++++++++++++++++++ See Desoldering Notes for hints on installing upgrade kits ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 06 Nov 2002 14:45:41 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Elecraft , qrp Subject: [Elecraft] Announcing an Update to the Elecraft K2 Transceiver We're pleased to announce a major update to the K2 transceiver (and K2/100), starting with serial number 3000. (Looks like a few builders have figured this out already.) If you've been waiting to buy a K2, you'll find many new reasons to take the plunge. If you already own one, you'll be happy to know that you can obtain a complete update kit. (Please hold any e-mail or phone calls about this until we post additional details on the update kit later this month.) The updated K2 offers new features, improved basic performance, and simplified assembly. The most important changes are listed below. These changes make the K2--already one of the highest-performance ham-band transceivers you can buy--an even better value. 73, Wayne Burdick, N6KR Eric Swartz, WA6HHQ www.elecraft.com * * * New Features and Performance Improvements: - All of the most-requested modifications now incorporated into the design - Improved temperature stability; includes new pre-wound T44-7 BFO inductor - Increase in nominal receiver gain possible using new AGC threshold control - improved image rejection on 17 through 10 meters - Better LSB/USB pitch matching and flatter 2nd I.F. crystal filter - Smoother AF GAIN control - More pleasant sidetone sound - Speaker grille cloth supplied - Support for KAT100 150-watt ATU - Support for upcoming K60XV 60 meter/low-level transverter I/O option Changes that affect Assembly, Alignment, and Operation: - Complete RF probe kit now included (switch spacing tool now doubles as RF probe PCB) - Many improvements to PC board layouts; all required or recommended board mods added - Crystal filter grounding instructions improved to increase ultimate rejection - Owner's manual completely updated based on suggestions from builders - Operation section of manual now covers all recent firmware features, including all entries in the secondary menu Other Changes/Enhancements: - Reverse-polarity protection diode is now ultra-low-drop type (only 0.1V in RX mode) - Improved FINE RIT resolution and better tuning linearity on highest bands - 12 pF caps in parallel w/20/30 BPF trimmers eliminates 20/30 alignment difficulties - Post-mixer amp collector choke is now a toroid, reducing unwanted S-meter activation from out-of-band signals (most often reported on 17 m) - VFO ALC changes included (in support of KPA100) - Voltage source selector switch on Control board is now a jumper--eliminates unexpected "0.0 V" reading in voltage/current display mode Designs evolve, and the K2 is no exception. During Elecraft's first three years, K2 owners suggested a number of useful changes, and we've added nearly all of them into the updated kit. (We'd like to express our appreciation to everyone who helped with these improvements.) All modifications that were required for the installation of K2 options have also been added. 73, Wayne & Eric ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 14:40:21 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Mod Kits Yet Again Hi If there is anyone out there that would like their K2 brought to Rev 'B' = condition and you do not want to do it yourself I will install all of = the current mods that are in Rev 'B', do a complete alignment calibrated = to WWV with Spectrogram and check the output on a hp spectrum analyzer. = $100 + the cost of the mod kit. This only applies to a working K2 any = repairs are extra. Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++++++ The above entries are out of time sequence... dwn ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:11:19 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] New Rev B K2 Hi Gang The new manual for the Rev 'B' K2 is on the website manuals page. This = is a new K2 with all new circuit boards. All of the popular mods have = been incorporated into the new boards. You may want to check it out. I = built the first one of these (S/N 3000) a few weeks ago and it is really = nice. If you have been holding off buying a K2 because of the mods that = need to be added, now you don't have an excuse. As I understand it the = mods can be retrofitted to the Rev A radios by installing on the bottom = of the boards. So your present K2 is not obsolete it can just be = upgraded to the 'B' level with a little work and a few parts. Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Sverre Holm - LA3ZA" To: "Elecraft at Mailman. Qth. Net" Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 22:29:10 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 mods list keeping track of Elecraft ... I had a look through the latest version of the K2 Manual and have tried to update the mods list at http://www.qsl.net/la3za/K2/mod.html with status regarding the latest manual and serial numbers 3000+. I am impressed at how many of the mods that have come up over the years that now have been included, but I need help from experts in this group. Would you please comment on my mods list and whether I am up to date on all the changes that are in the latest manual? 73 Sverre, LA3ZA +++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Mike McCoy" , "Elecraft" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Rev B K2 Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 16:37:32 -0600 Hi This is all of the normal stuff we have been adding to the bottom of the K2 with a few more minor changes. ALC, 10 meter bandpass filter mod, 2nd xtal filter mod, sinewave sidetone mod, sidetone source mod, audio pot mod, VFO drift mod, BFO drift mod. All of this is now part of the circuitry of the Rev B boards but can easily be added to the Rev 'A' board as most of us have done. