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k-3 kit info

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tony rowland

k-3 kit info

am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
s/ tony rowland
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wayne burdick

Re: k-3 kit info

Administrator

Hi Tony,

The K3 is a no-soldering kit, requiring only ordinary hand tools. We
do recommend you have a digital multimeter for some of the checks. But
all of the PC boards are completely pre-assembled and tested. That's
why a K3 you build is guaranteed to work just as well as one that's
factory-built.

Even thought the K3 is a no-soldering kit, it'll still take you a good
day's work to put it together -- lots of PC boards, hardware, knobs,
chassis components, etc. :)

There are a number of Youtube videos showing K3 assembly and operation.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Dec 16, 2010, at 6:11 PM, tony rowland wrote:

> am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the
> pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
> s/ tony rowland
> ______________________________________________________________
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John Ragle

Re: k-3 kit info

In reply to this post by tony rowland

Tony...

The K3 has almost no "hole stuffing and soldering" assembly...most
of the components are pre-mounted surface-mount type. I would categorize
the assembly as more "erector set" -- mounting boards, running TMP
cables, etc.

Having built a fully fleshed-out K2 some time back, I believe in
comparison that the K3 is NOT a deep-end-of-the-pool type kit... You can
count on component boards fitting perfectly, etc., and the packing
density is not crowded. There is a surprising amount of space inside the
box.

Perhaps watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfUMZcwtIyw would
be of some reassurance, especially if you like Joplin.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

=====

On 12/16/2010 9:11 PM, tony rowland wrote:
> am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
> s/ tony rowland

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: k-3 kit info

In reply to this post by tony rowland

Tony,

I would rate it as a "wading pool kit" compared to most other ham radio
kits. No soldering except for the power cable APP connector (buy the
factory assembled cable if that gives you trouble).

It does mean that you must be able to insert screws and plug boards into
sockets properly which does require a certain amount of manual
dexterity. The "properly" requires that you be able to follow the
written instructions - in the order written from start to finish. The
manual is quite clear for most people. If you think you do not
understand a step, please ask here, you will usually get a response in a
short time (sometimes only minutes) in an attempt to provide assistance.

Equip yourself with an anti-static mat with wrist strap, and a good, new
#1 Phillips screwdriver (el-cheapo screwdrivers are junk IMHO even when
new) so that you do not static-zap the circuit boards and can drive the
screws without damaging the screwheads.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/16/2010 9:11 PM, tony rowland wrote:
> am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
> s/ tony rowland
>
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Bob K6UJ

Re: k-3 kit info

I agree 100% with Don.
I might add that everything fits together perfectly. Elecraft has
done a super job on the precision they have maintained in manufacturing
the case assemblies. Everything goes together extremely well !

Bob
K6UJ

On Dec 16, 2010, at 6:31 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Tony,
>
> I would rate it as a "wading pool kit" compared to most other ham radio
> kits. No soldering except for the power cable APP connector (buy the
> factory assembled cable if that gives you trouble).
>
> It does mean that you must be able to insert screws and plug boards into
> sockets properly which does require a certain amount of manual
> dexterity. The "properly" requires that you be able to follow the
> written instructions - in the order written from start to finish. The
> manual is quite clear for most people. If you think you do not
> understand a step, please ask here, you will usually get a response in a
> short time (sometimes only minutes) in an attempt to provide assistance.
>
> Equip yourself with an anti-static mat with wrist strap, and a good, new
> #1 Phillips screwdriver (el-cheapo screwdrivers are junk IMHO even when
> new) so that you do not static-zap the circuit boards and can drive the
> screws without damaging the screwheads.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/16/2010 9:11 PM, tony rowland wrote:
>> am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
>> s/ tony rowland
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

The Smiths

Re: k-3 kit info

In reply to this post by tony rowland

It's a screw together kit.. you don't have to even heat the soldering iron.

If you have a small philips screw driver, a pair of needle nose pliers, 2 hands (that don't shake too much) and eyes that can see relatively small things, I would say you're ready to go.

> Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:11:33 -0800
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] k-3 kit info
>
> am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
> s/ tony rowland
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Phil Hystad-3

Re: k-3 kit info

In reply to this post by Bob K6UJ

And, yet another comment...

Not only do the parts on the K3 go together very well, it is enjoyable
to see the precision of the engineering that went into the design plus
the carefully orchestrated guide. If anything is awkward or requires
a certain finesse to work, the guide actually tells you of this. It also
warns you to be careful in some spots about dropping screws or things
of that ilk or putting to much strain on a part.

73, phil, K7PEH

On Dec 16, 2010, at 6:40 PM, Robert Harmon wrote:

> I agree 100% with Don.
> I might add that everything fits together perfectly. Elecraft has
> done a super job on the precision they have maintained in manufacturing
> the case assemblies. Everything goes together extremely well !
>
> Bob
> K6UJ
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 16, 2010, at 6:31 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Tony,
>>
>> I would rate it as a "wading pool kit" compared to most other ham radio
>> kits. No soldering except for the power cable APP connector (buy the
>> factory assembled cable if that gives you trouble).
>>
>> It does mean that you must be able to insert screws and plug boards into
>> sockets properly which does require a certain amount of manual
>> dexterity. The "properly" requires that you be able to follow the
>> written instructions - in the order written from start to finish. The
>> manual is quite clear for most people. If you think you do not
>> understand a step, please ask here, you will usually get a response in a
>> short time (sometimes only minutes) in an attempt to provide assistance.
>>
>> Equip yourself with an anti-static mat with wrist strap, and a good, new
>> #1 Phillips screwdriver (el-cheapo screwdrivers are junk IMHO even when
>> new) so that you do not static-zap the circuit boards and can drive the
>> screws without damaging the screwheads.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 12/16/2010 9:11 PM, tony rowland wrote:
>>> am new to ham and to kit building. is the k-3 kit a deep end of the pool kit or can us wading pool types get our feet wet with it?
>>> s/ tony rowland
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

David Christ

Re: k-3 kit info

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

He is so right on the screwdrivers. I got a set of Wiha ones. They
are the ones with the rotating finger control cap.
<http://www.wihatools.com/200seri/261serie.htm > One of the better
purchases I have made.

A nut driver for the control nuts is a good idea, too.

David K0LUM

At 9:31 PM -0500 12/16/10, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Tony,
><snip>
>Equip yourself with an anti-static mat with wrist strap, and a good, new
>#1 Phillips screwdriver (el-cheapo screwdrivers are junk IMHO even when
>new) so that you do not static-zap the circuit boards and can drive the
>screws without damaging the screwheads.
>
>73,
>Don W3FPR
______________________________________________________________
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