FINALLY! The

[@w2aew]

I believe those pins in the hardware envelope were actually pin/sockets. The idea being that you would solder those to the RF board, and then the wired pins on the charger board would simply plug-in to these sockets. Thus, the board can be installed/removed in the future without soldering or desoldering.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes indeed, in the video I soldered the socket to the board that had a clearly opened hole. The "E" hole is a bit of a problem child that required adapting things some :D

[@PapasDino]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse A more elegant solution I think would have been for them to simply use small gauge solid wires on the radio board to a connector on the battery controller PCB sort of like the speaker connector. BTW, nice meeting you Josh on your visit to our Virginia group discussion on keeping hams engaged a couple of weeks ago. 73 - Dino KLØS

[@hamradiowithkevin]

This is super helpful Josh, thank you for showing EVERYTHING, now I know what to expect. Yes very glad about this upgrade.

[@colby6855]

The KX2 is my favorite radio and I've wanted this feature for years, but that is a lot of money. I think I'll keep swapping batteries or plugging a spare into the side.

[@damian-g4lht]

Yes, it’s what I wanted, pity they didn’t do a trade in for the old board, add their insane postal costs to the UK plus import taxes and you think, perhaps i’ll stick with what i’ve got, really need a lipo/lion solution for the KX3.

[@Henviggdbgjt]

Ahh memories of making the MARS modification to my Kenwood TH-25AT…then slicing a ribbon cable as I closed up the case. Thanks for illustrating that experts can experience problems, too.

[@michael.mcshan]

Thanks for posting this video, Josh. I have the board on order and was grateful to see your experience. It’s for situations like this that I sprang for a desoldering station. I don’t need it often, but when I do it’s a life saver (or, at least a stomach lining saver).

[@andrerobitaille559]

I have a set of tiny drill bits I’ve not needed yet, and the Hakko desoldering gun that I’ve used many, many times. I can’t imagine a world without it.

[@andrerobitaille559]

Ordered mine Sunday after hearing you mention it awhile back on the podcast.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Glad to hear Elecraft finally came out with a solution. I did a similar upgrade years ago with a WindCamp KX2 Shield Kit which also provides internal battery charging capabilities via a dedicated secondary charging port. This requires that you utilize an external power source that has its own lithium charge controller circuit (you can't just plug in any 13.8v power supply into it). The advantage is that the WindCamp KX2 Shield Kit is about $100 less than the Elecraft option.

[@allencb]

The method I used for the E-pin install was to use a jeweler's drill to drill out most (think deep divot) of that solder, then I soldered the pin in place. It has held through 6 SOTA activations and a 4-day camping trip. The KXIBC2 was particularly useful in facilitating charging while at camp (used the 12v socket on my truck). 73 KI4POT

[@aurtisanminer2827]

I like the idea of using a small tile for a soldering platform!

[@aj2isotadxing]

A great upgrade for an already great radio

[@ubergeek318]

This makes me want a Kx2 even more now. My wallet does not appreciate it.

[@barrykery1175]

Great instructional video. Thanks for posting. That was my only complaint about the KX2, not being able to charge the battery w/o removing it. Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@iamjasonwilkins]

Fun crossover to have an LTT video in my feed followed by this video with the LTT screwdriver appearing.

[@devinhedge]

I love this video. Ham radio: the only hobby where you get a factory mod and are encouraged to void warranties. 🎉

[@duncanchaboudy4187]

This video definitely made my palms sweat. Looked dicey.

[@UntrackedEndorphins]

I hope that battery pack comes with internal balanced charging

[@AlphaCharlieFour]

I don't have a kx2 but I still like the video.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks.

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

When you have a hole that is stubborn and solder wick isn't working add fresh solder to it then solder wick it. Chem Wick solder wick is hands down the best! If your soldering iron is adjustable heat bump it to 700 or 750...

[@ai5dd]

Thanks, I have this board on the way from Elecraft, even though I have the old original time board. I think it's worth it to charge the internal battery without having to remove it every time. 73/72 de AI5DD Joe P.S. I think it's easier if you removed the side panel to see the pins when you're installing it.

[@WilliamParmley]

Excellent video! Appreciated seeing the installation "warts and all." I learned a lot from watching your technique. One thought/question -- in another video you used ceramic tipped tweezers. (And I immediately ordered a pair for my electronics tool box!) Wonder why you didn't use those when trying to heat the pin and insert in the "E" hole as they would not have conducted heat away as did the metal pliers. Maybe not enough grip with the tweezers?

[@gliderrider]

My clock board never kept time. It would be off minutes everyday. So I might as well replace it. Wait, $139?! And I’ll lose my grounding mini banana plug? Never mind.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You don’t lose the mini ground plug. That’s on the other side.

[@billcosgrave6232]

For the life of me I do not understand why people make such a big deal about removing the battery from the KX2 to recharge it. I have been using the KX2 nearly every week for the last two years. I have changed the battery in the field dozens of time and have never had a problem. The only thing I wish the KX2 did have is a pan adapter, similar to the one that exists for the KX3 only battery powered. If such a device existed I would ditch my IC-705. (Just kidding! I would never ditch the IC-705. It is such a chick magnet that it is better than owning a French bulldog. BTW, I did get rid of my French Bulldog.).

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Well it’s your lucky day. For I have created this video to help you understand why someone doesn’t want to open and close a kx2 over and over to swap batteries. The speaker cable, the bare electronics, the tiny thumb screws. All things I don’t want to mess with in the field or worry about stress damage of from repeated use.