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike McCoy" To: "Don Brown" ; "Elecraft" Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 4:16 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Rev B K2 > Don Brown said: > > "As I understand it the mods can be retrofitted to the Rev A radios by > installing on the bottom of the boards. So your present K2 is not obsolete > it can just be upgraded to the 'B' level with a little work and a few > parts." > > Don > > Sorry, you lost me there. Which mods are you referring to that are > 'installed on the bottom of the boards' that would bring earlier K2's to the > latest Rev B? > > 73, > Mike - K5PU +++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Rev B K2 Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 18:18:01 -0600 Hi Some of the mods are a little more difficult than others. The 2nd xtal filter mod does not require any traces to be cut. All of the mods on the RF board will be on the bottom of the board and will not show unless you remove the bottom cover. The most difficult mod to do is the audio pot mod and it does require some traces to be cut on the front panel, control and RF board. The mods that are most noticeable are the ones on the control board for the sidetone source and sinewave sidetone. Perhaps Elecraft will make the new control board kit available if you want to replace it with the new one. As everything is out of site on the bottom your K2 would look just like the 'B' version. Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 06 Nov 2002 16:28:01 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: k6se at juno.com Cc: DolfinDon at msn.com, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] updating a K2 from rev A to rev B k6se at juno.com wrote: > Although the mods improve the K2, they remove the professional appearance > of the inner workings of the radio by those unsightly jumper wires and > added parts. New K2 builders who receive the new boards should be > extremely thankful that they won't have to do these mods and ruin the > internal appearance of their radios. Earl, I believe this is a matter of opinion. All of the updates to bring a revision A K2 up to revision B involve changes to existing parts and simple modifications that can be made in areas that are not easily visible, unless someone is trying really hard to see them. A modified K2 with its cover off will continue to be just as pleasing to the eye as a new K2, assuming that this is a goal of whoever is doing the modifications. Granted, it is not a one-hour job. But it will be a piece of cake compared to the package of modifications and 1/2-inch-thick document that Heath issued for upgrading the SB-104. We'd certainly be happy to sell anyone a new K2. But I have a feeling that for most K2 owners, spending several hours carefully updating one's rig is probably preferable to spending 35+ hours building a new one. > The new kits with Rev B boards may prompt many K2 owners to buy a new kit > to replace their adulterated K2s. This should only be necessary if one wants a second K2. A K2 that is modified does not have to be "adulterated," as I mentioned above. > Wayne announced an "complete update kit", which I'm all ears about, but > wonder how it can be done without replacing all three affected boards > (RF, Control and Front Panel) and their components?? There will be a complete document package, as well as a complete set of parts, to bring a revision A K2 up to revision B. Or, if you like, you can purchase just the mod kits that you really want. It is absolutely not necessary to replace the boards. It is only necessary to be careful where you place any added parts or wires--and we thought of this carefully when we made the mods in the first place. 73, Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 06 Nov 2002 18:52:07 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: rondec at easystreet.com Cc: 'Elecraft' Subject: [Elecraft] Full "Update Kit" vs. existing mod kits Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > Should I cancel that order so I don't end up with duplicates when I see > what exactly is in THIS "update kit" that I don't already have, or will > we be able to pick up only those mods that us current users haven't > cobbled together for ourselves over the past couple of years??? Ron, Don't worry--we're going to make this easy for those who want to update their K2s. You should be able to buy just the pieces you're missing, such as things that we've added recently. There will be a few more mod kits available so that you can pick and choose. This will all be explained in a week or two. 73, Wayne ++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 06 Nov 2002 19:46:48 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Ed Tanton , Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Updating a K2 from rev XC (K2 field test units, 1999) Ed Tanton wrote: > What about a Revision '0' (FT unit)? Hi Ed, The Field-Test K2s were revision XC. These will be upgradeable to rev B, also, with perhaps a few more steps. We'll cover this in the documentation. 