Need advice - upgrade vs. new K2

[Craig Black-3]

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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[Tom Althoff]

Did you build #1014?

I did not build my #1117 but I did to some serious repair work on it.  I
then added the noise blanker, KPA-100, SSB and KAF-2.  I did the A to B
upgrade and all the other mods.

If I was facing your decision and I could afford it I would build a NEW K2
so I can have the satisfaction of a 100% self built Elecraft rig.  It is
much easier and more fun to build from scratch than you go back in and
modify a rig that was already built (IMHO).

Also if I bought a new K2 and it didn't include it already I would add the
magnetic shield mod.

You can always sell your #1014.   Also..the new K2's come with the chassis
for the 60M accessory where your 1014 and my 1117 would need to have the
bottom cover replaced.

Go for the new Craig!  Elecraft can use the extra money to invest in
inventory for the new auto-tune high power amp kits!  LOL.

73 de Tom K2TA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Black" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 3:18 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Need advice - upgrade vs. new K2

> 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
>
>
>
> __________________________________________
> Yahoo! DSL - Something to write home about.
> Just $16.99/mo. or less.
> dsl.yahoo.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
>
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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

One thing Wayne/Eric have been scrupulous about is to offer mods/updates to
current K2 owners so their rigs work every bit as well as the latest one
shipped.

So you can't make your choice based on any possible performance improvement
of a newer K2 over your older one if you have done the updates and mods.

That said, what's not to like about having two K2s???  And if you like to
build, what's not to enjoy in assembling another one to get that second K2.

Good rigs are like pretty girls or beautiful sunsets. They don't need to be
justified. They are reason enough just being there...

Ron AC7AC

 

-----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

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[Jeff Stai]

At 12:18 PM 1/6/2006, Craig Black wrote:
>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 ?

If you buy the new one you'll eventually end up doing the upgrade on the old one.

The upgrade process was fun - I think you end up learning even more in
the upgrade process about the rig, because there is a 'why' for each mod.

Building a new one is fun, too.

So do both.

GL! - jeff wk6i


--
Jeff Stai               [hidden email]
Twisted Oak Winery      http://www.twistedoak.com/


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[Don Wilhelm-3]

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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[Nick Waterman]

Don Wilhelm wrote:
[...]
> change and the Extremely Strong signal Handling diodes (no parts kit for
> this last one, but it takes only 2 1N4148 diodes).

I'm guessing you could order 2 * E560002 if you really wanted.

For what it's worth, most recent E560002 "1N4148" diodes seem to be
actually "PH4148", which I assume is close enough.

--
"Nosey" Nick Waterman, G7RZQ, K2 #5209.
use Std::Disclaimer;    [hidden email]
Who can I blame for my own problems? I'll find someone.
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