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K2100 and KAT100 Question

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Edward A. Dauer

K2100 and KAT100 Question

I am just about to order my second K2 – principally for the experience of building it, but also to have an additional configuration in the station. I have a question about using a K2/100 with an existing KAT100 already in an EC2 with another KPA100.

Specifically: I already have a K2/10 with the internal low power tuner, the KAT2. And I have a KPA100 with a KAT100 in an EC-2 enclosure. What I am about to order will be a K2/100, i.e. another K2 with its own internal KPA100.

There may be occasions when I will need an ATU for that soon-to-be K2/100. The easiest option would be to build another KAT100 in the low-profile box. But to lower the total cost I was thinking I might on those occasions use my existing KAT100 in the EC-2. Can I do so? The problem is that the existing KAT100 is wired into the existing KPA-100 within the EC-2. There is an 8 connector ribbon cable, as I recall, conveying power and control data from one to the other. That makes me wonder whether the KAT100 already tethered to its KPA100 in the EC-2 could work with an outside KPA100 in the new K2/100, without having to open the EC-2 and undo the control line connection every time?

A second question is whether, for the same purpose, I would need a KIO2 in the soon-to-be K2/100, assuming I can use the EC-2’s ATU with it? The KPA100 in the new K2/100 will have its own RS232. Will that be sufficient?

Thanks for any insights anyone can offer.

Ted, KN1CBR

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Don Wilhelm

Re: K2100 and KAT100 Question

Ted,

The answer is if you want to go to some bit of trouble, yes you can use
the KAT100 in the EC2 enclosure. If you want to do it only once in a
while, then you can, but if you think you will do it frequently, you
will want another KAT100.

You will have to electrically disconnect the KPA100 in the EC2. You can
disconnect it by removing the right side panel and unplugging the ribbon
cable, the power cable and the input coax.
Disconnect the short PL-259 to PL259 coax from the KAT100 RF IN jack and
connect a longer cable from your new K2/100 to this RF IN jack.

You will have to power the KAT100 from the 2.1mm coaxial jack.

You will need to have a control cable from the K2/100 AUX IO to the DE-9
connector on the KAT100. (if you are using this connector in your
current configuration, plug it into the KPA100 - the one in the EC2
enclosure - AUX IO connector instead, it can stay there).

You will need to build a 2nd control cable as shown in the KAT100 manual
(it can have the cable to the computer too, but that is not required).

If desired, put the right side panel back on the EC2 enclosure, although
it will operate just fine with it off.

When you are finished using the KAT100 with your new K2/100, restore the
internal cables between the KPA100 and KAT100 and re-do your external
cables.

With the KPA100 on the base K2 enclosure, you will not need the KIO2 -
in fact, there will be no place to put it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/26/2016 1:57 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote:

> I am just about to order my second K2 – principally for the experience of building it, but also to have an additional configuration in the station. I have a question about using a K2/100 with an existing KAT100 already in an EC2 with another KPA100.
>
> Specifically: I already have a K2/10 with the internal low power tuner, the KAT2. And I have a KPA100 with a KAT100 in an EC-2 enclosure. What I am about to order will be a K2/100, i.e. another K2 with its own internal KPA100.
>
> There may be occasions when I will need an ATU for that soon-to-be K2/100. The easiest option would be to build another KAT100 in the low-profile box. But to lower the total cost I was thinking I might on those occasions use my existing KAT100 in the EC-2. Can I do so? The problem is that the existing KAT100 is wired into the existing KPA-100 within the EC-2. There is an 8 connector ribbon cable, as I recall, conveying power and control data from one to the other. That makes me wonder whether the KAT100 already tethered to its KPA100 in the EC-2 could work with an outside KPA100 in the new K2/100, without having to open the EC-2 and undo the control line connection every time?
>
> A second question is whether, for the same purpose, I would need a KIO2 in the soon-to-be K2/100, assuming I can use the EC-2’s ATU with it? The KPA100 in the new K2/100 will have its own RS232. Will that be sufficient?
>
> Thanks for any insights anyone can offer.
>
>

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EricJ-2

Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

I bought an EC2 to put my KPA100 and KAT100 in. That left a blank top
cover, front/rear cover sitting on a shelf. I recently made two side
covers and a bottom cover for it which I want to paint as close to the
original EC2 panels as possible. Most of the rattle can greys are more
blue than the Elecraft grey which tends towards a brown tone almost.

Anyone run across a rattle can color that comes close?

Eric KE6US
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Ken G Kopp

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

Eric,

Elecraft used to sell cans of spray touch up paint. Don't know if they
still do.

You might look at Rustoleum flat gray primer or their "Navy Gray".

