[Elecraft] Elecraft technology

[Wallace, Andy]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Tellefsen [mailto:n6wg@earthlink.net]
> 
> One thing that several commentors have not mentioned 
> regarding Heathkits.
> At the time they were popular, daughter board construction 
> was not common.
> Any Heathkit with any complexity at all had a serious cable 
> loom in it that  had to be installed just so. 

Good point, Bob. I had forgotten about how much point to
point wiring was required. 

I did have an SB-313 SWL receiver which used plug-in boards,
if I remember right - and things like the bandswitch had
multiple sections soldered onto several boards, with the
shaft threading through them all from front-to-back. That
saved some harnessing.

The only negative thing about Elecraft board layout
is where you have to cut a part's leads short and solder
from the top, because there's another part under the 
holes on the opposite side of the board. The KSB2
and KAT2 have those situations, and I found that to
be the most challenging part of assembly. But with
care, it can be done. 

But the Elecraft way sure is nice, very little wiring.
Wayne's Norcal 40 rig was neat in that it also had 
luggage latches to open the case. Sometimes I wish
the Elecraft rigs had those! 

Andy