building a K2

[Jim Dunstan]

Hi,

If I order a package including  K2, KPA100, KSB2, KNB2, and K160RX and
start to do the assembly I wonder if in the assembly process I will come to
certain stages where there will be a question whether a certain module is
going to be installed.  If yes, do this and if not do that.  I understand
that if certain modules are installed after basic assembly some back
tracking is required.

I love building equipment ... over the years i have built any number of
kits ... mostly the old Heathkits as well as any number of homebrew
transmitters and receivers.  It will be like old home weak ... to see how
the K2 comes together and works compared to the old HW100 which worked
wonderfully for many years.

Jim, VE3CI

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[Mark Bayern]

> I understand
> that if certain modules are installed after basic assembly some back
> tracking is required.

It is very little backtracking. Standard advice used to be to build
the basic K2 first and get it running properly. Then add in each
option after the basic K2 is up.  Most options require installing a
header or two and removing a few jumpers -- as I said, not a lot of
backtracking.

Mark  AD5SS
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Jim,

Yes, there is a page in the manual where it tells you that you can
install parts like the headers and standoffs for the options.  The only
one that you should not pre-install is the K60XV, and the manual also
tells you that.  Leave the jumpers for the options in place until you
have the basic K2 up and running, then follow the installation
instructions for each option.

If you were building your 10th K2, I might advise you differently, but
for the first 10 - follow the manual instructions, things are less
complicated that way.

73,
Don W3FPR

Jim Dunstan wrote:

> Hi,
>
> If I order a package including  K2, KPA100, KSB2, KNB2, and K160RX and
> start to do the assembly I wonder if in the assembly process I will come to
> certain stages where there will be a question whether a certain module is
> going to be installed.  If yes, do this and if not do that.  I understand
> that if certain modules are installed after basic assembly some back
> tracking is required.
>  
>

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[RobertG]

Jim...

You might consider using the ReWork Eliminators [sic]. I used them in my
build - just like yours - and was very pleased with the results.

...robert


Jim Dunstan wrote:

> Hi,
>
> If I order a package including  K2, KPA100, KSB2, KNB2, and K160RX and
> start to do the assembly I wonder if in the assembly process I will come to
> certain stages where there will be a question whether a certain module is
> going to be installed.  If yes, do this and if not do that.  I understand
> that if certain modules are installed after basic assembly some back
> tracking is required.
>
> I love building equipment ... over the years i have built any number of
> kits ... mostly the old Heathkits as well as any number of homebrew
> transmitters and receivers.  It will be like old home weak ... to see how
> the K2 comes together and works compared to the old HW100 which worked
> wonderfully for many years.
>
> Jim, VE3CI
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

--
Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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[Gary Hvizdak]

Thu Feb 25 18:35:50 EST 2010 Jim Dunstan (VE3CI) wrote:

If I order a package including K2, KPA100, KSB2, KNB2, and K160RX and
start to do the assembly ... I understand that if certain modules are
installed after basic assembly some back tracking is required.


Hi Jim,

    If you follow the traditional assembly instructions offered in the
Elecraft K2 manual, then some minor disassembly and simply PCB rework will
be required on your K2's main RF board when the time comes to install the
KSB2 and KNB2 options.  (In contrast, if you were to purchase just the K2
and build it prior purchasing these options, then you would need to
completely disassemble your K2 to add them later!)

    As an alternative, the website http://www.unpcbs.com/ provides detailed
instructions for a building your K2 so you can add these options at any
time, while not having to perform any significant disassembly or PCB rework
inside your K2.  This alternate assembly method makes use of Option Bypass
Headers (also known as un-modules).

    Beyond the options you are planning to purchase, you can also use this
"option ready" method to build your K2 so that you can later add the KAF2,
KDSP2, and/or K60XV without the need for significant disassembly of the
Enclosure, or the need for any PCB rework to your K2.

--- - - - ---

    Another K2 accessory offered by unpcbs.com is an internal mic adaptor
which makes it really easy to configure your K2 to support any of 55
microphones.  Although, the adaptor's main benefit is that it dramatically
simplifies the task of reconfiguring your K2 for a different mic connector
pin-out once you've finished building it, (should you ever wish to do so).

    Instead of having to remove the Control board to access the mic
configuration header on the back of the K2's Front Panel board, all that's
required is to remove the left side panel of the K2 and reconfigure the
adaptor's jumper block.  The adaptor also supports jumper selection of the
necessary external bias resistance.

    BTW, if you don't purchase the Rework Eliminator(TM) K2 Internal Mic
Adaptor, then it might be necessary for you to significantly disassemble the
front portion of your K2 if only to tack solder an appropriate bias resistor
onto the back of the mic connector (on the back of the Front Panel PCB).

73,
Gary  KI4GGX
K2 #4067
unpcbs.com webmaster

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