73, Wayne ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Elecraft-list" Cc: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 08:56:03 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Rev B updating--Form Follows Function Folks, Rather than debate the virtue of "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder".... Let us focus on "Best Practices" and help each other do the best possible job getting our K2s to Rev B. There are thousands of person-years of experience on the Elecraft list and QRP-L that can be applied to the task at hand. I'll kick things of with this: 1) Look at the many fine examples of Manhattan construction from K7QO, and K8IQY for wire routing/dressing. 2) For parts placement and positioning I offer up some of my work at: http://www.qsl.net/n0rc/k2-mods/k2-mods.html If number two is helpful I'll post more. 73, Rod N0RC owner/builder/updater of K2 #2006 at Rev A+ ;-) +++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 14:40:21 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Mod Kits Yet Again Hi If there is anyone out there that would like their K2 brought to Rev 'B' = condition and you do not want to do it yourself I will install all of = the current mods that are in Rev 'B', do a complete alignment calibrated = to WWV with Spectrogram and check the output on a hp spectrum analyzer. = $100 + the cost of the mod kit. This only applies to a working K2 any = repairs are extra. Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2002 19:17:24 -0800 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: Larry Mollica Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 rev B boards as parts? We will be offering the raw Rev B K2 boards and needed parts for those of you who have unbuilt rev A K2s squirreled away and want to build them as Rev B's. More details later next week when we get time to cost everything out etc. 73, Eric WA6HHQ ==== Larry Mollica wrote: > > I'd like to find out what the cost of bare rev B boards would be. > > I'm close to getting started on a kit purchased in late September, > and want to figure out my options re the mods. Depending on the cost > I might want to use the new boards. In which case I'll hold off > starting assembly until the parts are available. ++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Cutting traces Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 21:47:26 -0600 Hi Don If you want to use an Exacto knife to cut the trace I have found it better to break off the sharp tip of the blade so you can use the heavier part of the blade to make the cut. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to break off about 1/2 of the tip. (wear safety glasses and/or wrap in a rag) Use a fair amount of pressure to make 2 cuts about 1/16 inch apart then slice at a 45 degree angle to lift the 1/16 inch piece of trace out I use a Dremal tool on a low speed with the thin abrasive cutoff tool to make cuts on circuit boards. This takes a little practice to get the hang of it or you may cut more than you want but I have found it the best method if you are very careful. Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 13:10:15 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Mod list corected again Hi I remembered one more mod and there is a change to R19 now so I have added it. The list is not in any particular order and is not a recommendation of an install sequence. Some mods are for convenience and have no effect on performance you may or may not want to do all of them. If you want to bring your K2 up to B status then you should do all of them. 1 PLL - remove X2 and add R19 2.7K 2 BFO - change out L33 with new toroid 3 D10 - replace with low drop diode 4 ALC - change R16 100K, R10 470 and add D8 1N4148 5 10/12 meter - change value of C42 330 pf, 45 1 pf and 48 330 pf 6 RFC15 - add 100 uH choke to U4 supply line pin 16 7 RFC11 - change to 100 uH toroid choke 20 turns on FT37-43 8 add C28,29 - 12 pF across C21 and 23 9 change value C30 and C36 to 470 pF 10 add C224 - in series with P6 AUX RF .047 uF 11 change value C225 390 pf, 226 680 pF, 227 330 pF, L25 14 turns, L26 12 turns 12 audio pot mod - several cut runs and jumpers on front panel, RF and control boards 13 sine wave side tone - add R11 47K and L1 82 mH 14 AGC threshold - add 50K pot at R1 15 voltmeter switch - remove and replace with jumper 16 added filtering on voltage sense - add cap at C17 .01 uF change value C42 .1 uF 17 D19,20 and C71 for future 60 meter option - add varactor diodes and change value C71 82 pF 18 change R60 to fixed 100 ohm resistor 19 new crystals for CW and SSB - replace 14 crystals with more closely matched set 20 AUX BUSS filtering - change value R6 100 ohm, R64 100 ohm and C12 .0027 uF 21 2nd XTAL filter mod - add 2N3904 or 2N2222, 100 pF, .01 uF, 3.9K and 5.6K to bottom of RF board 22 move crystal grounding wires to the sides of the CW crystals I may have missed some more. If anyone finds anything else I missed let me know Don Brown KD5NDB ++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 11:35:06 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] K2 rev A to rev B: complete update document coming soon There has been a lot of discussion about which modifications to make to a Revision A (or earlier) K2. Don Brown has posted a useful list of most of the mods. But as I mentioned earlier this month, we're working on a COMPLETE upgrade document that will cover all of the possible upgrades. This document will explain why you might want to do each modification, what parts are required, and what modification kit from Elecraft covers it. To avoid confusion, I propose that everyone wait for our final upgrade document. This will answer 99% of the questions that have been posted recently. 73, Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++++