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I'm considering a K2/100, but I have a question about serviceability. I'm assuming because it's a kit with no SMT parts that everything is accessible for trouble-shooting. Is this true? Can you reach all of the important rf component pins from the top with a scope probe while the rig is operating? I ask this because my TS-850S currently has a receiver problem, and most of the rf path parts are SMT and on the bottom of the board, where they can't be probed while the rig is functional... I'm really bummed about it. It's going to be a major pain in the a** to fix. My favorite rig I ever had for service was a Drake TR-7, but I don't think any current radios use the kind of construction it did. The K2 looks like my best bet for service in a modern rig. What do you guys say? ALso, are there any features I will really miss compared to my TS-850S? 73, Larry N8LP --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.749 / Virus Database: 501 - Release Date: 9/9/2004 _______________________________________________ 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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On Sat, 11 Sep 2004, Larry Phipps wrote:
> > I'm considering a K2/100, but I have a question about serviceability. I'm assuming because it's a kit with no SMT parts that everything is accessible for trouble-shooting. Is this true? Can you reach all of the important rf component pins from the top with a scope probe while the rig is operating? > > I ask this because my TS-850S currently has a receiver problem, and most of the rf path parts are SMT and on the bottom of the board, where they can't be probed while the rig is functional... I'm really bummed about it. It's going to be a major pain in the a** to fix. > > My favorite rig I ever had for service was a Drake TR-7, but I don't think any current radios use the kind of construction it did. The K2 looks like my best bet for service in a modern rig. What do you guys say? > > ALso, are there any features I will really miss compared to my TS-850S? I like appliances, myself, but I got the K2 because I'm a big believer in the receiver design. I think it's similar to something proposed by Wes Hayward, W7ZOI, that I was supposed to build in high school. Wes is the father of a friend of mine. I finally got to build the receiver, 23 years later. There are a few parts that are mounted on the surface as mods, but they're leaded parts. Plus, you have great accessibility to both sides of the main board. I have a couple of thoughts about the mods. One one hand, I wish Elecraft would respin the PC boards. On the outer hand I'm incredibly happy that Elecraft incorporates these mods into later kits. I'm sure they have some minimum number of PC boards they have have fabricated, and they can't just throw them out for a small mod. Anyway, check the manuals (they're all online) if you want to see what I'm talking about. Anyway, I have the K2/100, NB, 60M, 160M (for the second rx input, really), and SSB. I really like the radio. It interfaces with my computer more easily than my IC706MKIIG, has a better quieter receiver, and excellent adjustable filtering. I don't believe in the K2 mojo hype (I'm also not a believer in QRP when you have the ability to run some power, like I do at home), but this is a great radio for those conditions. (I don't crank down the power unless the guy on the other end is really loud and from California :) or if I'm running off of batteries.) I hope that helps. Oh, and I broke a part when I was building the kit (a small 100uH inductor on the bottom of the main board) and while it took us five hours to troubleshoot, I was able to fix it on my own. (The thing ALMOST works with the part broken, but has a raspy sound on transmit and on spot.) I'd say the radio is great for someone who fixes his own gear. -- Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email] BSEE(6/86) + BSChem(3/95) + BAEnglish(8/95) + MSCS(8/03) + $2.50 = latte _______________________________________________ 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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On Fri, 2004-09-10 at 21:50, Hisashi T Fujinaka wrote:
> On Sat, 11 Sep 2004, Larry Phipps wrote: > > > > > I'm considering a K2/100, but I have a question about > serviceability. I'm assuming because it's a kit with no SMT parts that > everything is accessible for trouble-shooting. Is this true? Can you > reach all of the important rf component pins from the top with a scope > probe while the rig is operating? Yes. You could actually run it with the top and the bottom off and reach both sides of the board while it's running, though you should only need to take the top off. > > My favorite rig I ever had for service was a Drake TR-7, but I don't > think any current radios use the kind of construction it did. The K2 > looks like my best bet for service in a modern rig. What do you guys > say? We say get one, you won't regret it! Of course, asking on the Elecraft list will probably get you a biased opinion... ;-) The K2's design combined with the excellent manual makes it easy to build, and it's easy to work on if you need to. Plus, I'm a lot less afraid of working on something I built than a very expensive device that is all SMT and that I know nothing about. > > ALso, are there any features I will really miss compared to my > TS-850S? I haven't used a TS-850, but I have spent a bit of time on a TS-870. I'm sure there are some features you'll miss at first, but probably not for long. I find most of the features I missed at first from my previous rig I don't really need and no longer miss (much). The K2 doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it is a really solid radio that works great - it more than makes up for the missing bells and whistles. > I have a couple of thoughts about the mods. One one hand, I wish > Elecraft would respin the PC boards. On the outer hand I'm incredibly Agreed, but if you buy a new K2, the number of mods is low, and they are not that difficult to do, so don't shy away from the K2 because of this, Larry. -- 73, Brian VE7NGR _______________________________________________ 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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Thanks for the input Brian. I like the KISS approach the K2 uses... I'll still have the '850 as a backup once I get up the courage to beat my head against the wall long enough to track down the problem and fix it.
