Re: [Elecraft] New Build K2/100
On Thu, 2004-02-12 at 11:16 -0800, Bob Tellefsen wrote: > Take an old cardboard box, around the size your K2 came in. > Cut it horizontally so that all the ends of the little corrugations > are exposed. > Now, when you are inventorying and building, you can place your parts > where they are visible, and grouped together. I use old cardboard egg cartons with the top cut off. -- 73, Brian VE7NGR ___ 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] New Build K2/100
Tom is correct on checking everything as you go. Even after building many K2s, I still do it the same way - I sort the components and place them in order for easy 'part picking' (I use the corrugated cardboard edge of a slit USPS shipping box). Then as I insert each part, I read its value. This gives me 2 checks; 1) I selected from the proper component location, and 2) I have verified the value on the part I have in my hand. Yes, I even do this with the resistors even though they are correctly mounted in insertion order on the strip - I did find an incorrect value in one kit I built (but only one incorrect out of approximately 800 resistors - pretty good quality control there at Elecraft). Unsoldered component leads are another frequent cause of failure. There are folks who choose to put in one component, solder it and go on to the next, but I stuff components in groups (sometimes large groups), and almost never miss soldering a component - I achieve that by following my own rule 'NEVER TRIM AN UNSOLDERED CONNECTION' I do a thorough inspection of each solder joint at the same time I am trimming its lead. If I spot one unsoldered, I finish trimming the others and go back to solder any that are still sticking above the board. If a component (like ICs) have short legs, I put one in and solder it (one at a time). These are the 'rules' I have developed for myself, and they work for me, but I do suggest that any builder develop his own method of 'orderliness' to help prevent construction errors. 73, Don W3FPR - Original Message - May I offer a word of advice. Don't get into a Zen like state as you put the caps in etc. Read and check EVERY step. Don't think to yourself "Ok..I'm running .047 caps right now". ___ 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] New Build K2/100
May I offer a word of advice. Don't get into a Zen like state as you put the caps in etc. Read and check EVERY step. Don't think to yourself "Ok..I'm running .047 caps right now". As per the 2nd step on Pg 2 of the KPA-100 manual Elecraft's insertion order is left to right and front edge to back edge. In the old Heathkit days I had the habit of putting all the same value caps/resistors in at once like an assembly line. That got me burned as I Zenned out doing the cap insertions on Pg 15 of the KPA-100 manual. .1 .1 .1 .1 now .047 .047 .047 now .001 .001 back to .047 .047 .047 .047 .047 [jump to .033] back to .047. Everyone here who put a .047 in C31's positon raise their hand.oops...looks like I may be alone in that. But it goes to show you need to pay attention at every step. Good luck. Its fun to build. Its almost a let down to operate the radio when its finished. I suspect that is why so many guys keep building more for others. The building is addicting. 73 de Tom K2TA - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 4:04 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Build K2/100 In my experience the K2 is actually easier to build than most Heathkits - especially the older vacuum tube jobs. Where most people have trouble is in putting the wrong part in the wrong place. Putting in parts oriented wrong (IC's backwards, etc.) and in bad solder joints (cold or missed solder joints). Be especially careful with the toroid leads to be sure they are stripped and tinned up ABOVE where the lead comes out of the PC board so they are actually soldered. You can fill the PC board hole with solder, trapping the lead, but it the enamel isn't gone from that point it doesn't make contact. They have been dubbed "PTTL" for "poorly tinned toroid leads" by kit builder rescuer extraordinaire, Gary Surrency ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Take your time. Don't hurry. Make it a Zen exercise in deliberate thought, deliberate motion, deliberate acts. Double check your work. When you are done, it'll be as much of a thrill as your first Heathkit - and work a whole lot better! Ron AC7AC -Original Message- I just received my new K2/100 with all the bells and whistles. I ordered all the necessary tools to help put it together i.e.: solder station, etc. I haven't built a kit since the days of Heathkit and that was many years ago. If anyone has suggestions, I would appreciate helpful comments. Thanks and 73 de Alan, K6IPM ___ 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] New Build K2/100
Hi Alan, Welcome to the wonderful world of Elecraft! I was glad to demo my K2 for you and you really shouldn't have any serious problems putting it together. As has been mentioned many times, this reflector is a great problem solving resource and Wayne, Eric and Gary are just an email away. Gary has bailed me out of some stupid mistakes several times..there is no better customer service anywhere! Big thing is to take your time, don't rush it and don't work on it when you're tired. And remember I'm near by so if you need help or an on air test, just let me know. 73, Doug W6JD - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 11:11 AM Subject: [Elecraft] New Build K2/100 > I just received my new K2/100 with all the bells and whistles. I ordered > all > the necessary tools to help put it together i.e.: solder station, etc. I > haven't built a kit since the days of Heathkit and that was many years ago. > If anyone has suggestions, I would appreciate helpful comments. Thanks and > 73 de Alan, K6IPM > > ___ > 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] New Build K2/100
In my experience the K2 is actually easier to build than most Heathkits - especially the older vacuum tube jobs. Where most people have trouble is in putting the wrong part in the wrong place. Putting in parts oriented wrong (IC's backwards, etc.) and in bad solder joints (cold or missed solder joints). Be especially careful with the toroid leads to be sure they are stripped and tinned up ABOVE where the lead comes out of the PC board so they are actually soldered. You can fill the PC board hole with solder, trapping the lead, but it the enamel isn't gone from that point it doesn't make contact. They have been dubbed "PTTL" for "poorly tinned toroid leads" by kit builder rescuer extraordinaire, Gary Surrency ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Take your time. Don't hurry. Make it a Zen exercise in deliberate thought, deliberate motion, deliberate acts. Double check your work. When you are done, it'll be as much of a thrill as your first Heathkit - and work a whole lot better! Ron AC7AC -Original Message- I just received my new K2/100 with all the bells and whistles. I ordered all the necessary tools to help put it together i.e.: solder station, etc. I haven't built a kit since the days of Heathkit and that was many years ago. If anyone has suggestions, I would appreciate helpful comments. Thanks and 73 de Alan, K6IPM ___ 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] New Build K2/100
Congratulations, Alan. You're in for a fun journey through the building of your K2. One suggestion that many of us have used is this. Take an old cardboard box, around the size your K2 came in. Cut it horizontally so that all the ends of the little corrugations are exposed. Now, when you are inventorying and building, you can place your parts where they are visible, and grouped together. Say you have 10 .01uF disk caps. Place them side by side with one lead in the corrugation holes. Now as you need one you can just reach out for it and its there. Plus, you can quickly see how many reamin, and whether this agrees with the inventory. Good luck and ask questions whenever you need to. 73, Bob N6WG ___ 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
