Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
So, how easy is it to build the K2? So easy, you can do it when you're too sick to go to work :-) I'm not a kit builder. I built my K2 because I couldn't afford to pay to have it done. I bought the pre-wound toroids and recommend them highly. I also bought the unPCB kit which actually made the build time longer due to initial prep work, but created a K2 that was more to my liking. Anyway, about the time the K2 arrived I got sick. I was tired, and my head was full of snot. One of those nasty colds where all you can do is watch soap operas. Guess what, I found that the K2 took about the same effort as watching TV. Read 1 paragraph. Blow nose. Find a part. Locate the target location on the board. Blow nose. Mount part, double check orientation, solder part. Blow nose. Check off step in the manual. I move slowly and deliberately. It took me about 40 hours of build time with my basic K2. I filled 1/2 a paper shopping bag with Kleenex and had a wonderful K2 that worked perfectly the first time. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - -Original Message- Nice to have the K3 assembly information. Have you or anyone else noted the time to assemble a K2? I hope to build one or the other sometime in the not too distant future. Gary KJ7RT __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Solder fumes are a well known decongestant. ;-) Darwin, Keith wrote: So, how easy is it to build the K2? So easy, you can do it when you're too sick to go to work :-) I'm not a kit builder. I built my K2 because I couldn't afford to pay to have it done. I bought the pre-wound toroids and recommend them highly. I also bought the unPCB kit which actually made the build time longer due to initial prep work, but created a K2 that was more to my liking. Anyway, about the time the K2 arrived I got sick. I was tired, and my head was full of snot. One of those nasty colds where all you can do is watch soap operas. Guess what, I found that the K2 took about the same effort as watching TV. Read 1 paragraph. Blow nose. Find a part. Locate the target location on the board. Blow nose. Mount part, double check orientation, solder part. Blow nose. Check off step in the manual. I move slowly and deliberately. It took me about 40 hours of build time with my basic K2. I filled 1/2 a paper shopping bag with Kleenex and had a wonderful K2 that worked perfectly the first time. -- R. Kevin Stover ACØH __ 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
[Elecraft] New to the Forum
How did you get the solder blobs out of the living room carpet Ron? 73 Tom G3OLB Ron AC7AC wrote: Not wanting to hide out in a corner, I used a 2x3' drafting board, put it on my lap in the living room with the soldering station on a TV tray, and built my K2 while chatting with the XYL, listening to music, and even watching some TV. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
No solder blobs to get out ;-) I'm sure you're just poking some fun, Tom, but seriously, there's no reason to ever have solder fly, drip or drop off of a soldering iron. Excess is wiped off. Carpet is usually the least of my worries about loose solder bits. I'm thinking of soldering a broken connection in a ship's radar console working through the top and directly above a dozen densely-stuffed pc boards, power supplies, etc. Just like the surgeon in an operating room, that's one time you never want to have to say Oops.. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- How did you get the solder blobs out of the living room carpet Ron? 73 Tom G3OLB Ron AC7AC wrote: Not wanting to hide out in a corner, I used a 2x3' drafting board, put it on my lap in the living room with the soldering station on a TV tray, and built my K2 while chatting with the XYL, listening to music, and even watching some TV. __ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Same thing for working under the panel on a plane with the solder iron. Your arms are up behind the panel while you lay on your back with your head crammed into the rudder pedals. Drip solder and your gonna loose facial skin...hi hi... Mike WE0H Ron wrote: No solder blobs to get out ;-) I'm sure you're just poking some fun, Tom, but seriously, there's no reason to ever have solder fly, drip or drop off of a soldering iron. Excess is wiped off. Carpet is usually the least of my worries about loose solder bits. I'm thinking of soldering a broken connection in a ship's radar console working through the top and directly above a dozen densely-stuffed pc boards, power supplies, etc. Just like the surgeon in an operating room, that's one time you never want to have to say Oops.. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- How did you get the solder blobs out of the living room carpet Ron? 73 Tom G3OLB Ron AC7AC wrote: Not wanting to hide out in a corner, I used a 2x3' drafting board, put it on my lap in the living room with the soldering station on a TV tray, and built my K2 while chatting with the XYL, listening to music, and even watching some TV. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Hi Ben, Welcome on board! You'll certainly won't regret stepping into the K3 adventure. After years of Japanese (and ex marine) equipment the big difference to me: -A radio made by hams for hams, you'll find this in virtually every functionality. -The most versatile and expandable radio on the market (see option list) -The best roofing/frontend/phase-noise figures a hobby-budget can buy. -A real experimenters radio from a tradition of kitbuilding.(that's what this hobby used to be all about ;-) In other words: the K3 is quite different in many ways. Being amongst a crowd of users in contact with each other and the developpers gives it an extra dimension. It's a pity you won't be assembling your K3 yourself, that really makes it your radio. May be you should take it apart at least once :-) 73! Paul PD0PSB Hi Group, My name is Ben. My callsign is KØBLR. I live up here in Central MN. I just decided to join here because it looks like I am about go through the process of buying a used K3/100W. From what I know about it has 2 filters in it and its only about 1 week old or so. The owner is selling it because he is not very technology inclinded as he put it if memory serves me right. Anyways, in a nutshell how has the K3 done for many of you on here. I am not very knowlegeable on radio theory but in your opinion what makes the K3 better that big 4 manufactures out there? -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/New-to-the-Forum-tp3045999p3048603.html Sent from the Elecraft 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
