K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
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K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
 
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We've just uploaded the K3 basic assembly manual (pre-release version)
to the K3 web page. You can directly access it at: http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3%20Assembly%20Manual%20Prelimnary_s.pdf (It's 3 MB) If that link wraps in your email viewer, try: http://snipurl.com/1qjwe 73, Eric WA6HHQ -- _..._ _______________________________________________ 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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After my laptop decided to die last Sunday, this is like really WOW!
My drool factor just went through the roof. vy 73 de toby _______________________________________________ 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 just read the assembly manual... wow. My reactions.
1. An excellent piece of writing and the photos are miles ahead of drawings, of course. 2. I am not sure that all this assembly can be done for $330 usd. By that I mean, I think I now want to order a factory built version because ... for me... the factory assembly cost is now very appropriate and I am not sure but that I should spend the additional bux (especially because any mistake on my part will mean a long distance mailing or other long distance issues). Big thanks for a great job well done. Charles Harpole, HS0ZCW [hidden email] _________________________________________________________________ More photos; more messages; more whatever. Windows Live Hotmail - NOW with 5GB storage. http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_5G_0907 _______________________________________________ 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 Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Outstanding!
Will there be a pre-release of the operating manual also? 73, Randy, KS4L _______________________________________________ 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: K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
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In a recent message, Randy <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>Outstanding! > >Will there be a pre-release of the operating manual also? > >73, >Randy, KS4L I wondered how long it would be before someone asked that! There is the Service Manual too. Perhaps we could ask Eric & Wayne to delay dispatch of the K3 for a further couple of weeks while they prepare provisional copies of the Operating and Service manuals - NOT! -- David G4DMP Leeds, England, UK ------ _______________________________________________ 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: K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
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In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
VERY Impressive Document. All I have done is a first scan. I do
technical documentation for a living. The zoom spot images and text around the images, very well done. The document has a very modern feel, and immediately gives me a feeling of what I am up against as a reader (do not yet have a K3 on order, but hope to). The document significantly sets Elecraft apart from others. After building the K2, so many of the steps are similar to other activities in the past, and those very familiar. Awesome photographs, and again, very impressive on how they are integrated into the document. I know how hard that is to do well. May I be so bold as to ask what software you use for documentation? I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around having a brand new K3 to play with, and having to take it apart and photograph the assembly. OUCH! David Wilburn [hidden email] K4DGW K2 #5982 FP#-1751 Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ Elecraft wrote: > We've just uploaded the K3 basic assembly manual (pre-release version) > to the K3 web page. You can directly access it at: > http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3%20Assembly%20Manual%20Prelimnary_s.pdf > (It's 3 MB) > > If that link wraps in your email viewer, try: > http://snipurl.com/1qjwe > > 73, Eric WA6HHQ > 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: K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
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In reply to this post by David Pratt-2
Not to mention the Programmers Reference Manual!
-- Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392 K3 s/n: ??? G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com Ham-Directory: www.ham-directory.com On 9/11/07, David Pratt <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I wondered how long it would be before someone asked that! There is the > Service Manual too. _______________________________________________ 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
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
Re: K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
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I don't come with a manual.