73

Ken - K0PP

On Jul 26, 2016 14:27, "EricJ" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I bought an EC2 to put my KPA100 and KAT100 in. That left a blank top
> cover, front/rear cover sitting on a shelf. I recently made two side covers
> and a bottom cover for it which I want to paint as close to the original
> EC2 panels as possible. Most of the rattle can greys are more blue than the
> Elecraft grey which tends towards a brown tone almost.
>
> Anyone run across a rattle can color that comes close?
>
> Eric KE6US
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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>

Lewis Phelps

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

In reply to this post by EricJ-2

If “money is no object” and you want to nail the color exactly, you can buy custom-blended spray paint for about $50 a can from

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/

Lew N6LEW

> On Jul 26, 2016, at 1:27 PM, EricJ <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I bought an EC2 to put my KPA100 and KAT100 in. That left a blank top cover, front/rear cover sitting on a shelf. I recently made two side covers and a bottom cover for it which I want to paint as close to the original EC2 panels as possible. Most of the rattle can greys are more blue than the Elecraft grey which tends towards a brown tone almost.
>
> Anyone run across a rattle can color that comes close?
>
> Eric KE6US
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>

Lew Phelps N6LEW
Pasadena, CA DM04wd
Elecraft K3-10 / KXV144 / XV432
Yaesu FT-7800
[hidden email]
www.n6lew.us

Generalized Law of Entropy: Sooner or later, everything that has been put together will fall apart.

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Michael Bower

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

In reply to this post by EricJ-2

Many years ago, I had a piece of Heathkit gear that needed a touch up. I
took one of the side panels to Home Depot. They scanned the panel and made
a custom mix that matched perfectly (except the finish).

Maybe taking an Elecraft panel to them would give you the color you need.

Michael N4NMR

On Tuesday, July 26, 2016, EricJ <[hidden email]> wrote:

Clay Autery

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

Take a sample to your local REPUTABLE body shop and ask them to match it.

Don't do it with a "rattle can". Get it painted with a proper
prep/process or powder coated, or something...

Do it right and don't have to worry about ever doing it again...

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 7/26/2016 3:40 PM, Ken G Kopp wrote:

> Eric,
>
> Elecraft used to sell cans of spray touch up paint. Don't know if theyh
> still do.
>
> You might look at Rustoleum flat gray primer or their "Navy Gray".
>
> 73
>
> Ken - K0PP
>
> On Jul 26, 2016 14:27, "EricJ" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I bought an EC2 to put my KPA100 and KAT100 in. That left a blank top
>> cover, front/rear cover sitting on a shelf. I recently made two side covers
>> and a bottom cover for it which I want to paint as close to the original
>> EC2 panels as possible. Most of the rattle can greys are more blue than the
>> Elecraft grey which tends towards a brown tone almost.
>>
>> Anyone run across a rattle can color that comes close?
>>
>> Eric KE6US

EricJ-2

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

In reply to this post by Lewis Phelps

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep it mind for a future project. Considering
that I took hours to build side panels, a bottom panel and 2D fasteners
from scratch to salvage some old EC2 panels when I could have just paid
$79.95 for a new EC2 case...I'd say money was a big object. hi.

Eric

KE6US

On 7/26/2016 4:08 PM, Lewis Phelps wrote:

> If “money is no object” and you want to nail the color exactly, you can buy custom-blended spray paint for about $50 a can from
>
> http://www.myperfectcolor.com/
>
> Lew N6LEW
>
>
>> On Jul 26, 2016, at 1:27 PM, EricJ <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I bought an EC2 to put my KPA100 and KAT100 in. That left a blank top cover, front/rear cover sitting on a shelf. I recently made two side covers and a bottom cover for it which I want to paint as close to the original EC2 panels as possible. Most of the rattle can greys are more blue than the Elecraft grey which tends towards a brown tone almost.
>>
>> Anyone run across a rattle can color that comes close?
>>
>> Eric KE6US
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>>
> Lew Phelps N6LEW
> Pasadena, CA DM04wd
> Elecraft K3-10 / KXV144 / XV432
> Yaesu FT-7800
> [hidden email]
> www.n6lew.us
>
> Generalized Law of Entropy: Sooner or later, everything that has been put together will fall apart.
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Richard Fjeld-2

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

In reply to this post by Michael Bower

Hey, while we are at it, would one of those hand-held electric sprayers
work well enough to spray that Paint?

Dick, n0ce

On 7/26/2016 6:32 PM, Michael Bower wrote:

> Many years ago, I had a piece of Heathkit gear that needed a touch up. I
> took one of the side panels to Home Depot. They scanned the panel and made
> a custom mix that matched perfectly (except the finish).
>
> Maybe taking an Elecraft panel to them would give you the color you need.
>
> Michael N4NMR
>
> On Tuesday, July 26, 2016, EricJ <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I bought an EC2 to put my KPA100 and KAT100 in. That left a blank top
>> cover, front/rear cover sitting on a shelf. I recently made two side covers
>> and a bottom cover for it which I want to paint as close to the original
>> EC2 panels as possible. Most of the rattle can greys are more blue than the
>> Elecraft grey which tends towards a brown tone almost.
>>
>> Anyone run across a rattle can color that comes close?
>>
>> Eric KE6US
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]

len

Re: Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

A few years ago I had Superior Paint Supply in SLC make me a rattle-can of
paint that matched the front panel on a PDP11 that I was restoring. As I
recall it wasn't more than 20 or 30$. I also bought two types primers, one
etching and one non-etching. I was really happy with the result. The color
match was perfect.

YMMV

Len

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft grey in a rattle can?

Hey, while we are at it, would one of those hand-held electric sprayers
work well enough to spray that Paint?

Dick, n0ce

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