Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
Dear OM, with regard to my questions regarding kit building or not, I received in the last a lot a of information being helpful to me in the matter of my decision for 2010 concerning my shack equipment. Now, I want thank you all in Germany and in the world very much for your respective info- Have a nice Christmas time and a prosper New Year 2010. best regards from Germany -- 73 de Volker, *DD1VW* __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I built my K3. I enjoyed the process tremendously. While it's not a true kit per se, assembling it one's self does have some benefits. Apart from saving a few bucks - especially if you already have the tools as I did - you get to see how well the rig was designed. It also instills some confidence in trouble shooting or replacing components should that need arise. In my case, I did not have any problems after assembly. The radio worked as it should, and passed all calibration procedures without incident. Only months after assembly did I have a component fail; Elecraft was very quick to ship a replacement. I did not have to send the radio back to perform the repair as I was already familiar and comfortable with assembly and disassembly to perform the swap myself. 73 and Merry Christmas, James K2QI __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
Phil, You will probably get a lot of opinions both ways. Those who spent the extra money for factory built probably did so for good reason, and are glad they did. Most (nearly all?) who opted to do the kit, are probably just as glad they saved the $200! All I can add is that doing the kit is not nearly as bad as you might think. After all, it's more of an assembly process than a build. There is no comparison to to a K3 kit vs. a K2 kit. There is no soldering--only interconnection of various boards. However, if you feel you are a little light on dexterity, which can be for a number of good reasons, then by all means spend the extra money for a factory built unit. The K3 is very well made, and everything fits together very neatly. Only one or two steps really require anything that might be considered manipulation, and those steps are really very well described in the manual. Early kits may have had a slightly more difficult process, but with 3,000 of these rigs out there now, I think any such issues have been resolved. In my view, the only difficult part was making sure that the three or four interconnecting cables inside the rig were properly seated. Otherwise, it is pretty much a matter of just mounting boards, and putting in a bunch of screws. It's basically modular construction--just like assembly of a computer--maybe not even that difficult. Dave W7AQK - Original Message - From: Phil Hystad k7...@comcast.net To: w...@msn.com Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net; 'Dave Hachadorian' k...@arrl.net Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 7:40 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can spend the time to put it together. But, I am also a little bit wondering if the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning experience when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems. If the kit cost versus factory built cost were different by a wider margin it would be an easier decision. phil, K7PEH On Dec 20, 2009, at 6:27 PM, Ed Muns wrote: This is an important point and one that should be considered in the decision to get the factory-built K3 or the kit. Actually the sub-assemblies are tested as individual units. But the set of sub-assemblies in a kit have not been tested together as a system. The factory system tests are more rigorous than what most of us can do with the kit and certainly more rigorous than the kit instructions provide. And, while rare, it is possible that sub-assembly tolerances can combine in a way that causes a system problem. (However, most, if not all, of such system issues are resolved via email or phone with Elecraft support.) So the key considerations are money saved and K3 learning vs. the value of the factory system testing. Of course, you can always send your kit K3 to the factory for the system test but that is likely to be more expensive than getting the factory-built unit in the first place. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard K6LL wrote: I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing. Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. __ 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 __ 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 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
On Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:03:49 +0100, Volker Wchter wrote: as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. Yes, it is, and it is most critical in cold climates in the winter. But that ESD kit can be limited to a wrist strap and a conductive mat. It also helps to do your assembly work in a part of your home where ESD is minimal (for example, avoid carpets and upholstered furniture). I built two K3s, and I'm quite happy that I did. About 10 hours for the first one, 8 hours for the second one. The savings is considerable. You're simply fitting boards and chassis pieces together. No soldering. A few voltmeter and ohmmeter readings to verify that all is well. All of the boards are thoroughly tested at the factory. The only tricky part is fitting together some multi-pin connectors associated with the front panel, and the instructions provide entirely adequate guidance. The second receiver is also a bit of a close fit. If you're old and feeble, or have some sort of physical handicap, you could enlist the support of another person without that handicap for these tasks. Bottom line -- I STRONGLY recommend buying the K3 in kit form. