Upgrading K2 #2117 to 100w

[Curt Milton]

I confess I have not been inside my K2 since I installed the SSB board, not too long after I built it.  I still need to perform the mod on the static-ky audio (mine isnt that bad but I think its time).  

Now I am contemplating upgrading to 100 watts, once I figure out how many upgrades I need to make.  I downloaded the Upgrading to Rev B instructions, and the KPA100 instructions.  And I am trying to digest all this!  

My current firmware is 2.01F.  

Now what purchases must I make (in addition to KPA100) to enjoy this rig at 100w?  

I am sensing with the additional thermal load that perhaps the PLL and BFO upgrades are prudent.  OK another $29 here does not sound too scary.  My QRP K2 has nice frequency accuracy thru 20m, but on 10 and 15m i have noticed a small error which puzzled me until I read about the PLL upgrade.  

I am not contemplating adding DSP or an autotuner - so is my firmware good enough ?  

Is there anything else that I must upgrade to enjoy this rig at 100 w ?  

I understand it is prudent to evaluate all the aspects in the revision B instructions while the rig is receiving other mods, but I havent noticed any of these issues yet.  

Looking for enlightenment on how to upgrade this middle-aged K2.  

73, curt


 
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[Jeff Kinzli N6GQ]

Curt,

I just finished a KPA100 build for my K2 (#5945), so I don't quite
have the perspective of installing into an pre-3000 K2, but I can tell
you that the KPA100 kits do come with a couple of mod-kits for earlier
K2s. One of them is an ALC mod and the other is a keying waveform mod,
if I remember right. In my case, those mods had already been
incorporated into the K2 that I had, so I didn't need to install them.

The BFO mod is pretty easy, and was included in my K2 also. It
consists of a small board and not many parts. It installs right
beneath where the DSP or KAF2 would install.

The KPA100 is a quick build compared to the K2. Many of the parts are
physically bigger and the toroid wires are mostly heavier guage, so
IMHO it was a much easier build. I think mine went over a weekend, and
it worked on first powerup. Properly tinning the toroid leads I think
is one of the most important things here. Initial alignment went
easily as well.

Best of luck, you won't be disappointed.

Jeff N6GQ (ex KA6LAF)
K2/100 #5945

On 2/22/07, Curt Milton <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I confess I have not been inside my K2 since I installed the SSB board, not too long after I built it.  I still need to perform the mod on the static-ky audio (mine isnt that bad but I think its time).
>
> Now I am contemplating upgrading to 100 watts, once I figure out how many upgrades I need to make.  I downloaded the Upgrading to Rev B instructions, and the KPA100 instructions.  And I am trying to digest all this!
>
> My current firmware is 2.01F.
>
> Now what purchases must I make (in addition to KPA100) to enjoy this rig at 100w?
>
> I am sensing with the additional thermal load that perhaps the PLL and BFO upgrades are prudent.  OK another $29 here does not sound too scary.  My QRP K2 has nice frequency accuracy thru 20m, but on 10 and 15m i have noticed a small error which puzzled me until I read about the PLL upgrade.
>
> I am not contemplating adding DSP or an autotuner - so is my firmware good enough ?
>
> Is there anything else that I must upgrade to enjoy this rig at 100 w ?
>
> I understand it is prudent to evaluate all the aspects in the revision B instructions while the rig is receiving other mods, but I havent noticed any of these issues yet.
>
> Looking for enlightenment on how to upgrade this middle-aged K2.
>
> 73, curt
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Bored stiff? Loosen up...
> Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.
> http://games.yahoo.com/games/front
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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