Elecraft Kit suggestion
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The recent thread on missing parts brings up an area for imrprovement
for Elecraft, that would not (I believe!) involve significant expense...and would likely save money for Elecraft. I would suspect that the vast majority of "missing" parts, are in reality "unable to find" parts. Given the size and number of parts in the kits, there's a lot of stuff to paw through when building a module. One of the nice things Heath did, was to bundle components into small envelopes that corresponded to units of assembly. For example, when building a VFO, one would open an envelope which had just the VFO parts. Elecraft kits are kitted more in bulk pack, where many/most of the parts are in one container. I recently completed a KPA100 and there was significant time spent just finding the darn parts. I'd be willing to bet, if the parts were kitted in envelopes appropriate for smaller units of assembly (chapters, modules, ...what have you?) the amount of "missing parts" requests would decrease! That having been said, I love the E-kits! John K5MO _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 Kit suggestion
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On Monday 27 June 2005 13:03, [hidden email] wrote:
> I would suspect that the vast majority of "missing" parts, are in reality > "unable to find" parts. Given the size and number of parts in the kits, > there's a lot of stuff to paw through when building a module. It's probably tempting to skip a thorough checking the inventory and get on with building; I was tempted. As I described in a previous posting, I identified every part by doing an inventory and placed parts in a drawer system and marked the corresponding drawer in the parts list. The time taken doing this is probably recovered by knowing where everything is and having the parts previously identified - avoiding build time confusion by similar looking components. Then checking the components on retrieving them from the drawers as required in the building order and laying them out in order on the workbench is a second check. Finally, checking again before soldering is a third check. So, I tripled checked every part and didn't make even one wrong component mistake building a K2. During the inventory, I noticed the six fibre washers were missing and had them delivered in time for when I needed them. If I had just built the K2 with no inventory checking, I would have been delayed by not being able to mount the power output transistors. Ian, K2 #4962 -- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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> As I described in a previous posting, I identified
> every part by doing an inventory and placed parts > in a drawer system and marked the corresponding > drawer in the parts list. The time taken doing > this is probably recovered by knowing where > everything is ... I did that for my K1. When I discovered missing parts and asked about it here, I was scolded by several reflector members so I redoubled my efforts to find them. I found some and not others. The folks at Elecraft were quick to replace the ones that were truly lost. While building my 2-band filter board I found another missing part but a stop at the local electronics supply shop solved that for about 20 cents and didn't cut into my build time at all. I'm about half-way through the K2. I didn't bother with an inventory. I just put all the resistors in one bin, capacitors in another, etc. I separated the hardware a little bit to make it easier to find the different screw sizes. When I need a cap I look for it in the cap bin. Generally you're doing several at a time so I dump them all out to make them easier to dig through. This is working out just fine and requires less space for bins and drawers and eliminated the time taken to completely inventory every part. I figure if I come up with a part that's truly missing I can either go get it from a local supplier or ask Elecraft to send it to me, depending on how big a hurry I'm in. Once the Field Day deadline came and went, that took a lot of heat off so if it takes a few days to get a replacement part it's no big deal. After operating Field Day with an Icom 706 and its wonderful 500 Hz CW filter, I've determined not to work another FD without my K2. (In all fairness, we had access to two Collins KWM-380's that would have been fine but both failed in the same way, ironically after having been thoroughly checked out by a highly qualified technician.) So NEXT Field Day is my absolute drop dead date, though I'm sure I'll be done long before that. :-) Craig NZ0R K1 #1966 K2 #4941 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 Kit suggestion
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When I moved houses, I found a tiny capacitor inside my computer
keyboard. Leigh / WA5ZNU _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR