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I enjoyed building my two K3's. To me it adds to the radio and the experience. It is not overly difficult to build. I have a bit more invested in my radio's than just some $$$. Like Ed and Dave, I can easily see the value of buying the built radio. The cost of assembly was not a factor in my case. Mike W0MU CC Packet Cluster W0MU-1 W0MU.NET or 67.40.148.194 A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over. Ben Franklin -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ed Muns Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 7:57 PM To: 'Phil Hystad' Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use Hi, Phil. The vast majority of K3 kits are assembled with no problems. K6LL's experience is rare. I personally value the kit building experience more than Dave indicated. OTOH, I can also see the comfort in the integrity of a factory-built/tested K3. So, it really comes down to each individual's preferences and what they each value as most important. There is not a single right answer for everyone. The point that Dave and I are making is that saving some cost on the kit is not the only consideration. The value of the factory-built K3s is not just the assembly time and labor but also the system testing. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard -Original Message- From: Phil Hystad [mailto:k7...@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, 20 December, 2009 18:40 To: w...@msn.com Cc: 'Dave Hachadorian'; 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can spend the time to put it together. But, I am also a little bit wondering if the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning experience when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems. If the kit cost versus factory built cost were different by a wider margin it would be an easier decision. phil, K7PEH On Dec 20, 2009, at 6:27 PM, Ed Muns wrote: This is an important point and one that should be considered in the decision to get the factory-built K3 or the kit. Actually the sub-assemblies are tested as individual units. But the set of sub-assemblies in a kit have not been tested together as a system. The factory system tests are more rigorous than what most of us can do with the kit and certainly more rigorous than the kit instructions provide. And, while rare, it is possible that sub-assembly tolerances can combine in a way that causes a system problem. (However, most, if not all, of such system issues are resolved via email or phone with Elecraft support.) So the key considerations are money saved and K3 learning vs. the value of the factory system testing. Of course, you can always send your kit K3 to the factory for the system test but that is likely to be more expensive than getting the factory-built unit in the first place. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard K6LL wrote: I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing. Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
The K3 kit needs an anti-static wrist strap and mat, they need not be expensive and will be useful for other tasks. You also need a small selection of basic hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, etc), a low cost digital multi-meter to check for shorts and a 50 Ohm load rated to cope with the maximum output of your particular K3 kit. Nothing out of the ordinary for a typical ham shack. The only soldering required is to fit the Anderson Power Pole connectors on the power lead. Alignment is semi automatic with the K3 utility program. Assembly/testing time around 4 ~ 5 hours depending on options. I have worked in electronics all my working life, but other builders are not in the trade and find assembly straightforward. You can download and read the manual before making a choice. 73 Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80 (from Nov 2007) I do not know what most of you did. As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. what do you recommend ? do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. what did you do ? 73 de Volker, DD1VW __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I bought mine already assembled. Good thing because when I had problems with audio distortion, the first thing they asked me was did I build it. No was the good answer. Bob W6TR - Original Message - From: Volker Wächter dd...@gmx.de To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 2:03 PM Subject: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use Hello @ all, I do not know what most of you did. As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. what do you recommend ? do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. what did you do ? 73 de Volker, DD1VW __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
My first K3 was a field test unit. They were all factory assembled so Elecraft could learn what they needed to write the assembly manual. My second K3 was a kit and I enjoyed building it very much. The manual is very clear. With almost all options it took about 10-12 hours to build and check out. You need minimal skills to build it and the warranty is the same as a factory-assembled unit. But you learn a lot about the rig and you won't be afraid to partially disassemble it in the future if you need to replace a module. For this extra education and experience they actually charge a lower price! For me it was an easy choice. I recommend the factory-assembled option only for hams can not read simple English or who have physical coordination problems, fear of electronics or extremely busy lives. Either way, though, you will enjoy operating your K3! 73, /Rick On 12/20/09, Volker Wächter dd...@gmx.de wrote: Hello @ all, I do not know what most of you did. As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. what do you recommend ? do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. what did you do ? 