[Elecraft] K3 Accessory Connector

[Charles Harpole]

So called  " D connectors" have design specifications issued by various mfg 
of them.  Most list a limited life of 10 to 30 plug/unplug cycles.  That is 
from the designers.  Of course, hams often push design specs well beyond 
those published... a good example is my friend's 50 foot FREE STANDING Rohn 
25G tower topped with a 5 el tribander (still standing after 16 yrs with no 
guys!!!!-- crazy)

but much more than reliability is the issue of USE-ABILITY.  The K3 is a 
field radio and under the most remote and demanding condx, anderson 
Powerpole and these D thingies are the first frustrations.... UNLESS.... If 
u have
1. steady soldering hands
2. very good eyesight
3.  extra patience
4.  proper small soldering tools
5. a proper crimper
6. extra care when plugging and unplugging, and
7.  a large parts store locally in ur area,

THEN, you can welcome these toy (D) or non standard (APP) connectors.  What 
is better, altho old stuff--- Cinch Jones (or even Molex) and below that, 
screw terminal strips and/or  binding posts.  If u r stuck with only bare 
wire and MUST make a connection, sticking a bare wire tip into a Jones 
socket is DO-ABLE, or even into a Molex.... try that with D s and even with 
the APPs.

The JA folks who gave us DIN connectors are now roasting in Small Connector 
Hell, where they have to solder 30 pin DINs with the firey heat of their 
bare fingers and are dipped bodily into molten solder for every mistake.

Oh wish.

Charles Harpole
k4vud at hotmail.com

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