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Chasing the Update Mods Train?

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Eric Rosenberg

Chasing the Update Mods Train?

I bought an early K3 (s/n 525). I believe I know which mods were done
(everything through September/October 2009), but I'm not sure exactly
sure of it, nor where the previous owner stopped, where I should pick up
and what is worth or not worth doing.

Any advice on how to figure out the next steps to take is greatly
appreciated!

73,
Eric W3DQ
Washington. DC

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Fred Atchley

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

Eric, W3DQ wrote: I bought an early K3 (s/n 525). I believe I know which
mods were done (everything through September/October 2009), but I'm not sure
exactly sure of it, nor where the previous owner stopped, where I should
pick up and what is worth or not worth doing.

Eric, if the K3 does not have the new DSP board (See K3DSPIPGD) you probably
would be well served to send the rig to Elecraft and let them do a complete
check and update. If you do that, you will have a good-as-new rig, plus the
wait for an upgrade DSP may still be longer than for an entire rig
turnaround. In any event contact Elecraft Support.

73, Fred, AE6IC, K3 2241

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

In reply to this post by Eric Rosenberg

Eric,

Most of the K3 mod instructions contain some method of determining
whether they have been applied or not. I would suggest you go the the
Elecraft website and download the instructions for all the mods, and
then check your K3. For some of the mods, you will have to do a
physical inspection to determine if it has been installed, but for
others a quick check with a DMM will give you the answer.

73,
Don W3FPR

Eric Rosenberg wrote:
> I bought an early K3 (s/n 525). I believe I know which mods were done
> (everything through September/October 2009), but I'm not sure exactly
> sure of it, nor where the previous owner stopped, where I should pick up
> and what is worth or not worth doing.
>
> Any advice on how to figure out the next steps to take is greatly
> appreciated!
>
>
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P.B. Christensen

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

For the K3, there are now close to 20 upgrade bulletins from Elecraft. It
may make sense to number the bulletins in Collins fashion (e.g., SB-1).
It's a lot easier to track and document changes by number, rather than
descriptions. Owners and Elecraft Service could then document installed
bulletins with a label affixed to the rear of the K3.

Paul, W9AC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "Eric Rosenberg" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?

> Eric,
>
> Most of the K3 mod instructions contain some method of determining
> whether they have been applied or not. I would suggest you go the the
> Elecraft website and download the instructions for all the mods, and
> then check your K3. For some of the mods, you will have to do a
> physical inspection to determine if it has been installed, but for
> others a quick check with a DMM will give you the answer.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Eric Rosenberg wrote:
>> I bought an early K3 (s/n 525). I believe I know which mods were done
>> (everything through September/October 2009), but I'm not sure exactly
>> sure of it, nor where the previous owner stopped, where I should pick up
>> and what is worth or not worth doing.
>>
>> Any advice on how to figure out the next steps to take is greatly
>> appreciated!
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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P.B. Christensen

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

Another thought -- perhaps documented bulletin numbers could be uploaded
through the K3's utility program and saved in the K3's EEPROM rather than
rely on "sticky label technology." Then, it's just a matter of polling the
rig to see what's been changed. Of course, the accuracy of what's really
been changed is only as good as the accuracy of what's being input by the
owner or Elecraft Service.

Pau, W9AC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Christensen" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?

> For the K3, there are now close to 20 upgrade bulletins from Elecraft. It
> may make sense to number the bulletins in Collins fashion (e.g., SB-1).
> It's a lot easier to track and document changes by number, rather than
> descriptions. Owners and Elecraft Service could then document installed
> bulletins with a label affixed to the rear of the K3.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Eric Rosenberg" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 9:17 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?
>
>
>> Eric,
>>
>> Most of the K3 mod instructions contain some method of determining
>> whether they have been applied or not. I would suggest you go the the
>> Elecraft website and download the instructions for all the mods, and
>> then check your K3. For some of the mods, you will have to do a
>> physical inspection to determine if it has been installed, but for
>> others a quick check with a DMM will give you the answer.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> Eric Rosenberg wrote:
>>> I bought an early K3 (s/n 525). I believe I know which mods were done
>>> (everything through September/October 2009), but I'm not sure exactly
>>> sure of it, nor where the previous owner stopped, where I should pick up
>>> and what is worth or not worth doing.
>>>
>>> Any advice on how to figure out the next steps to take is greatly
>>> appreciated!
>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
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>
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>

GREG WILSON

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

Great idea, Paul! I would like to see Elecraft adopt this as well! Thanks
for the suggestion! 73 de Greg-N4CC

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 8:07 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?

