also recommended you change the
IF crystals to the newer spec crystals too - that will improve your
filters, and if you want, change the caps on the KSB2 to widen that
filter out to 2.4 kHz or even 2.6 kHz.

I have no comment on the other amp questions.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ed Lambert wrote:

> I have been inactive for about 5 years. My K2 is cw only with KNB2, KDSP2,
> KAF2 (now uninstalled), KAT2, and KIO2.
>
>  
>
> I want to get back on the air and want to bring my transceiver up to current
> specification for possible modification to K2/100. Discussion with Elecraft
> staff at Dayton seemed to indicate that I really didn't need to do much to
> my radio to install the KPA100 option. However, the KPA100 manual seems to
> want a complete A to B upgrade in addition to K2KEYMDKT, E850138 and
> BFOMDKT.
>
>  
>
> I have been stubbornly resistant to some of these upgrades because they
> result in great insult to the inherent beauty of my radio (it has no trace
> cuts nor does it have slapdash parts soldered hither and yon. I think I have
> gotten past this squeamishness, however, and am ready to move forward.
>
>  

______________________________________________________________
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

[George Winship, NC5G]

Don Wilhelm-4 wrote

Ed,

Yes, all the upgrades (and the optional ones too) is my recommendation -
why skimp when you have it all torn down.  Although not entirely
necessary for the KPA100 installation, the added heat of the KPA100
makes the BFO upgrade, the PLL upgrade and the Thermistor (PLL
temperature compensation) mods are highly recommended.  With an older
K2, you will have to modify the Control Board to change the sidetone
source and free U6 pin 25 for use with the computer interface, so you
have one cut right there that is required.

I recall our discussion at Dayton, and I also recommended you change the
IF crystals to the newer spec crystals too - that will improve your
filters, and if you want, change the caps on the KSB2 to widen that
filter out to 2.4 kHz or even 2.6 kHz.

I have no comment on the other amp questions.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ed Lambert wrote:
> I have been inactive for about 5 years. My K2 is cw only with KNB2, KDSP2,
> KAF2 (now uninstalled), KAT2, and KIO2.
>
>  
>
> I want to get back on the air and want to bring my transceiver up to current
> specification for possible modification to K2/100. Discussion with Elecraft
> staff at Dayton seemed to indicate that I really didn't need to do much to
> my radio to install the KPA100 option. However, the KPA100 manual seems to
> want a complete A to B upgrade in addition to K2KEYMDKT, E850138 and
> BFOMDKT.
>
>  
>
> I have been stubbornly resistant to some of these upgrades because they
> result in great insult to the inherent beauty of my radio (it has no trace
> cuts nor does it have slapdash parts soldered hither and yon. I think I have
> gotten past this squeamishness, however, and am ready to move forward.
>
>  
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[e-mail]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html


I concur with everything that Don said. I did all these upgrades several years ago to my K2. I was squeamish also, but the improved performance far outweighed the slight blemish of the various mods.

As far as waiting for the KPA500 in lieu of the KPA100, I would think you would need the KPA100 in order to have enough power to drive the KPA500.

Have fun.

73,  George, NC5G   K2/100   s/n 2217