I would like to emphasize Ian's comments on doing an inventory, and IMHO,
the most important part is knowing where the components are when each is needed. Myself -- I no longer do a complete inventory because I have many spare parts that I can use if one is missing, but most builders are not in that fortunate position. I do arrange all the capacitors, diodes, resistors and other long leaded components in value order in the holes along the edges of a corrugated cardboard tray (old Heathkit method) so each one is in a known place where I can lay my hands on it when it is needed. I cut the USPS shipping box in half along the narrow sides to produce 2 parts trays, your method may be different, but it is quite helpful to know where to find any particular part quickly. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > The time taken doing this is > probably recovered by knowing where everything is > and having the parts previously identified - avoiding > build time confusion by similar looking components. > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.2/29 - Release Date: 6/27/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 Kit suggestion
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In reply to this post by Craig Rairdin
On Monday 27 June 2005 14:17, Craig Rairdin wrote:
> I did that for my K1. When I discovered missing parts and asked about it > here, I was scolded by several reflector members so I redoubled my efforts > to find them. I found some and not others. The folks at Elecraft were quick > to replace the ones that were truly lost. While building my 2-band filter > board I found another missing part but a stop at the local electronics > supply shop solved that for about 20 cents and didn't cut into my build time > at all. How can 'missing' parts be found if everything has been identified, checked off and catalogued? I would not have hesitated to use a part from my stock or get one from the local RS if it were missing, but the fibre washers seemed highly specialised to me. I might have mounted the loudspeaker with alternative parts that I have, however, I was not prepared to mess around with the power transistors. Ian, K2 #4962 -- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR
Right on, Ian!
So far, in three Elecraft kits, I've had one missing component -- the K2 binocular core, and I got it from [hidden email] well before I needed it. That said, the single largest value to me of the complete inventory is assuring that I really know what each part looks like! Heathkits were a lot easier in this department -- massively larger parts and few resembled each other. I decided on the K2 (first Elecraft try) to do the inventory (and separate the parts), AND then read thru the assembly manual, locating each part and it's place on the board, and occasionally making notes in the margin. My assembly time was about 50 hours or so total, which is probably on the high side, but it was well worth it. Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw Ian Stirling G4ICV, AB2GR wrote: > On Monday 27 June 2005 13:03, [hidden email] wrote: > > >>I would suspect that the vast majority of "missing" parts, are in reality >>"unable to find" parts. Given the size and number of parts in the kits, >>there's a lot of stuff to paw through when building a module. > > <somestuffdeleted> > During the inventory, I noticed the six fibre > washers were missing and had them delivered in time > for when I needed them. If I had just built the K2 > with no inventory checking, I would have been delayed > by not being able to mount the power output transistors. > > Ian, K2 #4962 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR
> How can 'missing' parts be found if everything has been
> identified, checked off and catalogued? Not sure I understand your question. Obviously, everything wasn't found at the time they were inventoried. Some parts were noted as missing during the inventory, then found later. I don't remember all the details but two come to mind: 1) I had missed a TO-92 package part that was stuffed into the edge of the antistatic foam. Not sure why I missed it. It was obviously there when I found it. 2) Elecraft packages some parts in strange places. I think it was the double-sided tape for the power transistor that was packaged in an envelope labeled "Serial Number Kit". I hadn't bothered to open the well-identified yellow envelopes to look for parts that weren't noted as being in those envelopes. I now open all the little envelopes because despite what's written on the outside, there could be just about anything on the inside. The missing part from my KFL1-2 board was one of the parts I ordered from Elecraft. At the same time I ordered the replacement parts I ordered a few parts I needed because I swapped a band to/from the 2-band from/to the 4-band board. I needed two capacitors of a particular value. They came in an envelope marked with the part number. When the envelopes came