For the K3, there are now close to 20 upgrade bulletins from Elecraft. It
may make sense to number the bulletins in Collins fashion (e.g., SB-1).
It's a lot easier to track and document changes by number, rather than
descriptions. Owners and Elecraft Service could then document installed
bulletins with a label affixed to the rear of the K3.

Paul, W9AC

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Eugene Balinski

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

Excellent idea. I would like to see that across all
products including the K1 - K3, the W2, etc.

73,

K1NR

On Sat, 3 Jul 2010 08:51:08 -0600
"Greg" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Great idea, Paul! I would like to see Elecraft adopt
> this as well! Thanks
> for the suggestion! 73 de Greg-N4CC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
> Paul Christensen
> Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 8:07 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?
>
> For the K3, there are now close to 20 upgrade bulletins
> from Elecraft. It
> may make sense to number the bulletins in Collins fashion
> (e.g., SB-1).
> It's a lot easier to track and document changes by
> number, rather than
> descriptions. Owners and Elecraft Service could then
> document installed
> bulletins with a label affixed to the rear of the K3.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>

______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list:
> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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KK7P

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

In reply to this post by GREG WILSON

The problem with stickers or EEPROM records is that the K3 is
modular. What if a KIO3 is replaced? Or the DSP board swapped? or...
Since the mods are applied to various boards, you really need to track
them board by board. It quickly becomes very cumbersome to manage and
ensure accuracy.

Most mods can be quickly determined by inspection.

73,

Lyle KK7P
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P.B. Christensen

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

Lyle,

But if the mod is referenced by service bulletin number (e.g., SB-1), that
would capture the multiple changes across several boards. For example, the
existing 20 bulletins are already defined -- we know the scope of change.
Simply number them. If more than one similar change is designed to the same
board, simply call it another bulletin number. This can be as simple
(sure, easy for me to say) as adding a comment field through the utility
program that could look like this:

"Elecraft Bulletins added: 1-6, 8, 12-20"

I am not sure that data collected for board swap-outs or repairs is all that
necessary. I'm referring to the self-documentation of service bulletins that
could help existing and prospective K3 owners in a number of ways.

If there's enough space for a bit of text, user comments could also be
placed there. For example, non-approved bulletins, repairs, etc. A text
field could capture a direct board swap-out like you mentioned. Some auto
manufacturers already do something similar to track prior service work
polled from the car's memory. My service department at Acura knows what's
been done to my TL by polling it.

You raise an interesting point, but I'm sure it could be managed with some
forethought. I'm also not advocating that it take precedence over the
existing user wish lists but something that could be added down on the
priority list of new features.

Paul, W9AC

t ----- Original Message -----
From: "Lyle Johnson" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 11:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?

> The problem with stickers or EEPROM records is that the K3 is
> modular. What if a KIO3 is replaced? Or the DSP board swapped? or...
> Since the mods are applied to various boards, you really need to track
> them board by board. It quickly becomes very cumbersome to manage and
> ensure accuracy.
>
> Most mods can be quickly determined by inspection.
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Doug Joyce

Re: Chasing the Update Mods Train?

Lyle: I also second Paul's suggestion - I fact I made this same recommendation to number the various changes / modifications a number of months ago, but nothing seems to have come of it.

Before retirement, I spent most of my career with the Collins Canada Div of Rockwell and was involved with many of their Ham radio products (most noteably the KWM / HF -380) and they all had their service modifications / bulletins numbered. It made referring to them and keeping track of the status of an individual radio much easier. (Part of the difficulty for the K3 (and perhaps other Elecraft products) is that the title and description that is used for an individual change isn't consistent from place to place in the various documents or on the web site.) The use of SB-XX would be unambiguous (and its much shorter).

Request that this be numbering request be reconsidered.

Thanks & 73

Doug Joyce, VE3MV

> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2010 13:55:23 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing the Update Mods Train?
>
> Lyle,
>
> But if the mod is referenced by service bulletin number (e.g., SB-1), that
> would capture the multiple changes across several boards. ........
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