Rework Eliminators? OK?

[Fred (FL)]

I'm 40/100 thru my K2 #5422 kit.

I'm wondering what plus & minus the "Rework
Eliminators" would buy me?

Do all these extra pcb's, jacks, plugs and add-ons
cause any RF or comm problems to the K2?  Potential
strays and parasitic R/L/C's could be a factor - I
wonder?

Will there be major take-apart work for me, when I go
back and decide to add SSB, NOISE BLANKER and DSP?
Elecraft K2 notes don't seem to indicate this.

If I decide to sell a perfectly aligned basic K2 - and
build another, would adding "Rework Eliminators" add
or
take away from the K2?

Thanks,
73's
Fred N3CSY

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[Jim Younce]

I'm wondering what plus & minus the "Rework
Eliminators" would buy me?



The Rework Eliminator does exactly what the name implies.  If you chose to
install them at the time of building then you can add K2 options at anytime
by simply removing the unmodule and plugging in the option.  It eliminates
the necessity to tear the K2 apart an remove some components and install
others.  With the KSB2 you have to remove the control board remove the front
panel and remove the front panel circuit board from the actual panel which
requires the removal of all knobs and then install the trnasistor a couple
of resistors and several capacitors and a diode and the 16 pin connector on
the back of the board.  This means soldering in so very tight quarters to
install this connector.  Also it requires the removal of two jumpers and a
.001 capacitor on the RF Board.  This requires that you remove the botom
cover.  The Noise Blanker requires that you remove three resistors from the
RF board and a jumper and reinstalling a resistor and a jumper.  The KPA100
option requires that you install a power connector on the RF board in a area
under the Heat sink  so it requires the removal and replacement of the heat
sink which is a tricky operation and can lead to a shorted final transistor.
The 60 meter option and the K160RX also require the removal of the Heat
sink. The 60 meter option requires the installation of a couple of
capacitors and a run of rg 174 coax and one end is connected under the Heat
shield.  I have installed them in one K2 that I built for a fellow in
Virgina and I highly recommend the instal of them at the time of the build
if you plan to install the options at a later date.  If you plan to install
them at the same time as you build the K2 then they are not needed as you
can get the parts needed from the respective options as you build the K2.

73
K4ZM


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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

Fred, N3CSY asked:

I'm wondering what plus & minus the "Rework
Eliminators" would buy me?

Do all these extra pcb's, jacks, plugs and add-ons
cause any RF or comm problems to the K2?  Potential
strays and parasitic R/L/C's could be a factor - I
wonder?

Will there be major take-apart work for me, when I go
back and decide to add SSB, NOISE BLANKER and DSP?
Elecraft K2 notes don't seem to indicate this.

If I decide to sell a perfectly aligned basic K2 - and
build another, would adding "Rework Eliminators" add
or
take away from the K2?

-------------------------------------

Having read many, many posts on this subject, I'm coming to the conclusion
that it's like asking whether someone likes chocolate or vanilla ice cream
best.

I built my K2/100 six years ago. It's been apart probably in excess of 100
times. If I built a new K2 today, I'd not use them. That's because I haven't
found it at all a nuisance to install modules as I went along, including the
connectors. For those modules that I didn't use, there are jumpers soldered
in place to bypass them so there's nothing to come loose.

Others find it a pain to pull a panel. I found that one of the very nice
features of the K2: one can get inside in a flash with little effort or
bother. That's why I wouldn't bother. I can remove the most difficult panel,
the rear bottom plate that serves as the 10 watt final heat sink, in less
than a minute and  put it back in the same length of time. It's simple to
keep the heat sink hardware in  place: just don't let the screws fall out
and put the nuts back on while the cover is off.

Others wince at the idea of pulling any cover off, so anything that avoids
that is helpful. For them the rework eliminators seem to be just the ticket!


So what it comes down to is this:

Others will have to speak to any electrical issues with the devices.

You will have to decide whether pulling a panel to install a module is worth
adding the rework eliminators. It isn't for me. It definitely is for others.


P.S. I prefer chocolate ice cream, if that's any help <G>.

Ron AC7AC

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[Darwin, Keith]

-------------------------------------
Ron said:

Having read many, many posts on this subject, I'm coming to the
conclusion that it's like asking whether someone likes chocolate or
vanilla ice cream best.

*snip*

You will have to decide whether pulling a panel to install a module is
worth adding the rework eliminators. It isn't for me. It definitely is
for others.


P.S. I prefer chocolate ice cream, if that's any help <G>.

---------------------------------------

True enough, Ron.  IMHO Elecraft should have made the K2 plug & play rig
from the start.  It would have increased the cost of the basic unit, but
not by much judging from the small number of parts and the simplicity of
the module header boards.

But, as you say, the actual effort of making the mods is small and for
someone who is a builder at heart, the effort is not really a drawback.

I really like the fact my K2 is fully plug & play.  I can add or remove
options at will.  I'll put in what I think makes the rig the best.  If I
ever sell it (I sell everything) the new owner may want a different set
of options and the rework eliminators makes that simple for them.  I
believe resale value of my rig is higher with them there than not.

Fortunately for both of us, the rework eliminators are available.  I can
have my plug & play rig and you can have the rig at a lower cost.

... And I'm definitely a vanilla man :-) LOL!

- Keith KD1E -
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