[Elecraft] Re: kx1 suggestions?

[John]

David wrote:
     "

"But what I want to know is, aside from information detailed in the instr=
uction
manual, does anyone have any suggestions or warnings about construction a=
nd/or
operation?"

  The one suggestion that I would make, and has been said so many times b=
efore on this list, is take your time and don't work when you're tired! B=
ill, W7QQ, mentioned in the post above yours of soldering two headers on =
the wrong side of the pcb. Well I made just as bad of a mistake by solder=
ing EVERY relay on the wrong side of the board on the KXAT1. It was the w=
eekend before the EQP and I got in a big hurry to finish the kit. It was =
my fault entirely (early Sunday ((5 A.M.)) morning and not enough coffee)=
=2E I do wish, as Bill said, there had been a bold typed word of caution =
at the beginning to jog my weak memory. I had read the little constructio=
n booklet, but just didn't pay attention. BTW, this is the first step and=
 all of the relays are installed at once. I realized the mistake when I s=
tarted to solder the I.C. socket on the pcb and discovered to my dismay t=
hat "this ain't right!" Anyhow, I immediately reordered the option.  I di=
dn't have a suitable solder sucker and solder wik don't cut it when one i=
s trying to remove a relay, at least not IMHO. I have since rectified tha=
t situation in preparedness for the K2 I'm soon to order!
  Again, as the carpenters say, "measure twice, cut once". Have that extr=
a cup of coffee or whatever before you begin. It was a great kit to build=
 and operate. BTW, I used my K1 in the EQP. It did the job just fine, but=
 I had my heart set on using the little guy.

73,
John, KD5EJA, K1 #679 & KX1 #479