Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Build impressions
Welcome to the cult, I meanerr kit building experience, a.k.a. Mojo. It is interesting to hear you talk about the initial overwhelming amount of parts. With my K2 I did an inventory, and broke many of the parts out into containers for each stage. It was a nice sense of accomplishment watching the parts disappearing, and peeking ahead to see that tests were going to be run. I bought the K2 to have a quality CW radio that I could work on. I was blindsided by how fun the kit building experience was, and enjoyed it much more than I expected. - David Wilburn [EMAIL PROTECTED] K4DGW K2 S/N 5982 On Sat, 2007-12-15 at 10:38 +, Stewart Rolfe wrote: > Just finished putting K3 000145 together and as an Elecraft 'virgin' > wanted to pass on some thoughts. > > The kit quality quite simply is superb. It all went together so smoothly > and there was no pushing, bending, flexing necessary in order to get > things to fit; screw holes just lined up exactly first time. The few > 'gotchas' were always predicted and well documented and illustrated. > Occasionally some hardware seemed to be missing but was discovered > lurking (logically) in envelopes in other modules so remember to check > before emailing Aptos. > > Almost the only tool I used was the larger of the 2 cross-head > screwdrivers normally found in those little watchmaker kits; did every > screw in the kit and fitted exactly each screw head and no temptation to > over tighten. The fine tweezers came in handy later on for locating > screws in the tighter spots before screwing down. > > When the kit arrived it took my breath away because of the number of > modules and bags etc - I'd ordered the atu and 100w module in addition > as well as a couple of filters. They soon disappear though as everything > goes together, and it took 2 sessions of 3-4 hours each to get to the > initial (qrp) testing/alignment stage. I do have a bone to pick with > them though under trade descriptions as I did actually use my soldering > iron to solder the terminals for the DC connector so it wasn't a > completely 'no solder' experience...! > > I just know the build quality is going to be a portent of the > performance quality. > > 73, > > Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3 - Build impressions
Tnx for the feedback, Stewart! The K3 isn't a trivial assembly process, even though all the boards are pre-assembled and tested. Wayne is an absolute task master requiring that the assembly procedure be as clear and easy to follow as possible. You wrote, "I did actually use my soldering iron to solder the terminals for the DC connector so it wasn't a completely 'no solder' experience...! You must be talking about the d-c power cable kit that Elecraft includes WITH your K3 kit for those who don't have a suitable cable equipped with Anderson PowerPole connectors on hand. The K3 itself does not require any soldering to assemble. There was some discussion about that at the time it was decided to include the external power cable kit with each K3, but it was felt that many builders might not have a suitable cable on hand and no one wanted to have you say "I don't have the right cable!!" when it was time to apply power to you K3! Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stewart Rolfe Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:38 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Build impressions Just finished putting K3 000145 together and as an Elecraft 'virgin' wanted to pass on some thoughts. The kit quality quite simply is superb. It all went together so smoothly and there was no pushing, bending, flexing necessary in order to get things to fit; screw holes just lined up exactly first time. The few 'gotchas' were always predicted and well documented and illustrated. Occasionally some hardware seemed to be missing but was discovered lurking (logically) in envelopes in other modules so remember to check before emailing Aptos. Almost the only tool I used was the larger of the 2 cross-head screwdrivers normally found in those little watchmaker kits; did every screw in the kit and fitted exactly each screw head and no temptation to over tighten. The fine tweezers came in handy later on for locating screws in the tighter spots before screwing down. When the kit arrived it took my breath away because of the number of modules and bags etc - I'd ordered the atu and 100w module in addition as well as a couple of filters. They soon disappear though as everything goes together, and it took 2 sessions of 3-4 hours each to get to the initial (qrp) testing/alignment stage. I do have a bone to pick with them though under trade descriptions as I did actually use my soldering iron to solder the terminals for the DC connector so it wasn't a completely 'no solder' experience...! I just know the build quality is going to be a portent of the performance quality. 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 - Build impressions
Just finished putting K3 000145 together and as an Elecraft 'virgin' wanted to pass on some thoughts. The kit quality quite simply is superb. It all went together so smoothly and there was no pushing, bending, flexing necessary in order to get things to fit; screw holes just lined up exactly first time. The few 'gotchas' were always predicted and well documented and illustrated. Occasionally some hardware seemed to be missing but was discovered lurking (logically) in envelopes in other modules so remember to check before emailing Aptos. Almost the only tool I used was the larger of the 2 cross-head screwdrivers normally found in those little watchmaker kits; did every screw in the kit and fitted exactly each screw head and no temptation to over tighten. The fine tweezers came in handy later on for locating screws in the tighter spots before screwing down. When the kit arrived it took my breath away because of the number of modules and bags etc - I'd ordered the atu and 100w module in addition as well as a couple of filters. They soon disappear though as everything goes together, and it took 2 sessions of 3-4 hours each to get to the initial (qrp) testing/alignment stage. I do have a bone to pick with them though under trade descriptions as I did actually use my soldering iron to solder the terminals for the DC connector so it wasn't a completely 'no solder' experience...! I just know the build quality is going to be a portent of the performance quality. 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