73 de Volker, DD1VW __ 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 -- Rick Tavan N6XI Truckee, CA __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I don't know if my experience was unique, but I decided on the kit, and did, indeed, find that assembly went smoothly in the usually stated 10-12 hours. However, I was so struck by how precisely everything went together (almost like a puzzle), that I subsequently felt anxious about trying to undo anything. Dick, KA1SA #911 At 05:25 PM 12/20/2009, Rick Tavan N6XI wrote: My first K3 was a field test unit. They were all factory assembled so Elecraft could learn what they needed to write the assembly manual. My second K3 was a kit and I enjoyed building it very much. The manual is very clear. With almost all options it took about 10-12 hours to build and check out. You need minimal skills to build it and the warranty is the same as a factory-assembled unit. But you learn a lot about the rig and you won't be afraid to partially disassemble it in the future if you need to replace a module. For this extra education and experience they actually charge a lower price! For me it was an easy choice. I recommend the factory-assembled option only for hams can not read simple English or who have physical coordination problems, fear of electronics or extremely busy lives. Either way, though, you will enjoy operating your K3! 73, /Rick On 12/20/09, Volker Wächter dd...@gmx.de wrote: Hello @ all, I do not know what most of you did. As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. what do you recommend ? do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. what did you do ? 73 de Volker, DD1VW __ 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 -- Rick Tavan N6XI Truckee, CA __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing. Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ - Original Message - From: Volker Wächter dd...@gmx.de To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:03 PM Subject: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use Hello @ all, I do not know what most of you did. As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. what do you recommend ? do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. what did you do ? 73 de Volker, DD1VW __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
This is an important point and one that should be considered in the decision to get the factory-built K3 or the kit. Actually the sub-assemblies are tested as individual units. But the set of sub-assemblies in a kit have not been tested together as a system. The factory system tests are more rigorous than what most of us can do with the kit and certainly more rigorous than the kit instructions provide. And, while rare, it is possible that sub-assembly tolerances can combine in a way that causes a system problem. (However, most, if not all, of such system issues are resolved via email or phone with Elecraft support.) So the key considerations are money saved and K3 learning vs. the value of the factory system testing. Of course, you can always send your kit K3 to the factory for the system test but that is likely to be more expensive than getting the factory-built unit in the first place. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard K6LL wrote: I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing. Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can spend the time to put it together. But, I am also a little bit wondering if the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning experience when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems. If the kit cost versus factory built cost were different by a wider margin it would be an easier decision. phil, K7PEH On Dec 20, 2009, at 6:27 PM, Ed Muns wrote: This is an important point and one that should be considered in the decision to get the factory-built K3 or the kit. Actually the sub-assemblies are tested as individual units. But the set of sub-assemblies in a kit have not been tested together as a system. The factory system tests are more rigorous than what most of us can do with the kit and certainly more rigorous than the kit instructions provide. And, while rare, it is possible that sub-assembly tolerances can combine in a way that causes a system problem. (However, most, if not all, of such system issues are resolved via email or phone with Elecraft support.) So the key considerations are money saved and K3 learning vs. the value of the factory system testing. Of course, you can always send your kit K3 to the factory for the system test but that is likely to be more expensive than getting the factory-built unit in the first place. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard K6LL wrote: I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing. Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
Hi, Phil. The vast majority of K3 kits are assembled with no problems. K6LL's experience is rare. I personally value the kit building experience more than Dave indicated. OTOH, I can also see the comfort in the integrity of a factory-built/tested K3. So, it really comes down to each individual's preferences and what they each value as most important. There is not a single right answer for everyone. The point that Dave and I are making is that saving some cost on the kit is not the only consideration. The value of the factory-built K3s is not just the assembly time and labor but also the system testing. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard -Original Message- From: Phil Hystad [mailto:k7...@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, 20 December, 2009 18:40 To: w...