[Elecraft] KB7OEX: Proud to be a MINDLESS kit builder!

[Tim and Nancy Logan]

Hi folks - 

I've never before put my 2 cents worth in on this kind of thread and may
regret this BUT. The K1 and the K2 were my 3rd and 4th kits. A year ago
I did not know what a resistor looked like....or what a capacitor
does...or the impact of subtle adjustments to torroids....or the
experience of a VERY FINE SUPPORT department....let alone finding out
what it's like to own a TOP NOTCH rig. 

Yes I learned to solder and no I cannot truly tell you how all this
stuff works. But if you think any of us aren't learning something by
building these kits, wake up and put yourself in the shoes of a rank
beginner. Had I started out with an ICOM I wouldn't know ANYTHING about
what was inside it....certainly not from taking FCC licenses tests! 

I've learned lot though.....and it's only about 1/10,000 of what people
like Gary and Eric and Wayne and Tom Hammond know. And I'm darn proud of
that little bit I've learned and very proud that I had the physical
dexterity to get 98% of it together with only 2 or 3 huddles with Gary
and Tom.

AND....it's enough to make me brave enough to take a bread board and
figure out how a few small parts start to make a receiver etc........

AND FOR GOSH SAKES........it's just plane FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!  So be
proud of WHATEVER you've done with building. As soon as you touch the
soldering iron you're learning something. Homebrew vs kit building?
Geez......some of us are just new folks having a lot of fun and learning
something on the way that we never even began to think we could
learn.....including how to solder 8 zillion parts and proud of it. I
knew I'd regret starting this note hi hi! Have a great day folks!

73/Tim Logan KB7OEX

PS And I'm just VERY VERY glad that people like Gary Surrency and Tom
Hammond and all the others are willing to answer questions. Do you
realize how much time and energy it takes these guys to help us!!!!!