Re: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
I liked the rework eliminators. If I am troubleshooting the rig or adding features, it is just an unplug and a plug. I do not have to take the rig apart, remove or add hard ware to the circuits to add features. I think they are well worth the minor added cost. After damaging my DSP, I was able to unplug it and plug in the board and I was done. YMMV. Good luck, K2 is a great rig. Dave Wilburn K4DGW K2/100 - S/N 5982 DW Holtman wrote: Hello, Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSSN ___ 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 ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
... Yep, I ordered mine in Sept. :-) -Original Message- David Ferrington, M0XDF Ah - you need a K3 then :-) On 12/2/08 15:31, Darwin, Keith [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: I'm one of those who wish they had NOT done it that but instead built the K2 from the start to be fully plug play. ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
Ah - you need a K3 then :-) On 12/2/08 15:31, Darwin, Keith [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: I'm one of those who wish they had NOT done it that but instead built the K2 from the start to be fully plug play. -- It came to me that reform should begin at home, and since that day I have not had time to remake the world. -Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
DW Holtman wrote: I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? You wouldn't. The benefit of the unpcbs such is that you can eliminate rework when adding options. Folks like me can start with a basic K2 with the rework eliminators and then add options later without having to do any rework on the K2 boards. Some value this approach, others scoff at it. In your case, if you have all the options you'll ever want, won't be making any changes and never plan to sell the K2, then you can ignore the UNPCBS. If you want to try different options, or may some day sell the K2, then the UNPCBS / Rework Eliminators are nice to have. Elecraft built the K2 to be inexpensive and leaving out a handful of parts apparently was a small part of that plan. I'm one of those who wish they had NOT done it that but instead built the K2 from the start to be fully plug play. I want the freedom to just plug in an option without having to make mods to the base unit, and then to later unplug it and return to the stock radio. UNPCBS Rework Eliminators (whatever they're called these days) have allowed my K2 to be just that. Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? You make it sound as if some robot is scanning the list for a bunch of e-mail addresses and then mass spamming us. I don't think that's the case. These products do not benefit you once your K2 is built so the time to consider them is at the start. Gary is part of the list and will let people know about his product at the appropriate time. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - - K3 Wave 3 - ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
Tue 12 Feb 2008 09:50:45 EST DW Holtman (WB7SSSN) wrote ... Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. -- No, unpcbs are not really necessary. (If they were, then as you point out, Elecraft would include them with the K2.) However, they are really convenient. As is our rework-free K2 assembly method and our K2 internal mic adaptor. Since Elecraft chooses not to include a flier describing our products with the K2, replying to Reflector posts like yours is the best way for us to make K2 owners aware of our products before they begin assembly. FYI, there are many K2 owners who did not have the benefit of learning about our products until they had already built their K2s. My off Reflector emails to you were intended solely to give you the opportunity to choose for yourself whether to take advantage of our products. If you visit our Frequently Asked Questions page and the eHam Reviews, you'll find comments from many delighted users of our products (including many posts in the Reflector archives). 73, Gary KI4GGX (unpcbs.com webmaster) ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
At 09:50 AM 2/12/2008, DW Holtman wrote... Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. If you received spam from a list subscriber who obviously got your address from this list, IMHO they should be removed/banned from the list. Whether they are a list subscriber or not, you should report them to their ISP, they are no doubt in violation of their TOS/AUP. ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
Don raises a very good point here: The idea is that the base K2 should be tested before any changes for options are made. Doing the rework eliminators departs from this recommendation. Gary crew publish a very complete set of instructions for how to modify your K2 manual prior to building the K2. I followed Gary's edits to a T and my K2, complete with a full set of rework eliminators, went together just fine. BUT, if you're a bit lazy and don't do the manual update PRIOR to building. If you try to jump between the 2 manuals in real time as you build, if you screw something up, then you have a modified K2 that isn't working and that is tougher to debug than a stock K2. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - - K3 Wave 3 - ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
Hello DW, There are a few people who are making things for the K2 that are not provided by Elecraft that provide additional capabilities and convenience - these are individuals, like Gary Hvizdak, Don Wilhelm, Mike Phipps and Jack Smith, who don't sell a lot of their products and don't make any significant profit from them either. You'll see them post information about their products to the reflector, and occasionally, as in Gary's case, send e-mail directly to someone who has just ordered a K2 and not burden the entire list. My K2 was built with Gary's UNPCBs, and now includes Don's fixed audio output board (which he no longer as available but may be picked up by Tom Hammond, N0SS), and which, among other things, I use to drive Jack Smith's Z100 tuning indicator. There are obviously differing opinions about the usefulness of the UNPCBs. Don Wilhelm, who is a very experienced builder (and an invaluable resource to all of us - he's helped me solve a number of problems with my K2), has no problems removing and replacing components - but some of us do. Even if you've ordered all of the K2 options you're ever likely to install, you still need to build the basic K2 first and calibrate and test it before adding the options. That means removing and replacing components. I built by K2 with the UNPCBs several years ago and then added options one at a time over the last few years. For me, adding options were then really just plug-and-play, and I avoided the dreaded unsoldering and replacing components. The UNPCBs had another advantage when my K2 developed a problem that required the removal of several of the options to trace down - all I had to do was plug the UNPCBs back in, in place of the removed options. Without them, I would have had to again unsolder, remove and replace some components. Don does raise a good point with the UNPCBs in that installing the K60XV UNPCB may cause calibration problems (if I did, I wasn't aware of it and my K2 seemed to work fine). But there appear to be no issues with the remaining UNPCBs. Bob W1SRB -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DW Holtman Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:51 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] UNPCBs Hello, Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSSN ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