pd0psb wrote: It's a pity you won't be assembling your K3 yourself, that really makes it your radio. May be you should take it apart at least once :-) Hey that's a good idea Paul. Can I apply it to my KX1?! Disassembling then re-assembling it might rekindle that new kit feeling all over again... Now where'd I put that de-soldering braid... John Harper http://www.ae5x.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Unwrap the torroids too now, don't cheat. 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: John Harper j...@ae5x.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 5:55 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum pd0psb wrote: It's a pity you won't be assembling your K3 yourself, that really makes it your radio. May be you should take it apart at least once :-) Hey that's a good idea Paul. Can I apply it to my KX1?! Disassembling then re-assembling it might rekindle that new kit feeling all over again... Now where'd I put that de-soldering braid... John Harper http://www.ae5x.com __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
And go through all the firmware updates, one by one :-) 73 Paul Unwrap the torroids too now, don't cheat. 73, de Jim KG0KP -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/New-to-the-Forum-tp3045999p3050821.html Sent from the Elecraft 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Don't forget to undo the mods! 73 Glenn ON4WIX - Original Message - From: pd0psb p.s.bijp...@gmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 7:12 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum And go through all the firmware updates, one by one :-) 73 Paul Unwrap the torroids too now, don't cheat. 73, de Jim KG0KP -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/New-to-the-Forum-tp3045999p3050821.html Sent from the Elecraft 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.59/2165 - Release Date: 06/09/09 05:53:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
We're going to scare off the guy that is thinking about buying one. It isn't really that bad. Matter of fact it is farily easy, just be DETAIL oriented and read everything twice and be sure you understand. That is not hard at all with all the pictures. explanation detail and all. AND, the K3 is simply an assembly process, not rorroid winding or any of that stuff and when you load the firmware, it is simply a single load of the latest as it is all in each version. Even the load is a simple process, almost a one click deal. You will find that most had about 10 to 12 hours from sealed box to power on for the first time. I did mine in about 4 sessions that totaled 11 hours and I went slow. AND it was fun. YOU build it yourself and you are not afraid to tear it all apart, nothing to it, you built it and know all about it, where everything is, what each piece does. and how to get it out and back in if you want to. Elecraft RULES. 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: ON4WIX on4...@skynet.be To: pd0psb p.s.bijp...@gmail.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 12:27 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum Don't forget to undo the mods! 73 Glenn ON4WIX - Original Message - From: pd0psb p.s.bijp...@gmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 7:12 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum And go through all the firmware updates, one by one :-) 73 Paul Unwrap the torroids too now, don't cheat. 73, de Jim KG0KP -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/New-to-the-Forum-tp3045999p3050821.html Sent from the Elecraft 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.59/2165 - Release Date: 06/09/09 05:53:00 __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
I support that. Maybe we were getting too intimidating with our KX1/K1/K2/kits inside jokes. Enjoy your K3. It's in a league miles above and beyond anything I've ever owned before. Glenn ON4WIX - Original Message - From: Jim Miller KG0KP jimmil...@stl-online.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 8:55 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum We're going to scare off the guy that is thinking about buying one. It isn't really that bad. Matter of fact it is farily easy, just be DETAIL oriented and read everything twice and be sure you understand. That is not hard at all with all the pictures. explanation detail and all. AND, the K3 is simply an assembly process, not rorroid winding or any of that stuff and when you load the firmware, it is simply a single load of the latest as it is all in each version. Even the load is a simple process, almost a one click deal. You will find that most had about 10 to 12 hours from sealed box to power on for the first time. I did mine in about 4 sessions that totaled 11 hours and I went slow. AND it was fun. YOU build it yourself and you are not afraid to tear it all apart, nothing to it, you built it and know all about it, where everything is, what each piece does. and how to get it out and back in if you want to. Elecraft RULES. 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: ON4WIX on4...@skynet.be To: pd0psb p.s.bijp...@gmail.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 12:27 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum Don't forget to undo the mods! 73 Glenn ON4WIX - Original Message - From: pd0psb p.s.bijp...@gmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 7:12 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum And go through all the firmware updates, one by one :-) 73 Paul Unwrap the torroids too now, don't cheat. 