I just noted that I had an envelope for each of the parts I had ordered. When I went to build the 2-band board, I opened that envelope and there was only one capacitor in it. That's the case where I just went and bought a replacement. When I dumped out the "hardware" bag for the K2 I found a lockwasher jammed inside some bigger part. Don't remember now what it was -- maybe a switch or a jack. So to answer your question, it's fairly easy to do a thorough inventory and come up with parts missing that are later discovered. FWIW, when I finished the K1 I had parts left over (beyond the known extras that are shipped for some of the mechanical parts). So the inventory list doesn't necessarily match what's needed to build the radio. On the other hand, I haven't installed all the options yet, so it's possible there are extra parts included for things I don't know I need yet. Or I could have left something off. It sure works great without it, though. :-) Craig NZ0R K1 #1966 K2 #4941 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by john.brewer
John:
The K2 is kitted in smaller envelopes. There are envelopes for the Front Panel, control board, two for the RF Board and one for misc parts and hardware. Plus the high count items like the by-pass caps are bagged seperate. I have built fourteen K2's, four K1's and four KX1's and have found only one component missing. Oh and also I have built a slew of options and never found a part missing. I always do a complete inventory of all parts except the resistors and when inventoring them I put them in the lid of a shoe box so that none are lost in dumping the bag. I think many are lost when they become lodged in the manual and lost when one opens it to read away from the bench-. I have plastic cases with multiple compartments and labelled for each type of high volume component. It only takes about an hour to do the inventory and it is well worth the time spent. 73 Jim Younce K4ZM _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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> I have built fourteen K2's, four K1's
> and four KX1's and have found only one component missing. > Oh and also I > have built a slew of options and never found a part missing. > ... > It only takes about an hour to do the inventory and it is > well worth the time spent. Seems like you contradict your own argument here. If Elecraft never makes a mistake it seems like a waste of an hour to look for one. The good news is as long as people keep building kits and never finding missing parts, those of us who don't do inventories can rest assured that everything's there. :-) Craig NZ0R K1 #1966 K2 #4941 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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Good Afternoon, Group
Just wanted to say that K2 #4991 has arrived in Virginia. Been a while since I assembled my last kit radio. I can't remember if it was the HW-101 or the HW-2036, but it was 1976. I got the solder situation worked out and will probably have a lot more questions. Be gentile, I'm old. Thanks for everything so far... 73, Tom, W3QS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 Kit suggestion and other stuff
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3
W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote:
> I do arrange all the capacitors, diodes, resistors and > other long leaded components in value order in the holes along the edges of > a corrugated cardboard tray (old Heathkit method) so each one is in a known > place where I can lay my hands on it when it is needed. I cut the USPS > shipping box in half along the narrow sides to produce 2 parts trays, your > method may be different, but it is quite helpful to know where to find any > particular part quickly. While I had a rather prolonged parts inventory phase (started the inventory, discovered a part was missing halfway through, put project on the shelf for four years), I still think the parts inventory is very valuable. I used green plastic school cafeteria trays (the kind with three smallish compartments and one large one) for holding various parts during construction. These could be stacked on each other (the "wrong" way) to conserve workbench space. And for some reason (totally unexplainable by the amount of breadboard work I do: none) I happened to have a "QT socket" type breadboard on the bench. This turns out to be an excellent way to sort a bunch of components that all look the same (like the Whizzio Quality Capacitor Assortment from the RF board) into cute little orderly rows. Just plugging one lead (or several) from each component into the socket, and they'll stand up nicely so you can hold the whole mess under the illuminated magnifier to find a particular value and pluck it out for use. Did I mention the presentation I did at Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club about K2s? You can view the slides at http://www.phil-mont.org/k3xs_k2/slide1.html