K3 - Build impressions

[GW0ETF]

Just finished putting K3 000145 together and as an Elecraft 'virgin'
wanted to pass on some thoughts.

The kit quality quite simply is superb. It all went together so smoothly
and there was no pushing, bending, flexing necessary in order to get
things to fit; screw holes just lined up exactly first time. The few
'gotchas' were always predicted and well documented and illustrated.
Occasionally some hardware seemed to be missing but was discovered
lurking (logically) in envelopes in other modules so remember to check
before emailing Aptos.

Almost the only tool I used was the larger of the 2 cross-head
screwdrivers normally found in those little watchmaker kits; did every
screw in the kit and fitted exactly each screw head and no temptation to
over tighten. The fine tweezers came in handy later on for locating
screws in the tighter spots before screwing down.

When the kit arrived it took my breath away because of the number of
modules and bags etc - I'd ordered the atu and 100w module in addition
as well as a couple of filters. They soon disappear though as everything
goes together, and it took 2 sessions of 3-4 hours each to get to the
initial (qrp) testing/alignment stage. I do have a bone to pick with
them though under trade descriptions as I did actually use my soldering
iron to solder the terminals for the DC connector so it wasn't a
completely 'no solder' experience.......!

I just know the build quality is going to be a portent of the
performance quality.....

73,

Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF
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[dave.wilburn]

Welcome to the cult, I mean....err kit building experience, a.k.a.
Mojo.  

It is interesting to hear you talk about the initial overwhelming amount
of parts.  With my K2 I did an inventory, and broke many of the parts
out into containers for each stage.  It was a nice sense of
accomplishment watching the parts disappearing, and peeking ahead to see
that tests were going to be run.  

I bought the K2 to have a quality CW radio that I could work on.  I was
blindsided by how fun the kit building experience was, and enjoyed it
much more than I expected.
-  

David Wilburn
[hidden email]
K4DGW
K2 S/N 5982


On Sat, 2007-12-15 at 10:38 +0000, Stewart Rolfe wrote:

> Just finished putting K3 000145 together and as an Elecraft 'virgin'
> wanted to pass on some thoughts.
>
> The kit quality quite simply is superb. It all went together so smoothly
> and there was no pushing, bending, flexing necessary in order to get
> things to fit; screw holes just lined up exactly first time. The few
> 'gotchas' were always predicted and well documented and illustrated.
> Occasionally some hardware seemed to be missing but was discovered
> lurking (logically) in envelopes in other modules so remember to check
> before emailing Aptos.
>
> Almost the only tool I used was the larger of the 2 cross-head
> screwdrivers normally found in those little watchmaker kits; did every
> screw in the kit and fitted exactly each screw head and no temptation to
> over tighten. The fine tweezers came in handy later on for locating
> screws in the tighter spots before screwing down.
>
> When the kit arrived it took my breath away because of the number of
> modules and bags etc - I'd ordered the atu and 100w module in addition
> as well as a couple of filters. They soon disappear though as everything
> goes together, and it took 2 sessions of 3-4 hours each to get to the
> initial (qrp) testing/alignment stage. I do have a bone to pick with
> them though under trade descriptions as I did actually use my soldering
> iron to solder the terminals for the DC connector so it wasn't a
> completely 'no solder' experience.......!
>
> I just know the build quality is going to be a portent of the
> performance quality.....
>
> 73,
>
> Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [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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Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com