Need advice - upgrade vs. K2

[Allan Bacon-2]

I have built K2 4670 working great, soon to add the 100W/tuner.

To learn more about this wonderful hobby, I also just bought an original K2
# 389 with the internal battery kit. This will be my QRP radio. This is also
obviously a Rev A model. It came with the following un built modules.

KNB2 Rev C dtd 3 Feb 2000

KAT2, Rev B, dtd Feb 14, 2000

KSB2, Rev B, dtd Nov 15, 199

>From the Elecraft web site, there are obvious upgrades (A-B kit and all the
others) that I will incorporate, but are there any upgrades to the un built
modules? Or after doing all the basic K2 mods, should I buy the latest
modules to this K2?

All suggestions/plan of action as to a course of action would be
appreciated.

73,
Allan Bacon
KI4HRN


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 6:06 PM
To: Craig Black; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Need advice - upgrade vs. new K2

Craig,

If you plan to keep it, I would say that you should upgrade the current K2
no matter what - and do ALL the upgrades and all the optional pieces too -
including the Keying waveshape change, the PLL Temperature compensation
change and the Extremely Strong signal Handling diodes (no parts kit for
this last one, but it takes only 2 1N4148 diodes).  You will end up with a
K2 that performs just like a new one - it will only have a few more
components mounted on the bottom of the board, and you will not have an AGC
Threshold pot (unless you squeeze a tiny trimmer in there). Do change the
Filter crystals too.  No-one will know it has been upgraded unless they know
what to look for.  I can supply photos of my fully upgraded SN 0020 should
there be any doubt.

As far as a new K2 - well, if you want 2 of them, then the upgrade plus the
new build is the only way to go for economy.  I don't know what financial
constraints you may have, but the outlay for an upgraded K2 plus a new K2
will certainly be less than buying 2 new ones!

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> This falls into the "help me rationalize what I want
> to do" bucket, but make it factual.
>
> I am an owner of a K2 sn 1014 who loves to build. It
> has SSB, NB, 160M, auto tuner and battery. (Also have
> a KX1 and a T1)
>
> Should I;
> 1. Upgrade the K2 and add the KP100 (Upgrades are
> about $140 total)...or
> 2. Buy a new K2 with the SSB option and KP100 ?
>
> The end results are of course different as in #2 I
> would have 2 K2's.
>
> Are there any comments on installing the full boat of
> upgrades required for an old K2 to get it current ?
>
> Thanks
> Craig
>

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[Sverre Holm-2]

> -----Original Message-----
> KNB2 Rev C dtd 3 Feb 2000
> KAT2, Rev B, dtd Feb 14, 2000
> KSB2, Rev B, dtd Nov 15, 199
> but are there any upgrades to the un built modules?

KSB2:
I am aware of the ALC upgrade mod for the KSB2 dated Sept 2001, see
http://www.qslnet.de/member/la3za/K2/mod.html and go to "3. Modifications
that took place for various serial numbers prior to 3000."

Then  there is also the change of default filter bandwidth from 1.9 kHz to
2.2 (go to "1. General modifications applicable to any K2", press KSB2 and
go to item 2: Crystal filter bandwidth modification). This requires a new
set of filter capacitors which I believe are available from Elecraft.

There is a large number of user modifications to the KSB2 that have been
proposed and which are documented on this page. It may be a bit confusing,
but the two above should be the only ones that are in the newest version of
the KSB2 as far as I know.

In my view, the KSB2 is probably the option board for the K2 which could
need an official update as some of these modifications are really worthwhile
doing.

KNB2:
The KNB2 was changed also at one point in time, but I believe that was
almost immediately after its release and most likely prior to your KNB2. You
should be able to tell when you look at your kit. If the manual tells you to
put R's where there are C's marked on the PCB or vice versa, then you have
the updated version which still uses the original PCB.

KAT2: No changes


73

Sverre
LA3ZA
http://www.qslnet.de/la3za/
 

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