If the Elecraft relfector is anything like the SteppIR one I spend a lot of time one, then I know I can trust the feedback. 100% of the guys on SteppIR love and would recommend their beams, but they still have issues to report and suggestions to improve the beam and good installation advice. Larry N8LP ----- Original Message ----- From: Brian Mury To: [hidden email] Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 1:39 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] newbie On Fri, 2004-09-10 at 21:50, Hisashi T Fujinaka wrote: > On Sat, 11 Sep 2004, Larry Phipps wrote: > > > > > I'm considering a K2/100, but I have a question about > serviceability. I'm assuming because it's a kit with no SMT parts that > everything is accessible for trouble-shooting. Is this true? Can you > reach all of the important rf component pins from the top with a scope > probe while the rig is operating? Yes. You could actually run it with the top and the bottom off and reach both sides of the board while it's running, though you should only need to take the top off. > > My favorite rig I ever had for service was a Drake TR-7, but I don't > think any current radios use the kind of construction it did. The K2 > looks like my best bet for service in a modern rig. What do you guys > say? We say get one, you won't regret it! Of course, asking on the Elecraft list will probably get you a biased opinion... ;-) The K2's design combined with the excellent manual makes it easy to build, and it's easy to work on if you need to. Plus, I'm a lot less afraid of working on something I built than a very expensive device that is all SMT and that I know nothing about. > > ALso, are there any features I will really miss compared to my > TS-850S? I haven't used a TS-850, but I have spent a bit of time on a TS-870. I'm sure there are some features you'll miss at first, but probably not for long. I find most of the features I missed at first from my previous rig I don't really need and no longer miss (much). The K2 doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it is a really solid radio that works great - it more than makes up for the missing bells and whistles. > I have a couple of thoughts about the mods. One one hand, I wish > Elecraft would respin the PC boards. On the outer hand I'm incredibly Agreed, but if you buy a new K2, the number of mods is low, and they are not that difficult to do, so don't shy away from the K2 because of this, Larry. -- 73, Brian VE7NGR _______________________________________________ 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 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.749 / Virus Database: 501 - Release Date: 9/9/2004 _______________________________________________ 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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A great many of the improvements in the K2 over the past several years have
come directly from this reflector, starting with reports of issues that hadn't been discovered before and lots of effort by not only Wayne and Eric but customers here on the reflector who have the engineering skills and resources to develop and test solutions. This work has included everything from fixing a tendency of the Audio Gain pot to get noisy to adding a DSP module and VHF UHF transverters to the product line. Improved filter performance, better IMD in digital modes, better VOX and audio levels in SSB...the list goes on and on. How many rigs can you buy that you can update regularly with the latest and newest design at nominal expense, and be able to pick the improvements that make sense to you? I have K2 S/N 1289 that I built four years ago and it has the same performance and operating features as the latest K2 just shipped from the factory. I have a hunch that if the K2 was a "factory built" rig and not friendly to open up on our home workbenches, we'd either be using out-of-date technology now or those of us with K2's would be thinking of selling them at the flea market to raise money for an all-new K6 or K7 with the same improvements we already have. Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Thanks for the input Brian. I like the KISS approach the K2 uses... I'll still have the '850 as a backup once I get up the courage to beat my head against the wall long enough to track down the problem and fix it. If the Elecraft relfector is anything like the SteppIR one I spend a lot of time one, then I know I can trust the feedback. 100% of the guys on SteppIR love and would recommend their beams, but they still have issues to report and suggestions to improve the beam and good installation advice. Larry N8LP _______________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by N8LP
http://www.elecraft.com/KDSP2/kdsp2.htm
Listen to the two .wav audio files on the above page before you decide. There is a marked improvement in copy, especially for the SSB example. 73 Paul ZL3IN > Larry N8LP wrote: > I don't think I'll need the DSP... _______________________________________________ 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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On Sun, 2004-09-12 at 23:25, Paul Saville wrote:
> http://www.elecraft.com/KDSP2/kdsp2.htm > > Listen to the two .wav audio files on the above page before you > decide. There is a marked improvement in copy, especially for the SSB > example. There is another benefit of the KDSP unit. I notices whilst playing around with settings in preparation for Field Day. Switching the DSP unit in and out on the menus shows a marked improvement in audio volume. To my ears about 3dB. Now whether this is all gain or whether there is some attenuation when switched out I cannot say but it really is marked. We never had the volume about half way during Field Day, even with the generator running. Ian -- Ian Maude G0VGS Morecambe Lancs UK | [hidden email] Sysop of GB7MBC, the Morecambe Bay Cluster Running Linux and DXSpider | K2 #4044 Find out about Summits on the Air! Visit the SOTA web site at http://www.sota.org.uk _______________________________________________ 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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