[Elecraft] Parts Inventory

[Philip Westover]

Now that some have admitted how anal THEY might be, I'll give it a =
try...

I am so captured by the kit building process, that I have to admit I =
build the kits mostly for the journey, not the destination (the end =
result).  Although I do like to have an end-product that functions =
properly and can be used.  I do use them, by the way.

I make the kit building process a longer journey than the average =
person, but I know it isn't efficient or quick.

I always start off by downloading or somehow obtaining the manual prior =
to receiving the kit.  I also focus on email reflector topics, even to =
the point of keeping a hardcopy collection of the specific topics =
related to the kit I'm going to build, so that I can read them at lunch =
time! =20

This gets even deeper!

I develop a spreadsheet of all the schematic identifiers ("R1," "R2," =
etc.) for all parts.  This is always interesting because the identifiers =
often are in numeric order, but they frequently are not.  I always =
wonder what the history of the design process was that caused this break =
in numeric sequence.

Once the spreadsheet has been developed (by the way, this is still =
BEFORE the kit has arrived), I then create a Powerpoint file which =
includes one or more pages of "dot rows" spaced about 1/2" apart in =
several lines down the page.  Then I label each "dot" with each =
respective part number.  So the end result is a piece of paper with lots =
of part-numbered dots on it.  With most kits, this can be one page.  The =
K2 required three pages of dots!

Then, I tack each of these pages onto a 1-inch thick styrofoam piece, =
the same size as the page.  Now I'm ready for the kit to arrive!

The kit gets to my front door, and I then pull the parts, one at a time, =
identifying each part with my expert color-code translation ability =
(ha-ha), and I "plug" the part into its respective "dot" on the page.  =
It goes right through the page's paper and into the styrofoam block.

Now for all the purists and those who are knowledgeable, they would =
cringe when they find out that I have plugged static sensitive parts =
into this foam in the past.  I have never had a failed part, but I =
decided not to take chances anymore, so I leave the static sensitive =
parts out.  (But honestly, I've built several kits where I've plugged =
everything into the styrofoam except the DIP packages, and I've never =
had a problem...of course, I've never had a hard-drive crash, either =
<yet>)

Then when I start building, I take lots of time to do the work, but I =
have these very nice, well-organized "cards" of parts in front of me.  I =
know what every part looks like.  I can keep an eye on my progress.

It's a wonderful thing.

And, if I ever build another one of the same kit, I'm ready to go!

I know, I know.  Most of you will wonder if I "have a life."  I think I =
do.  I just absolutely look forward to every project I do.  (I even =
follow the same process for my home brew stuff, too.)

I've got a T-kit and a Small Wonders Lab kit, and some others waiting to =
be built.

Life is GOOD!

73,
Phil Westover, WA7URV
Cascade Pacific Council Radio Scouting
K1 #220
K2 #2690
KX1 #282


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