Simon Brown, HB9DRV ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julian G4ILO" <[hidden email]> > Not to mention the Programmers Reference Manual! _______________________________________________ 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: K3 Pre-release Assembly Manual Posted
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In reply to this post by dave.wilburn
Eric, Wayne, et al.,
As you know, I'm also a pro technical writer and graphic illustrator, and I must say this preliminary manual is truly an excellent piece of work. Just scanning through it quickly, I saw only one typo and a couple of pissant punctuation errors :-) -- which, for a preliminary draft, is truly in a league of its own quality-wise. Wow! I would be very, very proud to have done this kind of work. You guys are to be sincerely congratulated. There is a small problem on the block diagram on the last page that I thought I'd comment on. A number of specific type elements are oversize -- the upper-case "I", the lower-case "l", the hyphen, and the period: basically any character whose vector definition is a single vertical or horizontal straight line. The absolute difference in terms of measurement is probably miniscule, but the way Acrobat works, whenever it sees any difference in weight-producing dimensions, even a mil, between two otherwise similar objects, it tries to over-emphasize that difference visually at lower zoom levels, since it could be important. The source of the vectors for the PDF looks to me like a CAD/layout program, because the type objects aren't really type -- they're just arbitrary vector objects as far as a Postscript engine like Acrobat is concerned. There are a number of post-process approaches you could make that would fix this, or redo the whole diagram in Adobe Illustrator or similar. But then you would have to re-do those tweaks every time you spun the manual. Not good. :-) Probably not worth fixing if that's what you have to do. Again, TERRIFIC job. As David said, it takes a pro in this field to know just how hard it is to do it this well. Bill / W5WVO PS -- You might be able to specify a different base typeface for the text in the drawing (if the concept of "typefqace" or "font" exists in this app), and this magnifying effect with Acrobat might not happen. I'd have to be familiar with the source app to know for sure. David Wilburn wrote: > VERY Impressive Document. All I have done is a first scan. I do > technical documentation for a living. The zoom spot images and text > around the images, very well done. The document has a very modern > feel, and immediately gives me a feeling of what I am up against as a > reader (do not yet have a K3 on order, but hope to). The document > significantly sets Elecraft apart from others. > > After building the K2, so many of the steps are similar to other > activities in the past, and those very familiar. Awesome photographs, > and again, very impressive on how they are integrated into the > document. I know how hard that is to do well. May I be so bold as > to ask what software you use for documentation? > > I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around having a brand > new K3 to play with, and having to take it apart and photograph the > assembly. OUCH! > > David Wilburn > [hidden email] > K4DGW > K2 #5982 > FP#-1751 > > > Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ Elecraft wrote: >> We've just uploaded the K3 basic assembly manual (pre-release >> version) to the K3 web page. You can directly access it at: >> http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3%20Assembly%20Manual%20Prelimnary_s.pdf >> (It's 3 MB) >> >> If that link wraps in your email viewer, try: >> http://snipurl.com/1qjwe >> >> 73, Eric WA6HHQ >> > _______________________________________________ > 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 _______________________________________________ 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 dave.wilburn
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In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Regular air mail from various parts of USA to my Thailand home: 6 days...
Postmark date to being in my hands here. Regular air mail from Thailand to USA: from ten days to five weeks, unknown reason for the variance. FedEx small box, USA to my hands: 6 days ! Charles Harpole, HS0ZCW [hidden email] _________________________________________________________________ Can you find the hidden words? Take a break and play Seekadoo! http://club.live.com/seekadoo.aspx?icid=seek_hotmailtextlink1 _______________________________________________ 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 Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Please any info on keying a linear with an FT-897........ the book I have
gives contradictory info on the ALC/PTT phone jack and testing it shows NC on xmit there. Also, typical of JA books, the DIN pin out in the book does not say if looking at jack from back or from front.... very important, but not often stated. Help, pse. Charles Harpole [hidden email] _________________________________________________________________ Gear up for Halo® 3 with free downloads and an exclusive offer. http://gethalo3gear.com?ocid=SeptemberWLHalo3_MSNHMTxt_1 _______________________________________________ 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 Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Elecraft designers had K2-its.... thinking they were mostly evolving a
