[Elecraft] K3 assembly pictures posted

[Matt Zilmer]

Not sure that would work, unless Elecraft had a different set of
stencils for the through-hole user-installed parts.  Othewise the
solder paste would clog the holes.  No - wait, these have to either be
wave soldered or hand soldered (toroids), after the reflow.  So they
have stencils that mask the through holes..  But they can't do wave
soldering in combination with reflow (that I've heard of yet).  And
hand soldering evidently is what is being done now for assembly of
through-hole parts.

No wonder it's not optimum.  As hams, we get the best out of technical
user perception, because we actually look to admire the workmanship of
radios we buy.  Others look at the industrial design for guidance.  We
look inside.

Hey - it's an idea after all.  One may always ask.

The real trouble(tm) with this approach is that the test eqmt at
Elecraft no doubt assumes the RF board is completed.  New TE costs $
to produce, and they haven't finished yet with what TE they need for
MP.

73,
matt, WA6EGJ

On Sun, 04 Nov 2007 15:34:53 -0800, you wrote:

>Craig NZ0R wrote: 
>
>"You could avoid the problem by convincing Elecraft to ship a "torroids
>(sic) only" version of the kit. It would be the same kit but without the
>torroids. You'd have the joy of winding them yourself and installing them on
>the board. Of course you wouldn't get the benefit of factory testing of your
>finished K3.
>:-)"
>
>---------------------
>
>And that's a HUGE ISSUE! The correct alignment of those filters requires
>equipment not available to most Hams. That's why there are warnings in the
>manual NOT TO TOUCH ANY ADJUSTMENTS ON THE BOARDS! All user adjustments are
>done in firmware through the front panel controls.
>
>The issue of soldering SMDs was only part of the rationale behind a "no
>solder kit". The other part is that of providing circuits set up at the
>Elecraft lab to standards beyond the skills and resources of most Hams in
>their home workshops. 
>
>Ron AC7AC 
>
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