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The kit is "in the mail" so I thought it would be a good time to fire off my first email to the group and exit from "lurk" mode with a question.
I've read the K3 kit manual a few times now but I'm certain that there is a lot of wisdom out there to be garnered from the collective experience of the group so I'm asking if you would take the time to share please? 73 de John, KK4OYJ ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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You read the manual John so you are way ahead. Just take your time and go step by step. It might help to have some small tools handy to help with the fasteners. You will be fine and I can't begin to describe what a great feeling of accomplishment it is to push that power button at the end and have the rig come alive!
73 Charles N2SO. Sent from my android device. -----Original Message----- From: "John, 9H5G" <[hidden email]> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]> Sent: Sat, 03 May 2014 5:09 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Kit Wisdom The kit is "in the mail" so I thought it would be a good time to fire off my first email to the group and exit from "lurk" mode with a question. I've read the K3 kit manual a few times now but I'm certain that there is a lot of wisdom out there to be garnered from the collective experience of the group so I'm asking if you would take the time to share please? 73 de John, KK4OYJ ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by kk4oyj
John,
Yes, that is easy. Follow the instructions in the manual in the order written. If you are not adept at determining screw sizes and lengths "by eye", measure them. That is all there is to it. Build the base K3 first, then the KAT3, then the KPA3, followed by the KRX3 and the KXV144 if you have those options. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/3/2014 6:07 AM, John, 9H5G wrote: > The kit is "in the mail" so I thought it would be a good time to fire off my first email to the group and exit from "lurk" mode with a question. > > I've read the K3 kit manual a few times now but I'm certain that there is a lot of wisdom out there to be garnered from the collective experience of the group so I'm asking if you would take the time to share please? > > 73 de John, KK4OYJ > ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by kk4oyj
ORIGINAL MESSAGE: (may be snipped)
On 5/3/2014 3:07 AM, John, 9H5G wrote: > The kit is "in the mail" so I thought it would be a good time to fire off my first email to the group and exit from "lurk" mode with a question. > > I've read the K3 kit manual a few times now but I'm certain that there is a lot of wisdom out there to be garnered from the collective experience of the group so I'm asking if you would take the time to share please? > > 73 de John, KK4OYJ REPLY: The main thing I would suggest is if you are going to add any options, do it now rather than later. In my case, I added the digital voice recorder after the unit was built and that was a big mistake. I had to practically disassemble the whole thing to add it. OK, I'm exaggerating, but not that much. The other thing to be careful of is the sequence of assembly if you are adding the 100 watt amplifier. The instructions jump from the main manual to the amplifier manual and back again and I somehow got lost and as a result, skipped a few steps. I eventually figured it out but it was confusing. Pay very close attention to the sequence of steps. If I were writing the manual, I would have two manuals - one for the 10 watt unit and one for the 100 watt. Having to jump back and forth between two different manuals is not good. One last thing. If you are installing the 100 watt amplifier, you have to go into the setup menu and activate it before it will work. Otherwise it went well. The manuals are superb except for what I noted above. Have fun! 73, Bill W6WRT ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by kk4oyj
Hi John,
I believe you've made one of the better choices of your ham career. I'm certain you won't look back. Free advice: 1. Inventory all the parts in the kit, especially the screws, washers, nuts. Be prepared to measure screw lengths with a shop rule. 2. If something seems like it doesn't fit correctly, then you've done something wrong. The K3 fits together perfectly; if it doesn't feel right then you probably have the wrong hardware in place. 3. Observe and follow the ESD precautions given in the assembly manual. There really aren't that many things you can do wrong. Take your time and enjoy the build. I built one of the first kits in 2007 (#24). Even then, just the advice I gave above was enough. All the wrinkles have been ironed out since then. You're dealing with a mature kit product now. Operating the K3 is a learning experience, and if I were you I'd consult this list as needed. Elecraft's customer support is first class and they'll help get you past a bump in the road if needed. 73, matt W6NIA On Sat, 3 May 2014 06:07:40 -0400, you wrote: >The kit is "in the mail" so I thought it would be a good time to fire off my first email to the group and exit from "lurk" mode with a question. > >I've read the K3 kit manual a few times now but I'm certain that there is a lot of wisdom out there to be garnered from the collective experience of the group so I'm asking if you would take the time to share please? > >73 de John, KK4OYJ >______________________________________________________________ >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 >Message delivered to [hidden email] -- "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." -A. Lincoln ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by kk4oyj
Congratulations, John!
