[Elecraft] KAT100

Mon Dec 16 16:32:27 2002

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Douglas Westover
> Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 1:19 PM
> To: elecraft
> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT100
>
>
> Another KAT100 up and running and loading just
> about anything you can attach to it.

Congratulations, Doug!

>
> Couple of observations: I had a hell of a time putting
> the bail on the K2 when I first built it but did finally
> succeed, but not with the EC2 enclosure. I tried every
> trick I could think of and STILL couldn't do it..finally
> just gave up.

Hmmm.  I've always found that operation easy, but can't recall now what may
have made it so.

>
> There seems to be a consensus that winding toroids is
> the worst part of building Elecraft gear..I find toroids to
> actually be a lot of fun and actually enjoy the experience.

I agree.  For me, this is the highlight of the kit!  And, this isn't the
only weird thing about me, I'm told.

> HOWEVER, what drives me absolutely bats is straightening
> the "legs" on the IC's! I've managed to almost mangle several
> in the process. Why can't they be manufactured with straight
> legs to begin with??

Because they are manufactured to be automatically inserted by machine, which
springs the pins straight for insertion, then releases the tension as the
pins enter the holes and the IC gets seated.  The slight outward bend then
holds the IC in the board so it stays seated during wave solder.  We hand
builders have to put up with that.  I actually have a hand tool from 3
decades ago that does the same thing as the machine described above.  I
presume they are still available.

>
> In the three months I've been using the KPA100 the fan has
> only come on ONCE. Guess I'm just not long winded enough.

Under high CW contesting rates, the fan works more.

>
> Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all on the list and
> all of the Elecraft crew.
>
> 73,
> Doug
> W6JD
>
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73,
Ed - W0YK