Hello, After reading this informative and well thought out letter (see below), I have a better understanding on the situation. The people mentioned in the letter has been helping the Elecraft community for years, I'm new and should not be so skeptical about what is going on until I have a better understanding of the situation. I'm going to order what I need in the way of UNPCBs. It should help adding the 100 watt unit etc, after the basic testing has been done with the basic K2 unit. Thank to everyone for all of the inputs. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSN - Original Message - From: Solosko, Robert B (Bob) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: DW Holtman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:19 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs Hello DW, There are a few people who are making things for the K2 that are not provided by Elecraft that provide additional capabilities and convenience - these are individuals, like Gary Hvizdak, Don Wilhelm, Mike Phipps and Jack Smith, who don't sell a lot of their products and don't make any significant profit from them either. You'll see them post information about their products to the reflector, and occasionally, as in Gary's case, send e-mail directly to someone who has just ordered a K2 and not burden the entire list. My K2 was built with Gary's UNPCBs, and now includes Don's fixed audio output board (which he no longer as available but may be picked up by Tom Hammond, N0SS), and which, among other things, I use to drive Jack Smith's Z100 tuning indicator. There are obviously differing opinions about the usefulness of the UNPCBs. Don Wilhelm, who is a very experienced builder (and an invaluable resource to all of us - he's helped me solve a number of problems with my K2), has no problems removing and replacing components - but some of us do. Even if you've ordered all of the K2 options you're ever likely to install, you still need to build the basic K2 first and calibrate and test it before adding the options. That means removing and replacing components. I built by K2 with the UNPCBs several years ago and then added options one at a time over the last few years. For me, adding options were then really just plug-and-play, and I avoided the dreaded unsoldering and replacing components. The UNPCBs had another advantage when my K2 developed a problem that required the removal of several of the options to trace down - all I had to do was plug the UNPCBs back in, in place of the removed options. Without them, I would have had to again unsolder, remove and replace some components. Don does raise a good point with the UNPCBs in that installing the K60XV UNPCB may cause calibration problems (if I did, I wasn't aware of it and my K2 seemed to work fine). But there appear to be no issues with the remaining UNPCBs. Bob W1SRB -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DW Holtman Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:51 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] UNPCBs Hello, Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSSN ___ 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 ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] UnPCBs (Rework Eliminators) question
Bruce, I suggest that you download the manuals (or use your existing ones) for each option and review the installation steps. The parts lists also show the part numbers for the headers and standoffs and other parts required. The 'short' list is as follows: K160RX - header, standoff and 3 capacitors KNB2 - header, standoff, 1 resistor KSB2 - 3 headers, standoff plus parts for the Front Panel board - mic config header, 5 capacitors, 1 transistor, 1 resistor and 1 R-pack KAF2 or KDSP2 - 2 headers. I cannot recommend putting on the RF Board parts for the K60XV until you are ready to actually install that option because the VFO Range Selection mechanism is modified although you may want to install the 2 headers, but I see no gain in doing so because the K2 heat sink must be removed to install the K60XV and adding the headers at that time is just another easy step. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Now the question. At some point I will probably want to build another K2, and start with the base model, gradually adding options. Has a list of parts been made indicating the number/size of female headers and other components needed to put all the unmodules in a base K2? I remember seeing an exchange on the Elecraft email reflector about his, but am unsure if a final tally or list was ever posted. I seem to remember mention of 8 or 9 female headers. (I could, of course simply count the number on the un-modules...) I am most interested in the other discrete components that are added or replaced as the options are added. I do remember that a resistor for the KNB2 was needed. What else? A complete list of any resistors/caps etc would be handy. Thanks in advance, and thanks again for a great product! 73, Bruce, N1RX ___ 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 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date: 8/24/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date: 8/24/2005 ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] unpcbs ... I wouldn't have ordered ... I'm a bitdisappointed ...
That's easy. Offer the Complete Package (Male only) for $17.95 Offer the Complete Package Plus (include the females) for $21.95 (or whatever). Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 (KNB2, R160, KAT2, KPSK2, but no KAF2 nor Xverter. So I'd NOT have the females on hand for 4 of the 9 (I count 9 - Where'd you get 8?) snip In case it isn't obvious, I'll mention that the high cost of the eight female jacks /snip ___ 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
