Just finished my KPA500 build--number 156. It went together pretty smoothly, but I have a suggestion for subsequent builders. Probably most of you would have done this anyway, but I didn't! What I now think is a good practice, and what I didn't do, is to take all of the screws as you inventory them and put them in clearly marked and separate trays by size and type. They come in various bags, and many of them are confusing to distinguish from each other since many are very similar in size. There are a lot of them!!!! I didn't remember having that much difficulty distinguishing screw sizes/types on other Elecraft kits.
I had counted the screws, and marked them on the inventory, going bag by bag. I assumed it might be easier to keep them in each bag after inventory, and that they would then be easier to locate as you build each section. Problem is, you actually move back and forth a bit, between some of the sections, and there is a bag of "miscellaneous parts" you have to dip into now and then. Anyway, I just think separating them all at the outset is better and faster ultimately. The interlock actuator calls for a 4-40 1/2" black flat head screw (P. 39). I didn't find one, nor do I see one on the inventory. That's the only parts list item I couldn't locate. When I did the "power up" test, to check my mains voltage setting, the display simply said "MCU LOAD". That threw me for a minute, and wasn't mentioned in the instructions as something to expect (hope it is normal!), but eventually I got a proper display and was able to confirm my line voltage as being adequate for the way I have the amp configured. Everything packs in there appropriately, but little room to spare. I probably spent 5 or 6 hours putting it together. I wasn't in a big hurry. It's a beautiful piece of gear! Dave W7AQK ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 7.0.0.18, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.17890) http://www.pctools.com/ ======= ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