or see the whole thing as a single page at http://www.phil-mont.org/k3xs_k2/index.html The illustrations are stolen shamelessly from the Elecraft site (and a few other places, like PA3CEVs wonderful construction photos) so if anybody complains that I'm outside the scope of "fair use" I'll have to take it down. But it was fun to do. Oh, yeah...that part that was missing during inventory "phase 1"? I found it stuck to an envelope flap later on... 73 de Maggie K3XS K2 S/N 1641 P.S. I did operate briefly during FD as K3XS 1E EPA...logged four SSB contacts: K5FD 3A WTX, N0GF 3A ND and AA0AA 1A Missouri. W3NWA 4A EPA was just a few miles away. -- -----/___. _)Margaret Stephanie Leber CCP, SCJP/"The art of progress / ----/(, /| /| http://voicenet.com/~maggie SCWCD/ is to preserve order/ ---/ / | / | _ _ _ ` _ AOPA 925383/ amid change and to / --/ ) / |/ |_(_(_(_/_(_/__(__(/_ K3XS / preserve change amid/ -/ (_/ ' .-/ .-/ ARRL 39280 /order."-A.N.Whitehead/ /________________(_/_(_/_______AMSAT 32844_/<[hidden email]>/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 Kit suggestion and other stuff
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Margaret Leber wrote:
> Oh, yeah...that part that was missing during inventory "phase 1"? I > found it stuck to an envelope flap later on... Just in case anybody thought this was an argument in favor of *not* doing the inventory, when I finished the RF board inventory I came up shy one shoulder washer, one of the ones that keeps the final transistors from shorting out. By discovering this early during the inventory I was able to request a replacement from parts@elecraft soon enough to avoid holding up construction. Still not sure if it was left out or I managed to lose it, but what *is* certain is 1) I couldn't find it 2) I needed it 3) trying to do without it would probably have been disasterous. 73 de Maggie K3XS S/N 1641 -- -----/___. _)Margaret Stephanie Leber CCP, SCJP/"The art of progress / ----/(, /| /| http://voicenet.com/~maggie SCWCD/ is to preserve order/ ---/ / | / | _ _ _ ` _ AOPA 925383/ amid change and to / --/ ) / |/ |_(_(_(_/_(_/__(__(/_ K3XS / preserve change amid/ -/ (_/ ' .-/ .-/ ARRL 39280 /order."-A.N.Whitehead/ /________________(_/_(_/_______AMSAT 32844_/<[hidden email]>/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Margaret Leber
Very nice job, Maggie. Your sense of humor always shines through on the
reflector. I'm sure the presentation itself was great fun to see. Eric KE6US -----Original Message----- Did I mention the presentation I did at Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club about K2s? You can view the slides at http://www.phil-mont.org/k3xs_k2/slide1.html or see the whole thing as a single page at http://www.phil-mont.org/k3xs_k2/index.html The illustrations are stolen shamelessly from the Elecraft site (and a few other places, like PA3CEVs wonderful construction photos) so if anybody complains that I'm outside the scope of "fair use" I'll have to take it down. But it was fun to do. 73 de Maggie K3XS K2 S/N 1641 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 Kit suggestion
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In reply to this post by Craig Rairdin
On Monday 27 June 2005 15:15, Craig Rairdin wrote:
> I don't remember all the details but two come to mind: 1) I had missed a > TO-92 package part that was stuffed into the edge of the antistatic foam. > Not sure why I missed it. It was obviously there when I found it. 2) > Elecraft packages some parts in strange places. I think it was the > double-sided tape for the power transistor that was packaged in an envelope > labeled "Serial Number Kit". I hadn't bothered to open the well-identified > yellow envelopes to look for parts that weren't noted as being in those > envelopes. I now open all the little envelopes because despite what's > written on the outside, there could be just about anything on the inside. Good points Craig, I had forgotten that I found that 2N7000 (I think) later than expected; mine was in the side of the IC carpet too. I found it before I finished the inventory and didn't consider that I might have missed it and declared it missing. I opened all of the envelopes to check their contents and count the capacitors: forty three of the Monolithic 103 seemed daunting and I'm sure I sighed when I soldered in the last one. I have just examined the inventory pages of the K2 manual and I think (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that the thermal pads for Q6, Q7 and Q8 are not in the inventory. When they were needed, I seem to remember remembering that they must be those grey parts in the serial number packet. Ian, K2 #4962 -- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Margaret Leber
Hi Maggie,
