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building a K-2 compared to HW-9

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Chip Hood

building a K-2 compared to HW-9

I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB and tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to complete, troubleshooting, etc.

My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like to build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can handle or have time to complete.

Thanks for any input.

73, KM4AF -- Chip

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Mark Bayern

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

Well ... the K2 has a lot of parts, but it is built one part at a time.

Have you downloaded the K2 manual from the Elecraft website? Reading
the manual should give you a good feel for the difficulty in of
building the unit, and the troubleshooting information available.

Of course if you do have a problem that you can't solve, this list is
a great place to get additional troubleshooting help.

Time to build a basic K2? I wish I had spent longer building mine --
the thing is FUN to build!

Mark AD5SS
K2 s/n 5340
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roncasa

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

much easier than the heathkit.

You will notice the parts are smaller, has no point to point wiring,
and almost no mechanical assemblies involved like the tediuos
assemblies in HW 9. The alignment (for K1) is easier too.

Many find it enjoyable to build and usually sell them so they can
build another one!

Ron, wb1hga

Chip Hood wrote:
> I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB and tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to complete, troubleshooting, etc.
>
> My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like to build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can handle or have time to complete.

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dave.wilburn

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

I have not built a Heathkit. I have a background in electronics, I
have done plenty of soldering, but I have not built many kits. The
directions, the way the parts are stored, and the support makes a big
difference with this kit. Plugging components in, soldering them, and
following the instructions is very simple. I have been working on my
kit, off and on since the end of January. With a wife and three kids, I
do not always get the time to focus on it that I would like.

There are resistance checks, and test steps along the way. When
readings and their suggested values did not completely make since, I
pulled out the schematic and made sense out of them.

There are three boards in the basic kit, the control board, the front
panel and the RF board. The first two went together quickly and easily
for me. The only struggle was a back panel mod. Something that is a
weakness in my skill set. I have gotten some great advice from Don and
Ron on how I can make the task much simpler next time.

Toroids were a bit of a challenge for me. I have VERY large hands, and
I had NEVER done toroids before. None the less I have gotten through
the first 5 and learned quite a bit. I get a little better at each one
I do, thanks to a lot of good advice that has been imparted here. I do
not look forward to them, but I can get them done. Sewing them and
tinning the ones that stand upright, I have gotten a handle on. Tinning
the ones that lay down flat, are still a bit of a trial.

I have learned much in the short time I have worked on the kit. It
seems very daunting at first, but like so many tasks in life, when taken
a bit at a time, all of a sudden you look back and think, "wow, I'm
almost done".

You shouldn't have any trouble with the kit. Take your time. If you
run into troubles, or get confused or frustrated, sit it down and come
back to it. If it still gives you trouble ask for advice either
publicly here on the list, or privately to specific folks. There is a
fountain of information here, just waiting for you to take a sip. Good
luck.

David Wilburn
[hidden email]
K4DGW

Chip Hood wrote:

> I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB and tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to complete, troubleshooting, etc.
>
> My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like to build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can handle or have time to complete.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> 73, KM4AF -- Chip
>
> _______________________________________________
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Tom Zeltwanger

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by roncasa

Ron,

I just finished a basic K2. I built it a couple hours at a time over a couple
months. I will make a wild guess that it took me about 20 hours. This is a real
rough number, but should give you an idea. Lots of fun and only a couple
difficult things to do.

The assembly instructions are fabulous, but do watch this list during your
building, for late breaking issues/changes in the build process.

Good Luck,

Tom KG3V

Quoting ron <[hidden email]>:

> much easier than the heathkit.
>
> You will notice the parts are smaller, has no point to point wiring,
> and almost no mechanical assemblies involved like the tediuos
> assemblies in HW 9. The alignment (for K1) is easier too.
>
> Many find it enjoyable to build and usually sell them so they can
> build another one!
>
> Ron, wb1hga
>
> Chip Hood wrote:
> > I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB and
> tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to complete,
> troubleshooting, etc.
> >
> > My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like to
> build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can handle or
> have time to complete.
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

Gil Stacy-2

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

Chris,
I have no experience with Heath Kits, but understand that they were an
important part of amateur radio and electronics history for the masses.
However, there is always one description of some of the Hkit projects,
perhaps an exaggeration , that has always stuck in my mind: "Grief Kits".
<g> I have built a K2 and a KX1 and the worse thing about the kit
construction, to me, is finishing. When done, you want to keep building.
The service and back up support is unrivaled in the industry. Just this
weekend, Tom Rauch, W8JI, a well-known topband expert and ham electronics
guru, who I don't think is a K2 owner, commented on the Top Band reflector
about K2's. He marveled at the front end design in one post and the company
support in another. He had tested an earlier K2 on 160 meters and noticed
that the preamp did not increase sensitivity, but only gain, or something to
that effect. He sent one email to Elecraft and within days, the problem was
solved and a bulletin went out to all owners and all of the radios were
corrected. Tom said that would have never happened with other
manufacturers.
73, Gil NN4CW
K2 3104; KX1 53
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Vic K2VCO

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

Chip Hood wrote:
> I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB
> and tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to
> complete, troubleshooting, etc.
>
> My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like
> to build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can
> handle or have time to complete.

It has more parts, but in many ways it's easier. You don't have to cut
and strip many wires and almost all of it is stuffing components onto a
board in precise locations and soldering them.

The technique of soldering is slightly different, but if you have or get
a temperature-controlled soldering iron with the appropriate tip it will
be easy to do a good job. You might want to build something smaller as
practice if you don't have experience with this type of construction.

Winding toroids is easy and non-critical. You should learn how to tin
the leads properly; this has been a common problem. You can buy the
toroids pre-wound and tinned, but I would only do that if saving time
were important.