K2.... Big mistake as I said in an earler message.... The K3 has jumped Elecraft into the areana of the ORION 2, FT-9000 and IC-7800 and great specs are great, but the human factor... so often ignored by purist engineers... is left out. This means they can still be beaten in the marketplace when their specs indicate they should be the only hi end rig of choice. If I can afford it, I plan to give myself an ORION 2 for Xmas, just after taking delivery of my K3, I hope. I know I can sell either here in Thailand due to the buzz on both, so maybe eventually I will take my pick and if I can not hear the difference between the two (likely due to my weak abilities in that area), guess which will go up for sale...... 73, Charles Harpole HS0ZCW [hidden email] _________________________________________________________________ Kick back and relax with hot games and cool activities at the Messenger Café. http://www.cafemessenger.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_SeptHMtagline1 _______________________________________________ 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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Charles Harpole wrote:
> Elecraft designers had K2-its.... thinking they were mostly evolving a > K2.... Big mistake as I said in an earler message.... The K3 has jumped > Elecraft into the areana of the ORION 2, FT-9000 and IC-7800 and great > specs are great, but the human factor... so often ignored by purist > engineers... is left out. This is totally not true. *Your* idea of the human factor -- it should have a tuning knob like my HRO, or whatever -- is not satisfied by the K3. But to my mind it's quite reasonable in size, has a reasonable number of knobs of a reasonable size, and is easy to learn to use. Actually, I think it's correct to say that from an engineering standpoint 'human factors' had as much or more attention paid to them than raw performance. I've used the IC7800 and I've used the K3 and the K3 is easier to use. No, it doesn't have as many knobs. So what? -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ 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 Charly
-----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Charles Harpole Elecraft designers had K2-its.... thinking they were mostly evolving a K2.... Big mistake as I said in an earler message.... The K3 has jumped Elecraft into the areana of the ORION 2, FT-9000 and IC-7800 and great specs are great, but the human factor... so often ignored by purist engineers... is left out. This means they can still be beaten in the marketplace when their specs indicate they should be the only hi end rig of choice. -------------------------------- I didn't quite follow you here Charles. What human factor item is the K3 missing that will limit it in the marketplace? Maybe it isn't flashy enough? - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - _______________________________________________ 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 Charly
Exactly. Human factor=Flashy knobs. How else could you impress
a shack visitor if your radio had precious few knobs? Big seller for off shore rigs..panel full of knobs the majority of which one never touches after that first day when the radio arrived and there was lots to play with. Contesting or rag chewing, there's not all that many knobs one needs to turn, so where's the beef? My buddy Charles, who I met at VU4, I say go ahead with Orion II. de Joe, aa4nn > >-------------------------------- >I didn't quite follow you here Charles. What human factor item is the >K3 missing that will limit it in the marketplace? Maybe it isn't flashy >enough? _______________________________________________ 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 Darwin, Keith
Keith, > I didn't quite follow you here Charles. What human factor item is > the K3 missing that will limit it in the marketplace? Maybe it > isn't flashy enough? There two "human factors" items that have been cited several times: 1) the knobs are perceived to be too small. Most who comment on this would prefer a 2.5" diameter main VFO with at least 1.5" diameter for VFO B. The current 1.5" and 1.0" (approx) are believed to be too small. We shall see once the second and third production runs start reaching users in quantity. 2) The lack of a set of "direct access" band and mode select keys. I am aware of the ways to program the memories as a work around but, again those who are evaluating the K3 based on other radios are used to certain "convenience" items. A radio can offer the leading technology but if the user interface generates negative word of mouth, the product will have problems with market acceptance. Similarly, a product with outstanding attention to human factors design (user interface issues) will be a run-away success even if it is only average in performance. 73, ... Joe, W4TV > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Darwin, Keith > Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 8:34 AM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 in the marketplace > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Charles Harpole > > Elecraft designers had K2-its.... thinking they were mostly > evolving a > K2.... Big mistake as I said in an earler message.... The K3 > has jumped > Elecraft into the areana of the ORION 2, FT-9000 and IC-7800 and great > specs are great, but the human factor... so often ignored by purist > engineers... > is left out. > > This means they can still be beaten in the marketplace when > their specs > indicate they should be the only hi end rig of choice. > > -------------------------------- > > I didn't quite follow you here Charles. What human factor item is the > K3 missing that will limit it in the marketplace? Maybe it > isn't flashy > enough? > > - Keith N1AS - > - K2 5411.ssb.100 - > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > _______________________________________________ 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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FINALLY, something negative about the K3. Sounds odd, but I'm glad to