73, de Jim KG0KP -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/New-to-the-Forum-tp3045999p3050821.html Sent from the Elecraft 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.59/2165 - Release Date: 06/09/09 05:53:00 __ 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 __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.59/2165 - Release Date: 06/09/09 05:53:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Jim, Nice to have the K3 assembly information. Have you or anyone else noted the time to assemble a K2? I hope to build one or the other sometime in the not too distant future. Gary KJ7RT Jim Miller KG0KP wrote: We're going to scare off the guy that is thinking about buying one. It isn't really that bad. Matter of fact it is farily easy, just be DETAIL oriented and read everything twice and be sure you understand. That is not hard at all with all the pictures. explanation detail and all. AND, the K3 is simply an assembly process, not rorroid winding or any of that stuff and when you load the firmware, it is simply a single load of the latest as it is all in each version. Even the load is a simple process, almost a one click deal. You will find that most had about 10 to 12 hours from sealed box to power on for the first time. I did mine in about 4 sessions that totaled 11 hours and I went slow. AND it was fun. YOU build it yourself and you are not afraid to tear it all apart, nothing to it, you built it and know all about it, where everything is, what each piece does. and how to get it out and back in if you want to. Elecraft RULES. 73, de Jim KG0KP __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Gary, Its been years since I built my K2, but allow a couple of weeks to complete if you work several (6) hours a day. That sounds pretty intimidating but the K2 is modular and it turns out you get to test the front panel and become familiar with all of the controls before completing the main RF board. That is then done in a couple of stages whereby you build just the 40meter operations first, and then add the other bands. Later you can add options such as automatic tuner, ssb, 160 meter, dsp, transverter, and high power amplifier as you choose or not. The instructions are great and the whole experience is very enjoyable. If you get in trouble the guys on this reflector are a great help. 73, Bill AA1O - Original Message - From: Gary W. Marklund g...@marklund.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 4:12 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum Jim, Nice to have the K3 assembly information. Have you or anyone else noted the time to assemble a K2? I hope to build one or the other sometime in the not too distant future. Gary KJ7RT Jim Miller KG0KP wrote: We're going to scare off the guy that is thinking about buying one. It isn't really that bad. Matter of fact it is farily easy, just be DETAIL oriented and read everything twice and be sure you understand. That is not hard at all with all the pictures. explanation detail and all. AND, the K3 is simply an assembly process, not rorroid winding or any of that stuff and when you load the firmware, it is simply a single load of the latest as it is all in each version. Even the load is a simple process, almost a one click deal. You will find that most had about 10 to 12 hours from sealed box to power on for the first time. I did mine in about 4 sessions that totaled 11 hours and I went slow. AND it was fun. YOU build it yourself and you are not afraid to tear it all apart, nothing to it, you built it and know all about it, where everything is, what each piece does. and how to get it out and back in if you want to. Elecraft RULES. 73, de Jim KG0KP __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Gary, It took me three weeks of evenings and weekends to build my K2/100 and all the options including a KAT-100 tuner. I'd get home from work, slam some food down my neck and get to it, stuffing and soldering. I'd start at 7:00pm local and work a couple of hours. On occasion I'd look up and it would be 1:00am. Long day in the IT salt mine but ultimately worth it. Gary W. Marklund wrote: Jim, Nice to have the K3 assembly information. Have you or anyone else noted the time to assemble a K2? I hope to build one or the other sometime in the not too distant future. Gary KJ7RT -- R. Kevin Stover ACØH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
Not wanting to hide out in a corner, I used a 2x3' drafting board, put it on my lap in the living room with the soldering station on a TV tray, and built my K2 while chatting with the XYL, listening to music, and even watching some TV. Twelve days, start to finish, working probably two or three hours each evening. I did segue to the operating desk to run some of the interim power on checks. And then I sat down to do the alignments, etc. Probably another couple of hours in the shack. That was back in 2000, and it's still a *great* rig. Ron AC7AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to the Forum
My K2/10 took about 40 hours to complete. Every evening after work was spent plugging and soldering. Having such a nice radio with which to work that was made by me is very rewarding. Gary, It took me three weeks of evenings and weekends to build my K2/100 and all the options including a KAT-100 tuner. I'd get home from work, slam some food down my neck and get to it, stuffing and soldering. I'd start at 7:00pm local and work a couple of hours. On occasion I'd look up and it would be 1:00am. Long day in the IT salt mine but ultimately worth it. Gary W. Marklund wrote: Jim, Nice to have the K3 assembly information. Have you or anyone else noted the time to assemble a K2? I hope to build one or the other sometime in the not too distant future. Gary KJ7RT -- R. Kevin Stover ACØH __ 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
[Elecraft] New to the Forum
Hi Group, My name is Ben. My callsign is KØBLR. I live up here in Central MN. I just decided to join here because it looks like I am about go through the process of buying a used K3/100W. From what I know about it has 2 filters in it and its only about 1 week old or so. The owner is selling it because he is not very technology inclinded as he put it if memory serves me right. Anyways, in a nushell how has the K3 done for many of you on here. I am not very knowlegeable on radio theory but in your opinion what makes the K3 better that big 4 manufactures out there? 73, Ben KØBLR __ 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