Troubleshooting is aided greatly by this reflector! Other builders will
hold your hand until you get it working.

The main thing is to take your time, follow the instructions, and when
you are not sure of something -- ask.

Also I hope that this doesn't start another thread, but doing the
inventory at the start as the instructions tell you to helps avoid the
kind of mistake where you mix up parts; identifying parts can be tricky.
It does not take extra time to do the inventory because then you don't
have to search for each part as you need it!

I built mine a number of years ago so I've forgotten howlong it took!
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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Bob Baxter-5

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

--- Chip Hood <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to
> build a K-2 (w/SSB and tuner options) compared to a
> Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to complete,
> troubleshooting, etc.

It's been a while since I built an HW9 and the "little
grey cells" seem to be getting away from me in my
dotage, but I don't remember any greater degree of
difficulty building the K2 over the HW9. It took me
about 40 hours to build the basic K2--I'm kinda slow.
With the HW9 I had to find someone to borrow a freq
meter from to align it, the K2 only requires a DMM.
Also, with the HW9, I didn't have an email list to
bail me out of my dumb mistakes. All things
considered, I'd rather do a K2.

Bob Baxter aa7eq
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Fred (FL)

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

Hi -
The beauty of building the Elecraft K2, as compared to
the many Heakkit kits they sold - there is no wires,
or point-to-point wiring and bundled cables - like one
often found in various places in Heathkits. I think I
built 6 or more Heathkits. They all worked - very
little if any "alignment" was possible. The Elecraft
K2 is just beautifully layed out - everything in its
place. You finish one board, and it naturally plugs
into the next, and the next. Just a matter of
carefully soldering all the parts into the 4 or 5 pcb
boards.

The only thing one must be careful with, on a K2, is
to carefully solder with the correct Kester solder,
and a good temperature soldering-station, and to
carefully read the manual instructions - as you go
along. After 2 hours of building and soldering, it
is best to put it aside, for the next day.

What did I do wrong in my K2: I soldered a main
dual-row jack, on the wrong side of the main RF board.
I dropped the LCD on a hard tile floor and
caused me to have to buy another. And I mistakenly
folder-over 1 pin on a 14-pin dual-inline IC, where
1 pin was folder under the IC - not thru the hole.

In each case - Elecraft's parts department, and the
Elecraft email list of experts - lead me thru those
3 mistakes. Oh yes - a inexpensive SOLDER SUCKER
tool - is an absolute tool to buy. (like $10)

What I did do very well - was solder parts, a skill
I got quite good at - with all my previous Heathkit
experience. And I built 3 boats in the past - because
of good mechanical skills I was born with.

Fred, N3CSY

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Arie Kleingeld PA3A

RE: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

In reply to this post by Chip Hood

Chris,

I have built a HW8 (30 yrs ago), a K2 (2006) and several other kits and
projects during my ham life.
The K2 is just as easy to build as a HW8. Just follow the instructions
and take your time. As for engineering, I was most impressed by the K2
kit. No long wire cables atc.
I loved building the K2 and it was just as easy to align as the HW8.

Building is smooth and I say it again, take your time, don't be hasty,
check every box on the page of the manual after you have done something.
Checking the box on the page will take your eyes off the K2 for a moment
and that really helped me to avoid mistakes. Also, if you have patience,
you will be rewarded. If you go to fast, you will make mistakes.

Good luck.

73
Arie PA3A

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] Namens Chip Hood
Verzonden: maandag 19 februari 2007 14:33
Aan: [hidden email]
Onderwerp: [Elecraft] building a K-2 compared to HW-9

I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB and
tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to
complete, troubleshooting, etc.

My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like to
build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can handle
or have time to complete.

Thanks for any input.

73, KM4AF -- Chip

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Jeff Kinzli

Re: building a K-2 compared to HW-9

I agree with Arie, the K2 is not a technically challenging build. The
fact that the build is broken up into many smaller steps really helps
make it easy to sit down, work on it for a couple hours, then go and
do something else.

The engineering that went into this, and attention to detail, is superb.

Lastly, the support here on this reflector is second to none, everyone
is extremely helpful and there's a wide range of knowledge here.

The only thing you need to build this kit is a very elemental
electronics knowledge (identifying parts, mostly), some basic
soldering skills (a quality soldering station will help immensely, as
will decent fine tips), and attention to details.

You'll enjoy it!

Jeff KA6LAF

On 2/19/07, Arie Kleingeld PA3A <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Chris,
>
> I have built a HW8 (30 yrs ago), a K2 (2006) and several other kits and
> projects during my ham life.
> The K2 is just as easy to build as a HW8. Just follow the instructions
> and take your time. As for engineering, I was most impressed by the K2
> kit. No long wire cables atc.
> I loved building the K2 and it was just as easy to align as the HW8.
>
> Building is smooth and I say it again, take your time, don't be hasty,
> check every box on the page of the manual after you have done something.
> Checking the box on the page will take your eyes off the K2 for a moment
> and that really helped me to avoid mistakes. Also, if you have patience,
> you will be rewarded. If you go to fast, you will make mistakes.
>
> Good luck.
>
> 73
> Arie PA3A
>
>
>
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] Namens Chip Hood
> Verzonden: maandag 19 februari 2007 14:33
> Aan: [hidden email]
> Onderwerp: [Elecraft] building a K-2 compared to HW-9
>
>
> I am trying to get a feel for the difficulty to build a K-2 (w/SSB and
> tuner options) compared to a Heathkit HW-9: difficulty, time to
> complete, troubleshooting, etc.
>
> My last kit was a good while back - an HW-9 with band pack. I'd like to
> build the K-2 myself but don't want to bite off more than I can handle
> or have time to complete.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> 73, KM4AF -- Chip
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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