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How long did it take you to finish your K2 build?
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I got the kit the first week in July, and the basic radio was complete by the middle of August. But, I had to do some troubleshooting to find a defective RF choke. That turned out to be pretty straight forward, but then I had to wait for the replacement part to arrive from Elecraft. So I think I was fully operational by about the third week in August.
Once the basic radio is built, then (and only then) you can start adding the options. I used the
Rework Eliminator option bypass headers, during the basic radio building process. It adds a little extra time during the initial building stage, but it saves a bunch of time when it comes to adding the options. The noise blanker and the audio filter went together very quickly. You could probably build them in one evening, if you are dedicated. But I'm slow, so I guess it took me a couple of days for each one. The antenna tuner and the SSB options are a little more involved, and I guess it took me a few days for each one.
I've read that a new K2 builder can build one in about 40 hours, and an experienced K2 builder can do it in about 25. But damned if I know how. It probably took me three times that long. On the other hand, my K2, and all of the options worked properly (except for the defective choke) from the get go.
It was a slow deliberate process for me, but I really enjoyed it. I always looked forward to sitting down at the work bench and breathing in some solder smoke.