If you have questions, just ask here; you should get answers from "those in the know" soon enough. Another resource I like is this searchable database of past posts to this reflector: http://marc.info/?l=elecraft There you can search by title, author or even based on the body of messages. And it goes back a long time and makes for some interesting reading. Have fun with your build. I'm sure you'll have the K3 up and running very soon. 73, Phil w7ox On 5/3/14, 3:07 AM, John, 9H5G wrote: > The kit is "in the mail" so I thought it would be a good time to fire off my first email to the group and exit from "lurk" mode with a question. > > I've read the K3 kit manual a few times now but I'm certain that there is a lot of wisdom out there to be garnered from the collective experience of the group so I'm asking if you would take the time to share please? > > 73 de John, KK4OYJ ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Matt Zilmer-3
Get a static protection mat and ground yourself - this will protect
sensitive parts. Use an egg carton for separation of the hardware. Read each step twice, then proceed. Don't tighten anything until instructed to do so. Do each step in order - there is a reason for it. The process took me about fourteen hours - many take considerably less. It is merely an exercise in assembly - no soldering. Not like a Heath Kit, rather more like an Erector Set. After you scratch the operational surface of the rig, expect a steep learning curve - this is not a simple rig and is capable of meeting nearly everyone's operational desires and requirements. Bill K-Line ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Go to home depot (or wherever) and get a new #0 and #1 screwdriver for
assembly. Last thing you want is a stripped out screw on your 2k dollar rig because of $5 screwdriver was too big/small. Frank KG6EYC ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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I agree with the comment below but I also recommend you buy quality
screwdrivers -- the best you can find with hardened tips so that the blades on the philips head driver do not get screwed up which screws up and strips the screws while you are screwing in the screw [I never realized how funny and yet fun the word "screw" is]. 73, phil, K7PEH On May 3, 2014, at 8:21 AM, Frank Precissi <[hidden email]> wrote: > Go to home depot (or wherever) and get a new #0 and #1 screwdriver for > assembly. Last thing you want is a stripped out screw on your 2k dollar > rig because of $5 screwdriver was too big/small. > > Frank > KG6EYC > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to [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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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A friend of mine mentioned that the screws used in Icom radios and such
were some special type... He even bought some special screwdriver for them... Something about the heads being slightly different from normal Phillips head. Any one know if this is true? -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-05-03 at 09:01 -0700, Phil Hystad wrote: > I agree with the comment below but I also recommend you buy quality > screwdrivers -- the best you can find with hardened tips so that the blades > on the philips head driver do not get screwed up which screws up and strips > the screws while you are screwing in the screw [I never realized how funny > and yet fun the word "screw" is]. > > 73, phil, K7PEH > > > On May 3, 2014, at 8:21 AM, Frank Precissi <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > Go to home depot (or wherever) and get a new #0 and #1 screwdriver for > > assembly. Last thing you want is a stripped out screw on your 2k dollar > > rig because of $5 screwdriver was too big/small. > > > > Frank > > KG6EYC > > ______________________________________________________________ > > 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 > > Message delivered to [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 > Message delivered to [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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Yes, it's true. JPS (Japanese standard) is ever so slightly different
from the American standard. 73, Tony K4QE On 5/3/2014 12:37, David Cole wrote: > A friend of mine mentioned that the screws used in Icom radios and such > were some special type... He even bought some special screwdriver for > them... Something about the heads being slightly different from normal > Phillips head. Any one know if this is true? ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Oops...meant JIS...
On 5/3/2014 12:56, Anthony Scandurra wrote: > Yes, it's true. JPS (Japanese standard) is ever so slightly different > from the American standard. > > 73, Tony K4QE > > On 5/3/2014 12:37, David Cole wrote: >> A friend of mine mentioned that the screws used in Icom radios and such >> were some special type... He even bought some special screwdriver for >> them... Something about the heads being slightly different from normal >> Phillips head. Any one know if this is true? > ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3
ORIGINAL MESSAGE: (may be snipped)
On 5/3/2014 9:01 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: > I agree with the comment below but I also recommend you buy quality > screwdrivers -- the best you can find with hardened tips so that the blades > on the philips head driver do not get screwed up which screws up and strips > the screws while you are screwing in the screw [I never realized how funny > and yet fun the word "screw" is]. > > 73, phil, K7PEH REPLY: One of the best and longest lasting screwdrivers you can get is the little tips made for power drivers. They fit into a standard 1/4 inch nutdriver and will outlast any regular screwdriver made for use by hand. Because they are made for power drivers they are incredibly tough. As a bonus, get a 1/4 inch nutdriver that is magnetic and the tips become magnetic too. However, DO NOT be tempted to assemble your K3 with a power screwdriver. Hand tighten only! Good luck and have fun! 73, Bill W6WRT ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by kk4oyj
Earlier today Bill (W2BLC) wrote .
