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K3S - Build or Buy

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w3pnm

K3S - Build or Buy

I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?

Bill

W3PNM
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

On Mon,9/5/2016 5:25 PM, Bill DeVore wrote:
> Is building worth the $200 in savings?

Absolutely! $200 will get you about 40 double expressos at Starbucks! :)

But seriously, the building experience is simple, takes a bit more than
a day, and you know how to take it apart to add options, trade boards,
etc. It's basically a screw-together kit, with the trickiest parts being
squeezing in the Sub-RX and fitting the front panel board into the main
board. Unless you happen to be physically challenged (really bad
eyesight or motor skills), by all means build it.

73, Jim K9YC

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Ken Arck

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

Well.... it took me a few hours to do... quite simple and well worth
the savings actually...

Ken

At 05:55 PM 9/5/2016, Jim Brown wrote:

>On Mon,9/5/2016 5:25 PM, Bill DeVore wrote:
>> Is building worth the $200 in savings?
>
>Absolutely! $200 will get you about 40 double expressos at Starbucks! :)
>
>But seriously, the building experience is simple, takes a bit more
>than a day, and you know how to take it apart to add options, trade
>boards, etc. It's basically a screw-together kit, with the trickiest
>parts being squeezing in the Sub-RX and fitting the front panel
>board into the main board. Unless you happen to be physically
>challenged (really bad eyesight or motor skills), by all means build it.
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>
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Don Wilhelm

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by w3pnm

Bill,

First assess your capabilities - are you capable of operating a
screwdriver (get a new one) and following written instructions
properly? If the answer is 'yes', then you are capable of building a kit.

The major "pro" of building a kit are that you will become familiar with
the K3S and will know what is involved if you want to add options
later. You will likely feel a sense of accomplishment at having
completed the task.

The "cons" of building a kit is that you will miss the factory final
checkout, calibration and burn-in.

You can do your own checkout, and the calibration is not complex - you
can do it with no tools since the boards are pre-calibrated, but a
signal generator such as the Elecraft XG1, XG2 or XG3 (especially the
XG3) will allow you to refine the final RX Gain calibration using the K3
Utility application. A good dummy load that is rated for at least 50
watts and is 50 ohms non-reactive at 52 MHz is also needed for the TX
Gain Calibration. Even if you order the factory built K3S, I would
suggest that you have a dummy load of that capability available in case
you want to do the TX Gain Calibration at some time in the future.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/5/2016 8:25 PM, Bill DeVore wrote:
> I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?
>
>

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Nr4c

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by w3pnm

You save $200

It's easy to build and you have an appreciation of what's inside.

You will save $200.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Sep 5, 2016, at 8:25 PM, Bill DeVore <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?
>
> Bill
>
> W3PNM
> ______________________________________________________________
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efortner

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by w3pnm

Hi Bill,

At the Shelby Hamfest, 2015 I ordered the entire K-Line, Amp, KAT500, K3s and Elecraft P3 along with the filters they suggested. I received the shipment in late September. Took inventory of all parts as they recommended. I started with the receiver and finished with KPA500 amplifier. It was not difficult and took about three weeks in spare time. It worked when finished but had one minor issue after I started using it. It turned out the reference oscillator was defective and would drift after the K3s warmed up and would stop receiving. A little trouble shooting with help from the factory soon had another reference oscillator on the way. I have probably worked a 100 new countries since then. About the only things you need to buy are a muffin tin to hold the small parts. Several new screwdrives for the small screws and a static mat with wrist clip. No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts, washers and lock washers. My age is 78.

Regards, Earl Fortner, K4KAY

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill DeVore
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 8:26 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy

I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?

Bill

W3PNM
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

It certainly is not a question of saving $200.00 because the feeling of accomplishment you will receive when the lights go on is priceless! 73, Charles N2SO
Treasurer, Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. http://QCWA.org

On Tuesday, September 6, 2016 9:05 AM, efortner <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Bill,

At the Shelby Hamfest, 2015 I ordered the entire K-Line, Amp, KAT500, K3s and Elecraft P3 along with the filters they suggested. I received the shipment in late September. Took inventory of all parts as they recommended. I started with the receiver and finished with KPA500 amplifier. It was not difficult and took about three weeks in spare time. It worked when finished but had one minor issue after I started using it. It turned out the reference oscillator was defective and would drift after the K3s warmed up and would stop receiving. A little trouble shooting with help from the factory soon had another reference oscillator on the way. I have probably worked a 100 new countries since then. About the only things you need to buy are a muffin tin to hold the small parts. Several new screwdrives for the small screws and a static mat with wrist clip. No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts, washers and lock washers. My age is 78.

Regards, Earl Fortner, K4KAY

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill DeVore
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 8:26 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy

I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?

