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Newbie Questions for K3...

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Phil Hystad

Newbie Questions for K3...

I am not a K3 owner but I plan to be sometime soon. I am still in my research stage where I want to learn as much as I can about the K3 before I buy. I do have a couple of questions...

1. Are there options that I would be foolish not to get right up front? My plan is to at least get the 100 watt option and I am seriously considering the ATU.

2. Are there any custom ICs or other esoteric parts on the K3 that might limit its ultimate future repair life? I have already had an old Icom 756 be judged passed repair do to the in-availability of a few needed ICs.

3. Is the kit difficult to put together? I have done a few easier kits, such as the Norcal40A and a few other small things of easier effort.

Thanks,
73, phil
K7PEH

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KK7P

Re: Newbie Questions for K3...

> 2. Are there any custom ICs or other esoteric parts on the K3 that might limit its ultimate future repair life? I have already had an old Icom 756 be judged passed repair do to the in-availability of a few needed ICs.

There are no custom ICs. There is a custom LCD display, and of course
the cabinetry and knobs.

> 3. Is the kit difficult to put together? I have done a few easier kits, such as the Norcal40A and a few other small things of easier effort.

This is a "no soldering" kit. You do have to assemble the power cable,
and if you lack a Powerpole crimper then you have to either solder it or
order an assembled power cable.

73,

Lyle KK7P

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Newbie Questions for K3...

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad

Phil,

I can try to answer your questions.
1) All options are easily installed. The hardest option to install is
an additional filter for the main receiver when the Sub RX is also
installed because the SubRX must be lifted to gain access to the main
receiver filter slots. Since you did not mention the SubRX with your
initial purchase, that would not be a concern.
2) There are no custom ICs used in the design that I am aware of.
3) The kit requires no soldering (other than the APP connector on the
power cable), so it is more akin to assembling a computer from a case
and motherboard and plug-in cards. There is the construction of the
case involved, but that is mechanical assembly, just follow the
instructions and use a good #1 phillips screwdriver. It is not
difficult unless your manual dexterity is poor.

73,
Don W3FPR

Phil Hystad wrote:

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Mike Reublin

Re: Newbie Questions for K3...

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad

Phil -
I put mine together a month ago. It's not difficult, but it is tedious.
It took me about 12-14 hours.
You'll need an anti static mat and wristband. I ordered mine from Radio
Shack (276-2370).

I got the 100W PA, ATU, 6M preamp and 2.8, 400 and 250 8 pole filters.
That suits my operating preferences, SSB, CW and digital. Consider what
you do. It's not difficult to add pieces later, and if you build it,
you'll already know how.

There is a learning curve associated with operating it to it's fullest,
but it's a really fun ride. Go for it.

73, Mike NF4L

Phil Hystad wrote:

> I am not a K3 owner but I plan to be sometime soon. I am still in my research stage where I want to learn as much as I can about the K3 before I buy. I do have a couple of questions...
>
> 1. Are there options that I would be foolish not to get right up front? My plan is to at least get the 100 watt option and I am seriously considering the ATU.
>
>
> 2. Are there any custom ICs or other esoteric parts on the K3 that might limit its ultimate future repair life? I have already had an old Icom 756 be judged passed repair do to the in-availability of a few needed ICs.
>
>
> 3. Is the kit difficult to put together? I have done a few easier kits, such as the Norcal40A and a few other small things of easier effort.
>
>
> Thanks,
> 73, phil
> K7PEH
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Jon Kåre Hellan

Re: Newbie Questions for K3...

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad

Phil Hystad wrote:
> I am not a K3 owner but I plan to be sometime soon. I am still in my research stage where I want to learn as much as I can about the K3 before I buy. I do have a couple of questions...
>
> 1. Are there options that I would be foolish not to get right up front? My plan is to at least get the 100 watt option and I am seriously considering the ATU.

Get the ATU. For me, it's tuned everything my manual MFJ tuner would tune.
If you're interested in digital or CW, get a narrow filter - I'd say 400 or 500 Hz.

73
Jon LA4RT
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David Cutter

Re: Newbie Questions for K3...

Agree about the ATU, astonishing. If you use a multiband doublet, say, get the atu.

Most folk advise that filters are only to needed if you are in a contest with *very* strong signals or if you have a close neighbour with very strong signal. If you are not sure about spending the money, try the K3 on your usual activities then retrofit only if needed. Mostly, bringing in the attenuator will do that job.

David
G3UNA

---- Jon K Hellan <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Phil Hystad wrote:
> > I am not a K3 owner but I plan to be sometime soon. I am still in my research stage where I want to learn as much as I can about the K3 before I buy. I do have a couple of questions...
> >
> > 1. Are there options that I would be foolish not to get right up front? My plan is to at least get the 100 watt option and I am seriously considering the ATU.
>
> Get the ATU. For me, it's tuned everything my manual MFJ tuner would tune.
> If you're interested in digital or CW, get a narrow filter - I'd say 400 or 500 Hz.
>
> 73
> Jon LA4RT
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Matt Zilmer

Re: Newbie Questions for K3...

In reply to this post by Jon Kåre Hellan

Ditto - get the ATU. Very useful for non-resonant (er, non-50 ohm
feedpoint) antennas.

I run the ATU on a 160m dipole used on all bands 160m - 10m. No
worries. Just make sure the feedline is 1/8-wave on the lowest band
and the ATU will bring your K3 50 + j0 ohms.

I also use the ATU on a homebrew vertical for 40-30-20-17m. It helps
touch up the SWR just a little at the band ends.

Early on, I found that running the ATU in the presence of RF feedback
generally doesn't work so well. Just what I was taught (the K3 was
unhappy too). But the right choice of long wire length will let it do
its thing comfortably. Just make sure the feedpoint is reasonably
distant from the shack.

73,
matt W6NIA
K3 #24

On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:59:31 +0100, you wrote:

>Phil Hystad wrote:
>> I am not a K3 owner but I plan to be sometime soon. I am still in my research stage where I want to learn as much as I can about the K3 before I buy. I do have a couple of questions...
>>
>> 1. Are there options that I would be foolish not to get right up front? My plan is to at least get the 100 watt option and I am seriously considering the ATU.
>
>Get the ATU. For me, it's tuned everything my manual MFJ tuner would tune.
>If you're interested in digital or CW, get a narrow filter - I'd say 400 or 500 Hz.
>
>73
>Jon LA4RT
>______________________________________________________________
>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