++++++++++++++++++ From: "Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD" To: Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 09:58:48 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 #2462 On the Air I had a great time building K2 #2462, in about a week and a half of evenings. (See http://www.synergenics.com/k1rfd/k2/ ). I thought I would pass along some suggestions for anyone else planning to tackle it: 1) For sorting parts, "sewing organizers" were useful. I picked up three of these at the drugstore for about a dollar each. These are clear plastic boxes (trays) with a dozen or so rectangular compartments. I labelled each of the compartments with a number, and then noted the number on the parts list while doing inventory -- sounds tedious, but it was actually very fast and saved lots of time locating parts. Parts of different types, with no chance of confusion, can share a compartment. Better than small envelopes because you can see everything. -- snip -- ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Mike Lyness, AF4LQ" To: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (no subject) Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 14:08:39 -0500 When I built my K2 I sorted the capacitors by type/value, then used two small sheets of cardboard to store them on, pushing the leads through the cardboard, something like a pincushion. I labeled each group and this made it very easy to retrieve the correct ones as needed. Everything else, switches/jacks, etc. I just worked from the bags. Plastic trays, etc. work real well too, but with the large assortments of caps in the K2 I found the cardboard "pincushion" saved a lot of "fumbling" time. YMMV. 73, Mike af4lq ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rod N0RC" To: ; Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 9:05 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (no subject) > Daniel, > > For every kit I ever built in the last 4 years I've sorted parts into > 1/2 pint and 1 pint plastic container obtained for FREE from the local > deli! > > The only parts that get special treatment are static sensitive parts. > Those are left in the anti-static bag as shipped from the vendor until > needed. This method has worked fine for at least (probably forgot 1 or > two): > > 1 OHR-100A > 4 NC-40s > 1 SWL-40 > 1 Seirra > 3 Norcal 20s > 3 PSK-20s > 1 SMKL-40 > 1 NC40 > 3 K1's > 3 K2's > > I have never had a static related problem and I live in CO where the > dry air can be problematic WRT to static electricity. > > 73, Rod N0RC > Ft Collins, CO > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 6:22 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] (no subject) > > > > Hi guys, > > > > Would it be a good idea to store my parts for K2 in muffin cookie > pans > > made of metal?? Would it keep away static? +++++++++++++++++ From: "Fred Bergsma" To: "elecraft" Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 15:58:19 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Parts Storage I used egg cartons . One each for caps, resistors, screws etc. Marked = each egg hole with a Magic marker showing the item and size etc.=20 After sorting, checking to the list is easy and clears up some of those = peculiarly marked caps etc.=20 Also when installing caps, for example, the unused items are set aside. This worked just great for me Fred VE3CLS +++++++++++++++++ From: "Rich Lentz" To: "Ben Dalfen" , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] parts storage Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 19:09:18 -0600 I may be having brain failure, but as I recall all of the resistors for the K2 came on a machine insertion strip in the order for installation, why "sort" these out???. As for the capacitors I sorted them by multiplier and type only, and then put each group in small plastic 4 oz containers like yogurt or ice-cream. I would then spend the first few minutes of construction arranging the capacitors that were needed for one or two pages of construction onto some leftover antistatic foam (only because it was handy, Styrofoam would work) This provided an extra "check" of parts placement. Left the ICs and transistors on the shipping anti-static material. Did not inventory any of the parts for the K2 or any of the six options and was only "shorted" two capacitors on the K160RX. Elecraft has EXCELLENT Quality Control - isn't worth the waste of your time to "inventory," IMHO. The thing I would most highly recommend is to get a red pencil and make a second check at the end of each page for correct part, placement, polarity, alignment, soldering, etc. It is easier to see these things before the whole board is stuffed. I actually did this with a black, red, and blue pencil. Yes, that's right, two checks plus the check as recommended at the end of each section. So that I had four check marks on each step when finished. Since using this method, every kit I have built has worked the very first time I turned it on. Have done this since my first disaster back in 1957 with a kit I built that I never got to work (a six transistor AM/FM Lafayette radio kit). It only takes one wrong part in the right hole to destroy many hours of work - if powered up! Rich ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 19:24:00 -0600 To: , From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] new K2 To see an example of this type of sorter, go to: http://home.earthlink.net/~n0ss/kit_build_box.jpg This idea is straight out of the Heathkit manuals of 30-35 years ago! Thanks, Don, for posting it once again. Tom Hammond N0SS At 06:35 PM 3/25/02, Don Wilhelm wrote: >I do have one suggestion for parts organization -- save the shipping >container!!! > >No kidding - cut the edges of that Express mail box and you end up with two >trays each of which has little holes in the edge from the corragated >material - these holes are just the right size for sticking component leads >into - like the capacitors. I put the capacitors in the holes in groups >sorted by value - then I mark the values below each of the groups. ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 16:53:46 -0800 From: "Rick Tavan" Organization: TIBCO Software Inc. To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] parts storage Haven't seen anyone else propose my favorite way of sorting small parts - Scotch tape! I tape clumps of identical small parts by their leads to pieces of 8.5x11 paper. By eyeballing the parts list, I arrange the parts in rough order of value and type. In a big kit, capacitors get their own sheet(s), as do semiconductors and non-presorted resistors. Other stuff gets mixed together. I label the parts by their values so I can quickly pull one out from under the tape when needed. I end up with a small pile of "pages of parts." I force myself to re-check the values at insertion time, but at least I know which one to grab without using a magnifier. When the pages are all empty, the kit is nearly done! I leave bigger stuff in original bags and envelopes and I put hardware in a plastic parts box which doesn't spill as easily as an egg carton. Works for me! /Rick N6XI ++++++++++++++++ From: Tim ORourke To: "'elecraft at mailman.qth.net'" Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 07:16:05 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Parts Storage I buy black static free "sponge" abt 6x6 from RS (same as used to ship IC's) and plug parts by type into it. I end up with 3 squares for a K2 size project. Very easy to find parts fast. BTW I hope all are noticing that K line is showing up as predominant rig in QRP contests. Check out score pages in QRP Quartly. Tim O'Rourke KG4CHX ++++++++++++++++ From: "Steve & Anne Ray" To: "Elecraft" Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 08:36:02 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Parts Storage Just a note, I was in a Bass Outlet store this past week and saw they have plastic containers, that you can set the dividers to where you want them for only $3.49. The dimensions are approximately 12 X 9 X 2 inches. I used several just like them when building my K2. Obliviously, you want to keep the electrostatic parts in their special anti static foam, but for caps, screws etc these are great. Usual disclaimers, just thought they were neat and price was right. 72, Steve Ray K4JPN ex K1VKW EM82ep Warner Robins GA Elecraft K2 1422 Heath Fan HW-101, HW-8 +++++++++++++++++++