@msn.com Cc: 'Dave Hachadorian'; 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can spend the time to put it together. But, I am also a little bit wondering if the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning experience when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems. If the kit cost versus factory built cost were different by a wider margin it would be an easier decision. phil, K7PEH On Dec 20, 2009, at 6:27 PM, Ed Muns wrote: This is an important point and one that should be considered in the decision to get the factory-built K3 or the kit. Actually the sub-assemblies are tested as individual units. But the set of sub-assemblies in a kit have not been tested together as a system. The factory system tests are more rigorous than what most of us can do with the kit and certainly more rigorous than the kit instructions provide. And, while rare, it is possible that sub-assembly tolerances can combine in a way that causes a system problem. (However, most, if not all, of such system issues are resolved via email or phone with Elecraft support.) So the key considerations are money saved and K3 learning vs. the value of the factory system testing. Of course, you can always send your kit K3 to the factory for the system test but that is likely to be more expensive than getting the factory-built unit in the first place. Ed - W0YK --- Ed Muns Muns Vineyard - www.munsvineyard.com FaceBook - www.facebook.com/munsvineyard K6LL wrote: I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing. Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
Phil, How is your manual dexterity? Can you follow written instructions? Do you have 10 to 12 hours of time available to assemble a K3? If you have answered YES to the above questions, then you can build the K3 kit. The value of $200 vs. 10 to 12 hours of your time is for you to decide. If you build the K3, fears about adding options, doing upgrades or performing any maintenance later on will be minimized because you know how it 'goes together'. The calibration steps are straightforward and detailed in the manual - and for some of them, K3Utility has been upgraded to make some of those even easier than the manual procedure. Your owner-built K3 will perform just as well as a factory assembled K3 after the calibration steps are performed. In other words, building the K3 is neither difficult nor complicated.. The warranty is the same whether it is factory assembled or a kit. If you have trouble or questions, an email to k3supp...@elecraft.com or this reflector will likely provide you with the guidance required. 73, Don W3FPR Phil Hystad wrote: I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can spend the time to put it together. But, I am also a little bit wondering if the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning experience when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems. If the kit cost versus factory built cost were different by a wider margin it would be an easier decision. phil, K7PEH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I second Don's comment, re: If you build the K3, fears about adding options, doing upgrades or performing any maintenance later on will be minimized because you know how it 'goes together'. The ability to add features as requirements change and money becomes available is a major feature of Elecraft products and the K3 is no exception. I had to remove the KRX3 and the front panel assembly to add the DVR and a filter unit. I was nervous because it had been nearly since I built the kit, but the process went very, very smoothly. I would have felt a much higher barrier to taking advantage of the K3's field upgrade-ability if I had not put it together myself. -- 73 -- Brian -- K1LI __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
Phil, I built my K3 a year ago. I used a basic ESD mat wrist strap, a good set of Philips screwdrivers and pliers. That was about all that was necessary. I built mine so I would know how it was put together when I had to take it apart. I had to fix a Kenwood and its disassembly was a minor issue as I had never seen the main board removed. I ended doing it the hard way. Calibration of the K3 was very straight forward and far easier than expected. I built mine in a few evenings after work. I enjoyed the build so the cost/payback ratio was not a concern for me. Later when I added the sub-receiver I was glad I had built it and knew how it came apart and went back together. I probably have a tiny bit more pride in the radio since a small portion of it came from my hands. George AI4VZ - I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
The cost of the mat and grounded wrist strap might not be a factor. They will be needed for any additions to the K3 at a later date. Building the K3 is like building the K2 after all the boards are completed. Just the final assembly part. By the time I built my K3, it was a welcome relief to construct it that way, as I have stuffed all the boards I want for some time, at least the ones with several hundred parts. 73, Rick Dettinger K7MW Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
Building the kit will save enough money to buy a couple of INRAD filters. It is a pleasant experience and the builder will be able to dig into the rig and exchange boards, that is valuable for me in case of trouble, it is less costly and faster to order a replacement board than to ship the whole box back to the factory, especially in my case living outside the USA. There are no particular tricky or obscure steps and calibration was easy done with just the XG1, dummy load and VOM. I did not use the antistatic devices because I do not have a rug or dry air at my location. I did touch the station ground before sitting to work. 73 Reinaldo, YV5AMH Phil K7PEH wrote: I would like to see more comments from K3 kit builders to counter these points being made here. I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can spend the time to put it together. But, I am also a little bit wondering if the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning experience when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems. If the kit cost versus factory built cost were different by a wider margin it would be an easier decision. phil, K7PEH __ 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
