I just received my new K2, SSB and 160M options too. I've also ordered the rework eliminator kit. I've redlined my insructions with errata and rework updates. Assembly starts tonight.
I've hunted around for a general advice thread, but there is so much information out there I can't seem to sift out what I'm looking for. I know the hot end of a soldering iron from the cold end, and I have some test quipment including scope and signal generator. If anyone out there has adice or can point me to the right place, please reply. In particular, if anyone has experience with the rework eliminator please reply. I'm concerned that the test and alignment procedure may not work as it should with these mods. ---------------------------------------------------- Success building a K2 is fun and easy! 1) Incorporate the errata items into your K2 manual and build the basic K2. 2) Do the inventory. Even if you don't count all the parts, be sure you know which is which before you start stuffing the boards. There is a lot of good info about identifying parts in the front of the manual. 3) Follow the instructions *exactly* as given in the manual. Do not skip steps. 4) Take time and care to ensure you have every part in the right place, oriented correctly when orientation is important (those parts are carefully identified in the manual). 5) Make sure you soldered all leads and pins as directed. Personally, I install and solder each part individually. I find it far too easy to miss leads when I "gang solder" lots of component leads at once or parts move enough before I've soldered them that they are not longer properly positioned down against the board. 6) Do all the in-process resistance, voltage and operational tests as you come to them! Keep in mind that when a resistance is given as more (>) or less (<) than some value, ANY value that is either more or less than that is fine. That is, if something says the resistance is "> 100 k ohms" a value of infinity on your meter is just fine! 7) If you find a problem, solve it before proceeding! Once you go on with the build, it may be very difficult to find the problem later. You can post any questions you have here. Of course, advice directly from Elecraft is available by e-mail from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 7) When you have completed the basic K2 and it is working per the manual, start adding the SSB and 160 meter options by first incorporating any errata items in their manuals, then doing the build and test. Do one module at a time before going onto anything else. You can do them in any order you like. 8) The "rework eliminators" come from another group. I haven't used them. Apparently they do make troubleshooting a little easier by making it simple to remove a module to ensure it is not the source of a problem. I haven't had any problems (other than cockpit trouble) with my K2 built in 2000, so I can't comment on how valuable they are. I have *not* seen anyone posting problems resulting from incorporating them during the build. If you want to do that while you are doing the original build, that's your choice. Good luck, OM! Give as name/call sometime when you post a message again <G>. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] 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
