Elecraft › [K2]

KSB2 build time?

Classic

List

Threaded

5 messages Options

TJ Campie

KSB2 build time?

How long do you think it should take to complete a KSB2 including tuning and
such? I plan on getting one at Dayton and would like to have it done in 3
or 4 evenings so I can use it when I do a SOTA activation over memorial day
weekend. (which I leave for Thursday night) So figure 4 hours a night? I
looked through the manual, it doesnt look like it'd take more than a few
hours to assemble.

TJ - W0EA
______________________________________________________________
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

VK7JB

Re: KSB2 build time?

Hi Tom,

I'm a slow and methodical constructor and the KSB2 took me 8 hours to build, over 4 nights.

What took a bit of time for me was the BFO alignment to optimise TX audio, configuring the filters etc. I found Spectrogram very helpful. I did a lot of monitoring and recording to get the TX audio the way I like it. Because this was my first experience doing this sort of alignment, it took me maybe 4 hours all up until I was happy. It would take very little time the second time round or for someone experienced.

There are some good tips in the archives about set up of the K2 after installing the KSB2.

I must say that I have several rigs and too many microphones and headsets and I do use outboard audio equalisation on some of them. I also have a K3 with its on-board 8 band EQ. BUT - the rig that attracts the most unsolicited positive comments about TX audio is the little K2/100. People comment "great audio - what are you running?!" And it's my K2 with the MH2 hand mic. I rarely hear that using my other set-ups and so I wonder why I bother with all the other audio paraphernalia.

Enjoy building.

John
VK7JB

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX

Re: KSB2 build time?

In reply to this post by TJ Campie

TJ,
If you've built kits before, you should have plenty of time to get it
done. Enjoy the build!

You might want to order some toroids from Mychael, The Toroid Guy, ahead
of time so you have them ready.

Watch that you put the diodes in properly. I always fold the top lead
down on all of them before I start putting them in.

You'll need Spectrogram for the tuneup. If you haven't used it before,
get familiar with it before you get into the last day or so of your
available time. You don't need the KSB2 to get in some early practice on
your K2.

Cheers, Alan

Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40)
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
http://eBookEditor.net
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28062?ref=awilcox
Williamsport, PA 17701

On 5/5/11 1:35 PM, TJ Campie wrote:

> How long do you think it should take to complete a KSB2 including tuning and
> such? I plan on getting one at Dayton and would like to have it done in 3
> or 4 evenings so I can use it when I do a SOTA activation over memorial day
> weekend. (which I leave for Thursday night) So figure 4 hours a night? I
> looked through the manual, it doesnt look like it'd take more than a few
> hours to assemble.
>
> TJ - W0EA
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

______________________________________________________________
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

Re: KSB2 build time?

In reply to this post by VK7JB

Tom,

John's comments are right on for the entire process of building,
installing and doing the alignment.
The building is not a problem, it just depends on your construction
methods - if you are a "insert one component and then solder it" type of
builder, it will take you longer than those who "stuff a group of
components and then solder".

As for John's statements about the use of Spectrogram to align the OP1
filter, yes, I highly recommend that method. Put a Spectrogram marker
at 300 Hz and adjust the BFO so the approximate -3dB point on the low
frequency passband skirt is positioned at 300 Hz, and you will have
quite a reasonable filter for both transmit and receive - no need to set
up FL2 using OP1 for a separate receive filter as is sometimes suggested
- that is only necessary for those having a highly unusual vocal
frequency span. I set all K2s that I repair in that manner, and have
never received any complaints, but have often received compliments
because the on-air audio reports of my customers have been quite positive.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/5/2011 8:58 PM, VK7JB wrote:

> Hi Tom,
>
> I'm a slow and methodical constructor and the KSB2 took me 8 hours to build,
> over 4 nights.
>
> What took a bit of time for me was the BFO alignment to optimise TX audio,
> configuring the filters etc. I found Spectrogram very helpful. I did a lot
> of monitoring and recording to get the TX audio the way I like it. Because
> this was my first experience doing this sort of alignment, it took me maybe
> 4 hours all up until I was happy. It would take very little time the second
> time round or for someone experienced.
>
> There are some good tips in the archives about set up of the K2 after
> installing the KSB2.
>
> I must say that I have several rigs and too many microphones and headsets
> and I do use outboard audio equalisation on some of them. I also have a K3
> with its on-board 8 band EQ. BUT - the rig that attracts the most
> unsolicited positive comments about TX audio is the little K2/100. People
> comment "great audio - what are you running?!" And it's my K2 with the MH2
> hand mic. I rarely hear that using my other set-ups and so I wonder why I
> bother with all the other audio paraphernalia.
>
> Enjoy building.
>
> John
> VK7JB
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KSB2-build-time-tp6335019p6336158.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Re: KSB2 build time?

In reply to this post by TJ Campie

TJ,

If you are doing it for the first time, give yourself 8 to 12 hours for
the whole task.
As Alan Wilcox has said, use Specrtrogram for alignment, and become
familiar with its use beforehand since you have a "deadline". The use
of Spectrogram 5.17 (and its download) is available from Tom Hammond's
website www.n0ss.net.
Additional information on the use of Spectrogram is in the K2 Dial
Calibration article on my website www.w3fpr.com.

Note: if you are running Windows 7, Spectrogram 5.17 will not work -
Spectrogram 16 (also freeware) will work fine. If you cannot locate it
on-line, drop me a private email and I can send you a Zip file
containing it.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/5/2011 1:35 PM, TJ Campie wrote: