Peter, first thanks for your reply, I think it clears up some of the question marks in my head!
In a project like the K2 there's always a big chance of me mixing something up, but I have a bit of soldering experience and also own a proper soldering station, so that assembling in the end should not become a problem (I hope!). Thanks for the hints on how to calibrate the K2! After reading all the helpful replies I think I'm (for the moment) going for a K2 without the 100W option, but will prepare to add it (and the filter add-ons) at a later moment. The K3 looks impressive, and when I compare the prices there's really not much of a difference when you add all options to the K2 which are included in the K3 right away. Though I think building a K2 will give me some more insight into how transmitters and receivers work - will think about it once again, but for the moment this makes a big advantage for the K2. Thomas Peter Wollan-2 wrote: > > To calibrate, you need to receive a known frequency -- in the US, the > broadcast time station WWV is sufficient. And to set the filters, it > is very helpful to have a computer running one of the audio frequency > spectrum displays. (I use the display in the CocoaModem program for > Macs). To connect to the computer, all you need is an audio cable > with stereo plugs on each end, going from headphone jack on the K2 to > audio input on the computer. > > ... > > It works well to start with a stripped-down K2 and add modules over > several years. In fact, you assemble in stages, and get each stage > working before moving on the the next. However, some modules require > connectors in places that are easy to put in on original assembly but > significant effort later. If you think you might maybe someday want a > particular add-on, read the manual to find out what connectors it > needs and consider buying and installing the connectors during your > initial assembly. Ask here on the list about any specifics. > > And finally: consider the K3. The K2 was designed as the ideal Field > Day radio, and I think it is. However, the 100-watt version is less > elegant than the 10-watt (my opinion only, of course), and the K3 has > several advantages: it's more modern technology, it's more capable, > and it isn't much more expensive for comparable features. The CW-only > K2 is an incredible value, but if you add SSB, KAT2, KIO2, and 6 > meters the K3 is cheaper (? is that true? pretty close, anyway.) > -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/A-few-questions-before-ordering-the-K2-kit-tp5251717p5252892.html Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