Bill

W3PNM
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stengrevics

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

Agree completely. Never having built something before, I get a sense of accomplishment every time I turn my K3S on.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 6, 2016, at 9:57 AM, Charles R.Tropp via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> It certainly is not a question of saving $200.00 because the feeling of accomplishment you will receive when the lights go on is priceless! 73, Charles N2SO
> Treasurer, Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. http://QCWA.org
>
> On Tuesday, September 6, 2016 9:05 AM, efortner <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Bill,
>
> At the Shelby Hamfest, 2015 I ordered the entire K-Line, Amp, KAT500, K3s and Elecraft P3 along with the filters they suggested. I received the shipment in late September. Took inventory of all parts as they recommended. I started with the receiver and finished with KPA500 amplifier. It was not difficult and took about three weeks in spare time. It worked when finished but had one minor issue after I started using it. It turned out the reference oscillator was defective and would drift after the K3s warmed up and would stop receiving. A little trouble shooting with help from the factory soon had another reference oscillator on the way. I have probably worked a 100 new countries since then. About the only things you need to buy are a muffin tin to hold the small parts. Several new screwdrives for the small screws and a static mat with wrist clip. No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts, washers and lock washers. My age is 78.
>
> Regards, Earl Fortner, K4KAY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill DeVore
> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 8:26 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy
>
> I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?
>
> Bill
>
> W3PNM
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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>
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>
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>
>
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Frank Krozel

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

Let’s not forget the exercise will prepare you for future mods, issues, etc.
Frank KG9H

> On Sep 6, 2016, at 9:07 AM, John Stengrevics <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Agree completely. Never having built something before, I get a sense of accomplishment every time I turn my K3S on.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Sep 6, 2016, at 9:57 AM, Charles R.Tropp via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> It certainly is not a question of saving $200.00 because the feeling of accomplishment you will receive when the lights go on is priceless! 73, Charles N2SO
>> Treasurer, Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. http://QCWA.org
>>
>> On Tuesday, September 6, 2016 9:05 AM, efortner <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi Bill,
>>
>> At the Shelby Hamfest, 2015 I ordered the entire K-Line, Amp, KAT500, K3s and Elecraft P3 along with the filters they suggested. I received the shipment in late September. Took inventory of all parts as they recommended. I started with the receiver and finished with KPA500 amplifier. It was not difficult and took about three weeks in spare time. It worked when finished but had one minor issue after I started using it. It turned out the reference oscillator was defective and would drift after the K3s warmed up and would stop receiving. A little trouble shooting with help from the factory soon had another reference oscillator on the way. I have probably worked a 100 new countries since then. About the only things you need to buy are a muffin tin to hold the small parts. Several new screwdrives for the small screws and a static mat with wrist clip. No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts, washers and lock washers. My age is 78.
>>
>> Regards, Earl Fortner, K4KAY
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill DeVore
>> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 8:26 PM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy
>>
>> I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?
>>
>> Bill
>>
>> W3PNM
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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ve3dvy

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by stengrevics

I agree with the others. Building it is a sense of complement, but more important. If down the road you decide to add to it or there is trouble and a component needs replacing, if you built it you will have a better idea and confidence to open the box and work on it.

Original Message
From: John Stengrevics
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2016 10:07 AM
To: Charles R.Tropp
Cc: [hidden email]; Bill DeVore
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy

Agree completely. Never having built something before, I get a sense of accomplishment every time I turn my K3S on.

Sent from my iPhone

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w7aqk

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by w3pnm

If you ever spent Christmas Eve putting toys together for your kids, you
probably are qualified to go with the kit!!! Hi. It's really just an
assembly process, and the instructions are pretty straight forward. More
than anything, it is a matter of just being careful, reading the
instructions, and not trying to go too fast. Inventory the parts carefully
(that's critical!), and separate them in an organized fashion. Do that, and
you have half the battle won. Some parts may be a close fit, but they do
fit! Tool requirements are relatively simple, and no soldering. In the
end, you know a lot more about what is inside the case, and where it is.

You need a lot of room, so unless you have a particularly large, uncluttered
work bench, use the dining room table with a good protective pad on top.
Order in pizza--no cooking during assembly!

Anyway, saving the $200 is not the wrong thing to do, unless a reasonable
amount of patience is not one of your virtues. It doesn't take all that
long, and it's really not all that difficult, but you do need to proceed
with reasonable care. I recommend some nice soft, soothing music in the
background just to keep yourself relaxed! Hi.

Dave W7AQK

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Terry Schieler-2

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Earl, K4KAY wrote " No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts, washers and lock washers. My age is 78."

I am 69 and with apologies to all the members of this site who don't have enough years behind them to get this, I will simply state "think Erector Set".