PLEASE! I need to use your presentation at my club soon. Is that OK? I can send you back the add ons that I will do to it. I need to add pictures to the end of your report on the KAT/KPA100 in the EC2 enclosure, and also the KPA100 in the K2 chassis version. Also I need to show the radio performance comparison chart so they realize a K2 can beat out an Orion or IC7800 for a lot less money. I'm the only QRP op in the club and although one of the serious DXers knows what a K2 is, everyone else has no idea as to how much the K2 is a kick-ass radio. They all think the IC746 is great but can't understand why they had so much trouble on field day with them. They won't know a good radio until I shove it up, ....ah I mean politely show them my K2. There is a lady named Pat, KD5TXD, down here in SW Texas that is net control for a traffic net every day with a K2/100 she built. I think she said that she never had any soldering experience before. Regards, Steve, W2MY Corpus Christi _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR
Hi Ian,
The Thermal insulator pads (located in the Serial# Pack) are listed in the inventory. Appendix A, page 2 of the Box and Serial# stuff. Tom -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ian Stirling G4ICV, AB2GR I have just examined the inventory pages of the K2 manual and I think (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that the thermal pads for Q6, Q7 and Q8 are not in the inventory. When they were needed, I seem to remember remembering that they must be those grey parts in the serial number packet. Ian, K2 #4962 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Steven Pituch
Steven Pituch wrote:
> PLEASE! I need to use your presentation at my club soon. Is that OK? I > can send you back the add ons that I will do to it. I need to add > pictures to the end of your report on the KAT/KPA100 in the EC2 > enclosure, and also the KPA100 in the K2 chassis version. Also I need > to show the radio performance comparison chart... Well, it's ceratinly OK with me if you use *my* stuff. Of course I can't clear you to use the images that *I* used without permission; so you're kind of on your own there. Most of them came from the Elecraft site, but others came from other ham radio websites--- the sequence dealing with the history of amateur radio building in particular...a total of three or four images, as I recall. Also, to make changes you probably need to understand that this was *not* a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation. It was done with Huckster, a very lightweight open-source slideshow tool written in Java. So if you're happy to use what's posted on the web, that's fine. If you need to alter the Huckster scripting, you'll need the script, the Huckster JAR file (kind of a portable Java executable package, downloadable from the Huckster site) and you'll need to install the Java runtime on your computer (if it isn't there already). The laptop I built the presentation on is currently in the shop for service (backlight quit on me)...so the backup of the Huckster script I have immediately available here on my Linux server isn't *quite* the one I used to generate the slides you see online. When I get the laptop back (assuming HP hasn't found it necessary to clobber the hard disk to fix the backlight) I may be able to track down the source of the images from my browser history and retroactively ask for permission to republish...or at least know who to ask. That will be at least a week from today, maybe two. So that's the situation. Summary: () Use what I wrote, fine. () Use the images: you're on your own as to intellectual property issues...*I* think illustrating my lecture with them was within "fair use" but your milage may vary. () Modifying the presentation could be tricky. 73 de Maggie K3XS -- -----/___. _)Margaret Stephanie Leber CCP, SCJP/"The art of progress / ----/(, /| /| http://voicenet.com/~maggie SCWCD/ is to preserve order/ ---/ / | / | _ _ _ ` _ AOPA 925383/ amid change and to / --/ ) / |/ |_(_(_(_/_(_/__(__(/_ K3XS / preserve change amid/ -/ (_/ ' .-/ .-/ ARRL 39280 /order."-A.N.Whitehead/ /________________(_/_(_/_______AMSAT 32844_/<[hidden email]>/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR
I think we've gotten away from the original suggestion, which was not I
believe, aimed to avoiding inventories but a way to streamline the build and reduce errors by packaging components based on assembly stages. I think it's a great idea! Instead of one big box-o-stuff for the K2, it would have been great if there were, for example, three packages; one each for assembly Phases I, II, and III corresponding to the manual chapters (I'm saying that off the top of my head & don't know if that breakdown makes sense). Then for each package an inventory would done. As far as the inventory goes, sure, you're doing the same amount of work in the end. But during assembly you have roughly one third of the parts taking up space on the work bench and probably less likelihood of bumping a component onto the floor, dripping solder on one, dropping something on one, mixing up parts, etc., if only because there are fewer things going on to confuse the ol' bean. Less distraction/confusion => fewer errors (maybe?). My K2 went together without a hitch thanks to an absolutely fantastic manual so maybe it isn't necessary after all, but I have to think that the divide-and-conquer approach makes each phase of the assembly a little easier and less error prone. Taken over a large number of kit builders, that probably means fewer build errors. Of course, I admit there are a lot of "probablys", "mights", and guesswork. But the original poster's suggestion sounds worthwhile as apparently Heathkit also thought. 73, Mike AB3AP _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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Mike,
