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Reviews For: Rework Eliminator™ K2 Internal Mic Adaptor

Category: QRP Accessories

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Review Summary For : Rework Eliminator™ K2 Internal Mic Adaptor
Reviews: 12MSRP: 23.50
Description:
The Rework Eliminator™ K2 Internal Mic Adaptor (IMA) is a tiny circuit assembly consisting of two multi-layer boards, that fits snugly behind the K2’s Front Panel. Once installed, this clever device more-than-dramatically simplifies the task of reconfiguring the pin-out of the K2’s mic jack to support any of 66 popular (8-pin Foster) microphones. These include all Alinco, Elecraft, Heil, Icom, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, and Yaesu models.

In addition to “rewiring” the pin-out, any of seven jumper selectable external bias resistances can also be configured.

A four-page color-printed booklet of assembly instructions is included, and a very informative 16-page PDF user’s guide can be downloaded from our website. For handy reference, a self-adhesive quick-reference decal is included, which contains the guide’s most essential content.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.unpcbs.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00125
WA6VNN Rating: 2007-09-09
Rework Eliminator's K2 Internal Mic Adaptor Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just finished assembling and installing the K2IMA produced by Rework Eliminator (http://www.unpcbs.com/) on my K2/100 (sn 4887) and I'm thoroughly delighted with the results. I assembled the parts using a small vice and my trusty old Weller MP-107 soldering iron. After assembling the module it took about 15 minutes to attach it to the existing mic header connectors on the K2 Control Board. Within less than 20 minutes I was able to reassemble the K2/100 and test configurations for over half a dozen mics, every one working the first time. I hold this due to the excellent documentation for mic coinfiguration that is included with the IMA. Mics tested included some old and some new: Elecraft/Heil Proset-K2, Icom HM-12 and HM-14, Yaesu MH-1B, and an old Alinco EMS-10 (same wiring as EMS-5A.) It takes less than a 2 minutes to pop the side cover off, configure the jumpers, replace the cover and swap the mics. 73 - Al WA6VNN
W3DVX Rating: 2007-09-09
IMA is useful product for the Elecraft K2 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If you have an Elecraft K2, and several microphones, then this Internal Mic Adaptor (IMA) is for you. Even if you don't have any mic at the moment, the IMA will give you flexibility to choose something later.

The problem with the K2 is that you need to take out the control board and remove the front-panel assembly each time you change mics. Then you set jumpers and solder in the proper bias resistor if required. When I build a K2, I normally set it up with the Elecraft default: jumpers straight across and a 5.6K resistor. Other configurations I connect using wire-wrap from pin-to-pin as needed ... and perhaps change the resistor. Changing mics is not something you would want to do frequently, if at all.

The better way is this IMA ... it's installed once (easily), and when you want to use a different mic, all you do is take off the left-side cover to reach the IMA jumpers. The jumpers configure both the mic pin-outs and the bias resistor.

The two IMAs that I built so far took less than half an hour each to put together. A very small soldering iron and very thin solder is required, especially for the surface-mount socket that fits over the Elecraft jumper block. The product quality is excellent.

It works as advertised, at least on the two mics that I normally use here: the Elecraft MH2 and the Icom HM-36. I can now change mics in minutes without the hassle. Having a handy printout of the on-line user guide helps when selecting the proper jumper settings.

If there's a downside to the IMA, I should probably mention that those jumpers aren't very big, and you want to avoid dropping one on the floor! The extended end of each jumper can be grasped most easily with small needle-nose pliers for changing the settings.

As a builder of many Elecrafts, I can easily recommend this product to my clients. It's worth the twenty-something dollars for the flexibility. Visit the IMA website and take a closer look ... it might be just the product you need for your K2.