|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
1-6 of 6 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Elecraft K1 and K2 for beginner
|
Reply
|
|
by K1RDD on January 31, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have been looking at the Elecraft kits, and was wondering if the K2 was too advanced for a real beginner with virtually no electronics background. I know how to solder, and am enrolled in a Beginners Electronics course at the local night school, but that's the extent of my experince.
The K1 looks neat in that it is very portable, but I'm not a big fan of QRP (life's too short...) and would like some of the available features of the K2. Would I be getting in over my head with the K2, and be better off trying my skills out on the K1 first?
|
| |
|
RE: Elecraft K1 and K2 for beginner
|
Reply
|
|
by WB2WIK on January 31, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
If you don't mind going through this effort, I'd start with the K1. It's a much less complicated kit, and when you're all done you have a great little rig that you may well want to keep even if you do later buy the K2.
But, if you don't want to keep it, you can probably sell it for exactly what it cost you in kit form. The K1 is an "in demand" rig on the used market and I see them go for "brand new" prices there, evidently because there are anxious buyers who can't or don't want to put them together.
I built the K2 for a friend and found it a wonderful kit, reminiscent of the "Heathkit experience" of 30 years ago. Very well done, but a lot of parts, and quite complex.
What a neat rig when it's all done! Probably the best receiver I've ever used, or very close to it.
WB2WIK/6
|
| |
|
RE: Elecraft K1 and K2 for beginner
|
Reply
|
|
by W9GB on February 9, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Which ever you choose, a good temperature-controlled soldering station makes a difference (e.g. Weller TCP, EC or new WES series, Hakko 936, Pace, Edysn)
I repair Weller TCP units for Elecraft builders.
Greg
w9gb
|
| |
|
RE: Elecraft K1 and K2 for beginner
|
Reply
|
|
by W9GB on February 9, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Which ever you choose, a good temperature-controlled soldering station makes a difference (e.g. Weller TCP, EC or new WES series, Hakko 936, Pace, Edysn)
I repair Weller TCP units for Elecraft builders.
Greg
w9gb
|
| |
|
RE: Elecraft K1 and K2 for beginner
|
Reply
|
|
by W2VD on February 12, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I've built one K1 and two K2's. They are both fine rigs. But with the K2, you have the option of SSB capability, as well as the potential to add the KPA100 100W amplifier and other option kits.
In the past, I had built a number of kits and homebrew projects. When deciding on building the K1 versus K2, I decided on building the K1 first, as I had not built anything in a number of years. But to be honest, I don't believe that building the K2 is more "difficult" than building the K1. It's just that the K2 has "more" to build. In retrospect, I could have just built a K2 from the start.
If you know how to solder properly and understand basic construction techniques, I'd probably go with the K2. Use a good, temp controlled soldering station. Organize your work area, and sort your parts. Use good lighting. And if you have trouble seeing small stuff, use a magnifier or Optivisor.
The K1 is a sweet little CW rig, and is great for ultra portable operations. But this is pretty much what it will always be. On the other hand, the basic K2 is an 80-10m CW rig, with a super receiver. You can add 160m, noise blanker, SSB adapter, 100w amp, etc. with option kits. And you can join the Elecraft reflector, where there are lots of people willing to help you along. And direct support from Elecraft is great. If you follow the assembly manual exactly, and solder well, you will be rewarded with an FB rig. Just take your time, and if you have any questions, Elecraft of the folks on the Elecraft reflector are there to help.
Hope this helps,
Mike W2VD
|
| |
|
RE: Elecraft K1 and K2 for beginner
|
Reply
|
|
by 5R8GQ on February 13, 2003
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hello:
I would buy the K1 first and build
it for the experience, then sell it.
It's worth the building experience
and getting used to the Elecraft way of
doing things. The other fellow was right on,
you MUST get a temp controlled soldering iron.
Regular irons get too hot and can ruin IC chips
even cause thin traces to come off the PC board.
I have built three K1's and four K2's,
and would be happy to give you e-mail
help and advice alomg the way.
Go for it! Build your own rig and
you'll be a REAL ham.
Hope this helps.
73, Ken Pendarvis AD6KA/5R8GQ
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
Forum, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Forum Manager.
|
|
|