I agree -- well almost. The K2 is packaged into several bags - the front panel, the control board, the RF Board (2 packages) and a hardware bag. While there is some mixing from the hardware bag items, the electronic assembly moves smoothly from the Control Board (1 bag) to the Front Panel (one bag until the mechanical assembly part of the steps require the hardware pack), and then on to the RF Board. I have assembled many K2s and perhaps I have become familiar with the process, but it makes sense to me. To do as you have suggested would require separating the hardware packs and putting some relevant parts into the Front Panel pack. I fail to see that there would be a great advantage in doing so. Perhaps a better solution would be to identify in the assembly manual which pack the parts can be found, thus allowing inventory of each pack separately. Splitting the RF board packs between the alignment steps I and II might be worthwhile, but that seems like 'overkill' to me. I do agree that packaging the thermal pads in the serial number envelope has been confusing to some folks. For now, that is the way of things, and the real problem is that what you suggest would require coordination of a change in the manual as well as a change in the packaging process. The manual changes are harder to accomplish correctly than the packaging process (requires reviews for correctness and such), so while the Elecraft folks may take your comments seriously, it may be a while before anyone sees a change due to the coordination required (instuctions to the vendor: "pack Rev G manual starting with serial no xxxx", and change the way parts packs are assembled at the same time). The parts packaging is vended to outside firms, so there is a bit more to making a change than just the desires of the folks at the Elecraft office. I don't know whether the changes would be worth the costs of implementation. In any case, Elecraft gladly supplies any 'suspected' missing parts promptly and with a smile, so every builder who performs an inventory can build a K2 without unnecessary delays. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Mike Markowski > Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 10:52 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Kit suggestion > > > I think we've gotten away from the original suggestion, which was not I > believe, aimed to avoiding inventories but a way to streamline the build > and reduce errors by packaging components based on assembly stages. I > think it's a great idea! > > Instead of one big box-o-stuff for the K2, it would have been great if > there were, for example, three packages; one each for assembly Phases I, > II, and III corresponding to the manual chapters (I'm saying that off > the top of my head & don't know if that breakdown makes sense). Then > for each package an inventory would done. As far as the inventory goes, > sure, you're doing the same amount of work in the end. But during > assembly you have roughly one third of the parts taking up space on the > work bench and probably less likelihood of bumping a component onto the > floor, dripping solder on one, dropping something on one, mixing up > parts, etc., if only because there are fewer things going on to confuse > the ol' bean. Less distraction/confusion => fewer errors (maybe?). > > My K2 went together without a hitch thanks to an absolutely fantastic > manual so maybe it isn't necessary after all, but I have to think that > the divide-and-conquer approach makes each phase of the assembly a > little easier and less error prone. Taken over a large number of kit > builders, that probably means fewer build errors. Of course, I admit > there are a lot of "probablys", "mights", and guesswork. But the > original poster's suggestion sounds worthwhile as apparently Heathkit > also thought. > > 73, > Mike AB3AP > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > 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 > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.2/29 - Release Date: 6/27/2005 > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.2/29 - Release Date: 6/27/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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