"Use an egg carton for separation of the hardware." --- - - - --- WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! Proper ESD precautions dictate that plastic or foam shouldn't be anywhere near your ESD safe work area. Technically, "not anywhere near" means at least a foot away although I would suggest at least three, but preferable six feet away so that it's not within arm's reach. Therefore, DO NOT USE a plastic or a foam egg carton to sort/organize hardware! Only use a recycled paper egg cartoon, although I prefer a "mini" muffin tin for this purpose. In hindsight, a recycled paper egg carton might be better from an ESD perspective, although a paper carton might contain acids that can lead to corrosion over time. (Probably not a concern for someone who completes their K3 within 24 hours, but I had to set mine aside for a couple of months mid-build due to health reasons.) 73, Gary KI4GGX ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Good point regarding the plastic foam egg cartons. I never even thought
about them, as all I ever see are the old style paper ones. Must be from living in a cave! Bill K-Line ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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If you are going to use the power tips a lot as hand drivers, but the magnetic handle to hold them, not a regular nut driver. The difference is that the nut driver has a hardened tip and a recess for the bolt, but probably not magnetic. The handle has a longer 1/4 inch recess, the magnet and no recess for the bolt which you do not need. You can use the nut driver in a pinch, but the handle is better and they come in different lengths so you can reach things, not so important for a K3, but very important for airplanes.
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart On Saturday, May 3, 2014 1:16 PM, Bill W2BLC <[hidden email]> wrote: Good point regarding the plastic foam egg cartons. I never even thought about them, as all I ever see are the old style paper ones. Must be from living in a cave! Bill K-Line ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Gentlemen,
Thank you for a fantastic list of hints and tips so far! As Gary, KI4GGX, pointed out I should have mentioned the options that I have coming. It's a K3/100 with a KRX3 and a handful of filters. Simple but very effective, I'm sure. Keep them coming please- I have a week more to fill while the UPS man pedals his way across the country :) 73 de John, KK4OYJ On 3 May 2014, at 14:36, WILLIS COOKE via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote: If you are going to use the power tips a lot as hand drivers, but the magnetic handle to hold them, not a regular nut driver. The difference is that the nut driver has a hardened tip and a recess for the bolt, but probably not magnetic. The handle has a longer 1/4 inch recess, the magnet and no recess for the bolt which you do not need. You can use the nut driver in a pinch, but the handle is better and they come in different lengths so you can reach things, not so important for a K3, but very important for airplanes. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart On Saturday, May 3, 2014 1:16 PM, Bill W2BLC <[hidden email]> wrote: Good point regarding the plastic foam egg cartons. I never even thought about them, as all I ever see are the old style paper ones. Must be from living in a cave! Bill K-Line ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [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 Message delivered to [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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Helping others is one of the main purposes of this list. If we could
get the UPS guy to move faster, I'm sure we would. 73 matt, W6NIA On Sat, 3 May 2014 15:51:19 -0400, you wrote: >Gentlemen, > >Thank you for a fantastic list of hints and tips so far! > >As Gary, KI4GGX, pointed out I should have mentioned the options that I have coming. It's a K3/100 with a KRX3 and a handful of filters. Simple but very effective, I'm sure. > >Keep them coming please- I have a week more to fill while the UPS man pedals his way across the country :) > >73 de John, KK4OYJ > >On 3 May 2014, at 14:36, WILLIS COOKE via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote: > >If you are going to use the power tips a lot as hand drivers, but the magnetic handle to hold them, not a regular nut driver. The difference is that the nut driver has a hardened tip and a recess for the bolt, but probably not magnetic. The handle has a longer 1/4 inch recess, the magnet and no recess for the bolt which you do not need. You can use the nut driver in a pinch, but the handle is better and they come in different lengths so you can reach things, not so important for a K3, but very important for airplanes. > >Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman >K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart >On Saturday, May 3, 2014 1:16 PM, Bill W2BLC <[hidden email]> wrote: > >Good point regarding the plastic foam egg cartons. I never even thought >about them, as all I ever see are the old style paper ones. Must be from >living in a cave! > >Bill K-Line > > > >______________________________________________________________ >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 >Message delivered to [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 >Message delivered to [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 >Message delivered to [hidden email] -- "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." -A. Lincoln ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Bill-3
On 5/3/2014 2:15 PM, Bill W2BLC wrote: as all I ever see are the old style paper ones. Must be from > living in a cave! ---------------------------------------------- Maybe, but even a cave man can do it ! > _____________________ Anonymous _______________________ . ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by kk4oyj
John - One other small step for K3 assemblers that I felt should be done
earlier is on page 58 of the K3 assembly manual "KNB3 installation procedure" My note to myself was the standoff for the noise blanker should be done BEFORE the KPA3 shield step or even earlier - it was a dog for me to get that standoff mounted after the KPA3 shield was in place. 73 Hank K7HP ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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