Unofficial Guide to Elecraft K2 Mod's

I started this guide when the number of modifications on the Elecraft email reflector started to overwhelm me, and I could no longer find modifications or determine whether they were important to do or not. After the K2 was revised in October 2002 (serial number 3000), this became much easier. Therefore the guide is organized into one primary and two secondary lists:

1. General modifications applicable to any K2
   (last update 1 April 2023). 
2. Elecraft modifications to bring your K2 up to date with serial numbers 3000+ (last update 9 April 2014)
3. Elecraft modifications that took place for various serial numbers prior to 3000
   (last update 9 April 2014)

The first list consists of modifications that are meant to adapt the K2 to various user needs, or they are simply modifications contributed by K2 owners who found building so fun that they could not stop after the K2 was completed. This section also covers a few performance modifications contributed after the serial number 3000 revision was done, some of which are now standard. Lists 2 and 3 will help you bring an old K2 (serial no <3000) up to date with the latest modifications generated or approved by Elecraft.

In any case, it is highly recommended that you assemble the K2 as is, tune it, and make your first contacts before considering any modifications. After you get some experience, you may go back to the list and consider the modifications.

I hope you will find the guide helpful and will have as much fun as I have had building, upgrading, modifying, breaking and fixing my K2 in addition to operating it!

Resources for understanding the K2

• A compilation of K2 schematics (LA3ZA)
• Data sheets for most of the major components of the K2 (WB4VLQ) (scroll about one page down)
• Reflections from the Elecraft E-mail reflector (VE3MCF)

Resources for aligning and troubleshooting the K2

• Alignment instructions extracted from K2 manual (W3FPR)
• K2 Cheap and Dirty Signal Tracing (N0SS)
• K2 receiver sensitivity check (K8ZOA)
• K2 do's and dont's (LA3ZA)

Resources for building and modifying the K2

• Elecraft K2 Alerts, Enhancements and Application Notes (goto Classic Line: K2 Mods and Notes, K2 Revision A to B Upgrade, or  K2 Revision B Component Upgrade Kit)
• Rework Eliminator™ Option Bypass Headers (Un-Modules) and Internal Mic Adaptor

Disclaimer

The modifications presented here have not all been officially endorsed by Elecraft. They should not be implemented before the K2 works and is tuned properly. Even though we try very hard, we cannot guarantee them to be correct. The authors of these modifications or the author of this web-page will therefore not be liable for any damage that they may cause to the K2. However, these modifications have all been implemented by home-brewers and we have no reason to believe that they will not give the desired effect in other K2s.

First version 22 Nov 2001.