Benefits of Buying a Factory Assembled KX3

[Comcast Mail]

I know this has been covered before but I can't find it. Please repost this
response. Thanks.

 

Happy Trails to You!

Darlene, Ralph and Bandit

W7TLD

[hidden email]

 

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[N0AZZ]

I pondered the question of kit or factory for several weeks before deciding
on the factory built. I have not seen a list but my reasons were the initial
calibrations properly done and the proper fit was attained while assembling
all pieces. That said when I got it home I partly disassembled it and had a
good look inside.

The main advantage is a turnkey radio ready to go and at top performance
with you needing to only set it up to your liking. Then get on the air and
make contacts with this wonderful radio.


73,
Fred/N0AZZ
K3 Ser #'s 6730/5299--KX3 # 2573--K2/100--KAT100
P3/SVGA--KPA500--KAT500--W2



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ralph
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 2:01 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Benefits of Buying a Factory Assembled KX3

I know this has been covered before but I can't find it. Please repost this
response. Thanks.

 

Happy Trails to You!

Darlene, Ralph and Bandit

W7TLD

[hidden email]

 

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html


-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 3162/6240 - Release Date: 04/12/13

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 3162/6240 - Release Date: 04/12/13

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[David Pratt]

>I know this has been covered before but I can't find it. Please repost this
>response. Thanks.

I would favour building my own, Ralph. There are no 'benefits' in
factory built other than it costing more and not providing the
experience and confidence of making adjustments as and when required.
The assembly and operator manuals are such as to make self-assembly and
calibration so simple.

73 de David G4DMP

--
 + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +
 | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds.   |
 | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk |
 + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[Richard-2]

Comments from Eric to the listare shown below.  Enjoy!  73,Richard, AI4SH
== = = = = = = = = = = = = =
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - Factory Testing identical to Kit Testing?
Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:14:03 -0800
From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft <[hidden email]>
Reply-To: [hidden email]
To: Richard <[hidden email]>
CC: [hidden email]

Hi Richard,
   While we do test and align the PCB boards identically on the kit and
factory assembled KX3s, we do further testing on the assembled units to
insure that we built them perfectly.
   Assembled KX3s are given an preliminary TX and RX test after
assembly, followed by a multi-hour burn in rack test. There under
computer control we stress test the KX3 by transmitting key down on each
band while checking temperature, current and power out and also check
tuning of the ATU on each band. This occurs in a repetitive fashion -
cycling through the bands - for a minimum of 8 hours. After passing
burn-in, the assembled KX3 goes to final test on a technicians lab
bench, where we test all RX and TX parameters on all bands, including RX
sensitivity, TX power, Current drain in TX, TX IMD etc. We also do tests
on the SSB audio, CW keying, receive audio and a number of other
parameters. Each added option is also tested in the KX3.
   In general we see few failures in burn-in or final test, due to our
extensive testing of the PC boards before assembly (and before packaging
them into kits).
73,
Eric
--- www.elecraft.com
On 1/4/2013 12:01 PM, Richard wrote:
  > Hello,
 > I will purchase a new KX3 from Elecraft Sales in a week or two. > If
the factory testing upon final assembly is more comprehensive than >
what is in the kit assembly manual, it might persuade me to buy the >
Factory Assembled version. Is any extra factory testing performed?


______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[Rick Robinson]

I purchased my KX3, #3508, factory assembled and I feel it was well worth
the additional $100. Actually,it is quite a bargain after reading Eric's
reply. I do have one question for Eric if he checks back on this post. My
KX3 has every option and I was wondering if the temperature compensation is
also done, or is this something I need to do. Building is great, for those
with the time,facility's, and skill to do this. I probably could do this
without a hitch, but other things at home require my time at unscheduled
intervals, hence my decision.



>
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[k6dgw]

On 4/13/2013 4:49 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:

> I got a kit, partly because I did not get the roofing filters.
> Without those, a kit KX3 is fully aligned at the factory.

How do roofing filters work on a direct conversion radio?  That's not a
snarky question, I don't know and would like to.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[Don Wilhelm-4]

Fred,

My understanding --
The roofing filters are at baseband (audible frequencies), but are
inserted prior to the conversion to digital - that means the DSP will
not see content outside the roofing filter range and the possibility of
overload in the A to D conversion is greatly reduced.

73,
Don W3FPR
On 4/13/2013 7:53 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> On 4/13/2013 4:49 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>
>> I got a kit, partly because I did not get the roofing filters.
>> Without those, a kit KX3 is fully aligned at the factory.
>
> How do roofing filters work on a direct conversion radio?  That's not
> a snarky question, I don't know and would like to.
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[Cady, Fred]

 The roofing filter is actually at AF ahead of AF amplification and A/D. So basically it is roofing for the DSP. Pretty amazing.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 5:53 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Benefits of Buying a Factory Assembled KX3

On 4/13/2013 4:49 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:

> I got a kit, partly because I did not get the roofing filters.
> Without those, a kit KX3 is fully aligned at the factory.

How do roofing filters work on a direct conversion radio?  That's not a snarky question, I don't know and would like to.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[N0AZZ]

All I can say about the filters in my KX3 is that they work and very well I
might add. This little radio never ceases to amaze me every day that I own
it.


73,
Fred/N0AZZ
K3 Ser #'s 6730/5299--KX3 # 2573--K2/100--KAT100
P3/SVGA--KPA500--KAT500--W2



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 8:54 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Benefits of Buying a Factory Assembled KX3

Like many terms in Ham rigs today, "roofing filters" have taken on a whole
new identity that, in this case, has very little to do with their original
function. But there's a tenuous connection, just the same.

As you probably know, "roofing filter" referred to a filter in the VHF
(typically 60 to 100 MHz) range for an H.F. rig that allowed a very high
I.F. to avoid image issues in an "all H.F. band" rig.

In the Elecraft rigs, people applied it to the 8 MHz I.F. filter. As bizarre
as that sounds, it was apparently in an attempt to show that the xtal filter
set the bandpass ahead of the 15 kHz DSP filters.

Similarly, in the KX3 the name "roofing filter" is used to indicate the
filter in the audio range that comes ahead of the audio DSP filters.

73 Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 4:53 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Benefits of Buying a Factory Assembled KX3

On 4/13/2013 4:49 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:

> I got a kit, partly because I did not get the roofing filters.
> Without those, a kit KX3 is fully aligned at the factory.

How do roofing filters work on a direct conversion radio?  That's not a
snarky question, I don't know and would like to.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html


-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 3162/6241 - Release Date: 04/12/13

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 3162/6241 - Release Date: 04/12/13

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

[k6dgw]

On 4/13/2013 5:09 PM, Cady, Fred wrote:
> The roofing filter is actually at AF ahead of AF amplification and
> A/D. So basically it is roofing for the DSP. Pretty amazing.

OK, makes sense.  One thinks [well, at least I do] that roofing filters
are at the 1st IF, if the 1st IF is baseband then it's there I guess.

The term "Roofing Filter" seems to have sprung [that could be "sprang",
spellcheck is no help here] up in the 90's.  I didn't realize it was
originally for the up-conversion schemes of many of the Japanese radios
to protect the mixer.  Makes sense though.

I have the "stock" filters in my K3, I now have only one local who could
overload the mixer, and it all just works fine.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html