Terry, WØFM

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles R.Tropp [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 8:58 AM
To: efortner; 'Bill DeVore'; '[hidden email]'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy

It certainly is not a question of saving $200.00 because the feeling of accomplishment you will receive when the lights go on is priceless! 73, Charles N2SO Treasurer, Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. http://QCWA.org

On Tuesday, September 6, 2016 9:05 AM, efortner <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Bill,

At the Shelby Hamfest, 2015 I ordered the entire K-Line, Amp, KAT500, K3s and Elecraft P3 along with the filters they suggested. I received the shipment in late September. Took inventory of all parts as they recommended. I started with the receiver and finished with KPA500 amplifier. It was not difficult and took about three weeks in spare time. It worked when finished but had one minor issue after I started using it. It turned out the reference oscillator was defective and would drift after the K3s warmed up and would stop receiving. A little trouble shooting with help from the factory soon had another reference oscillator on the way. I have probably worked a 100 new countries since then. About the only things you need to buy are a muffin tin to hold the small parts. Several new screwdrives for the small screws and a static mat with wrist clip. No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts, washers and lock washers. My age is 78.

Regards, Earl Fortner, K4KAY

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill DeVore
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 8:26 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy

I’m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?

Bill

W3PNM
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Mike Markowski-2

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

Erector Set without the cut fingers. :-)

73,
Mike ab3ap

On 09/06/2016 03:24 PM, Terry Schieler wrote:
> Earl, K4KAY wrote " No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts,
> washers and lock washers. My age is 78."
>
> I am 69 and with apologies to all the members of this site who don't
> have enough years behind them to get this, I will simply state "think
> Erector Set".
>
> Terry, WØFM
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

Having built the K2 and all accessories, I ordered
my K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500 assembled -- mainly due to
the size and weight of some (particularly with the
KPA500). The K2 was all the building experience
(from 1999-2003 as accessories were developed) I
really needed -- along with other, smaller kits.

I did assemble the KX3 and PX3. And in the case of
the KX3 I rather regretted that choice: One small
mechanical part, a standoff, was not usable and I
had to wait five days for a replacement. Of
course, in the long run it hardly matters. But I
do find the "melt solder" kits more fun to build
and get working, and miss the days when so many
thru-hole part kits were available. The K2 is the
last really challenging one, IMO.

73, Phil W7OX

On 9/6/16 2:16 PM, Mike Markowski wrote:

> Erector Set without the cut fingers. :-)
>
> 73,
> Mike ab3ap
>
> On 09/06/2016 03:24 PM, Terry Schieler wrote:
>> Earl, K4KAY wrote " No soldering, just a lot of
>> small screws, nuts,
>> washers and lock washers. My age is 78."
>>
>> I am 69 and with apologies to all the members
>> of this site who don't
>> have enough years behind them to get this, I
>> will simply state "think
>> Erector Set".

Bill K9YEQ

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

Phil, My sentiments as well. The K2, KX1, and other basic through hole
building is what matters to me. The joy of trouble shooting is gone for me.
I work on PC repairs, Wi-Fi and network issues... that is more than plenty.
I enjoy having my stuff built. I still build PC's for customers but even
that is a disappearing art and unless you do it regularly, it becomes a bit
of a task.

Bill
K9YEQ

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil
Wheeler
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2016 5:06 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S - Build or Buy

Having built the K2 and all accessories, I ordered my K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500
assembled -- mainly due to the size and weight of some (particularly with
the KPA500). The K2 was all the building experience (from 1999-2003 as
accessories were developed) I really needed -- along with other, smaller
kits.

I did assemble the KX3 and PX3. And in the case of the KX3 I rather
regretted that choice: One small mechanical part, a standoff, was not usable
and I had to wait five days for a replacement. Of course, in the long run it
hardly matters. But I do find the "melt solder" kits more fun to build and
get working, and miss the days when so many thru-hole part kits were
available. The K2 is the last really challenging one, IMO.

73, Phil W7OX

On 9/6/16 2:16 PM, Mike Markowski wrote:

> Erector Set without the cut fingers. :-)
>
> 73,
> Mike ab3ap
>
> On 09/06/2016 03:24 PM, Terry Schieler wrote:
>> Earl, K4KAY wrote " No soldering, just a lot of small screws, nuts,
>> washers and lock washers. My age is 78."
>>
>> I am 69 and with apologies to all the members of this site who don't
>> have enough years behind them to get this, I will simply state "think
>> Erector Set".

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Gary Smith-2

Re: K3S - Build or Buy

In reply to this post by w3pnm

Build, VS buy... If you have the
temperment to build, it is a wonderful way
to get to know how your radio is assembled
and it will give you an idea how to work
on it if in the future, the need should
arise.

I built my K3, I did buy the factory built
K3s but only because I built the K3
earlier. Had I not done the earlier build
I would certainly bought the K3s Kit.

It reminds me of an Erector set, if you
remember those, its a great way to make
something grand out of parts.

73,

Gary
A1J

> I´m considering the purchase of a K3S and was wondering what are the pros and cons of building versus buying a factory radio. Is building worth the $200 in savings?
>
> Bill
>
> W3PNM
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