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K3 no-soldering kit: response to several comments

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wayne burdick

K3 no-soldering kit: response to several comments

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We've had a few requests for a "full" K3 kit -- one where the builder
installs all of the parts, including the SMDs (surface mount devices).
Unfortunately this isn't practical for a project of this complexity. I
realize that many of our customers are quite capable of doing SMD
assembly, but many would have difficulty, too, since there are hundreds
of SMDs, many with very fine pitch leads.

In order to support a "full" kit, we'd have to stock and kit all of the
SMDs for a small percentage of builders. This would represent a huge
amount of added overhead, since at present the SMDs are shipped
directly from vendors to our assembly facility. In addition, we'd need
a lot of additional documentation and support staff to help with
SMD-related assembly, testing, troubleshooting and repair. I consider
myself a very capable SMD builder, but I occasionally mis-install a
part or leave a joint unsoldered, and troubleshooting such problems can
be very tedious even for the designer!

The other request has been for a version of the K3 where the builder
installs all the leaded parts. This, too, would create major
difficulties for a product like the K3. Even if we pre-installed the
SMDs, we wouldn't be able to fully test the PC boards if we didn't also
install the leaded parts, including connectors. Nodal testing using
custom fixtures for each board might get around this, but it could take
another year of engineering time to complete. And we'd still have
problems: a very expensive multilayer board with lots of SMDs that was
damaged during customer assembly would be a serious liability both for
us and the builder.

The modular, no-soldering K3 kit will, we hope, be attractive to both
our current customers and to new builders who would never have
attempted to build their own transceiver before. With our encouragement
(and yours), these new builders may go on to try their hand at our
"full" kits. We plan to continue to offer all of our present kits and
will add new ones in the future.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

---

http://www.elecraft.com

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Doug Person

Re: K3 no-soldering kit: response to several comments

Speaking for myself, I'm very pleased with the approach you've taken.
While my soldering skills are excellent and I enjoy the building process
very much, SMD's are out of the question for me. In the case of the K3,
I save a few hundred $ doing the mechanical assembly - which is great -
glad that option is available.

However, I'm drawn to the K3 not for the kit-building experience, but
for its superb design and outstanding performance. This is my chance to
own a truly high-performance rig in a price range I can afford.

To me, the K2 and K3 are apples and oranges. If you want to build - buy
a K2. You will have a great kit-building experience and a great rig
when you're done. If you want a radio with high-performance - and that
is your purchase criteria - then the K3 is for you. And oh by the way,
you can save a few bucks if you do some of the mechanical assembly work
yourself. A bonus feature.

As I'm sure you've heard this over and over - great job on the K3.
Can't wait to get mine. I'm sure you guys feel a great deal of
gratification and satisfaction from all of the positive feedback. The
K3 may very well become the benchmark by which other rigs are measured.

73 es tnx,

Doug -- K0DXV

wayne burdick wrote:

> We've had a few requests for a "full" K3 kit -- one where the builder
> installs all of the parts, including the SMDs (surface mount devices).
> Unfortunately this isn't practical for a project of this complexity. I
> realize that many of our customers are quite capable of doing SMD
> assembly, but many would have difficulty, too, since there are
> hundreds of SMDs, many with very fine pitch leads.
>
> In order to support a "full" kit, we'd have to stock and kit all of
> the SMDs for a small percentage of builders. This would represent a
> huge amount of added overhead, since at present the SMDs are shipped
> directly from vendors to our assembly facility. In addition, we'd need
> a lot of additional documentation and support staff to help with
> SMD-related assembly, testing, troubleshooting and repair. I consider
> myself a very capable SMD builder, but I occasionally mis-install a
> part or leave a joint unsoldered, and troubleshooting such problems
> can be very tedious even for the designer!
>
> The other request has been for a version of the K3 where the builder
> installs all the leaded parts. This, too, would create major
> difficulties for a product like the K3. Even if we pre-installed the
> SMDs, we wouldn't be able to fully test the PC boards if we didn't
> also install the leaded parts, including connectors. Nodal testing
> using custom fixtures for each board might get around this, but it
> could take another year of engineering time to complete. And we'd
> still have problems: a very expensive multilayer board with lots of
> SMDs that was damaged during customer assembly would be a serious
> liability both for us and the builder.
>
> The modular, no-soldering K3 kit will, we hope, be attractive to both
> our current customers and to new builders who would never have
> attempted to build their own transceiver before. With our
> encouragement (and yours), these new builders may go on to try their
> hand at our "full" kits. We plan to continue to offer all of our
> present kits and will add new ones in the future.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
> ---
>
> 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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Brett gazdzinski-2

RE: K3 no-soldering kit: response to several comments

What he said!

And I hope all the elecraft crew are feeling good about things,
and not overdoing it in the mad rush to send me my K3.

While I cant wait to get my new rig, I hope everyone
at elecraft has time to live a somewhat normal life and ENJOY
things.
Like maybe they even want to get on the air and do some CW
or something...

It seems pretty busy what with designing radios, going
to giant hamfests, working with the K3 builders, doing the web page,
the email stuff, supporting all the existing products, etc....

Do they sleep?

