[Elecraft] K3 no-soldering kit: response to several comments

[wayne burdick]

We've had a few requests for a "full" K3 kit -- one where the builder 
installs all of the parts, including the SMDs (surface mount devices). 
Unfortunately this isn't practical for a project of this complexity. I 
realize that many of our customers are quite capable of doing SMD 
assembly, but many would have difficulty, too, since there are hundreds 
of SMDs, many with very fine pitch leads.

In order to support a "full" kit, we'd have to stock and kit all of the 
SMDs for a small percentage of builders. This would represent a huge 
amount of added overhead, since at present the SMDs are shipped 
directly from vendors to our assembly facility. In addition, we'd need 
a lot of additional documentation and support staff to help with 
SMD-related assembly, testing, troubleshooting and repair. I consider 
myself a very capable SMD builder, but I occasionally mis-install a 
part or leave a joint unsoldered, and troubleshooting such problems can 
be very tedious even for the designer!

The other request has been for a version of the K3 where the builder 
installs all the leaded parts. This, too, would create major 
difficulties for a product like the K3. Even if we pre-installed the 
SMDs, we wouldn't be able to fully test the PC boards if we didn't also 
install the leaded parts, including connectors. Nodal testing using 
custom fixtures for each board might get around this, but it could take 
another year of engineering time to complete. And we'd still have 
problems: a very expensive multilayer board with lots of SMDs that was 
damaged during customer assembly would be a serious liability both for 
us and the builder.

The modular, no-soldering K3 kit will, we hope, be attractive to both 
our current customers and to new builders who would never have 
attempted to build their own transceiver before. With our encouragement 
(and yours), these new builders may go on to try their hand at our 
"full" kits. We plan to continue to offer all of our present kits and 
will add new ones in the future.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

---

http://www.elecraft.com