K2 or K1?
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Hi, I've been reading many of the posts here as well as reading through the
manuals on the Elecraft site. I've been thinking about building either a K2 or K1. I've read some of the magazine articles that state that the K2 is not a beginners kit and I have read other sources that state beginners have built the K2 with no problem. The last time I built a kit was in the eighties. I have no doubt about my soldering abilities and I know that isn't a problem. I've been told on the air that if I'm going to build the K2 or K1 to go for the K2. I would like to build the K2. So, I would like some feed back on what you think. Has anyone here built the K2 as their first kit or Elecraft kit? I really don't want to build the K1 first because, I don't want to spend the money for both rigs. I know I could sell the K1 but, I don't want to be bothered with that. Thanks, Gary, N7HTS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi Gary,
As you have had some kit building experience in the past I don't think you should have any problems with the K2. The instrucion manual is a very complete and understandable "Heathkit" style manual. Just take your time and follow the instructions and you'll have a very rewarding experience, If you run into problems this reflector has an amazing amount of expertise. You might consider downloading the manual to see what you would be dealing with. Join the K2 club! 73, Doug, W6JD K2/100 #1626 -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Gary D Krause" <[hidden email]> > Hi, I've been reading many of the posts here as well as reading through the > manuals on the Elecraft site. I've been thinking about building either a K2 > or K1. I've read some of the magazine articles that state that the K2 is not > a beginners kit and I have read other sources that state beginners have built > the K2 with no problem. > > The last time I built a kit was in the eighties. I have no doubt about my > soldering abilities and I know that isn't a problem. I've been told on the > air that if I'm going to build the K2 or K1 to go for the K2. I would like to > build the K2. So, I would like some feed back on what you think. Has anyone > here built the K2 as their first kit or Elecraft kit? > > I really don't want to build the K1 first because, I don't want to spend the > money for both rigs. I know I could sell the K1 but, I don't want to be > bothered with that. > > Thanks, > Gary, N7HTS > > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
I think you may have answered your own question. The K1 isn't a prerequisite
to the K2, though I believe some of the skills I learned building my K1 paid off while building my K2. There's no reason a person couldn't learn those skills building a K2, though. If you don't want a K1 AND a K2, then just build the K2. The K1 was a fun kit to build and it is a fun radio to use. But the K2 isn't that much harder. It is more time-consuming and there are more options. Like you, I hadn't built anything for a long time when I launched into the Elecraft kits. I've built the K1, K2, KPA100, KAT100, a bunch of K2 options, and the KX1 with the 30/80 board. Of these the KX1 is actually the hardest to build IMHO, especially the 30/80 board. It wasn't impossible, and if I can do it, anybody can. It was just more challenging than the other kits. Craig NZ0R K2/100 #4941 K1 #1966 KX1 #1499 -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gary D Krause Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 12:37 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] K2 or K1? Hi, I've been reading many of the posts here as well as reading through the manuals on the Elecraft site. I've been thinking about building either a K2 or K1. I've read some of the magazine articles that state that the K2 is not a beginners kit and I have read other sources that state beginners have built the K2 with no problem. The last time I built a kit was in the eighties. I have no doubt about my soldering abilities and I know that isn't a problem. I've been told on the air that if I'm going to build the K2 or K1 to go for the K2. I would like to build the K2. So, I would like some feed back on what you think. Has anyone here built the K2 as their first kit or Elecraft kit? I really don't want to build the K1 first because, I don't want to spend the money for both rigs. I know I could sell the K1 but, I don't want to be bothered with that. Thanks, Gary, N7HTS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
Gary, I can't claim to be a "beginner" but I know a lot of beginners have
done it. It's really quite simple if you follow the manual and take the build one part at a time. I don't know what you built in the 80's but I've found that good kits, like the Elecraft rigs, have become easier to build over time. Indeed, not too long ago I helped a buddy overhaul his Viking Ranger - a vintage rig from the 1950's. I had built one from a kit without trouble back in the 50's when I was a teenager. I was astonished to see in the assembly manual that had 'steps' like "locate the mica capacitors used in the VFO and install them, referring to the photograph and schematic!" Everything was point-to-point, of course. No check lists. No details about how to identify or position the parts, other than a few photographs. No circuit boards. Big wiring harnesses that had to be positioned and all the wires attached to the proper lugs on tie strips and tube sockets as needed with almost nothing to go by but a few terse comments and a schematic diagram. Heathkit made it easier with their gigantic "pictorial" charts. Elecraft took it further by eliminating all the point-to-point wiring! So building a K2 is a matter of stuffing well-marked pc boards with parts while referring to a check-off list that shows each part and how it's marked. It seems like 99% of the problems are caused by fatigue - working far too many hours at a time or being in a hurry - bad soldering - forgetting to solder a joint, getting sloppy and creating solder bridges or failing to properly strip and tin the toroid inductor leads before "soldering" them into place - or by mis-handling static sensitive parts. A ground strap is a great idea, but you can work safely by learning to touch a bare metal grounded object regularly while working (and keeping parts away from plastics like Styrofoam containers). If you take it one step at a time you'll be astonished at how easy the K2 goes together. Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Hi, I've been reading many of the posts here as well as reading through the manuals on the Elecraft site. I've been thinking about building either a K2 or K1. I've read some of the magazine articles that state that the K2 is not a beginners kit and I have read other sources that state beginners have built the K2 with no problem. The last time I built a kit was in the eighties. I have no doubt about my soldering abilities and I know that isn't a problem. I've been told on the air that if I'm going to build the K2 or K1 to go for the K2. I would like to build the K2. So, I would like some feed back on what you think. Has anyone here built the K2 as their first kit or Elecraft kit? I really don't want to build the K1 first because, I don't want to spend the money for both rigs. I know I could sell the K1 but, I don't want to be bothered with that. Thanks, Gary, N7HTS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
Depends on what you want it for.
If you bare thinking about a "new" all-mode, all-band rig, I'd certainly choose the K2, 160 meter and SSB add-ons. Maybe even the 100 watt model. If you are interested in QRP, a "pack rig", CW only, and you can cope with just having 40-15 (4 band) or changing two band cards, then I'd say the K1 was right for you. I have a K1 originally b ought with 4 band option which I setup for 40/30/20/15 meters. I have an extra two band RF board for 160/80 meters. Also have the KAT1 internal tuner. If I did it all over again, I'd skip the KAT1 and purchase the external T-1 tuner as it has greater matching range. It is a really great rig. I did not care for the "internal battery" option as it is a pain taking the batteries in and out for charging. The smaller loudspeaker isn't potent enough for my old ears! 73, Sandy W5TVW ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary D Krause" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 12:36 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K2 or K1? > Hi, I've been reading many of the posts here as well as reading through > the manuals on the Elecraft site. I've been thinking about building > either a K2 or K1. I've read some of the magazine articles that state > that the K2 is not a beginners kit and I have read other sources that > state beginners have built the K2 with no problem. > > The last time I built a kit was in the eighties. I have no doubt about my > soldering abilities and I know that isn't a problem. I've been told on > the air that if I'm going to build the K2 or K1 to go for the K2. I would > like to build the K2. So, I would like some feed back on what you think. > Has anyone here built the K2 as their first kit or Elecraft kit? > > I really don't want to build the K1 first because, I don't want to spend > the money for both rigs. I know I could sell the K1 but, I don't want to > be bothered with that. > > Thanks, > Gary, N7HTS > > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.26/754 - Release Date: 4/9/2007 > 10:59 PM > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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