I don't have a K2, but maybe I can shed some light on it: <<Is access to terminals and exchange of int. battery for KX3 as inconvenient as it is for the K2?>> Access to the terminals is not really required to change the internal battery. You simply loosen the 4 screws that hold the case halves together, pull and rotate the case halves apart, remove the 8 cells from the holder, and replace them with new ones.
Take a look at the Owner's Manual, Page 23: http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740163%20KX3%20Owner%27s%20man%20Rev%20B4.pdf I went with NiMH rechargeable cells since I don't trust alkaline cells to remained sealed. NiMH can leak as well, but it is far less common and doesn't seem to be as destructive. I have been using them for years, and the only leakage I have experienced has been with them sitting in a box completely discharged for several years. The latest generation (Sanyo Eneloop among others) may be even better since they have a much lower self-discharge rate. That is what I use in my KX3. Since I also use the KXBC3 charger, I seldom open the case. <<Is there a series diode on the ext. power connector that will cause forward bias voltage drop if powered by external battery?>> Yes, but it is on the Control Panel Board Assembly. It is a CMS04 Schottky Barrier Diode, so the drop is only about 0.2 volts during receive, and 0.3 volts during transmit. Hope this helps. Mark KE6BB ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
