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| Main board in Panavise |
The
K2 is my second
Elecraft kit the first being the KX1. After sorting all the parts and having it all check out, I was amazed at all the components!!! I just had no idea how long this project was going to take. A couple of things I did before the kit arrived was I purchased a
first-rate soldering station. The
Weller WES51, and a product from
Panavise that can hold up to a 12 inch board. I already had an
excellent multi meter. Back to the build, the control board and front panel went together very well without any troubles. I did take my time with the push buttons and encoder. I felt it was easier to take my time and not have to remove a part after it was soldered in place. (which by the way did happen throughout the build) I did double check all the parts before installing them. I also took heed to the advice on the Elecraft reflector, if you are tired stop and continue the build later or the next day.
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| Front panel and below main board |
It was now time to tackle the RF board, the previous building of the KX1 gave me some practice for winding toroid's but the K2 has many more and some a little
thorny . I wanted to give it a go and if all else failed I could always order the toroid's from the Elecraft site. Well the RF board had its moments but I took my time. Not all the check outs worked out as planned but an email to the Elecraft reflector granted me loads of help and I was soon on my way again.
It sure is exciting to get to the check outs in the manual and see the rig work and slowly get toward a full functioning radio. As far as the toroid's went I did have to rewind some and the ones with two different windings were tricky but again just took time. Well in less time than I thought the build was all done and ready for the final alignment. I was working many hours of overtime at work so I could not spend the time to do a proper alignment.
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| K2 nearing completion |
There is a ham in Toronto who does an excellent job at the final alignment. I sent it too him and it was done in no time. I have been on the air working with a 20 meter dipole in the attic and doing just great with contacts all over the world.
