troubles with kits

[Don - W6CZ]

Herb

Why don't you start with something like one of the mini-module kits? That
will give you an idea of what to expect and let you develop your soldering
skills if they are lacking. There are some important things to keep in mind
when building kits. One - the right tools - in particular soldering
iron/station, solder, wire cutters and strippers, pliers and screwdrivers
are about all that is needed - but good quality tools can make all the
difference in the world. There are many recommendations that have been
discussed here. Second - patience - don't be in a hurry. Third - time -
hopefully when you won't be interrupted or distracted. Do construction in
chunks and take breaks - if you are tired you make mistakes. Fourth - follow
the instructions exactly - inventory all the parts before starting
construction, take the time to check off all the steps as you go through it
and don't try to skip steps because you think you know better. If you don't
understand something, read it again - and if not then - get on here and ask.


I have 2 K2/100s with KAT100s and KRC2. I have to confess I had all but one
of the KAT100s built by two of the builders listed on the website due to
time constraints. That may be an option for you. Some of them don't charge
for their services, others a nominal fee. I did recently built a second
KAT100 and found it quite satisfying. I wish I had the time to have built
the K2s, as I had a problem with one, and troubleshooting it would have been
a LOT easier as I would have been more familiar with the circuitry.

Like others on here, I built a LOT of Heathkits in my day - everything from
a crystal set, ham gear (I still have my first TX - a DX20), stereo gear to
an electronic organ and a color TV that ran the first time I turned it on
(so did everything else I built unless I had a brain fade somewhere along
the line) and kept running for 20+ years. I found the KAT100 kit to be along
the same lines. A KX1 is in the near future for me. One of the more tedious
chores is winding torroids - and those are available pre-wound if you don't
want to do that. But it also can be good therapy - better then kicking the
dog after a hard day at work.

You can always build it in stages - there have been recommendations as to
what sequence it should be done in on here - or you can do it all at once.
But - the BIG thing is - how ever you do it, with a K2 you will have one of
the best transceivers available for ANY money.  I have a station on the
property of a second home I am building that I share with a friend. He has
an Icom 7800 there that I often use when I go up there. At home I have other
radios that are the best ever made - some of it older tube gear and some of
it newer - Collins, Drake, Kenwood, Yaesu & Icom. The K2 is every bit as
good receiver as any of them - maybe better then a lot, and for some reason,
it is a lot more fun to operate.

And welcome to the world of ham radio.

Don
W6CZ


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