hear it. My fear is that this rig will be so good and so desirable that demand will far outstrip supply for some time leading to shortages (I won't be able to get one) and the possibility of lower quality due to growing pains and Elecraft and rushed production. Having never touched one, I'd agree that a 2.5" VFO knob would have been a better choice than 1.5". Direct access to bands and modes (and filter selections) are some very nice things to have as well. One of the things I loved about my Omni V was that you had individual buttons for these things and they had LEDs to show you which one was selected. But my K2 has all of these limitations as well. Despite the fact that I'd like to have them fixed, they are not enough of an issue for me to step away from the K2 in favor of any other rig. The K2 just works to nicely despite the few human factors issues. It looks to me like there is room on the K3 for a bit bigger knob on both VFOs. Certainly not 1/2" bigger, but maybe 20% bigger. If K3 sales are high enough, maybe there will be an aftermarket knob for the rig? It will be interesting to watch the whole thing unfold! 73! - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - -----Original Message----- From: Joe Subich, W4TV [mailto:[hidden email]] There two "human factors" items that have been cited several times: 1) the knobs are perceived to be too small. The current 1.5" and 1.0" (approx) are believed to be too small. 2) The lack of a set of "direct access" band and mode select keys. _______________________________________________ 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 Charly
I had a fun kind of ribbing exchange with Eric and Wayne at Dayton
complaining about the small knobs (particularly on the second VFO). They seem tiny compared to the Orion or the FT-1000x. The largest knob is about as big as the small one on the Yaesu. In the old days you needed a big knob for fine tuning. Now, you just change the tuning rate for the encoder and away you go. I truly believe it is one of those things you will "get used to." Eric and Wayne are very proud of the way they have condensed the K3 and they should be. I wouldn't hold out any hope for a LARGE PRINT edition with a bigger box, larger knobs and more space between the buttons although it seems it would be easy enough to do. Craig "Buck" k4ia Fredericksburg, Virginia USA ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com _______________________________________________ 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 Darwin, Keith
I guess hams in general are impressed by a lot of knobs and buttons and
lights. I think that if we want to utilize any radio the best way possible we need to forget some of our biases and try to adapt to the features of the radio. This is why many hams derive so much pleasure out of some well designed small qrp rigs. I don't agree with the conclusion that the K3 is a bad radio for the older generation because of small knobs, etc. People who have various disabilities (i.e. blindness) will probably find the K3 to be a delight to operate. You may not be able to push the same type of buttons on a K3 as you would a Yacomwood but if you go with the flow of the radio, you may find that although the radio's interface is different, it may end up being better and more pleasurable to use. It may be like CW, you need to do it for a while in order to enjoy it and appreciate its good points. Also if a smaller VFO knob is designed well it can be nicer to use than a large VFO knob. A long time ago I sent my Sierra to Wayne because he was curious about questions I had about its alignment. I was surprised one Saturady with a call from him concerning the radio. While we were talking I mentioned how I admired his talent for designing radios and regretted not becoming an E.E. instead of becoming a civil engineer. He said not to have that hold me back as he was educated in cognitive science, (I think that's what he said)? Anyway, it didn't really register with me at the time what that meant, until recently.. I just looked it up and it seems he has studied and worked a large part of his life to acquire a skillset that is probably the best preparation to be able to design machine interfaces for human interaction. It seems God knew Wayne was going to be involved with the design of the K3, and that there would be many people asking for the big knobs typical of inferior rigs. So in order to ensure that the K3 was the best out there God told him to go get a degree in Cognitive Science. Then Wayne went on to use his education and talent to design the K3 front panel with features so radically new and friendly that it was destined to redifine the human interaction experience for radio transceivers. People said that the K3 human interface was an order of maginitude better than anything else out there. It met up with some resistance from some of the old school who still wanted their big heavy VFO knobs, but in the long run everyone saw the light and all the other radio companies had to copy the features of the K3 human interface just to stay in business. And so it will be. Just try it, and if you can forget some of your biases for a moment, I bet that you will like it better than any other radio. Steve, W2MY _______________________________________________ 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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