K2 #5209 is complete!
This is my first HF rig. Now I just need to hang enough copper in the
sky, and build KAT100 so I can tune it before I test TX properly, and
build KPA100, as KAT100 needs the AUX port, and build KSB2, as I don't
speak dits and dahs YET...
http://noseynick.net/g7rzq/k2.htmlSome comments...
Splendid kit, a lot of work building it, but a lot of fun, well worth
it. Some minor problems that I'll address in separate posts to avoid
thread-pollution.
Worst part of the build... probably p52, C91 and RFC15 on the bottom of
the board underneath U4. Ugly hacks! I hate soldering components without
PCB holes for them :-(
Best part... first RX tests, didn't catch their call, but I was
impressed to receive someone in the Lake District (other end of G-land)
on 40m using only a random-length spool of solder as an antenna! :-)
Most surprising part... What's the big fuss about toroids? Winding
them's dead easy. Stripping and tinning is a bit harder, the enamel
seems to act like some sort of "anti-flux" and immediately turn the
solder blob into a dirty sticky mess rather than a nice shiny
free-flowing blob, but on the whole, no real problem at all, can't see
why so many people seem to find them so hard.
Most unsurprising part... I tried lead-free solder on some of the
mini-mods (DL1, BL2) but found it flowed and conducted quite terribly
compared with the soon-to-be-banned-in-EU leaded stuff... So I built the
K2 leaded :-/
Silliest mistake... Not reading the bit that says "Do not solder T4
yet", struggling with 5-6 and 7-8 windings/links in-place, giving up and
desoldering 1-2 and 3-4 to get it right second time 'round.
Second silly mistake... Mis-reading inches versus cm when cutting
speaker-wire - I seem to have just about got away with this, and of
course I'll be replacing the top cover with KPA100 soonish anyway, so
I'm not too fussed.
Brilliant kit though, best I've ever built, look forward to using it.
Many thanks to all at Elecraft!
--
"Nosey" Nick Waterman, G7RZQ, building k2#5209.
#include <stddisclaimer>
[hidden email]
Of course I don't look busy...I did it right the first time
_______________________________________________
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.htmElecraft web page:
http://www.elecraft.com
Locked