[@billcosgrave6232]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse 👍

[@andrerobitaille559]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Same. I have no desire to keep opening my radio. The KX3 is even worse because the springs for the AA shoot the batteries like a rocket, so smashing into the internal boards is guaranteed.

[@jpoconnor5744]

In the video, if you look carefully, there are two points labeled RXQ and RXI on the main RF board. They are low level I/Q signals. Quantum SDR has a nice unit that will amplify the signals and provide a full featured panadapter/reciever. They will include the simple wiring and instructions to solder to those two points and bring the signals out.

[@davidshermanlittle919]

Not available Apr 5th and I ordered it before Mar 15th. Delivery slow due to vendor slow to ship to Elecraft. So I am waiting! Does this mean that Elecraft is not the manufacture? Looks that way.

[@anthonyrosa5006]

I think that a pin drill might help.

[@KernsJW]

Flux is your friend! Use it more! That radio looks awesome

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Sigh, if only i had a kx2 lol

[@dougdaniels]

Does Elecraft have an option to send the KX2 in to have them install the board? I'm just not good enough at soldering to attempt this.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

They do not at this time have that included in the build, but I would not at all be surprised if it didn't show up as a future feature.

[@TingILi]

The problem has 2, the first problem is "no stock" and the second problem is the price is too high (no kits).

[@MrAlanmcd]

how long does it take to charge while internal? Is the 15hrs quoted correct?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I haven't charged a completely dead battery so I am unsure yet.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Not using the KX2 because it doesn't have an internal charger is like not dating Christie Brinkley because she is wearing a blue bikini instead of a red one. DUDE, IT'S CHRISTIE BRINKLEY!

[@WX4CB]

in the photos i saw it's a red one so problem solved :D

[@RookieLock]

What kind of flux pen is that? I gotta get one of those.

[@pnowikow]

Elecraft kx2 versus icom 705. You have them both which one do you like more for portability? Besides the fancy screen on the 705 how does it compare to the kx2?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Portability, like hiking and living out of a backpack, KX2

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Did your heart skip when that pin broke?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yeah man. I was not happy!

[@Tommyr]

No way I'm messing with mine. It's no big deal carrying a small LiFePo4 around to plug in.

[@justcompton]

The fact that this isn’t offered to existing customers for free is ridiculous. It should have been built in to the radio from the start.

[@JonathanKayne]

And I just bought a kx2 a few hours ago from another ham.

[@jonthompson2179]

Can you still use an external battery on your KX2?

[@adamap2796]

Of course

[@vhfgamer]

Nice of elecraft to do what Xeigu did years ago.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Where do you think Xiegu got the idea for their radios? 😳

[@vhfgamer]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Maybe they got the idea for little brick sized radios from Elecraft, but you have to admit the X5105 had internal charging long before Elecraft finally did.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The X5105 is the direct copy of the KX2. Xiegu used the KX2 as a the model for what they wanted their radio to do and the X5105 performs much poorer than the KX2 as an actual radio.

[@vhfgamer]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Uh... you did a review of the two radios side by side. Much poorer? You might want to go review your own footage.

[@Blake-jl8lh]

Gee a lot of people in these comments are being sad hams :/ Guys if you don't like a radio just don't buy it.

[@Pedro8k]

I cannot believe at the cost of the kx2 you have to take the battery out to charge it I hope the mod was free but I bet it was not also I would not attempt this unless you have the skills needed

[@tyk8168]

This question is not pertaining to this video. However I am curious if I use an 8DBI antenna from my helium miner that is mounted externally on my roof. For let's say a cheap radio like the uv-5R would it transmit and receive? Or would it fry the radio? If anyone knows I am quite interested. It's an 8dbi omnidirectional. Edit: by the way I'm new as in 5 days ago looking into ham. It's interesting to me and I want to collect information. I thought you were a serious guy.. as a different channel brought me here and uses the phrase sad ham... thanks for your serious response and support helping interested ham users 25 to 45 age range...

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Helium is a Ponzi scheme.

[@tyk8168]

@Ham Radio Crash Course my question is about the antenna. Does anyone know if the antenna would work. The cable is not in question nor is helium being or not being a "ponzi" I'm just curious if using an 8DBi omnidirectional antenna would work as a ham antenna. Especially since my antenna is mounted 36 feet in the air on my roof.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Not seeing the antenna, and not having the product number to where I can look it up, the answer is likely no, you can't reuse the antenna. Helium is operating outside of any of the ham radio bands, so the antenna is likely tunned outside our operating space.

[@SldgeHammr]

The 6100 has had internal charging. Just saying lol

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You are indeed "just saying" if you're comparing these two radios :D

[@SldgeHammr]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I gotta take what I can get. Lol keep up the hard work Josh

[@dgafkucky]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I always thought the x6100 or kx2 would head to head don't why people tried to make a x6100 vs ic 705

[@Blake-jl8lh]

​@@dgafkucky color screen tbh

[@dgafkucky]

@@Blake-jl8lh ohh ok ..Just bought some anti glare for my 6100.. hehe

[@marcinmichigan2772]

$140 battery charger - no thanks.

[@whiteknight68]

anyone having a problem paying the fcc. I just got my general .

[@alexsmit1829]

I just soldered a jumper to the board for $0 and quietly charge the battery inside.

[@briansalsbery9968]

Was the pliers being too much of a heat sink while soldering? Perhaps ceramic tipped tweezers would allow more heat to get to the joint. de AC7PB