[Elecraft] K2/10 to K2/100
One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a couple of questions: Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be available to use if running less than 20 watts? When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for storage? This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making contacts QRP. -- John Fritze Jr K2QY k...@arrl.net ACACES president 2014 Albany County RACES Radio Officer ARES ENY DEC Northern District Hudson Div. Asst. Director Twitter: @k2qy 401 261 4996 (cell) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2/10 to K2/100
John, The normal mounting for the KPA100 is in the same place as the top cover for the QRP K2. That means the KAT2, KBT2 and KIO2 will be removed. Optional mounting is to install the KPA100 (usually with the KAT100-2) in a separate EC2 enclosure. That latter configuration leaves the K2/10 with its options intact. When the KPA100 is installed (even with the KPA100 in the EC2 enclosure) the KAT2 is not active. With the external KPA100, the KAT2 is bypassed and forced to the ANT1 output. For the battery question, I would recommend connecting the battery terminals directly to either a Smartcharger, or to a 13.8 volt float charge. Either can be left connected continuously. Fuse the positive lead for safety - if the direct battery connection develops a fault a LOT of current can flow and may result in molten metal flying about and create a fire hazard. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/8/2014 2:01 PM, John Fritze wrote: One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a couple of questions: Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be available to use if running less than 20 watts? When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for storage? This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making contacts QRP. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2/10 to K2/100
On 9/8/2014 11:01 AM, John Fritze wrote: Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner still be inside No, it's attached to the top of the K2. Will it still be available to use if running less than 20 watts? QRP to QRO and back is a Top Swap. Took me about 5 min until I sold the KPA100 and KAT100. Remove case screws, lift top, disconnect cables, set aside. Fetch other top, connect cables, reinstall top. Note: The two small coax cables with the 2-pin Molex connectors [Aux RF and 12 VDC] *CAN* be cross connected. This is unwise, it will short the 12 VDC. I recommend you paint the connectors and the mates on the RF board different colors. When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for storage? I never had the battery pack. What kind of batteries are they? This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making contacts QRP. If the battery is an A123 LiFePO4 or LiPoly, be sure to fuse the 12 VDC leads [see above warning re cross connection]. I've found that automobile spade fuses seem to have very low contact resistance. At 100W, you're going to draw somewhere in the general vicinity of 14-17 A. LiFePO4's [and LiPoly] batteries are small and light but they have a minuscule internal resistance and will deliver a huge slug of current into a short, you need to be careful. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - www.cqp.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2/10 to K2/100
The original battery is a sealed Powersonic 2.9AH, mounting flat to the lid about the width of the K2 and 3 or so inches deep. It fits in front of the antenna tuner and just behind the speaker. On Monday, September 8, 2014 2:50 PM, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: John, The normal mounting for the KPA100 is in the same place as the top cover for the QRP K2. That means the KAT2, KBT2 and KIO2 will be removed. Optional mounting is to install the KPA100 (usually with the KAT100-2) in a separate EC2 enclosure. That latter configuration leaves the K2/10 with its options intact. When the KPA100 is installed (even with the KPA100 in the EC2 enclosure) the KAT2 is not active. With the external KPA100, the KAT2 is bypassed and forced to the ANT1 output. For the battery question, I would recommend connecting the battery terminals directly to either a Smartcharger, or to a 13.8 volt float charge. Either can be left connected continuously. Fuse the positive lead for safety - if the direct battery connection develops a fault a LOT of current can flow and may result in molten metal flying about and create a fire hazard. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/8/2014 2:01 PM, John Fritze wrote: One of our K2s needs to be converted to a K2/100. Looking over the instructions I do not see where this is terribly difficult, but I do have a couple of questions: Both K2s are totally maxed out with all the options so there is no reason to use one over the other. If I add the KPA100 kit, will the 20 watt tuner still be inside or does that need to be removed? Will it still be available to use if running less than 20 watts? When I remove the battery, anyone have any idea how often I should put it on the charger to maintain the pack? Should the pack be unplugged for storage? This is a SOTA rig for my XYL and I think she will have an easier time with 100 watts and a Buddipole LIPO pack. She is having a difficult time making contacts QRP. __ 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 Message delivered to wd8...@sbcglobal.net __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2/10 or K2/100 Wanted
I found one, Thanks! -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-10-or-K2-100-Wanted-tp7327005p7332309.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
[Elecraft] K2/10 or K2/100 Wanted
Looking for a K2. Thanks! Gene N4FZ -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-10-or-K2-100-Wanted-tp7327005p7327005.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