Brett
N2DTS

> Speaking for myself, I'm very pleased with the approach
> you've taken.
> While my soldering skills are excellent and I enjoy the
> building process
> very much, SMD's are out of the question for me. In the case
> of the K3,
> I save a few hundred $ doing the mechanical assembly - which
> is great -
> glad that option is available.
>
> However, I'm drawn to the K3 not for the kit-building experience, but
> for its superb design and outstanding performance. This is
> my chance to
> own a truly high-performance rig in a price range I can afford.
>
> To me, the K2 and K3 are apples and oranges. If you want to
> build - buy
> a K2. You will have a great kit-building experience and a great rig
> when you're done. If you want a radio with high-performance
> - and that
> is your purchase criteria - then the K3 is for you. And oh
> by the way,
> you can save a few bucks if you do some of the mechanical
> assembly work
> yourself. A bonus feature.
>
> As I'm sure you've heard this over and over - great job on the K3.
> Can't wait to get mine. I'm sure you guys feel a great deal of
> gratification and satisfaction from all of the positive
> feedback. The
> K3 may very well become the benchmark by which other rigs are
> measured.
>
> 73 es tnx,
>
> Doug -- K0DXV
> >

Chris G3SJJ

Re: K3 no-soldering kit: response to several comments

In reply to this post by Doug Person

I agree 100% with every comment you made, Doug. I purchased my
K2/100/160/SSB last year at Dayton and got immense pleasure and
satisfaction out of building it. Receive performance is good but I am
not convinced it is better than my FT1kMP with Inrad roofing filter and
2nd & 3rd IF filters. I suspect the skirt selectivity tails off after
60db down which causes problems in close-in contest working. I think the
K2 is a fantastic rig for portable and dxpeditions but does lack some
refinement for high-end contesting.

I went for the K3 for exactly the same reasons as you. I am completely
confident that the design and manufacture will live up to the standard
we have all come to expect. For me, I am sure it will enhance the K2
performance plus provide those additional facilities I felt lacking,
plus more and more and more.

I don't think assembly down to SMD level on such a complex piece of
equipment is viable as Wayne points out, nor do I think it is necessary.
I certainly look forward to having some involvement on its final
assembly. I think the crew at Elecraft have done and continue to do a
magnificent job.

Now having said all that ..... I am wondering if I can put my money
where my mouth is!! At the end of July is the IOTA Contest, if I could
get hold of my K3 before then I would be willing to invest a further
$1000 for a trip to Guernsey and active GU8D (24 hr CW DXpedition
category) as the first contest operation for the K3. (GU8D appeared in
the top ten multi-op 1996 to 2005.)

Chris G3SJJ

Doug Person wrote:

> Speaking for myself, I'm very pleased with the approach you've taken.
> While my soldering skills are excellent and I enjoy the building
> process very much, SMD's are out of the question for me. In the case
> of the K3, I save a few hundred $ doing the mechanical assembly -
> which is great - glad that option is available.
> However, I'm drawn to the K3 not for the kit-building experience, but
> for its superb design and outstanding performance. This is my chance
> to own a truly high-performance rig in a price range I can afford.
>
> To me, the K2 and K3 are apples and oranges. If you want to build -
> buy a K2. You will have a great kit-building experience and a great
> rig when you're done. If you want a radio with high-performance - and
> that is your purchase criteria - then the K3 is for you. And oh by
> the way, you can save a few bucks if you do some of the mechanical
> assembly work yourself. A bonus feature.
>
> As I'm sure you've heard this over and over - great job on the K3.
> Can't wait to get mine. I'm sure you guys feel a great deal of
> gratification and satisfaction from all of the positive feedback. The
> K3 may very well become the benchmark by which other rigs are measured.
>
> 73 es tnx,
>
> Doug -- K0DXV
>
> wayne burdick wrote:
>> We've had a few requests for a "full" K3 kit -- one where the builder
>> installs all of the parts, including the SMDs (surface mount
>> devices). Unfortunately this isn't practical for a project of this
>> complexity. I realize that many of our customers are quite capable of
>> doing SMD assembly, but many would have difficulty, too, since there
>> are hundreds of SMDs, many with very fine pitch leads.
>>
>> In order to support a "full" kit, we'd have to stock and kit all of
>> the SMDs for a small percentage of builders. This would represent a
>> huge amount of added overhead, since at present the SMDs are shipped
>> directly from vendors to our assembly facility. In addition, we'd
>> need a lot of additional documentation and support staff to help with
>> SMD-related assembly, testing, troubleshooting and repair. I consider
>> myself a very capable SMD builder, but I occasionally mis-install a
>> part or leave a joint unsoldered, and troubleshooting such problems
>> can be very tedious even for the designer!
>>
>> The other request has been for a version of the K3 where the builder
>> installs all the leaded parts. This, too, would create major
>> difficulties for a product like the K3. Even if we pre-installed the
>> SMDs, we wouldn't be able to fully test the PC boards if we didn't
>> also install the leaded parts, including connectors. Nodal testing
>> using custom fixtures for each board might get around this, but it
>> could take another year of engineering time to complete. And we'd
>> still have problems: a very expensive multilayer board with lots of
>> SMDs that was damaged during customer assembly would be a serious
>> liability both for us and the builder.
>>
>> The modular, no-soldering K3 kit will, we hope, be attractive to both
>> our current customers and to new builders who would never have
>> attempted to build their own transceiver before. With our
>> encouragement (and yours), these new builders may go on to try their
>> hand at our "full" kits. We plan to continue to offer all of our
>> present kits and will add new ones in the future.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR