Doug:
Your argument is solid for citizens of the USA. But life offshore
is different and the logistics support system from Aptos, while it cannot be
faulted, cannot do anything about the vagaries of postal and transportation
and customs and immigration systems which attract delay and cost, sometimes
of eye-watering magnitude, to those of us who live elsewhere.
I think this thread originated from a ham in DL although I may be
wrong. If so that may be one kind of situation when the additional cost of
Elecraft assembly provides the owner with confidence in the performance of
the K3 after it has gone through the pre-delivery burn-in and function
testing in Aptos. That consideration for some folks may over-ride the valid
benefits from home-built for reasons that have nothing do with the technical
issues associated with K3 Kit assembly and cost savings but rather with the
ability to support the K3 is a timely fashion if/when goes wrong and
salvation resides in a different country.
Just a thought. The correct answer depends upon how the buyer wants
to handle risk mitigation.
Gary, VE1RGB
-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL
Sent: December 21, 2009 8:49 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 DIY vs factory assembled: "If I get a bad part, will
I be stuck?"
I have been posting a LOT of private messages since I don't think they
add much (anything) to general knowledge on the reflector. But this
time, I think this has some merit for those who are still "thinking
about" a K3, factory-assembled versus DIY (kit).
So the recent question raised (not by me) as I see it boils to one of
concern:
If I buy it assembled, it's "guaranteed to work" cuz it's been tested,
VERSUS, what I assemble it myself and it's not up to snuff? Am I
stuck?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! The attitude I have noted from Elecraft is that they
fully support all their radios, even when you assemble it. In the
earlier days of the K3, there were "not uncommon" emails on the
reflector about trading / swapping boards and defective parts (the
rare times that they occur). These ran the full range from missing
some hardware (all radios I have built or helped to build had a
surplus), the infamous "cracked knob" (none of mine), even "I got two
left panels or I can't find the fiber washers.
IMHO, you will NOT be hung out to dry if you assemble it
yourself...you will have TONS of support if you want any and
especially if you need any.
The crew at supp...@elecraft.com is amazing. I even got a response
(well, several) on a holiday weekend when something didn't seem quite
right. Did you read that...on a HOLIDAY WEEKEND!
Very cool, very comforting.
Go for it.
de Doug KR2Q
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