I have been very pleased with My K2 which I purchased at Dayton back in 2005. So pleased, that I have persuaded a few others to take the plunge and build K2s, here in the UK.
I have been looking at the feasibility of building an Elecraft XV50 for the 70MHz band to use with my K2. Interest in this band is mushrooming in Europe with new countries gaining 70MHz allocations almost on a monthly basis. ( http://www.70mhz.org ) The modifications required would seem to be fairly straightforward but I have no illusions to be an RF design engineer! The Mitsubishi RA30H0608M power module would be a drop in replacement for the M57735 (using the XV144s biasing circuit). There would need to be a few L and C value changes in the TX LPF and the mixer BPF too. The LO would have to be changed to 42MHz (from 22MHz). I am a bit confused on the choice of driver SGA7489 in the XV50, ERA-5 in the XV144 and back to the SGA7489 in the XV222. Presumably the SGA7489 would be OK at 70MHz? Has anyone on the list already done all of the above? I have no wish to re-invent the wheel. I would be pleased to hear of the component values required. There does not appear to be anything specific in the archive. Whilst I am aware that Elecrafts core market is in the US and Canada, I think they are missing an opportunity to create a successful new product for a very minimum of R&D effort. I think an Elecraft XV70 would do well in Europe as there is a lack of any competition for equipment on this rapidly expanding band. The XV series have very flexible interfacing and I am sure would prove a popular way for stations to get on the band with their existing HF transceiver. It may even encourage a few more European VHF hams to go on and build a K2 as well! 73 Allan GM4ZUK _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
